A kinsman redeemer had to meet three prerequisites: be the next of kin, have the funds (wherewithal), and be willing to pay off the mortgage.
Les Feldick repeatedly states that in ancient Israel, a Jew who could not pay his mortgage could turn only to a next of kin. That relative had to have the financial resources to cover the debt and had to be willing to do it. If all three conditions were met, he could pay off the mortgage and keep the land in the family.
Leviticus 25:25 — This is the Old Testament law that gave the next of kin the right to redeem a poor relative's sold possession, the basis for the mortgage analogy Les uses.
The Old Testament provided that when an Israelite became poor and sold his property, his next of kin could come and redeem that which his brother sold (Leviticus 25:25). The book of Ruth illustrates this custom, as the near kinsman was approached to redeem the land that had been sold. This legal provision was designed to keep inheritances within the family in Israel.
Les Feldick explains that under Jewish custom, a man facing foreclosure on his mortgaged land could go to a next of kin for help. But three conditions had to be met: the relative had to be the next of kin (a stranger could not do it), he had to have the funds or wherewithal, and he had to be willing. Using the example of a rich uncle, Les says the uncle could refuse if he didn't want to help. But if he had the money, was the next of kin, and agreed, he could pay off the mortgage and keep the property in the family. Les then applies this to Jesus, who is the only one who fulfills all the requirements to pay the mortgage Satan holds on the earth.
The next of kin requirement was paramount. A Jew could not ask a stranger to redeem his mortgaged land; he had to go to his own family. This protected the family inheritance in Israel because the land would stay in the family if the next of kin paid off the mortgage.
The redeeming relative had to have the funds — the 'wherewithal' or wealth — to pay the mortgage. Being the proper relative was not enough; he had to be financially able. Les uses the illustration of a rich uncle who would bail out a nephew, implying the uncle had the money to pay off the debt.
No one could be forced to redeem a mortgage. Even the next of kin with the necessary funds could say no. The uncle in Les's example could tell his nephew, 'Buzz off. Don't want you. I won't help you.' But if he was willing, he could pay off the mortgage and restore the family inheritance.
Les teaches that Jesus is the only one who can pay the mortgage that Satan holds against the earth. He is the next of kin, He is the Son of God with all power and attributes, and He is willing. Thus He takes the scroll — the mortgage — and agrees to pay it off in order to deliver the earth from the curse.
The scroll is a mortgage
Les identifies the scroll in Revelation as a mortgage held by Satan, with details written inside and out, setting up the need for a redeemer.
Three prerequisites identified
Les explicitly states that the redeemer had to be the next of kin, have the wherewithal, and be willing, in order to pay off the mortgage and keep the land in the family.
The rich uncle example
Les uses a rich uncle to show the three prerequisites: funds, next of kin, and willingness. The uncle could refuse, but if he met all three he could pay off the mortgage.
Three requirements for paying a mortgage
Les repeats the three requirements: next of kin, wherewithal/funds, and willingness, and connects them to the mortgaging of property in the time of Ruth and Boaz.
The next of kin rule
Les explains that a Jew in a mortgage bind could go to a next of kin — not a stranger — and ask for help, just as a modern person might turn to a rich uncle.
Cain, Abel & The Virgin Birth: Genesis 4 Explained
Now, who's really got control over that mortgaged house? Well, your banker does. You can't do anything with that house until you've somehow settled with your banker. But there is a way you can get that banker out of your hair. What do you do? You buy that mortgage back. You pay it off. That's redemption. All right. Romans chapter 3. You found it quicker than I did. Romans chapter 3.
Jesus fulfills the requirements to pay the mortgage
Les says Jesus agrees to pay the mortgage to deliver the planet from the curse, and reminds that it had to be a next of kin who was capable and willing.
Jesus is the only one who qualifies
Les concludes that Jesus is the only one in eternity who fulfills the redemption requirements: He is the next of kin, has all power, and is willing to pay.
Leviticus 25:25: If thy brother be waxen poor, and hath sold away some of his possession, and if any of his kin come to redeem it, then shall he redeem that which his brother sold.
This is the foundational law for the kinsman redeemer, giving the next of kin the right to buy back property a poor relative sold.
Revelation 5:2: And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?
This is the angel's question that sets up the search for one worthy to open the scroll, which Les identifies as a mortgage.
Revelation 5:9: And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
This verse shows the one who is worthy — Jesus, the slain Redeemer — and connects redemption to His blood.
No. According to Les Feldick and the Jewish custom, only a next of kin could redeem. A stranger was not allowed. The person in need had to go to a close relative.
Yes. No one could be forced to redeem a mortgage. Even if the relative had the money and was the next of kin, he could refuse to help.
Jesus is the only one who fulfills them. He is the next of kin, He has all power and attributes, and He is willing to pay the mortgage that Satan holds on the earth.
Watch the Teaching: Who Can Open the Scroll? Daniel 7 & Revelation 5 Explained