Introduction
     There have been many short, imaginative skits in television commercials, movies, and even cartoons. One that is most memorable is a man hungry and thirsty, crawling in the desert. He is so thirsty, that he starts to hallucinate an oasis of cool, refreshing water surrounded by beautiful palm trees and other green foliage. The individual then realizes what he saw, was, in fact, just a mirage.
    Many times, we laugh at seeing such things portrayed. But there is a seriousness to it as well, when we consider those starving in other, desert regions of the world.
    When we think about it, the world with its immorality and seeking of material things rather than the spiritual things after which Yahweh would have us seek, is a desert, a wasteland. We are told to produce fruit worthy of repentance. But the world and the evils therein produce thorns and thistles and other things fitting for a desert devoid of the living waters that would produce blossoming foliage that we’d see in an actual oasis.
    The figurative desert was created when Adam and Eve sinned, yet in it, an oasis started to form during the time of Yahshua and the disciples. When Yahweh’s Spirit was poured out at Pentecost it was the start of an actual oasis that was neither imaginary, nor fanciful, but would, in fact, be the start of something that would change the face of the desert plain. We’ll see how that process is occurring today and will eventually change the whole world. It is living waters that the desert needs, and it is living waters that are being offered. Will you be a part of the oasis or will you be a part of the desert that is fading away?

Blessing of Water, Curse of Sand
     Life itself tells us water is more precious than sand. An example was once given to show just how much little drinkable water there really is in the world. It asked one to consider the earth’s water supply (oceans included) all fitting into a one-gallon jug, then taking one tablespoon from that as being fit for human consumption. When you think about it, all it takes is for the rain not to come down for an extended period, and before you know it, there’s drought and famine. The prophet Zechariah warns in chapter 14 that there will be no rain on those who refuse to come up for the Feast of Tabernacles in the coming Kingdom. Understand, that will be a serious curse for those disobedient families.
    The Bible repeatedly relates blessings or curses that shall be awarded people for their obedience or disobedience to Yahweh’s laws. Leviticus, chapter 26, records some of the blessings and curses for disobedience to Yahweh’s instructions. Verses 26:3-6:
    If ye walk in My statutes, and keep My commandments, and do them; then I will give you rain in due season, and the land shall yield her increase, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit. And your threshing shall reach unto the vintage, and the vintage shall reach unto the sowing time: and ye shall eat your bread to the full, and dwell in your land safely. And I will give peace in the land, and ye shall lie down, and none shall make [you] afraid: and I will rid evil beasts out of the land, neither shall the sword go through your land. (See also Deuteronomy 28:12, the King James Version 1900 is used throughout, unless otherwise noted.)
    On the other hand, Leviticus 26:19-21 says,
    And I will break the pride of your power; and I will make your heaven as iron, and your earth as brass: And your strength shall be spent in vain: for your land shall not yield her increase, neither shall the trees of the land yield their fruits. And if ye [still] walk contrary unto me, and will not hearken unto me; I will bring seven times more plagues upon you according to your sins. (See also Deuteronomy 28:23-24.) Notes on verse 19 in Ryrie’s Study Bible says, “no rain … no crops.”
    Note, that Yahweh first speaks of blessings (the good news) awarded for obedience, and then pronounces the curses (the bad news) incurred for disobedience. Though these were spoken to Israel in the wilderness, they are as applicable for us, today. People then, were destroyed for their sins against Yahweh, and what happened to them was written down for our admonition, so that we might choose life over death (Deut. 30:19). Even as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire, Jude 1:7. (See also 2 Peter 2:6.)

Change to Help Us
     Many times, mankind has failed … failed so miserably, that a New Covenant needed to be made. For finding fault with them (the people, not the 1st covenant/agreement), He saith, “Behold, the days come,” saith Yahweh, “when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah,” Hebrews 8:8. (See also Jeremiah 31:31.)
    Today, we are justified (justification: the penalty of death taken from us) in Yahshua, the only Name in which we can be saved (Acts 4:12). All flesh will know that Yahweh is their Savior (Isa. 49:26) – the Savior’s Name, Yahshua (Yah[weh]’s Salvation) is our strength and song, and is become our salvation (Exod. 15:2).
    And right here, we acknowledge that the name “Jesus” has, therefore, no place in the family Name (2 Chron 7:14; Dan 9:19; John 17:11; Rev 14:1). Though many of us were formerly baptized into the name Jesus, or titles, such a baptism should be compared to that of John the Immerser – a form of repentance, but not actually fulfilling the Biblical requirement of baptism into the saving Name of Yahshua. (Read our In-depth Studies, How the Savior’s Name was Changed, and, Why be Baptized into the Name of Yahshua?)
    The New Covenant, and the Spirit from Yahweh, are provided to help us obey Yahweh’s instructions (His way). Ezekiel 36:26-27 (NASB) shows us ultimately what Yahweh will accomplish in His people:
    Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances.
    And though many curses have been spoken against, and befallen Yahweh’s people (the 12 tribes of Israel) for their disobedience, they, and we, may be encouraged by the following prophecy: And it shall come to pass, [that] as ye were a curse among the heathen, O house of Judah, and house of Israel; so will I save you, and ye shall be a blessing: Fear not, [but] let your hands be strong, Zechariah 8:13.

Prophecy being Fulfilled
     While many Bible prophesies have been fulfilled, many prophesies have yet to be fulfilled. Take, for example, the exiled people of Judah. Certainly, they received the curses and yet it was prophesied that they would return to the homeland of Jerusalem. The ten northern tribes will be returning as well, but first Judah’s physical return will be accomplished. Indeed, most Biblical scholars believe that when Israel became recognized as a nation in 1948 it was the start of something bigger to come.
    As you may recall, more than 6 million Jews were killed during World War II in the 1930’s and 40’s when Nazi forces in Germany followed the directives of the deranged despotic leader Adolph Hitler. During that time and since, millions of Jews have resettled in Israel and many are emigrating from around the world and returning to the Land each year. Nationhood has not, however, arrested the tension that still challenges the peace in Jerusalem. But peace will come.
    Concurrent with Israel becoming a recognized nation in 1948, in the same year, the Dead Sea Scrolls – significant in that they date 1,000 years earlier than what had been considered the oldest known manuscripts of the Bible – were found in the caves at Qumran. These finds are noteworthy in that they confirm the content of later manuscripts that had been translated into the Bible that has been in use for hundreds of years, while also supplying the revealed Name of Yahweh in the text. (Most of the translations in use today, have removed Yahweh’s Name in direct violation of the 3rd commandment, though a few such as The Restoration Study Bible, The New Jerusalem Bible and Rotherham Emphasized Bible, have restored the Sacred Name.)
    Among the Dead Sea Scrolls, a scroll of Psalms was found with Yahweh’s Name written in the original Paleo-Hebrew. Whoever penned that particular scroll revered Yahweh’s Name, as should we all. A noteworthy article appeared in Biblical Archeological Review in which a rhetorical question was posed: “Of the many small fragments found among the Dead Sea Scrolls, which would be the most valuable?” We would, as the author, answer, “Those incorporating Yahweh’s Name.”

The Desert Will Bloom
     The desert will bloom, and be like the Garden of Eden once again – For Yahweh shall comfort Zion: He will comfort all her waste places; and He will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of Yahweh; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody, Isaiah 51:3. Then shall the desert truly bloom as never before.
    Topographical pictures taken from satellites show that Israel has been turning from brown to green, growing in small increments throughout the years since 1948. Comparing a picture from 1948 to a picture taken today, the difference is remarkable. Like a flower blooming, Israel has not only bloomed as an industrial nation and military power, but has become one of the largest exporters of flowers to the United States.
    Moreover, prophecies regarding Yahweh establishing Israel will become fully consummated in the coming kingdom (Deut. 30:3-5; Jer. 16:15; Ezek. 34:13, 36:24; Amos 9:14-15). Yahweh will bring His people out of the desert and refresh them not only with water, but also with His Spirit: They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor sun smite them: for He that hath mercy on them shall lead them, even by the springs of water shall He guide them, Isaiah 49:10.
    And Yahshua Himself said, “… whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life” (John 4:14).

Come Out of the Desert
     One traveling in an air-conditioned vehicle through Death Valley – a desert region, and the lowest point below sea level in the United States – then disembarking into temperatures rising above 110 degrees F. (43 C.) during the summer, would be like opening the door to a hot oven. Intense heat like that, can kill a person. The physical desert is something that most people would avoid, and if one does find himself in the desert, he’d seek a way out.
    We’ve all been deceived, but Yahweh is calling a people to come out of the desert of this world, saying, “Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues” (Rev. 18:4) and to find an oasis of rest in His presence, no longer deceived by the mirages imposed by Satan and his minions. And remarkably, when we respond to His invitation, we become an oasis to others.
    But unless Yahweh can awaken one to the fact that he’s in a desert wasteland (the world), he may well find himself deluded into thinking the rudiments of this world (Col. 2:8), the deceitfulness of riches (Mark 4:19), the abundance of things which can be possessed (Luke 12:15) are the beautiful oases. It’s an illusion, though … one that Satan, who has deluded the whole world (Rev. 12:9), keeps people in.
    Nevertheless, Yahweh can cause rain to fall in the most inhospitable deserts… even upon a deceitfully wicked, and desperate heart that will open to receive His offering true and pure water that comes not from this world, but from the world to come.

40 Days/ 40 Nights
     Some years ago, there was a man in Australia who sought to prove to himself whether or not the Bible was true, if it were possible that a man could go into a desert and there, 40 days and 40 nights without food and water, emerge alive. Well, he did and came out alive, though he did eat cactus and drank its juices, and perhaps surviving only because he had reserved stores of body fat.
    If Yahweh had called this man to do such a thing, he no doubt would have accomplished it without food and water. Though no one is called to do this today, we are sure Yahweh can provide for us in times of need. Remember what Yahshua the Messiah said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with Elohim, Luke 18:27.
    Yahshua, however, in His desert, fasted 40 days and 40 nights (Matt. 4:2; Mark 1:13) and was supernaturally preserved from death, as no man could have survived that without help from Yahweh. You will recall, Moses, too, had spent 40 days and 40 nights on the mountain in which he received the Ten Commandments from Yahweh. And he was there with Yahweh forty days and forty nights; he did neither eat bread, nor drink water. And he wrote upon the tables the words of the covenant, the Ten Commandments, Exodus 34:28.

Oasis in the Desert
     We are an oasis in the desert of this world, blooming like flowers as we grow in grace and knowledge and follow Yahshua Messiah. The times of refreshing are here, and yet its outcome is not fully known. The Apostle Paul said,
    For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of Elohim. For the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of Elohim. For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body. For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one also hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it, Romans 8:18-25, NASB.
    Many times, we see through a glass darkly, not fully grasping the future. However, we know that we can make a difference in the world now, and the world does notice. It is not our doing, but the Spirit of Yahweh that works in us. For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the good news; which is come unto you, as [it is] in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as [it doth] also in you, since the day ye heard [of it], and knew the grace of Elohim in truth, Colossians 1:5-6.
    We are told in the Bible to serve our fellow man, especially those in Yahshua Messiah. For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only [use] not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, [even] in this; “Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself,” Galatians 5:13-14. Do you think the world notices? Yahshua said that we’d be known among men by the love we have toward one another, John 13:35. In doing so, we become an oasis in this world.
    An obedient people to Yahweh will impact the world that has moved farther away from Yahweh. The work of the Assembly serves Yahweh, by serving mankind. The Apostle Peter tells Yahweh’s people, Continue to live such upright lives among the Gentiles (Nations) that, when they slander you as evildoers, they may see your good works and glorify Elohim when He visits them in judgment, 1 Peter 2:12, ISV. Yahweh’s people are an oasis in the desert.

The Kingdom of Yahweh, the Ultimate Oasis
     The Bible paints a beautiful picture of the desert blooming in the Kingdom of Yahweh. They which have survived the coming tribulation will receive help from the spiritual firstfruits in the coming Kingdom, guiding and directing them under Yahshua’s rule – And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, “This [is] the way, walk ye in it,” when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left, Isaiah 30:21 – to break the strongholds of immorality, hatred, war, and selfishness that Satan has so cleverly made attractive.
    The influential evil spirit called Satan will be put away for the 1,000-year reign so all of creation can breathe a breath of fresh air. Even the nature of animals will be changed when Satan and his demons are bound. The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice’ den. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of Yahweh, as the waters cover the sea, Isaiah 11:6-9.
    Moreover, there will be unprecedented peace in this coming oasis of joy and happiness due to the knowledge of Yahweh and submission to His ruling authority. And it will be authoritative as His Son comes to rule with a symbolic rod of iron, showing the power at His disposal (Rev. 2:27).
    But in the last days it shall come to pass, [that] the mountain of the house of Yahweh shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it. And many nations shall come, and say, “Come, and let us go up to the mountain of Yahweh, and to the house of the Eloha of Jacob (Israel); and He will teach us of His ways, and we will walk in His paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of Yahweh from Jerusalem. And He shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make [them] afraid: for the mouth of Yahweh of hosts hath spoken [it], Micah 4:1-4.
    The mountains will be laid low, both physical and governmental. Even the weather will change for the better for those that follow Yahweh’s law. People will no longer be blinded by Satan, thinking, “The law has been done away with.” Truth will finally prevail over the centuries of men being deceived by lies. Yahweh’s instructions will be followed. Reconstruction of the wastes of the physical, spiritual, and moral world will be rebuilt and changed.
    Since the time before Adam and Eve’s sin against Yahweh, the desert will literally bloom as never before.
    “Behold, the days come,” saith Yahweh, “that the plowman shall overtake the reaper, and the treader of grapes him that soweth seed; and the mountains shall drop sweet wine, and all the hills shall melt. And I will bring again the captivity of my people of Israel, and they shall build the waste cities, and inhabit [them]; and they shall plant vineyards, and drink the wine thereof; they shall also make gardens, and eat the fruit of them. And I will plant them upon their land, and they shall no more be pulled up out of their land which I have given them,” saith Yahweh thy Elohim, Amos 9:13-15.
    Again, Yahweh tells us, "In that day,” saith Yahweh of hosts, “shall ye call every man his neighbour under the vine and under the fig tree,” Zechariah 3:10.
    What a glorious time; what blessings there will be for those that hold this hope in Yahshua Messiah.

Conclusion
     The coming Kingdom with its many blessings is certainly good news (Luke 9:2, 6). Yahweh’s Word makes clear that the coming Kingdom will have no end: And He shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of His kingdom there shall be no end, Luke 1:33. Is it an oasis beyond our imagination? Is it beyond what Yahweh can do? Not at all. Again, will you be a part of the oasis or will you be a part of the desert that is fading away? Make no mistake, choose life everlasting, choose living waters.