In this day and age during which much is being said about building walls and extreme vetting of people, a pastor noted that Heaven has high walls and gates (Revelation 21:10-15) and people are extremely vetted (Revelation 22:14). And, not everyone gets in (Revelation 22:15). To illustrate what the pastor meant, we can easily look to Yeshua’s parables about the Kingdom of Heaven that will be manifest at the time of the harvest, also known as the end of the age. Or today, we would say "the time of extreme vetting".

Yeshua told eight parables about the Kingdom of Heaven when a multitude was gathered to Him by the sea (Matthew 13), four to the multitudes and four to His disciples. In each of the parables, He depicts the kingdom as being filled with both good people and worthless people. First, He told the parable of the sower, which He later explained to His disciples.

The International Mental Illness

Esau’s Everlasting Hatred

“As it is written, ‘Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated.’ What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with G-d? Certainly not! For He says to Moses, ‘I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whomever I will have compassion.’” (Romans 9:13 from Malachi 1:2, 3 & Romans 9:14 from Exodus 33:19)

Jacob and Esau

Jacob’s destiny was chosen by G-d before Rebecca gave birth to the twins (Gen. 25:23). G-d told her that two nations were in her womb, and that the stronger, older one would serve the younger. Later we learn, Jacob’s descendants became the nation of Israel and Esau’s descendants became the nation of Edom.

The writings of the Hebrew sages indicate that Esau was an evil man. He violated a woman betrothed to another, rebelled against G-d in taking wives among the cursed Canaanites (Genesis 36:1), and allowed a bitter root to take hold in his life (Genesis 27:41). This demonstrated that he was sexually immoral and godless, not qualified to be the head of the family. The New Testament confirms the rabbis’ assessment of Esau’s character:

“…lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright.” (Hebrews 12:26)

Today, many of those in opposition to Israel are from among the descendants of Esau and Ishmael, one of whose daughters Esau wed (Genesis 28:9). The entire book of Obadiah is devoted to G-d’s condemnation of Edom (Esau’s descendants) and all who would commit violence against Israel and divide the land G-d gave to her:

FROM OUR CHRISTIAN BROTHER IN AUSTRALIA

Brother Leo lives in a beachfront community in Australia where they have a 'floating' population so that his witnessing tracts are always 'fresh'. He has numerous opportunities to speak to the many young backpackers from around the world as they wait for their next coaches to take them along their way. Brother Leo reflects on the fact that attitudes are changing among those he encounters. While some are still receptive to the Light of G-d's Word many are no longer interested and turn down the tracts offered them. He witnesses locally every morning to those to whom the L-rd guides him and the then brings them before the L-rd afterward in prayer. 

As a result of his regular, determined witness, the L-rd has opened many doors to Brother Leo. His ministry always bears fruit in the hearts of those that receive him. He says his greatest joy is that he will be able to see all those to whom he has witnessed rejoicing in the L-rd forever and ever [in Eternity].