REPENT

     Jesus began to preach from where His cousin John the Baptist leaved off [Matthew 3:2] , “From that time Jesus began to preach, crying out, Repent (change your mind for the better, heartily amend your ways, with abhorrence of your past sins), for the kingdom of heaven is at hand”… Matthew 4:17. 

     What Did Jesus mean by ‘Repent’? The word repent in Hebrew is Teshuva. Teshuva, commonly translated as ‘to repent’, is more than a feeling of regret. In fact, the Hebrew word derives from the verb ‘to return’. The instruction ‘to repent’ has a very heavy connotation for most people. Defined as ‘regret’ or ‘being remorseful’, it sounds uncomfortable and dark. But somehow it is meant to lead to something good? Since it is a biblical concept, allow me to call on its Hebrew meaning here.

     The Hebrew word we translate as ‘repentance’ is teshuva (‎pronounced “teh-shoo-vah”). Our English Bible often mentions repentance, which most interpret as being sorry. As such, it appears to be more of a feeling rather than taking action. We punish ourselves in our thoughts and feelings, which torments our soul. What is more, often the repenting seems to never end. But teshuva takes on a completely different focus. Instead of being simply a state of mind, it is a decision. It is deciding to turn away from where you are headed and moving back toward God.

     When we teshuva — turn away from the darkness and toward the light — God pulls us toward Himself! It is not just adjusting the course, but completely turning back around – physically, emotionally and spiritually. Teshuva is more than just stopping a certain behavior, being sorry or apologizing one time. This is a continuous decision to return to God and to receive a new beginning. Teshuva is returning to what is right and pure. It is returning to innocence. Aside from showing regret and remorse, it is returning to the original plan of God. “Even now,” declares the LORD, “return to me with all your heart …” Joel 2:12. So, how does that help us understand the Biblical concept of repentance?

     What is the biblical Hebrew for repent Typically, teshuvah is translated from the Hebrew as repentance, but it literally means return, as if turning back to something you’ve strayed or looked away from. The biblical meaning of the Hebrew verb to repent, shuv, is “to turn and go a different direction.” In Greek, this term was rendered metanoiein, meaning to change one’s mindset. The selection of this verb in Greek revealed a fundamental difference between Hebrew and Greek culture and language. Jesus 1st words to us in Matthew 4:17 then give us His purpose or vision… the reason for His coming to earth – He came to restore the Government of Heaven to the earth [Kingdom of God] after it had been stolen in Genesis 3. He came to restore the Governor [Holy Spirit] on the earth after cleansing through calvary.

THE KINGDOM OF GOD

     What is the Kingdom of God? It is the sovereign rulership and governing influence of the King over His territory [earth]- His domain – impacting it with His personal will, intent, and His purpose producing a community of citizen who then express a culture that reflect the nature and lifestyle of the King. This is what all kingdoms do. My country was once a territory of the United Kingdom until she 'rebelled'. 

     We can never improve on truth. So, we have to hear it over and over again. The message of the Kingdom of God is the only message acceptable in the Body of Christ at this time as we draw close to the return of the King… Matthew 24 :14. This is because it was the original Message God gave in Genesis Chapter One and after it had been derailed in Genesis Three, the King Son restored it at Calvary. Soon, and very soon, He is going to establish His Eternal Kingdom. So, we had better start living it now.

     A belief system comes from what has been accepted as truth. Without a belief system, concepts will be wrong. If the source of ideas is corrupt, the belief system will be corrupt - meaning, an idea was relayed correctly, but with time, the message sent was corrupted along the way. So, when the door of your belief system is shut, you stop growing. And this is where traditions are created, blocking your growth. A tradition is a system shut down and the Bible calls it a 'stronghold' - a fortress that you have to fight to get into. This is why it is difficult for the Church to change her mind from religion to the Kingdom of God. 

     God had a reason for rescuing the Israelites from slavery and in Exodus 19:6, He told them what it was: Israel was to become a kingdom of priests and a holy nation where anyone could approach God freely. It didn’t take long however, for the people to corrupt God’s plan. God then established Aaron’s descendants from the tribe of Levi as priests …Leviticus 8-9, representing what the entire nation should have been. But with the coming of Jesus, God has once again extended His plan to all believers. We are to become holy, - ‘royal priests’.

     God chose Israel as His nation because He knew that no nation on earth was good enough to deserve to be called His people, His ‘special treasure’. He chose them not because of anything they had done, but in His love and mercy He chose Israel in spite of the wrong the nation had done and would do. God wanted to have a special nation on earth to restore His original intention [Genesis 1:26, 27] – to represent His way of life, to teach His Will and through His Dear Son, introduce others into the Kingdom. All the nations of the earth would be blessed through Abraham’s descendants. Gentiles and kings would come to the Lord through Israel, predicted Isaiah …60:3. Through the nation of Israel, the Messiah, God’s chosen Son would be born. God chose one nation and put it through a rigorous training program, so that one day it could be a channel for His blessings to the world. The Messiah would then usher in the Holy Spirit, the Governor of God’s Kingdom on earth. Do you get it now?

     Jesus is the King not just a Leader. He did not bring us religion but a Government… Isaiah 9:6. He is the Door that everyone must enter through into the Kingdom. Don’t remain at the Door, you must get in and partake the benefits of the Kingdom – Jesus conquered the Cross and death itself. So, when you talk about the Kingdom to the world, tell them of the benefits awaiting them, not a fire insurance. I tell you the truth, there’s no kingdom on the earth like the Kingdom of God. And it does not end here, it is Eternal, hallelujah!

     We cannot oppose the truth, but must always stand for the truth. We can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth. This is what true love is; rejoicing when the truth wins out... 1 Corinthians 13:6, "It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail". The King Son said that He is the Truth, meaning He is the Message of how you are to find His Kingdom. Denying the truth does not change it. Does this sound familiar, 'ignore it and may be it will go away"? The message of the Kingdom of God cannot be ignored because it is the only message applicable at this time. It requires that you change the way you think [repent], like slaves, and think like the king you are!

     If going to Church for you is a tradition handled down the line, you need to repent. If rituals, then, you need to repent. When I speak of repentance, I’m not attacking your sins. And neither I’m I speaking to none believers, but the saints. The word repent means to ‘think again’. Pent means, to ‘think’ and ‘re’ means ‘again’. Think again of what you have believed and make a turn-around.

     Maranatha!