Transgression
"For I well know that without fail you (Israel) kept dealing treacherously, and a 'transgressor from the belly' you have been called"-Isa 48:8
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The nation of Israel proved to be, as a nation, a stubborn and rebellious people. About them it is written: "From the day that you went out of the land of Egypt until YOUR coming to this place YOU people have proved rebellious in YOUR behavior with Jehovah."-Deut 9:7 Yes, the nation of Israel, on the same night that they came out of Egypt began to murmur to Moses saying: "Is it because there are no burial places at all in Egypt that you have taken us here to die in the wilderness?" Yes, Israel lacked faith in Jehovah, who had already shown them sign after sign of his strong right hand. Israel had not even entered into the law covenant with Jehovah, yet they were already transgressing against him. True to the words of Isaiah the prophet, Israel was a 'transgressor from the belly'.-(Isa 48:8) Three months later Israel came to Mount Sinai. Before the nation received the 10 Commandments Jehovah told Moses: "And now if YOU will strictly obey my voice and will indeed keep my covenant, then YOU will certainly become my special property out of all [other] peoples, because the whole earth belongs to me. And YOU yourselves will become to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' So Moses came and called the older men of the people and set before them all these words that Jehovah had commanded him. After that all the people answered unanimously and said: "All that Jehovah has spoken we are willing to do."-Exodus 19:5-8 Did they keep the covenant? No, for after they willingly agreed to come under Jehovah's covenant, before they even received the 10 commandments, they disowned HIM by making a golden calf, and saying about it: "This is your God, O Israel, who led you up out of the land of Egypt." Yes, natural Israel proved to be transgressors 'from the belly'.
Let’s now take a look at the 'Israel of God' ((spiritual jews) The term spiritual Israel is a familiar one here, therefore I will use it- not hoping to offend anyone- although the term itself is not found in the scriptures). Was spiritual Israel a 'transgressor from the belly'? Let’s take a look at the night that Jesus instituted the New Covenant: (memorial)
Many would say that Judas Iscariot was not present at the institution of the Lord's evening meal. They claim that Judas was first dismissed from the table, and then afterwards, Jesus instituted the evening meal with the 11 faithful apostles. Is this so? Jehovah God 'HONORS' his word the bible. It is impossible for him to LIE. Yes, down to the smallest letter of his word, he is faithful to it. To establish if Judas was present or not, lets first look at Luke 1:3 there it says: "I resolved also, because I have traced all things from the start with accuracy, to write them in LOGICAL ORDER to you, most excellent Theophilus," Yes, this being apart of the inspired Word of God, means EXACTLY what it says: "IN LOGICAL ORDER". Few would argue that this means in 'chronological order'...., yes, in the proper sequence of events. Jehovah does honor his Word, so lets take a look at Luke's account of the 'Lord's evening meal', since it is written in 'logical order'.
Luke 22 verse 19 first starts off by saying: "Also, he took a loaf, gave thanks, broke it, and gave it to them, saying: "This means my body which is to be given in YOUR behalf. Keep doing this in remembrance of me." Also, the cup in the same way after they had the evening meal, he saying: "This cup means the new covenant by virtue of my blood, which is to be poured out in YOUR behalf. "But, look! the hand of my betrayer is with me at the table. Because the Son of man is going his way according to what is marked out; all the same, woe to that man through whom he is betrayed!" Yes, AFTER Jesus made the 'new covenant', the 'betrayer' [Judas Iscariot] was STILL AT THE TABLE. Yes, Judas Iscariot became a member and fell under the 'new covenant'! However, some would claim that Luke's account was NOT in 'logical order', they state: "A comparison of Matthew 26:20-29 with John 13:21-30 indicates that he departed before Jesus instituted the celebration of the Lord's Evening Meal. Luke's presentation of this incident evidently is NOT in strict chronological order, for Judas had definitely left by the time Christ commended the group for having stuck with him; that would not fit Judas, nor would he have been taken into the 'covenant for a kingdom.'"-[insight Vol 2, pg 130 4th paragraph] What is to be said? Is Luke a liar by saying he put these things in Logical order, which would mean Jehovah is a liar since this IS HIS WORD? "NEVER MAY THAT HAPPEN! BUT LET GOD BE FOUND TRUE, THOUGH EVERY MAN A LIAR"-Rom 3:4 Yes, God's word does not LIE to us. Men Lie!!! Jehovah does NOT!!! There is only one Gospel that claims to be in 'logical order', this being the Gospel of Luke. In the other Gospel accounts of this event, there is no reason to assume that Judas was not present. Yes, he did leave before Jesus commended the other apostles for having stuck with him, but this does not mean that Judas did not first partake of the bread and the wine. But you may ask, 'What difference does this make'? Well, let’s first take a look at what the emblems symbolized. There is much to be said about them, but let’s go over them in brief.
THE BREAD (the body)
Jesus Christ himself is the sacrificial Passover lamb that takes sin out of the world. Yes, he gave himself as a ransom for all, to buy us back from Adamic sin. In ancient Egypt, the first Passover lamb was slaughtered. This was a shadow of the reality though, because the reality belongs in Christ. Likewise as the Passover lamb was slaughtered and the blood was splashed on the lintel and the doorposts, and the 'flesh' of the lamb was then roasted and eaten, Jesus Christ our Passover lamb was slaughtered for us as our Passover. Not all could partake of the Passover lamb though; Jews and circumcised alien residents were only allowed to partake of the Passover meal. Therefore let’s see what Jesus said the bread stands for: "This means my body which is to be given in YOUR behalf."-Luke 22:19 Yes, the bread stood for Jesus Christ's flesh that he had given in behalf of the Congregation of God (spiritual Israel). Concerning this flesh, Jesus said: "Most truly I say to YOU, unless YOU eat the flesh of the Son of Man........You have no life in yourselves. He that feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has everlasting life, and I shall resurrect him at the last day" He further goes on to say "Just as the living Father sent me forth and I live because of the Father, he also that feeds on me, even that one will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. It is not as when YOUR forefathers ate and yet died. He that feeds on this bread will live forever."-John 6:53-58 Yes, those who are his spiritual brothers must partake of Jesus' flesh, in order to have life. He called himself the true bread that comes from heaven. He is also the antitype for the manna that sustained the nation of Israel in the wilderness.
The Apostle Paul, under divine inspiration shows us another symbolic meaning to the bread, by saying: "The loaf which we break, is it not a sharing in the body of the Christ? Because there is one loaf, we, although many, are one body, for we are all partaking of that one loaf."-1Cor 10:16 Yes the eating of the bread symbolized a sharing in the body of Christ. What is the fulfillment of the body of Christ? "For just as the body is one but has many members of that body, although being many, are one body, so also is the Christ."-1Cor 12:4 Yes, Jesus himself is the head of that body, but we his brothers make up the rest of the body (arms, legs, ect..1Cor 12:14-26). "Now YOU are Christ's body, and members individually."-1Cor 12:27 Yes, the breaking of that loaf symbolized Jesus' fellow body members having a share in - or a piece (provision) in that body, hence the term 'in Christ'. As Jesus had said: "This means my body which is to be given in YOUR behalf."-Luke 22:19 The 'YOUR' being spoken about is his fellow brothers of the Royal Priesthood. That is why just as Jesus lived a sacrificial life and sacrificial death, so also the members of his body likewise must live a sacrificial life and die a sacrificial death that will bring benefits to all mankind. Yes 'THE CHRIST' is made up of the head (Jesus) and body (fellow anointed brothers) all become ONE SEED as Paul says: ("Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. It says, not: "And to seeds," as in the case of many such, but as in the case of one: "And to your seed," who is Christ.)-Galations 3:16 then in verse 29 he says "Moreover, if YOU belong to Christ, YOU are really Abraham's seed, heirs with reference to a promise"-Gal 3:29 Yes, all those who are Jesus' brothers become one body (one loaf), and that whole body constitutes one seed. Thus a seed does not sprout unless it first dies, likewise all Jesus' brothers are baptized into his death and must die a sacrificial death like his (physical and/or spiritual- Rev 11:7,8), in order to inherit a spiritual life like his (1 Cor 15: 42-45; John 12:24). Thus as Genesis 22:18 brings out: "And by means of your (Abraham) seed all the nations of the earth will certainly bless themselves due to the fact that you have listened to my voice." Yes, through the sacrifice of that 'seed' (the putting of death to it) all the nations (those who listen to 'Jehovah's voice' like 'the father of faith' -Abraham, and put faith in HIS provisions, namely Christ) are due for a blessing through that seed, during the Millennial reign.
The Wine (blood of the New Covenant)
"Drink out of it, all of YOU; for this means my 'blood of the covenant,' which is to be poured out in behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins."-Matt 26:27,28 Yes, for the 'many'. Jesus' blood was to be poured out for the forgiveness of sins. Accordingly Hebrews 9:22 says "unless blood is poured out no forgiveness takes place." Yes, Jesus shed his own life blood for forgiveness for the sins of many, not only for his fellow anointed brothers, but for all those that put faith in that shed blood. The High Priest of Israel used to enter into the most holy place once a year with blood not his own, as a shadow of the reality. But Jesus entered into the real most holy place (heaven itself) to appear before Jehovah for all mankind's sake with his own blood to cover mankind's inherent sin from Adam.(Heb 9:23-28)
"This cup means the new covenant by virtue of my blood."-1Cor 11:25 All of Jesus Christ's brothers have a share in the 'new covenant'. "The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not a sharing in the blood of the Christ?"-1Cor 10:16 By virtue of his blood, he prepared a way, a narrow way, for all his spirit anointed brothers to follow to become fellow kings and priests during his millennial reign. Jesus himself had to walk that narrow way to his death, yes even to be offered up as a sacrifice for all mankind. Likewise, his anointed brother's must walk that narrow path even unto death, by becoming 'footstep' followers of their Lord and Savior. They must drink the same cup that Jesus himself had to drink, yes a cup of self sacrifice and affliction.(Luke 22:42) They are sanctified by that 'blood of the covenant'-Heb 10:29 Jesus did ask two of his apostles: "Can YOU drink the cup that I am about to drink?"-Matt 20:22 Then he goes on to say: "YOU will indeed drink my cup,..."-Matt 20:23 Yes, all of Jesus' anointed brother's must drink out of the same cup and suffer the way that their 'head' and 'master' did. But it does prove to be a 'cup of blessing', for after they will have suffered, they will also be exulted like their Lord. Yes, they have a share in the same sufferings, but also a share of the same glory to follow. Thus by walking that narrow path (of the 'new covenant') to its completion and being poured out like a drink offering, they become sealed in their foreheads, and have the unfading heavenly 'crown of righteousness' reserved in the heavens, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give them as a reward in the day of their resurrection (2Tim 4:6-8). Thus as Jesus said on the night that he instituted the 'new covenant': "I will by no means drink henceforth any of this product of the vine until that day when I drink it new with YOU in the kingdom of my father"-Matt 26:29 Yes, that cup surely will prove to be a 'cup of blessing' for those who drink it to a finish!
Judas Iscariot (The 'Son of destruction')
Judas Iscariot became the first 'transgressor' against the New Covenant. He was brought under it the same night that he transgressed against it. Therefore, he becomes the 'type' or 'shadow' of all those who transgress against it. In order to transgress against the new covenant, you must be apart of it, namely- one of Christ's brothers. No, Judas never was anointed with Holy spirit, but lets see how he became a 'transgressor from the belly'.-Isa 48:8
Judas, one of the twelve, was chosen for a special blessing. He was chosen as one of the twelve foundation stones of God's spiritual temple. But he did not value sacred things. He proved to be a thief, yes he valued physical things more than spiritual things. Although he was sent out as one of the original twelve, performing powerful works in Jesus' name, he later proved to hate his Lord and Master. No, he could not accept a reproof (Matt 26:6-15). Yes, Judas was there during the institution of the new covenant. But did he appreciate sacred things? No. He esteemed as of ordinary value the blood of the covenant by which he was to be sanctified (Heb 10:29) He did not value the provisions made for him through Jesus, yes even hating his own spiritual birthright. Christ's sacrifice and provisions by virtue of his blood were worthless in Judas' eyes. Hence he went out (and it was night) and sought to betray Jesus to the chief priests. Yes, after receiving his morsel, he left the 'household of faith', and agreed to betray Jesus for 30 silver pieces -A slave's price! Thus by doing so, he also valued Jehovah himself as worth only a slave's price (Zec 11:13)
Before spiritual Israel could be born as a spiritual nation (Pentecost 33 CE), Judas was already a transgressor, yes from the belly! He would not even see the birth of that nation, since he did away with himself, yes Satan did away with him. Satan had no more use for Judas, he did his dirty deed, so Satan discarded him like a used rag. No, not even his new found friends, the chief priests of Israel, wanted anything to do with him. Yes, all transgressors of the covenant will follow the same path that Judas took, by betraying their their Lord and Master, Jesus Christ. They value physical things more than spiritual things, like there 'type' or 'shadow' Esau. They become blinded to spiritual things, and only see the value in the physical thing. And like the one born in the flesh (Ishmael), they start to persecute their own brothers, those of the covenant (promise) like Isaac. Furthermore they try to exalt themselves over their brothers, and lord it over them. Judas was called the 'son of destruction' and likewise these ones are called the same thing 'son of destruction' ('son of peridition') 2Thess 2:3 These ones sit themselves as head in 'God's spiritual temple' so that they publicly show themselves to be 'gods'. Just as the scribes and pharisees sat themselves in 'the seat of Moses', likewise these ones sit themselves in the seat of the 'Greater Moses', Jesus Christ.(Matt 23:2, 2 Thess 2:4) They like to be the 'governors' of their brothers. They like to play the part of 'mediator' between you and your head- Jesus Christ. They claim to be 'stars of light', but in reality they are full of darkness. (Jude 13) "These are fountains without water, and mists driven by a voilent storm, and for them the blackness of darkness has been reserved"-2 Peter 2:17 Yes, these ones are true apostates, because they have abandoned the straight path, and have stood in opposition to Jehovah himself. ('apostacy' here used as the term for those who stand in opposition to Jehovah, not those who stand in opposition to a 'earthly religious organization', --for if that was the case, 'Jesus' would have been the biggest apostate of them all---also many of the prophets) They act 'instead' of Christ, or 'against' Christ, therefore being 'Antichrist'. From ones such as these, TURN AWAY!!!