Motzei Shabbat

 This is the real, solid, 24-carat gold Menorrah that stands in Jerusalem, ready to be put into the 3rd Temple when it's built. I stood next to its glass cage and posed for photos, one of them with an IDF soldier, in 2018, when mostly peace still reigned in Israel.

    It is such a beautiful sight. Look at that glow on it from the lights! It is made according to halakhik standards and is completely kosher, fit for the Sanctuary of God. I think it's just amazing!

    Let's remember the seven-branched candlestick that God first commanded Betzalel through Moses to construct for that first Tabernacle in the Wilderness. It makes me think of the seven Messianic communities in the Book of Yochanan's revelation, and how Yeshua said He would remove the Golden Menorahs from said seven Messianic congregations if they did not shape up.

    The Revelation of Yochanan, Chapter 1 verse 4:

 (a) "Yochanan to the 7 Messianic communities which are in Asia..."

(b) "and  from the Spirits which are before His throne."

    The Asia referred to above is none other than modern-day Turkey. How many Messianic communities are there in Turkey today? NONE!

    We'll find out why not in a bit. But first, let's discover who the 7 Spirits are. They are none other than Yeshua the Messiah, represented by the burning flames on the 7-branched Golden Lampstand. Each lamp represents a different aspect of God, ie, Wisdom, Knowledge, Understanding, Fear of God, Counsel, Strength, and the Spirit of the LORD.

    So an earthly king has 2 of these spirits, King Solomon had 3. Yeshua haMashiach has all 7, because He and The Father are One.

    The reason there are no longer any Messianic communities in any of the 7 locations within Turkey today? Let's investigate!

    Revelation 1:10-11: "I (Yochanan) was in the Spirit on the Lord's day (the Sabbath, Saturday) and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, saying, I Am the Aleph and the Tav, the first and the last; and what you see write in a book, and send it to the seven Messianic communities which are in Asia (Turkey today);

To Ephesus

To Smyrna

To Pergamos

To Thyatira

To Sardis

To Philadelphia

To Laocidea.

    The order of these seven churches is the order of  an ancient mail route that connected them.

    Verse 12:

When Yochanan turned around he saw seven golden lampstands.

    Verse 13-18:

And in the midst of the seven lampstands one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot and girded about the waist with a golden girdle. His head and His hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; And His feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and His voice as the sound of many waters. And He had in His right hand seven stars; And out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword: And His countenance was as.  the sun shining in its strength. And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. And He laid His right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the First and the Last: I AM He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I AM alive forevermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.

    THIS IS OUR YESHUA!!!

Back to the 7 Messianic communities that are no more:

1. Ephesus

    The Kehila (assembly) at Ephesus was established 15-20 years after the death of Yeshua. Rabbi Shaul (the apostle Paul - yes, he was Jewish. Everyone in the story up to the establishment of these Messianic communities, is Jewish) - visited this community on his 2nd missionary journey through the ancient world (Acts 18:19). He placed Aquilla & Priscilla in charge. We all know what happened to them as a result of their disobedience!

    These are the words Yeshua gave to Yochanan to pass on to the congregation at Ephesus:

"I know your works, and your labour, and your patience, and how you cannot bear them that are evil: And you have tried them who say they are apostles (sent ones), and are not, and have found them liars: And has borne, and had patience, and for My name's sake have laboured, and have not fainted. Nevertheless, I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of its place, except thou repent. But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans*, which I also hate.

Here is a picture of what is left of the synagogue at Ephesus today:

No sign of a Golden Menorah here!

        * Nicolaitans: Followers of Nicolas. They were a sect that tried to mislead early Believers by tempting them to sin by saying sin wasn't sin. They are descendants of Bil'am, the false prophet who misled Israel at Ba'al Peor.

    2. Smyrna

The ancient city of Smyrna was only 40 miles south of Ephesus and surpassed all its sister cities. It had a harbour and was thus a busy trading city. It was also the centre for science and culture. Perhaps their pride was their fall, because although the city still exists today under another name, here are the ruins of the synagogue:

💔

    

Information and images of the other five Messianic communities that Yeshua spoke of to Yochanan the Beloved can be found in abundance online. For all of them, the story is the same: Turn from your sin and return to God, or He will remove your Golden Menorah. Sadly, not one of them did teshuva and none of the seven lampstands are left in their places today, just as Yeshua said.

    For the rest of the story, and for the specific sins of the specific congregations, please continue reading in Revelation Chapter 2, from verse 12 right up to Chapter 3 verse 12 - and beyond.

    It's not all doom and gloom, though, because, for each congregation that Yeshua warns, He also gives them a message of wonderful hope if they return to Him. Even though none of them did, we still have that opportunity of return today. The days are evil and they are short. Messiah is soon to return and take His place as the King of the Jews and those who are joined to Israel. If you have not yet done so, take a moment to reflect on your standing with the God of Israel. Repent and return. Today. Tomorrow is not guaranteed.

Shabbat Shalom from my home to yours🍷🥖🕮