The Trial of Blood
By
Gary Primo
Sept. 27, 2012
Why did Yahushua have to suffer the trial of blood? Why did all the apostles save John have to suffer a similar trial? Most true believers had to suffer such a trial for the first 3 centuries. The answer is simple. The trial of blood is the ultimate proof of one’s faith and trust in Yahuwah. It is by this trial that Yahuwah knows our hearts absolutely. Yet so many Christians today believe that they are going to escape this trial via the “rapture” that they all believe is going to occur before the tribulation and they are going to escape scot free. It is my belief that none of us should expect to come into the Kingdom by any lesser means than the Messiah himself.
Before the Messiah came in the flesh, almost every prophet of Yahuwah suffered martyrdom for their belief in Yahuwah. If they had of denied Yahuwah at any time during their trial they would have disqualified themselves for the Kingdom. Likewise, if the Messiah had have failed this trial, he would have disqualified himself as the Messiah and the Saviour of mankind. It was his blood alone that atoned for our sins and paved the road for redemption for all who believed and followed after him.
This is what the Day of Atonement symbolizes. It is an annual set apart day like no other in that it is a solemn fast day instead of a feast day. On that day ones deprives themselves of the necessities for life, food and drink, to remind them of what they owe Yahushua (life) on account of his great sacrifice.
We owe Yahushua not only for our physical life but our future spiritual life as well. In creating all things through His only begotten son, Yahuwah was training Yahushua for his future role in the universe as King and High Priest. It was Yahushua who appeared to Adam and Eve as Elohim. It was Yahushua who walked, talked and ate with Abraham (along with two of his angels) in the form of a man. It was Yahushua who spoke to Moses from the burning bush. He, at all times, represented the Father and was the example before all mankind of what we are purposed to be – sons of the Most High Elohim. Yet mankind has thus far predominantly preferred the example of Adam over that of Yahushua. In doing so, they have denied both the Father and the Son.
None of this would have been necessary if Adam had not rejected Yahuwah. Yahushua, the second Adam, was sent to us to restore the creation back to its original, intended purpose – to define who a true son of Elohim was and to guarantee that those who stayed the course would receive eternal life. The problem is, staying the course.
I have witnessed a lot of “evolution” going on with several of the churches that claim to be re-claiming their Hebrew roots. While some are truly staying the course, others are straying in differing directions. Some are going completely back to the first covenant, rejecting the new covenant, the New Testament and that Yahushua was the promised Messiah. Others are taking a more liberal approach and growing closer to the mainstream Christian teachings. The truth of the matter is that we all need to follow only the teachings of the Messiah, through both the OT and NT teachings. We have only one teacher, one King, and one High Priest – Yahushua. We need not look towards any other source. The Torah is plain, simple speak, and does not need any outside (Talmud) sources to interpret what it says. What you read is what it means. Put all your trust in Elohim, not any man – not even myself. Search and prove all things for ourselves and we will show ourselves approved for the kingdom.
But is this enough? Is there one ultimate test that is required to definitely demonstrate our faith? Yes, there is. That is the trial unto blood. Was this necessary in the case of Yahushua? No, it was not. His was a rare case where the Father knew beyond any doubt that Yahushua would always remain faithful. Still, if he were never manifested in the flesh, his would have been a bogus example. Yahushua was to be the example for all of mankind. In doing so, he had to come in the flesh to prove that Yahuwah’s plan for mankind was doable. Being the firstborn of all creation it was imperative that he be the firstborn of the new creation, also, so that he could have preeminence in all things. The burden of all who are to be reborn of the new creation is that one must PROVE they are incorruptible. This proof is demonstrated like no other than through the trial unto blood.
All of the prophets before Yahushua suffered humiliating and undeserved deaths. It was their suffering of such deaths that qualifies them for the Kingdom. Yahuwah had no doubts concerning their faith. And even though Yahuwah had no doubts concerning Yahushua to begin with, He now has indisputable proof that He can present to the world, since Yahushua passed the trial unto death with flying colours. His example is ours also when we face such a trial.
The time is coming and indeed is upon us when this trial will be required of us. We see examples of believers in such countries as Libya and Syria, where the rebel forces are rounding up Jews and Christians who are then submitted to wholesale slaughter. It is my hope that the majority held tough to their faith and did not deny Elohim unto blood. However, I also firmly believe that not all stayed the course. I am sure that some denied the Messiah in a desperate attempt to divert harm to themselves or their loved ones. That is a sad reality in these types of situations. This is the trial that makes or breaks a Believer.
Naturally, it is my hope and prayer that all succeed and come into the full glory of Messiah. Yet there are so many ministries preaching that their members are going to escape such tribulation via some form of the “rapture” theory. My research shows that only 144,000 will escape. The great multitude to follow is said to have come through the tribulation (all 7 years of it) with their robes washed in blood. The 144,000 is a very small number compared to the world population and the number of professing Believers within all the Christian denominations existing today. How do we know if we are to be one of them or not? We do not know. Therefore, it is imperative that we do not take solace in the theories of escape that are out there and that we fully prepare ourselves for the assumed reality of facing this trial.
Yahushua knew his hour of trial was coming. He had no hope of a “stay of execution”. This was part of the purpose for which he was sent. He prepared himself for his trial by praying and growing closer to his Father. This is how we must prepare ourselves also. There is nothing that we can do to prevent it. Our spiritual lives are solely in the hands of our Father in heaven. The enemy knows that once they get us to deny Yahushua our salvation is gone from us like a puff of smoke. The enemy is going to kill us whether we stand for Yahushua or fail to. They will rape, torture and kill our family members no matter what. Giving into our fear will gain us nothing. Staying the course in spite of all that they throw at us will gain us everything. We must maintain the faith that Yahuwah is the Elohim of life and has all power over death. He has the power to resurrect us from the grave, along with all our family members, when the time comes. They can and will be saved by our faith. In our present state we all have to die sometime anyway. Why not make our deaths count for something. If we stay the course, we will have praises sung about us at some future time. Is that not better than becoming a curse upon the earth?
Imagine the excruciating trauma that the Believers in Libya and Syria had to contend with. Place yourselves in their shoes. One day the New World Order will be coming for us. They will hate us and attempt to make us deny Yahushua and take on their deity, Lucifer, as our Lord and Savior. Will we give in? Will we deny the Messiah and spiritually crucify him anew?
These are the questions that should be first and foremost in our minds and in our hearts as we approach these evil days – not resting comfortably on our backsides believing that we are going to be whisked away at the last moment to a place of safety. It is this latter group that faces the grimmest possibility of cracking under pressure because they have not prepared themselves for the more sure reality; that they will be called upon to suffer martyrdom for the Messiah’s sake. In fact, because of their failure to prepare themselves, they may be the first to be called upon for this trial.
The apostles, and indeed all of the saints throughout the past 2,000 years who ended up facing this trial, did indeed prepare themselves for it. We have the example of Stephen who was totally focused on Yahushua during his trial and saw the glory of Yahuwah before his eyes when they were preparing to stone him. This is how we, too, should be focused, not on whatever the enemy may do to us or our families. Put Yahuwah first and He will take care of the rest after He tests our hearts. Yahushua did not promise his followers an easy life. In fact he promised the opposite.
Matt. 10:16 - Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be you therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
17 - But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues;
18 - And you shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.
19 - But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what you shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what you shall speak.
20 - For it is not you that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaks in you.
21 - And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death.
22 - And you shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endures to the end shall be saved.
23 - But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, You shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.
24 - The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord.
It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord.
One can plainly see here that Yahushua never, at any time, promised his disciples a life of roses. Following Yahushua was likely to be the greatest challenge any had ever faced. This is the test of overcoming the world. This is the great challenge that we all face. It may sound easy, but it means changing our nature from carnal to spirit. It is not as easy as many presume. It is only if we have successfully completed this challenge that we will have even the smallest chance of being successful at being victorious over the final challenge – the trial of blood. If we cannot even overcome the smallest of obstacles, how might we expect to overcome such an obstacle as martyrdom?
We will be brought before world rulers and persecuted before the courts. Lying accusations will be hurled at us. Yahuwah’s spirit will fill us in that moment and He will speak through and for us. His words may not be what would save us from our trial as it is His name He will be glorifying and through us He will prophesy against the worldly and the Gentiles. They will not be popular words and the world will hate us all the more.
This prophesy was made partly toward those of Messiah’s day and partly for the end-time generation. Our loved ones whom we trust the most, will turn on us and hand us over to the authorities to be punished and/or killed. What will be required of us is that we follow the model set before us in Yahushua and not falter or crumble before those who persecute us. We may be living out of backpacks as we flee from city to city to avoid the persecution. We may be hunted down like the worst of criminals. We may even question our own faith at the time and wonder if it is worth it. We may simply want to lie down and die; giving ourselves over to the beast and all that he desires of us.
The key here is that the disciple must be like his master. He is worthy of no greater or lesser trial. He must be prepared always to walk in the footsteps of the Messiah. If accounted worthy of escape from such a trial you can be sure that Yahuwah is convinced of their sincerity and worthiness beforehand. How many can truly dare to claim that they are worthy of a lesser trial than the Messiah? None, of course! It is all at the merciful discretion of the Father. And yet so many think and are looking forward to escaping the tribulation. Meanwhile, our righteousness is like filthy rags compared to that of Yahushua. None are qualified to escape. None are worthy. The only thing any of us are worthy of is eternal death. Only those who are of this most humble mindset will be accounted worthy of escape.
Matt. 24:9 - Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and you shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake.
10 - And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
11 - And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
12 - And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
13 - But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
14 - And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
15 - When you therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso reads, let him understand:)
16 - Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:
17 - Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take anything out of his house:
18 - Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.
19 - And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!
20 - But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day:
21 - For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
22 - And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.
These prophesies are similar to the previous but add certain details. If properly doing what Yahuwah expects of us, we will be about warning the nations of the impending tribulation and trying to convince the Gentiles to change their ways. Like those outside the abortion clinics protesting the murder of unborn children, we will be seen as the ignorant and uneducated. The press will ridicule us. The police will harass us. The courts will prosecute us. We will be hated for Yahushua’s name’s sake.
Remember, that by this time the false prophet will have made his earthly debut and will be working great miracles among the people. The world will all see him as the returned Messiah and be totally devoted to worshiping him as their lord and saviour. Our words will bead up and roll off them like water off a duck. Still, Yahuwah will expect us to remain faithful in our quest to warn the nations of the coming disaster.
There will indeed be many false prophets at this time. In fact, there have been many since life under the new covenant began. But also at this time, we will have the example of the two end-time witnesses prophesying out of Jerusalem for the first 3 ½ years of the tribulation. The world will experience a time of global drought during the duration of their prophesies. These two witnesses will be hated above all else on the earth or in heaven. When they are eventually allowed to be killed, the world will rejoice and celebrate their destruction. However, their rejoicing will turn to fear when they see them arise from death after 3 ½ days. Their fear will be mixed with much confusion as they have the false prophet on one hand working all sorts of miracles and looking, for all intents and purposes, as the real Messiah. On the other hand, they will have the example of these two witnesses, matching exactly what was prophesied in the Scriptures, before them. This is what I believe will spark the quest for truth of the great multitude coming out of the tribulation with their robes washed clean by blood. They will be in need of us at that time to show them the Way of Yahuwah. Therefore, it is my contention that not all will be going to a place of safety to escape the tribulation; but that some must remain behind to be teachers to the great multitude.
Many are teaching now that the great tribulation has already begun. I disagree with this teaching. The tribulation will begin with the time of the two end-time witnesses prophesying out of Jerusalem. To the best of my knowledge, this has not happened yet.
Rev. 11:2 - But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.
Again, were have a time period given us of 3 ½ years. Whether this time period coincides with or preludes the three and a half years of the two witnesses’ prophesy is unclear. We do know that the entire time of the tribulation is to be seven years and according to verse 14, the death of the two witnesses marks only the end of the second woe. Therefore, I believe, that their deaths will mark the half way point in the 7 years.
3 - And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.
4 - These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the Elohim of the earth.
5 - And if any man will hurt them, fire proceeds out of their mouth, and devours their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.
6 - These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.
We have certainly not been witness to any of these events so far; so I feel it is safe to assume that the tribulation has not yet begun. Meanwhile, some are reporting that it began in 2010 and that the Messiah will return in 2016. That has the tribulation only lasting 6 years and could not possibly be true. Also, Yahushua warned against listening to such prophesies – that no one, save the Father, knew of the exact time and day. So who are all these people that are proclaiming and exact time of Yahushua’s return? They are false prophets.
The Book of Revelation only gives two distinct time frames for us to go by. The first is the appearing of the two end-time witnesses at the beginning of the tribulation and lasting for the first 3 ½ years. Then the abomination of desolation is erected in the holy place and is worshiped for the second 3 ½ years. At the end of the final 3 ½ years, there will be a great rebellion of Gog and Magog (Russia and China) against the western forces gathered in the holy land. This is when Yahushua will have to return to intercede, since this will have already been determined to be the battle to the death of one or another of the two forces. Both sides may be of the mindset that if it looks like they are going to lose, they will set off whatever doomsday device they have in place at the time, to wipe out all life on the planet. As you can well determine, no matter what side is the victor, all life on earth would lose. The only winner would be HaSatan, whose desire all along has been to destroy the Father’s plan for mankind and all life on earth. This is what Yahushua will be returning to prevent.
7 - And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.
8 - And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Master was crucified.
9 - And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves.
10 - And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth.
At last the two witnesses will be allowed to be killed. They, of course, were innocent of any crime other than doing the will of Yahuwah on the earth. They will in no way “deserve” to die, but neither did our Master (or the many prophets before). They offered up their lives in the form of sacrifice to the Almighty Elohim in whom they had faith in resurrection from the dead, would resurrect them back to life again in 3 ½ days as prophesied. We have a similar promise before us – If we overcome the world and endure until the end Yahuwah will resurrect us to eternal glory. This promise alone should be enough to fire us up to present ourselves also as perfect sacrifices for sin. Do we yet fear for our physical longevity? Do we yet fear for our spouses and children? Is there anything yet holding us back from seeking this honour? If the answer to any of these questions is yes, folks, then we are not yet fit for the Kingdom.
11 - And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from Elohim entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them.
12 - And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.
This event is likely going to be televised across the globe. It will, in the minds of the world, mark the end of the famine and new hope for the world. However, according to their faith, when the two witnesses arise from the earth and the world hears the words of the Great Yahuwah calling to His trusted servants from heaven, “Come up hither”, their joy is going to turn into great fear and confusion.
This is the faith we must have. This is the test of faith that will make or break us. This is an event that we must train like an athlete for – not enter into as some pot-bellied, clueless “vidiot”. This is like the training where you are up at 5:00am and jogging 10 miles, then working out in the gym for 3 hours, followed by an hour or two of meditation. One has to be dedicated, goal orientated, fervently driven, clear minded and above all, full of faith. If we fail to plan (and entirely devote ourselves) we plan to fail.
WE HAVE NOTHING TO FEAR, if we have ALL faith in Yahuwah.
His spirit will fill us at the time. Our faces will illuminate light as Moshe’s did when he descended the mountain. We will speak with the voice of the All Mighty. Our enemies with fear and be astounded by us. We will glorified the name of Yahuwah before the entire world and they will be greatly mystified. Many will believe from our witness. We will be glorified in heaven for bringing many saints into the fold through our faith. This will and has already become a catalyst for converting many thousands in a single day. Do we see now how important having this kind of faith is? Can any one of us picture ourselves in the shoes of the two end-time witnesses (or the Messiah), with all the world railing against us, and us with the sword of the word of Yahuwah taking them all on?
None of us know yet what Yahuwah may call on us to do in the end days. We cannot afford to speculate that we are going to be whisked off to a place of safety before the tribulation begins. The evacuation will not take place until the end of the witnesses’ 3 ½ years. All will suffer through everything the two witnesses bring upon the earth. Those who victoriously emerge from that period will be filled with faith for their experience and Yahuwah will know their hearts. 144,000 of these will be promoted to the place of safety. The rest will remain behind to serve some other purpose for Yahuwah. Whatever purpose He has for us will be revealed only when the time is right. There is no use in searching for the purpose we would like for ourselves. Whatever purpose He decides for us will be one that He feels we can endure. We must feel that we can confidently endure any trial He sets before us. We can only do this if we are in the very best of fighting shape, ready to take on all obstacles in our path. Even our Master had to endure 40 days in the wilderness being severely tempted of HaSatan.
13 - And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the Elohim of heaven.
Added to having just heard the voice of Yahuwah, this event synches it for most and they fall down giving glory to “the Elohim of heaven”. Their conversion is driven by fear, but it certainly wakes them up in a hurry.
14 - The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe comes quickly.
As you can plainly read, this event marks the end of only the 2nd woe. There remains yet another 3 ½ years of the tribulation. Removal to the place of safety will not take place until the 3rd woe begins. There remains plenty of time for martyrs during the first 3 ½ years. Judging from the number of plastic coffins, FEMA camps and guillotines popping up in the U.S., I image the time is very short, but not yet.
John 15:18 - If the world hate you, you know that it hated me before it hated you.
19 - If you were of the world, the world would love his own: but because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.
20 - Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.
21 - But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake, because they know not him that sent me.
Man’s hatred for the Creator began in the Garden of Eden. When Yahuwah calls us out of the world we must dedicate our lives to that one purpose. We must not allow anything to impede our quest. There is never a moment when we can afford to allow ourselves the luxury of resting, or taking a day off. We never know when Yahushua will be returning. Only those who have spiritually prepared themselves will know Yahuwah and will not be afraid of the world any longer. What side of this fence do we sit on?
John. 17:14 - I have given them your word; and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
15 - I pray not that you should take them out of the world, but that you should keep them from the evil.
Yahushua did not speak his own words while on the earth; he spoke the Father’s words. He delivered the Father’s words to all of mankind through his disciples who witnessed of his resurrection and they faithfully delivered that word to the masses; almost all at the cost of their lives. Are we planning on running like cowards until we get shot in the back; or boldly approaching the throne of HaSatan with the word of Yahuwah before us saying, “Whom do you seek? Here am I.” Yahuwah promises here that He will intercede for us and keep us (spiritually) through whatever trial He has in mind for us. We need not fear. He will deliver on His promises. All we have to do is allow the spirit of faith to fully indwell us.
1 John. 3:11 - For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.
This was indeed the message that mankind has heard from the beginning – all of mankind, not just the Jews. The Jews may be the keepers of the oracles, but they are merely one tribe of hundreds upon the earth. The word of Yahuwah was ALWAYS intended for ALL of mankind. It was never intended for the Jews only. If the Jews had of done what Yahuwah expected of them, the whole world would have been converted by now. So have the Christians and Muslims failed miserably. The number of those who have truly overcome the world is very few.
12 - Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous.
The world loves Cain. How dare I say this? They must, because they have all followed in his footsteps. The only love they possess imitates the love that Cain had for Abel, which was none. They love themselves foremost. We hate others often because we are jealous of them. Cain was jealous of Abel and slew him. Which one of us has never wanted to kill someone we were jealous of? It is not this kind of love that we should be seeking but that of Yahuwah – the agape kind of love that surpasses all understanding – that knows no bounds.
13 - Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.
14 - We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren.
We must have this kind of love before we can graduate to the eternal life that awaits us. We must be able to see through Yahushua’s eyes, hear through His ears, speak through His mouth, think His thoughts and do His will. This will not come about by being a Sabbath day Believer only. We must be totally focused 24/7
15 - He that loves not his brother abides in death.
16 - Whosoever hates his brother is a murderer: and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.
Hate equals murder. That is why we must strive to put hatred out of our lives. Some do not see the connection between gossip and hatred, but believe me they are closely intertwined. Being so, it, also, is equated to murder.
17 - Hereby perceive we the love of Elohim, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
The ultimate proof of loving one’s brother is to lay down one’s life for them, exactly as Yahushua did for us. There is no shame in this act, only glory. We have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Those of faith have nothing to fear in such a sacrifice. Yahuwah will stand by them past death and into the new creation.
Conclusion
If you are like me you likely often stop to assess where you are spiritually and what you can do to up your status. We have only one true measuring rod – Yahushua. He is the one we are striving to become. The way to become him is clearly spelt out in the Scriptures. We, who can read, think and reason for ourselves, have no excuse for not learning directly at the feet of HaMashiyack. We have no need of an interpreter. We have no need of a corporate church to worship in. The world is our temple and the sky is not even the limit. Our potential extends far beyond the stars. It is within our grasp like the shipwrecked sailor who sees land within a short swimming distance. However, we have the current of worldly cares continuously knocking us back to where we started. It is certainly a state of survival of the spiritually fittest. We must prepare ourselves for the fight ahead.
The end is certainly in sight, though I do not believe it is as close as some claim. Yet it does not hurt to be prepared now as long as one does not lose hope and fall away if things do not turn out as they had thought. None of us can know for sure if and when we are going to a place of safety. None of us know for sure if we are destined to be martyrs. Is it not better to be prepared for the worst case scenario just in case?
Is our faith limitless? That is the real question before us. Will we do what Yahuwah requires of us regardless of all other things and people in our lives? Is there anything yet that would stand between us and obeying the word of the Father? We need to give some serious thought to what this means and what it entails. This is not something that should be left to the last minute. Our faith has to be real and absolute. It is a treasure we need to be ready to die for.