As I was reading the Shepherd of Hermas, a book that was widely accepted in the Church of the East and rejected in the churches of the west (Roman/pagan culture), I felt that this message was urgent to share with the Body of Messiah with everything that has been going on in this world; and after you hear or read this message you will understand.
Shepherd of Hermas:
VISION FOURTH CONCERNING THE TRIAL AND TRIBULATION THAT ARE TO COME UPON MEN CHAPTER 1
“Twenty days after the former vision I saw another vision, brethren — a representation of the tribulation that is to come. I was going to a country house along the Campanian Road. Now the house lay about ten furlongs from the public road. The district is one rarely traversed. And as I walked alone, I prayed to YAHWEH to complete the revelations which He had made to me through His holy Assembly, that He might strengthen me, and give repentance to all His servants who were going astray, that His great and esteemed name might be esteemed because He vouchsafed to show me His marvels. And while I was esteeming Him and giving Him thanks, a voice, as it were, answered me, “Doubt not, Hermas;” and I began to think with myself, and to say, “What reason have I to doubt — I who have been established by YAHWEH, and who have seen such esteemed sights?”
This has happened to us all including myself, and we must learn from this situation. Hermas had been strengthen by YAHWEH and felt that nothing could move him at this point! But, when he heard “Doubt not, Hermas!” His answer was “What reason have I to doubt-I who have been established by YAHWEH, and who have seen such esteemed sights?” It’s easy to say that while things are going well, but we have to remember to not doubt or lose belief when it seems like there is no way out. Because the voice that he heard knew better than he did.
Luke 18:8
“I say to you that he will do their vengeance quickly. Nevertheless, the Son of Man will indeed come, and will He find belief on earth?”
Shepherd of Hermas continued:
I advanced a little, brethren, and, lo! I see dust rising even to the heavens. I began to say to myself, “Are cattle approaching and raising the dust?” It was about a furlong’s distance from me. And, lo! I see the dust rising more and more, so that I imagined that it was something sent from ELOHIM. But the sun now shone out a little, and, lo! I see a mighty beast like a whale, and out of its mouth fiery locusts proceeded. But the size of that beast was about a hundred feet, and it had a head like an urn. I began to weep, and to call on YAHWEH to rescue me from it. Then I remembered the word which I had heard, “Doubt not, O Hermas.” Clothed, therefore, my brethren, with belief in YAHWEH and remembering the great things which He had taught me, I boldly faced the beast. Now that beast came on with such noise and force, that it could itself have destroyed a city. I came near it, and the monstrous beast stretched itself out on the ground, and showed nothing but its tongue, and did not stir at all until I had passed by it. Now the beast had four colors on its head —. black, then fiery and bloody, then golden, and lastly white.
The first thing I want to point out is that Hermas said he had no reason to doubt, but when he was confronted with the beast the first thing, he did was doubt. How many times has this happened in your lives? But notice, Hermas said he remembered the words “Do not doubt, Hermas” and he proceeded to approach the beast. This reminds me of when Pharaoh’s army was approaching and Moses told the people with great confidence to trust in YAHWEH, that they need only to be silent, then he turned and prayed to YAHWEH and YAHWEH said why do you cry out to Me, tell them to move forward. In other words move forward in belief in My power and what I’m about to do for you.
Exodus 14:13-18
“And Moses said to the people, FEAR NOT, wait, and see the salvation of YAHWEH, which He will perform for you today; for the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you shall see them again no more forever. YAHWEH will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace. And YAHWEH said to Moses, “Why do you pray before Me? Tell the children of Yisra’el to go forward. And as for you, lift up your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it; and the children of Yisra’el shall go on dry ground through the sea. And, behold, I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, so that they shall follow them; and I will triumph over Pharaoh and over all his army, his chariots, and his horsemen. And the Egyptians shall know that I am YAHWEH, when I have been triumphant over Pharaoh, over all his army, his chariots, and his horsemen.”
Just as Moses and the Israelites walked on dry ground and were saved by trusting in YAHWEH, so did Hermas walk pass the beast unscathed by trusting in YAHWEH! Hermas said that he was CLOTHED IN BELIEF that YAHWEH had taught him through His word and experiences, and this is the key. To learn that YAHWEH has been and is fighting for you if you will cloth yourself in belief.
Ephesians 6:12-17 (Aramaic) Parenthesis mine
“For our conflict is not with flesh and blood but with principalities and with those in authority, and with the possessors of this dark world, and with the evil spirits that are under heaven. Therefore put on the whole armor of ELOHIM that you may be able to meet the evil one; and, being in all respects prepared, MAY STAND FIRM. Stand up therefore, and gird your loins with truth (Torah, Psalms 119:142); and put on the breastplate of righteousness (Torah, Deuteronomy 6:25); and defend your feet with the preparation the Good News of peace. And now take to you the confidence of BELIEF by which you will have power to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one. And put on the helmet of Salvation (Kova d’YESHUA, standing strong in our Savior YESHUA’s protection as no one can pluck us out of His hand John 10:28); and take hold of the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of ELOHIM (A reference to the written word, but also the written word that became living flesh YESHUA see: Revelation 19:13).”
Habakkuk 2:4
“For His soul does not delight in iniquity, but the righteous man shall live by belief.”
I also want to point out is that Satan always uses physical intimidation to scare us and make us doubt. He knows that humans react and respond to things that they can physically see or hear which makes them forget the power that they possess in YAHWEH! He makes you focus on what you can visually see instead of focusing on the spiritual power in YAHWEH that you cannot see. This is exactly what it’s called belief.
Hebrews 11:1 (Aramaic)
“Now belief is the persuasion of the things that are in hope as if they were in actual fact, and it is the manifesting of the things not seen.”
2 Corinthians 5:7
“For we walk by belief, and not by sight.”
For example, of intimidation of the eyes is when Moses sent the ten spies to spy out the land and they brought back an evil report and said:
Numbers 13:26-33
“And they came to Moses and Aaron and to all the congregation of the children of Yisra’el, to the wilderness of Paran, to Rakim; and they brought back word to them and to all the congregation, and showed them the fruit of the land. And they related to Moses, and said, we went to all the land to which you sent us, and surely it flows with milk and honey; and this is the fruit of it. Nevertheless the people who dwell in the land are STRONG, and the cities are fortified AND VERY GREAT; AND MOREOVER WE SAW THE SONS OF GIANTS THERE. The Amalekites dwell in the land of the south; and the Hittites and the Jebusites and the Amorites dwell in the mountains; and the Canaanites dwell by the sea and by the banks of Jordan. Then Caleb stilled the people before Moses and said, “Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it.” But the men who went up with him said, “WE ARE NOT ABLE TO GO UP AGAINST THE PEOPLE; FOR THEY ARE STRONGER THAN WE.” And they brought up to the children of Yisra’el an evil report of the land which they had spied out, saying the land through which we have gone to spy out is a land that devours its inhabitants; and all the people that we saw in it are MEN OF GREAT STATURE. THERE WE SAW GIANTS, THE SONS OF GIANTS, the descendants of giants; and we were in their sight like GRASS-HOPPERS, and so we were in their eyes.”
I believe this is part of the reason why the fallen angels went into the daughters of men to bring forth giants, because Satan knew that the children of Yisra’el would go to possess the promised land he wanted to use physical intimidation to stop them and it almost worked, but Joshua and Caleb believed while the others doubted. Same here with Hermas, he was confronted with a beast! I see a mighty beast like a whale, and out of its mouth fiery locusts proceeded. But the size of that beast was about a hundred feet, and it had a head like an urn.’ But notice, after that great performance by the beast to intimidate him, the beast did not do anything and let him pass by. Without belief in YAHWEH many would turn around and go the other way, and by going the way you fail the test and would not have known that you would have walked right pass him.
Was David intimidated by Goliath?
1 Samuel 17:34-36
“And David said to Saul, your servant was tending his dad’s sheep, and there came a lion and a bear, and took a lamb from the flock; and I went out after the lion and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth; and he growled at me, and I caught him by his beard, and I smote him and slew him. Your servant slew both the lion and the bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he has defied the armies of the living ELOHIM.” David said moreover, YAHWEH who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me out of the hands of the Philistine. And Saul said to David, “Go, and YAHWEH be with you.”
Go and YAHWEH be with you is a good response, because YAHWEH is all we need, we just need to have the belief as David did.
Another example of intimidating one with the eyes is:
Mark 9:16-20
“And He would ask the scribes, “Why are you disputing with them (disciples)? And one from the crowd answered and said, “Teacher I brought my son to you because he has a spirit that does not speak. And whenever it overtakes him, it knocks him down and he foams at the mouth and gnashes his teeth and becomes paralyzed. And I asked Your disciples to cast him out, and they were not able.” YESHUA answered and said to him, “Oh generation that is not faithful! How long must I remain with you and how long must I endure you? Bring him to Me! And they brought him to him and when the spirit saw him, it knocked him down at once, and he fell on the ground and was VIOLENTLY SHAKEN and he foamed at the mouth. And YESHUA asked his dad, “How long has it been since he has been this way?” He said to him, “Since his youth, and many times it has cast him into the fire and into the water to destroy him, but whatever you are able to do, have compassion on me and help me.”
It's quite possible that not only did the disciples need to fast more to deal with that kind of demon, but also lacking belief to cast it out, because of the violent shaking and foaming at the mouth would make them forget about the spiritual power they had been given to cast out demons but doubted when they saw this happening. I can tell you that when I worked in the jail, I would see inmates have seizures and if anyone has ever seen this before it is very violent looking. The point is it can be intimidating to the eyes and it makes you lose focus and cause doubt and this is what the enemy does.
CHAPTER 2
“Now after I had passed by the wild beast, and had moved forward about thirty feet, lo! a virgin meets me, adorned as if she were proceeding from the bridal chamber, clothed entirely in white, and with white sandals, and veiled up to her forehead, and her head was covered by a hood. And she had white hair. I knew from my former visions that this was the Assembly, and I became more joyful. She saluted me, and said, “Hail, O man!” And I returned her salutation, and said, “Lady, hail!” And she answered. and said to me, “Has nothing crossed your path?” I say, “I was met by a beast of such a size that it could destroy peoples, but through the power of YAHWEH and His great mercy I escaped from it.” “Well did you escape from it,” says she, “because you cast your care on ELOHIM, and opened your heart to YAHWEH, believing that you can be saved by no other than by His great and esteemed Name.
On this account YAHWEH has sent His angel, who has rule over the beasts, and whose name is Thegri, AND HAS SHUT UP ITS MOUTH, so that it cannot tear you. You have escaped from great tribulation on account of your BELIEF, and because you did NOT DOUBT in the presence of such a beast.
Doesn’t this sound familiar? Daniel had great belief in the Lion’s den and was rescued the exact same way:
Daniel 6:22
“My ELOHIM has SENT HIS ANGEL and HAS SHUT THE LIONS’ MOUTH, and they have not hurt me, because I was innocent before him; and also before you, O king, I have committed no offense.”
Shepherd of Hermas continued:
Go, therefore, and tell the elect of YAHWEH His mighty deeds, and say to them that this beast is a type of the great tribulation that is coming. If then ye prepare yourselves, and repent with all your heart, and turn to YAHWEH, it will be possible for you to escape it, if your heart be pure and spotless, and ye spend the rest of the days of your life in serving YAHWEH blamelessly. Cast your cares upon YAHWEH, and He will direct them. Trust YAHWEH, ye who doubt, for He is all-powerful, and can turn His anger away from you, and send scourges on the doubters. Woe to those who hear these words, and despise them: better were it for them not to have been born.”
Just as Hermas was instructed to tell these things to the elect of YAHWEH is what I’m now turning to tell you the elect, the children of YAHWEH and His Son YESHUA is to repent, prepare yourselves and turn to YAHWEH and serve Him blamelessly. Also mentioned in that passage was to “Cast your cares upon YAHWEH, and He will direct them.”
Proverbs 3:5-6
“Trust in YAHWEH with all your heart, and rely not on your own wisdom. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”
Hermas went through a type of tribulation, and he made it through because he trusted in YAHWEH! If he could not pass the test of a “type of a tribulation” then how could he be ready for true tribulation? Our Father YAHWEH has been preparing us with a type of tribulation that has been going on this world with the jabs, people losing their jobs, food shortages, and some even losing family over this whole incident. So, if you cannot handle this type of tribulation, then how will you be able to have enough belief and trust to handle things when they get worse? Gird yourselves with belief now! Trust in YAHWEH and His Son YESHUA now!
Hebrews 11:6
“WITHOUT BELIEF, A MAN CANNOT PLEASE ELOHIM. FOR HE THAT DRAWS NEAR TO ELOHIM MUST BELIEVE HIS EXISTENCE AND THAT HE WILL RECOMPENSE THOSE WHO SEEK HIM.”
Habakkuk 2:4
“For His soul does not delight in iniquity, but the righteous man shall live by belief.”
Mark 9:23
“YESHUA said to him, “If you are able to believe, anything is possible to be for him who BELIEVES.”
CHAPTER 3
I asked her about the four colors which the beast had on his head. And she answered, and said to me, “Again you are inquisitive in regard to such matters.” “Yea, Lady, said I, “make known to me what they are.” “Listen,” said she: “the black is the world in which we dwell: but the fiery and bloody points out that the world must perish through blood and fire: but the golden part are you who have escaped from this world. For as gold is tested by fire, and thus becomes useful, so are you tested who dwell in it. Those, therefore, who continue steadfast, and are put through the fire, will be PURIFIED by means of it. For as gold casts away its dross, so also will ye cast away all sadness and straitness (distress), and will be made pure so as to fit into the building of the tower.
Sirach 2:1-10
“My son if you come to serve YAHWEH, prepare your soul for trial. Set your heart aright and constantly endure and do not hurry in times of trouble. Cleave to him and do not depart, that you may be increased at your last end. Whatever is brought on you take cheerfully and be patient when you are changed to a low estate. For as GOLD IS TRIED IN THE FIRE SO ACCEPTABLE MEN IN THE FURNANCE OF ADVERSITY. Believe in Him and He will help you; order your way correctly and TRUST in Him. You who fear YAHWEH, wait for His mercy; and do not go aside, for fear that you fall. You who fear YAHWEH believe Him; and your reward shall not fail. You who fear YAHWEH, hope for good and for everlasting joy and mercy. Look at the ancient generations and see; were any who trusted in YAHWEH confounded? Or who did He ever despise, that called on Him?”
Zechariah 13:9
“And I will cause the third part to PASS THROUGH THE FIRE, AND WILL REFINE THEM AS THEY REFINE SLIVER, AND WILL TRY THEM AS THEY TRY GOLD; they shall call on My Name, and I will answer them; I will say, “They are My people; and they shall say, YAHWEH is my ELOHIM.”
Wisdom 3:5-6
“And having been chastised a little, they shall be greatly rewarded: for ELOHIM proved them and found them worthy of Himself. AS GOLD IN THE FURNANCE HE HAS TRIED THEM and received them as a burnt offering. “
1 Peter 1:6-7
“In which you will rejoice forever, notwithstanding you at the present time are under some pressure by the various trials that pass over you; so that the proof of your BELIEF may appear more precious than REFINED GOLD THAT IS TESTED BY FIRE, to esteem and honor and praise at the manifestation of YESHUA the Messiah.”
James 1:2-4
“Let it be all joy to you, my brothers, when you enter into many and various trials. For you know that the trial of your belief, makes you possess patience. And let patience have its perfect work so that you may be complete and perfect and may lack nothing.”
We go through these trials because YAHWEH is trying us as gold in the fire so that we will be purified and be useful to Him, and as James says it produces patience as know to wait for YAHWEH to act. We will be able to rely on Him and trust Him, so that you will not be moved by any situation on this earth or the intimidation the enemy tries to impose upon you.
Shepherd of Hermas continued:
“But the white part is the age that is to come, in which the elect of ELOHIM will dwell, since those elected by ELOHIM to eternal life will be spotless and pure. Wherefore cease not speaking these things into the ears of the saints. This then is the type of the great tribulation that is to come. If ye wish it, it will be nothing. Remember those things which were written down before.” And saying this, she departed. But I saw not into what place she retired. There was a noise, however, and I turned round in alarm, thinking that that beast was coming”
The Assembly says to Hermas do not cease from speaking these things to saints, just as I won’t cease to speak them to you all. The elect of YAHWEH is spotless and pure, and we know scripture defines the saints as:
Revelation 14:12
“Here is the patience of the saints who keep the commandments of ELOHIM, and belief in YESHUA.”
We trust in YAHWEH, we serve Him blamelessly, and we don’t love our lives to the death:
Revelation 12:11
“And they overcame him, because of the blood of the Lamb, and because of the word of their testimony: and they loved not their own lives, even to death.”
Psalms 116:15
“Precious in the sight of YAHWEH is the death of His saints.”
By overcoming this world through the blood of YESHUA and being led by the RUACH HA’KODESH we can take part of being elected by ELOHIM to eternal life and dwell with Him forever! Remember the words of this message and let them strengthen you all in the days to come.
The white part on the beasts head she says is the world to come:
Revelation 21:21-26
“And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; each pearl one gate, and each gate one pearl: and the broad street of the city was pure gold, like brilliant glass. And I saw no temple in it; for Master YAHWEH Almighty is its temple, and the Lamb. And the city has no need of the sun or of the moon to enlighten it; for the esteem of ELOHIM enlightens it, and the Lamb is the lamps of it. And the nations that were saved will walk by means of its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their esteem and the wealth of the nations into it. And its gates will not be shut by day; for there is no night there. And they will bring the esteem and honor of the nations into it. And there will not enter it anything polluted, or that practices impurity and falsehood; but they who are REGISTERED IN THE LAMB’S BOOK OF LIFE.”
Wisdom 3:7-9
And in the time of their visitation they shall shine and run to and fro like sparks among the stubble. They shall judge the nations and have dominion over the people and their Master shall reign forever. Those that put their trust in Him shall understand the truth: and those that are faithful in love shall dwell with Him: for favor and mercy is to his holy ones and He has care for His ELECT.”
HalleluYAH! As always may our Father YAHWEH bless you all in YESHUA’s Name!