Exodus

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Binding, Loosing, Torah & Power by Lonnie Lane When Yeshua (Jesus) spoke about 驶Binding & Loosing始, He was referring to a believer始s authority to tie and cast out demons. Or was He?

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Profile of a Worshipper Exclusive interview with Mich始El Ben David who openly shares his personal experience and incorporates advice for worshippers.

PHOTOGRAPH BY RICHARD WONG

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contents 1st Edition of Exodus

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Join the Network

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The Lighthouse

Teaching Letters

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Nicole Michelle Aponte

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The Annie Moses Band

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Book Shelf

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“This Is My Name Forever” By John D. Garr, Ph.D., Th.D. Identity is important to all humanity. As matter of fact it is part of the human rights convention that every child must have a name. So if a name is such an important issue does ʻThe Creatorʼ have a personal name?

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1st Edition of Exodus Entreat me not to leave you, or to turn back from following after you; For wherever you go, I will go; And wherever you lodge, I will lodge; Your people shall be my people, And your God, my God. Where you die, I will die, And there I will be buried. The Lord do so to me, and more also, if anything but death parts you and me. Ruth 1:16, 17 (NKJV)

This was a powerful statement by Ruth the Moabitess. In fact, this was a covenant made by Ruth with Naomi, her Jewish mother in law. Ruth’s words established a powerful, passionate foundation for the future with absolute certainty and no room for compromise. Love was her motivation, Israel would be her home and the God of Israel would be her God. Centuries later millions of souls are being stirred by the same passion to make covenant with God and His people Israel. This has given rise to seekers who are breaking the mould of convention and replacing it with a biblical conviction.

The magazine ‘Exodus’ is a tool birthed out of a desire to demonstrate God’s ability to be creative, life changing and life giving.

Over time we will cover new and existing worshippers, poets, videos etc. The written word will also factor in what we do here so that you will have opportunity to reflect on the written word as well. Please note that the foundation of what you may read will be rooted in a passion for God and His word. It is not intended to present a bias towards one denominational teaching or expression over another but, is intended to direct our focus to YHWH (God), His Son Yeshua (Jesus) and the bible. We pray that you will embark on your own Exodus, leaving behind the past and looking forward with a certainty that comes from pursuing the Messiah.

If you would like to leave a comment or get in touch with us, we will be providing various links throughout the magazine. We would love to hear from you.. Oh and please pray that we can play our part in providing a platform for the many gifted artisans.

Shalom

Breakthru

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Join the network witter follow us and tell us what’s going on in your area.

Worship There is a ‘New Sound’ impacting lives around the world. Sounds that are being born from a place of intimacy. We want to share these expressions with the global body of Messiah. We will also be featuring the experience of individuals whose lives were completely transformed by a deeper encounter with God. Breakthru on Reverbnation Breakthru on Soundcloud

Arts Pastor Coming soon…

Join the conversation Share your questions, music and musings with the rest of the community • Breakthru Journal • Breakthru Books • Breakthru Media

The Arts Pastor is here to answer questions that creatives across the church community may have. Share your questions, music and musings with the Arts Pastor. Email the Arts Pastor on ap@breakthruinternational.co.uk

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photograph by Augutus Avila Jr

The Lighthouse Culture The Lighthouse has its identity rooted in the Bible and it expresses biblical principles through music, poetry, the spoken word and other creative forms.

Making the most of The Lighthouse The Lighthouse is your opportunity to engage with God without feeling under pressure to behave in any prescribed manner. You can sit, soak, pray, reflect or join in with the worship. God centred Our primary objective is to develop lifestyles that are totally God-centred, totally Apostolic and prayer focused. Etiquette whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” I Corinthians 10:31 As there are many people from different backgrounds, life experiences, and languages coming together into one place of prayer. It is important that rules of etiquette are applied and maintained. (See ʻThe Lighthouse Cultureʼ leaflet)

For more information about times and location please email:info@breakthruinternational.co.uk or follow us via our social network.

An atmosphere for… Prayer Worship Intercession Music to awaken the heart Biblical reflection

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photograph by Travis Silva

Teaching Letters In each publication of ‘Exodus’ we will be including ‘Teaching Letters’ written by people who (like you) are seekers of truth. If you are interested in understanding the origin of many of our modern traditions these articles will appeal to you.

Lonnie Lane who is known for her work with the Sid Roth broadcasts was delighted to contribute to Exodus and we are equally delighted to be blessed by her insightful and relevant teaching.

Thank you Lonnie! The intention is to challenge common thinking and belief systems in the hope that you will have a clearer understanding of the faith and the Messiah that you were created by.

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Binding, Loosing, Torah & Power Lonnie Lane is a Jewish Believer in Yeshua whose father was from the tribe of Levites. She considers her writing to be in her genes, as a scribe for the Lord. She is the co-author (with Sid Roth) of Heaven is Beyond Your Wildest Expectations (Destiny Image, 2012); Because They Never Asked (Xulon Press, 2004) which is an autobiography of her Jewish family coming to know their Messiah; and The Majesty of Humility, a book of Yeshua-centered poetry. Peter said at Pentecost (Shavuot) that “Yeshua is withheld in heaven until the restoration of all things” (Acts 3:21). Lonnie has written over 250 articles on issues related to restoring Hebrew Roots to the Body of Messiah and a deeper relationship with Yeshua for the Messianic Vision website: www.sidroth.org. Lonnie is an ordained pastor serving as Hebrew Roots and Women’s Ministry pastor at The River in Jacksonville, Florida, and also travels to share the message of restoration to help prepare God’s people for His return.

When Yeshua spoke of binding and loosing, He wasn’t talking about spiritual warfare. The people to whom He spoke understood that He was talking about what was consistent with Torah and what wasn’t. This matter of binding and loosing wasn’t unique to Yeshua. It was entirely familiar to them all because it was how the rabbis would sanction something or ban it according to the teachings in Torah. Here’s one of those areas where knowledge of Hebrew as a language and of the culture in which Yeshua lived are now bringing clarity to some Scriptures we haven’t understood properly for centuries. This provides a deeper revelation of Yeshua Himself as well as further insight into how He intended for His followers to function. Had the translators of our English Bibles used words that more correctly conveyed the meaning of certain passages we would see how they fit like puzzle pieces into a Hebrew mindset. With all due respect to the men who translated the KJV Bible, they knew nothing of the science of linguistics at that time nor did they have any insight into Hebrew culture. They just basically translated it word for word from Greek to English which introduces concepts that were never intended. For example, our English bibles quote Yeshua as saying, “Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill” (Matthew 5:17). When He said, “I did not come” or elsewhere “I have come,” have you interpreted that as meaning He was referring to His incarnation? That is not what He meant. “I have come” is an idiom

meaning intent or purpose. “It is my purpose” is what He was saying in Matthew 5:17. He is not referring to His coming from heaven but His intent and purpose was to fulfill Torah by raising it to God’s intention for it. It is a major part of His messianic purpose to elevate Torah to the fullest significance and meaning. Centuries of misinterpretations are only now being corrected. When the Greek text is translated back into Hebrew….voila! Some ver y interesting adjustments in our understanding of Yeshua and consequently of our roles as His followers emerge. It’s almost as if God is doing again what Yeshua did in the beginning, bringing truth to people’s misunderstanding of Torah so that our understanding of God is correct. The implication of that is incredible. The church has not had the power it did in the first century since those days. Seeing Torah properly is just liable to be the “key” to unlocking what has been imprisoned for centuries. Let me mention here that Torah can mean the first five books of the Bible which God gave to Moses, but it can also mean the entire Hebrew Scriptures. The prophets were all about getting Israel to keep the Torah so they weren’t a separate issue. How many of you have regarded the New Testament as the “real” Bible and the Hebrew Scriptures or the Old Testament as less important. When I ask that question many of you will say, Of course not. God doesn’t see it as old.

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Binding, Loosing, Torah & Power But there has been for millennia, since Constantine, that sense that God’s real message is in the New Testament and the Old Testment is just that “old.” It’s unfortunate that it got that label altogether.

of God, not built upon Peter himself. He was not making a statement of “apostolic succession” or making Peter the head of the church. If God had intended for Peter to be the head of the church, He would have given Peter and not John or Paul the increased revelations they received, revelations which far exceeded what the apostles knew even at the time of the Resurrection. Nor would Paul have had to rebuke Peter when Peter erred in judgment over a significant issue (see Galatians 2:11-14). He was saying that those who receive from Father God the revelation of who He is and surrender their lives to His Lordship are those with whom He will build His kingdom. What He says next confirms this is what He meant.

upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades (Hell) will not overpower it” (Matthew 16:16-18). This scene has some pretty significant things going on. I would even say this conversation is a pivotal one in history. Peter was blessed by God with the revelation of who Yeshua really is. Up until that moment, no one “got it.” It’s finally out — Immanuel! God is with us!! When Yeshua then says, “Upon this rock…,” He means that His Kingdom would be built on the revelation which Peter received of who Yeshua is — Messiah, Son

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So how were Peter and the rest of His followers to use the keys? What would the keys open — what did they mean in reality? Notice it’s not one key, there are several keys. These are keys to His kingdom which still have much to do with the revelation of who Yeshua is. Revelation always brings a certain amount of authority in the one who has received the revelation. To the extent that we have “seen” Yeshua, we will become like Him. That’s just a Biblical fact!

IMAGE CREATED BY LINDA BRAYNE

People often use the passage to “bind the devil.” Yeshua did say that the strong man needed to be bound, and we assume He meant the devil (Matthew 12:39; Mark 3:27). Some think that Yeshua bound the strong man (the devil), when He was resurrected from the dead. When we come to Yeshua and are born from above, we become new persons in Him and we are empowered by God to no longer sin. Now we can see sin for what it is which we couldn’t see before we were indwelt by the Holy Spirit. In that sense, the strong man has It's all about how to He continued to say, “I will give you the been bound in the lives of observe Torah ...loose keys of t he ki ngdom of he aven; believers and we are free from meant permit; bind and whatever you bind on earth shall have satan’s power because Yeshua has given us authority over him meant forbid. been bound in heaven, and whatever you and his ways. As long as we loose on earth shall have been loosed in believe that, and live it out by heaven” (:19). What does having these faith, we are loosed from his grip. It is also true that keys to the kingdom mean? First you need to we have been given the authority in Yeshua’s name to understand that the translation that says, “the command demons to cease their influence and to Kingdom is at hand” (Matthew 3:2; 4:17; Mark 1:15) leave. gives us the impression that it’s on its way but not here yet. The Hebrew word karav means it’s here But that’s not what these particular verses are about. now. This was a statement by Yeshua not of some Let’s see what we find out as we eavesdrop on a future event but His present kingdom. Christians often conversation between Yeshua and Peter though all the have the sense that the real Kingdom is in the sweet disciples were present. Peter has just responded to bye and bye, but not really now. No, when He spoke of Yeshua’s question, “Who do you say that I am?” to His Kingdom He wasn’t talking about heaven one day. which Peter replies, “You are the Messiah, the Son He was talking about anything that was of Him, about of the living God.” And Jesus said to him, “Blessed are Him or with Him. And it was meant to be a present you, Simon Barjona, (son of Jona), because flesh and reality for Peter as it is for us. Those keys are blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is important to us as well. in heaven. I also say to you that you are Peter, and

Binding, Loosing, Torah & Power “ We k n o w t h a t w h e n H e a p p e a r s , w e will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is” (I John 3:2). That does mean when we see Him for real, when one wonderful day we are able to come before Him. But it’s also true that each revelation we receive of Him changes us somehow and we become more like Him in character and nature. Amazing! Surely something only God can do. The same principle is at work in life here and now; to the extent that Yeshua is revealed to us, primarily through His word, or in a personal interaction with Him, we gain Kingdom authority based on seeing something about Him. We can speak with assurance; it’s not hearsay. No one can tell you that you didn’t experience what you did. You can speak about your experience with confidence that you have experienced truth! He has given us keys of authority to reach out in confidence that what we have is real, powerful, ultimate and eternal. On the other hand, what you gain by revelation comes from the Father and as a result of your revelation you now have an authority, a kind of authenticity in how the revelation changes you and what you learned through the revelation. Let’s look again at Matthew 16:19 in a more correct reading. The words “binding and loosing" do not convey what Yeshua meant. Here’s one of those places where a knowledge of Hebrew roots straightens out a whole doctrinal conundrum. The Hebrew for binding is to disallow or forbid, and the Hebrew for loosing is to allow or permit. So the verse should read, “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you forbid on earth shall have been forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit on earth shall have been permitted in heaven.” Yeshua was saying that binding and loosing or rather permitting and forbidding are directly connected to this issue of authority. Okay, so, what is being forbidden or permitted? It's all about how to observe Torah ...loose meant permit; bind meant forbid. It’s all about how to observe Torah. For centuries the rabbis had been making decisions about what was “kosher” or Torah-compliant and what was not; what was permitted and what was forbidden according to the laws of Torah or the Talmudic writings which are

commentaries on Torah. The reason is that the Torah teachings (laws) still need interpretations. For instance, Torah says to observe the Sabbath but it does not tell how to observe it. A day of rest can mean many things to many people. How much is one allowed to do on the day of rest? Can you carry things, cook things, ride a horse, drive a wagon or a car, light a fire? So the rabbis deliberated and this one said this and that one said that, and all is recorded in the Talmud. Once the Talmud was closed, that is completed so no more commentaries were included, Jewish learning was largely about quoting what this or that rabbi has said in the past but it would be the local rabbi or rabbis who would be consulted about any given issue for a ruling on whether something was “permitted” or “forbidden.” When it was allowed or permitted, it was loosed from restriction. When it was forbidden, it was bound from use or action. So loose meant permit; bind meant forbid. Questions were continually presented to the rabbis to find out what was “kosher,” so to speak. What the rabbis permitted was loosed in order to do them; what was forbidden was bound, meaning to tie up or disallow or imprison. Yeshua, acting as a rabbi, was continually bringing a reassessment of correct Torah interpretation. Most of His teachings were to correct erroneous understandings of what God originally meant when He gave Israel the Torah instructions. Now Yeshua was conferring upon Peter and the others the authority to permit or forbid, to make decisions on issues as He would have by the Spirit of God. This is an important point – what the rabbis would decide based on their scholastic reasoning and familiarity with the Torah, the Spirit filled believers would know by the Spirit. You can read Torah as information, or you can perceive the mind of the Spirit in reading Torah. The believers didn’t have to follow hundreds of added rules to try and avoid offending God. Yeshua had paid the price to release them from that fear of God’s displeasure. They were free from the rigidity of legalism (those rules which were added to the Torah) and were functioning by the Spirit of Holiness. Do you realize what an incredible power that is? These men were certainly not rabbis or scholars or Pharisees or Scribes or Torah teachers. They were fishermen and a tax collector, for heavens sake, and Yeshua is giving them that kind of authority?

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Binding, Loosing, Torah & Power They were completely outside of the hierarchical religious system but to them He releases the power and authority to make decisions that He says heaven would back up because they would be entirely in tandem with God. These decisions would affect thousands, even millions of lives, even us today in fact. That’s how assured Yeshua was that His followers would be entirely in tune with the will of God through the Holy Spirit so that He could trust them with that kind of authority. His followers would be so “one” with Him and His Father that they would be the expressions of God’s will as He had been. Would you please read this paragraph over again a few times and let it sink in. I’ll just wait while you do. When we read the book of Acts we see incredible power and effectiveness in the lives and relationships of the early believers, all of whom, I might add, were living Torah compliant lives by the Spirit of God. But in the course of time things were incorporated into the doctrines and practices of the church that were apart from Torah. Looking back, we see that the wisdom of men in authority replaced the authority of heaven in the lives of men. But here’s what so exciting now.

God is reversing the whole thing and bringing His people back to a correct understanding of the place of Torah, not in any legalistic performance-based rigidity but in our Spirit-led lives. In watching Sid’s shows we have seen how God is restoring the authority of the believer so that the supernatural that was there in the first century is being restored. Yes, there are always ‘front runners’ whom God teaches first but they present a picture of what is possible in God. So if it’s not happening in your life yet, realize that God is restoring to the end time body of believers the “revelation” of Yeshua in the Spirit and in truth which includes that He is the Torah made flesh, the embodiment of all God revealed of Himself and set forth for the wellbeing of His people. Power and authority laced with humility, obedience to the Word of God and the leading of the Spirit of Holiness. That’s where we’re going. HalleluJah!

Used by permission by Messianic Vision, www.sidroth.org , 2012. Scripture quotations are from the New American Standard Bible Copyright ©1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

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PROFILE OF A WORSHIPER

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

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MICHA'EL ELIYAHU BENDAVID

Q

You were saved for some years and served as a leader for Time Square Church, what happened to bring you into a new experience with God?

A

As far as Christianity is concerned to me Times Square Church [with David Wilkerson as Founding Pastor] was the top of the crop of Christian teaching and living! But again when I came to Israel in 2001 and experienced God a whole new way, a Jewish Way and realized that I did NOT know God as well as I thought I did, was a wake up call to me! Having been under the teaching of the pastors at Times Square Church for several years, I devoured the Word and came as far as I could to God through their teaching and leadership which I will eternally be grateful for! But I was thirsty and hungry for more of His Righteousness and sought His Kingdom wholeheartedly! There would not be any compromise on my part! I gave up the world, and all its false promises of notoriety and fame and fortune to follow YESHUA and to obtain all of HIM that I could and to seek His Kingdom and His Righteousness first and foremost! The applause of men, or Grammy awards or even any religious status in a church would NOT do! I had set my face like flint! I wanted ALL that Abba had for me! I was NOT then and may I never be satisfied but always seek more of Him! May I always seek hard after Him whom my soul loves so dearly!

Times Square Church to me is like the highest in standard one can reach in Christianity! Our former Pastor David Wilkerson, may he rest in peace, was a great shepherd and truly feared God and served Him wholeheartedly to the best of his ability and the revelation given unto him. Wilkerson even had a love for Israel but no revelation of the Torah, of the People really and of YHVH's feasts and His Shabbat and so to my opinion the congregation fell short of God's Fullness! SO when I arrived to Israel and began to understand more and more the roots of our faith I realized that though we had a reputation that we were rich and alive we were actually poor in truly understanding Who He really was and His relationship with the Jewish people! The full Counsel of His Torah was not taught there so I sought Him for Who He was! And I came to a place where I had to unlearn all I had been taught in Church that I discovered to be falsehood so That I can learn of HIM! The Torah was NOT done away with! And if I was to be a Watchman to Israel I had to learn God's Covenantal ways and live a Jewish life in order to reach Jews! The journey was scary, challenging but rewarding as well!

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You were formerly known as Michael Morris but later changed your name to Micha’el Ben David. What led you to this change?

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Name changes are very common in the Bible and always speaks of Covenant! In 2001 when I came to Israel for the first time I had several encounters with the Holy One of Israel in prayer and visions of the night, where He graciously revealed secrets and things that were hidden from me! Using my grandmother's name Esther, He told me that things were once hidden will now begin to be revealed to me! My Jewish (Judah) Heritage was revealed and my calling to be a Watchman on the walls of Jerusalem as well; not in one shot but in several instances or encounters and throughout the immediate years after 2001! He said that He would put new songs in my mouth and He's done just that and that many of the children of Israel would be blessed through me and come to the knowledge of Yeshua as Mashiach! He's given me a heart of flesh to praise Him, a heart like David to seek hard after Him and to learn of Him and embrace His Torah, holy instructions that I may teach transgressors His ways and restore what was lost for the sake of the Kingdom, not for any particular religious system, whether Jewish or Christian!

In Hebrew, a name means who you are being and stands for the attributes and character of a person! Micha'el Ben David is who I became and who I am being daily, a man after God's own heart! And I'll do anything for my Master! Hence the name was given and received and is being lived out by His grace and not by the works of the flesh! I believe that somehow I am from the natural line of King David himself as it's been revealed to me! But the more important thing to me is I belong to YHVH, the One True & Living God and that I am His and He is mine! "I am my Beloved's and my Beloved is mine!"

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PROFILE OF A WORSHIPER

MICHA'EL ELIYAHU BENDAVID

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MICHA'EL ELIYAHU BENDAVID

Q

How has this experience changed the way that you worship?

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The Father seeks those who would worship Him to do so in Spirit & in Truth! Once I embraced the Truth of His Torah, the Full Counsel of YHVH from Genesis to Revelation I began to truly step into that Place of worship in Spirit & in Truth! And my Praise and my Songs were no longer simple adoration songs but proclamation songs! I now Proclaim Who He is for the world to see and hear and know that He is YHVH! I believe God wants Believers to be His Voice & His Witnesses and not just people sitting in pews once or twice a week in a building spectating and passive listening but to be a living acting stone and a written epistle for all to read as we live out our lives in the Way the Truth and the Life!

Q

What would you say to others who were born to be creatives i.e. musicians, poets, writers etc but are looking for their own identity and expression?

A

Get to know your Beloved! You cannot fully express something you do NOT know! The people who [first] KNOW their God shall BE strong and [then] DO [exploits]! See Daniel 11:32Â "Those who do wickedly against the COVENANT he shall corrupt with flattery; but the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out [great exploits].

So you see we must first Know Him so we can truly BE who He called us to be and out of that place of Being [not striving] we can DO and carry out the "greater works than these" that Yeshua said we would do as His Talmidim/Disciples!

You see it's all about Covenant, and intimacy and we can't have that if we don't follow His holy instructions! We should be bringing people to God Himself and not necessarily to a Church building [which is not necessarily wrong in and of itself] by living the God filled LIFE ourselves! So many are busy making disciples to their church or religious system and way of doing things yet so many are and remain poor in Spirit, poor in Truth, poor in the Knowledge of Him and they in turn don't know their identity and who they are! If we disobey or do wickedly against God's covenant, all we are doing is corrupting ourselves and [mis]leading others by flattery just as the antichrist will do and has been doing for centuries as John said in his epistle and as it is written in Daniel 11:32!

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MICHA'EL ELIYAHU BENDAVID

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Be courageous! Fear God and NOT men! Seek God wholeheartedly and do what He tells you to do when He tells you to do it! FOLLOW HIM and not a religious system per say! Become a disciple of YESHUA Himself before you yourself can make disciples! It's not easy going against the tides and swimming upstream but He gives the Grace and POWER to be His Witnesses! When the whole world around you is going one way yet your conviction and the Fire of YHVH in your bones are telling you to go His Way and not the ways of men then Choose Him! Don't be double-minded! Choose LIFE and He will never let you be put to shame, though the world even the religious world will want to shame you! In the end all that matters is that you will hear Him say: "Well done good and faithful servant!" Shalom and great success in your Journey to Fullness!

"Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the TORAH which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go." Joshua 1:7

"Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He [is] the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you." Deuteronomy 31:6

Psalm 1:1-3: Blessed [is] the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight [is] in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper."

Revelation 15:2-3 "And I saw [something] like a sea of glass mingled with fire, and those who have the VICTORY over the beast, over his image and over his mark [and] over the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, having harps of God. They sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying: "Great and marvelous [are] Your works, Lord God Almighty! Just and true [are] Your ways, O King of the saints!

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PROFILE OF A WORSHIPER

Q

What would you like to say to others who have had a similar encounter as yourself?

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UR SITE UR SOUNDS

BREAKTHRU MEDIA STUDIOS

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Nicole Michelle Aponte Urban flavors in English & Spanish.

Nicole Michelle Aponte. is the 2012 Urban Inspirational Awards Best International Artist and 2011 Best Contemporary Artist. She is also nominated for two 2012 Rhythm of Gospel Awards. Her music is a fusion of Christian Contemporary, Latin, Jazz and

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Her first CD, FREE IN HIS LOVE EP is now available Worldwide on iTunes, Cd Baby, Google Mu si c an d A m az on mp3. As well, her Single "Come to Me" is available for digital download. Nicole Michelle is a worship leader at her home church Bethel in Hampton, VA. She travels with the NSA band creating an atmosphere where God's Spirit moves and people enjoy the Live Music in a variety of styles meant to encourage and bring peace and hope.

Follow this ministry on Onesheet.com, www.ReverbNation.com/ NicoleMichelleAponte,

Twitter.com/NicoleMichelleA, Youtube: sing4jesus1978

Booking: Escape2Eden Music escape2edenmusic@hotmail.com Agent: Jason Aponte

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The Annie Moses Band This family band is named after their great grandmother Annie Moses.

Their parents love of music and desire for each of their children to achieve excellence has culminated in a demonstration of vibrant, colourful and inspiring sounds.

As a family they demonstrate the biblical principle of the home being the starting point for greatness.

For bookings visit their website www.anniemosesband.com

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and the like have been applied to theDr.Creator, must John D he Garr. is certainly founder have a pers

and president of Hebraic Christian which Global expresses Communityhis(www.HebraicCommunity.org), an international, nature and being. transdenominational, multiethnic networking organisation that is a publishing and educational resource 3ULRU WR 0RVHVœ H[SHULHQFH ZDV QRW communicating information about the church’s Jewish roots to the greater Christian*RG community. Dr.NQRZQ Garr is E\ alsoKLV SHUVRQDO Q founder and chancellor of Hebraic Christian College an institution of higher education When the (www.HebraicCenter.org), time came for the exodus, God equipped Moses with an infalli that is focused on the Hebraic foundations of the Christian faith.

authority to organize such a momentous event when he revealed to him the m

QDPH WKH QDPH E\ ZKLFK KH ZDV WR EH NQRZQ IRUHYHU /LVWHQ WR *RGÂśV

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“What is your name?� These passionate words of Moses shallElohi say to the children Israel, YHWH of your WHO I AM.] . .you . and m said again toof Moses, Thus you shall say to th as he sought divine confirmation of his commission to fathers, the Elohim of Abraham, the Elohim of Isaac, and YHWH Abraham, of Isaac, and th stand before Pharaoh and demand the release of of theyour fathers, the Elohimthe of Elohi Jacob, m hasof sent me to you.the ThisElohi is mymname enslaved Israelites have echoed from theKDV VHQW PH WR \RX 7KLV LV P\ QDPH IRUHYHU DQG WKLV LV P\ PHPRULDO WR DOO JH hearts of forever, and this is my memorial to all generations.� countless men and women of faith through the centuries. Who is the God of the universe, the one God who is THE NAME AND ITS PRONUNCIATION supreme and utterly unique? By what nameTshould H E N Amen M E A N D I TS P R O N U N C I A T I O N describe him and in what name should they seek his favor The name YHWH has been called the tetragrammaton The name YHWHit has been called and blessing? because is composed of the fourtetragrammaton Hebrew letters,because it is

The name or title by which one refers to Deity has been Hebrew letters,! K"Z"K"\ # yĂ´dhheh, , heh , waw , heh ). YHWH in English can yĂ´dh, waw, heh). YHWH in English a subject of interest to mankind from time immemorial. be pronounced because it has because it has nocannot vowels. On this technicality of no thevowels. usageOn of this vowels and the While various titles, including God, Lord, the Great King, technicality of the usage of vowels and their placement the Almighty, and the like have been applied to the the tetragrammaton, there is much controversy. Some have used the Sephard within the tetragrammaton, there is much controversy. Creator, he must certainly have a personal name, a name Some have used the Sephardic pronunciation of the thH +HEUHZ WR UHQGHU WKH QDPH Âł<DKZHK ´ 2WKHUV KDYH SUHIHUUHG WKH $VKNHQD which expresses his nature and being. Hebrew to render the name “Yahweh.â€? Others have WKH +HEUHZ WR UHQGHU LW Âł<DKYHK ´ 6WLOO RWKHUV KDYH KDG VXJJHVWHG DGGLW Prior to Moses’ experience, God was not known by his preferred the Ashkenazi pronunciation of the Hebrew to personal name (Exodus 6:3). When the time options, came for the others have had suggested many ofrender whichitare“Yahveh.â€? based onStillinadequate understanding of the Hebrew exodus, God equipped Moses with an infallible witness additional pronunciation options, many of which are for his authority to organize such a momentous event based on inadequate understanding of the Hebrew when he revealed to him the meaning of his secret name, language and texts of Scripture. While no one can claim the name by which he was to be known forever. Listen to the proper pronunciation with total confidence, the God’s answer to Moses’ question in Exodus 3:14, 15: consensus of scholarship concludes that the most likely “And Elohim [God] said to Moses, Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh [I pronunciation is Yäh Ě -wĂŞh. AM WHO I AM.] . . . and Elohim said again to Moses, Thus

23

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of his commission to stand before Pharaoh and deman

permittingechoed its use was by Jesus himself men and women fromrespected the hearts of countless in his use of “kingdom of heavenâ€? instead of God’s statement in Exodus 3 regarding his name, God of the universe, the one God who is supreme and of Godâ€? (substituting “heavenâ€? as a Yahweh, has a very noteworthyofring of finality:While“kingdom Scripture. no one can claim the proper pronunciation with total co euphemism for “Godâ€?), Jewsname do, using describe him just andasinallwhat should they seek his fa “This is my name for ever.â€? The prophet Hosea of Scripture. While no one canTetragrammaton, claim the likely proper pronunciation with tot “Adonaiâ€? for the and as many consensus of scholarship concludes that the most pronunciation is Yäh´-wĂŞh. reconfirms Moses’ account of God’s name: “Even The name or title by which one refers to Deity do, using concludes “HaShemâ€? (The instead of “God.â€? of scholarship thatName) the most likely pronunciation is Yäh´Yahweh is Elohim of hosts; Yahwehconsensus is his memorial There is from no evidence that Jesus everWhile spoke various the time immemorial. titles, including [name]â€? (Hosea 12:5). Isaiah corroborates this: “I name of his Father in public. am Yahweh, that is my name; and C Amy U Tglory I O N AI Nwill D R ESP E C T and the like have been applied to the Creator, he mu not give to anotherâ€? (Isaiah 42:8). Jeremiah adds The name C A U T I O N A N D R ESP E C T Yahweh was understood by the early expresses nature being. has a very notew his confirmation: “They will know that my*RGÂśV VWDWHPHQW LQ ([RGXV UHJDUGLQJ KLV name is Christian which scholars. Clement his of Alexandria (212 name,and Yahweh, Yahwehâ€? (Jeremiah 16:21). Amos says, “Yahweh is A.D.) gave Iaove (a3ULRU transliteration of H[SHULHQFH Yahweh) *RGÂśV VWDWHPHQW LQ ([RGXV UHJDUGLQJ KLV name, asYahweh, has aQRW very WR SURSKHW 0RVHVÂś *RG 0RVHVÂś ZDV NQ ILQDOLW\ Âł7KLV LV P\ QDPH IRU HYHU ´ 7KH +RVHD UHFRQILUPV DFFR his nameâ€? (Amos 5:8). Zechariah declares: “In that God’s name. Origen (253 A.D.) gives Iae as God’s ILQDOLW\ Âł7KLV LV P\ QDPH IRU HYHU ´ 7KH SURSKHW +RVHD UHFRQILUPV 0RVHV When the time came for the exodus, God equipped day there will be one Yahweh, and his name name, a transliteration of Yah, the abbreviated QDPH Âł(YHQ <DKZHK LV (ORKLP RI KRVWV <DKZHK LV KLV PHPRULDO > name@´ +RVHD QDPH Âł(YHQ <DKZHK LV (ORKLP RI KRVWV <DKZHK LV KLV PHPRULDO > nawhen me@´ h oneâ€? (Zechariah 14:9). Considering the form of authority Yahweh. Epiphanius and to organize(404 suchA.D.) a momentous event FRUURERUDWHV WKLV Âł, DP <DKZHK WKDW LV P\ QDPH DQG P\ JORU\ , ZLOO QRW JLY explicitness of this evidence and the repeated useWKLV Theodoret (457 A.D.) give Iabe. FRUURERUDWHV Âł, DP <DKZHK LV P\ QDPH KH DQG P\ WR JORU\ , ZLOO IR QR QDPH WKH WKDW QDPH E\ ZKLFK ZDV EH NQRZQ of the name by the Hebrew prophets wise-HUHPLDK ,VDLDK and DGGV KLV FRQILUPDWLRQ Âł7KH\ ZLOO NQRZ WKDW P\ QDPH When the Hebrew Scriptures were translated KLV LQ FRQILUPDWLRQ Âł7KH\ ZLOO NQRZ P\ s men, why would anyone wish to ,VDLDK discontinue the -HUHPLDK DGGV TXHVWLRQ ([RGXV Âł$QG ElohimWKDW [God] into the Greek of the Septuagint, this emphasis -HUHPLDK $PRV VD\V Âł<DKZHK LV KLV QDPH´ $PRV =HFKDULDK GHFO use of the name of the Supreme Deity? -HUHPLDK was $PRV VD\V Âł<DKZHK LV KLV QDPH´ $PRV =HFKDULDK maintained so that Yahweh was translated CAUTION AND RESPECT

WHO I AM.] . . . and Elohim said again to Moses, T

daydeveloped there will bH RQH <DKZHK DQG KLV QDPH RQH´ =HFKDULDK &RQVLGHULQJ WK Over time, the Jewish people Kurios, which means Lord. Subsequent translations day there willa bH RQH <DKZHK DQG KLV QDPH RQH´ =HFKDULDK &RQVLGHU YHWH have of your fathers, the Elohi m of Abraham, the sensitivity to possible misuseof of the name Holyrepeated Scriptureuse thisby same this evidence andofthe ofrespected the name theJewish Hebrew prophets and w of their this supreme evidence and the repeated use of thethename the Hebrew prophets a Yahweh. Part of this was a result of tradition of not pronouncing nameby YHWH KDV VHQW PH WR \RX 7KLV LV P\ QDPH IRUHYHU DQG WKLV would anyone wish to discontinue the use of the name of the Supreme Deity? respect for God. It was also borne out anyone of their wish andtooffering insteadthe a substitute rendering. It the is Supreme Deity? would discontinue use of the name of fear of violating the third commandment (“You primarily forpeople this reason that awesensitivity have the to possible misuse Over time, the Jewish developed Over time, the Jewish people developed a sensitivity to possible m T Hrepresentation E N A M E A N DinI English TS P R Otranslations, NUNCIA TION shall not take the name of the Lord your God in present-day Yahweh . Part of thiswhich was ais result of their supreme respect for God. It was also born vain.â€?). Ultimately, Jewish people became. Part very of this “LORDâ€? Unfortunately, Yahweh was a result inofmost theircases. supreme respectafor God. It was also Thereason nameforYHWH has been called the tetragr reluctant to use the name at all. By the time of conscientious Jewish not pronouncing IHDU RI YLRODWLQJ WKH WKLUG FRPPDQGPHQW Âł<RX VKDOO QRW WDNH WKH QDPH RI WKH /RUG IHDU RI YLRODWLQJ WKH WKLUG FRPPDQGPHQW Âł<RX VKDOO QRW WDNH WKH QDPH RI WKH Christ, it was used only once a year by the high Hebrewthe letters,! yĂ´dh, heh, waw, heh). Y and transliterating name K"Z"K"\ # (Yahweh) YDLQ ´ 8OWLPDWHO\ -HZLVK SHRSOH EHFDPH YHU\ UHOXFWDQW WR XVH WKH QDPH DW DOO % YDLQ ´ 8OWLPDWHO\ -HZLVK SHRSOH EHFDPH YHU\ UHOXFWDQW WR XVH WKH QDPH DW priest on the day of atonement and then only in has caused the understanding of God’s On personal because it has vowels. thisday technicality of theand u such hushed tones that it was virtually lost in theused only Christ, ititwas once a year by theno high priest on the atonement Christ, was usedname only once a year by the high priest on the of day of atoneme to be lost to the vast majority of the chanting of the priests. Fearing an unwitting the tetragrammaton, there is much controversy. Some such hushed tones that it it was virtually lostlost in the chanting of the Fearing community. suchJewish hushed that was virtually in the chanting of priests. the priests. Fe violation of this commandment, early sagestonesChristian thH +HEUHZ WR UHQGHU WKH QDPH Âł<DKZHK ´ 2WKHUV KDY substituted the word Adonai (Lord) for theof name It is important, however, that Christians violation early Jewish sages substituted the word Adonai violation ofthis thiscommandment, commandment, early Jewish sages substituted the word Ad( Yahweh in their reading of the Scriptures. understand the fact that God does have a WKH WR UHQGHU LW Âł<DKYHK ´ 6WLOO RWKHUV KDY name reading of +HEUHZ the Scriptures. nameYahweh Yahwehinintheir their reading of the Scriptures. personal name. That name is YHWH. A close, yet Where the Tetragrammaton is used in the options, many ofinwhich areHebrew based under inaccurate translation/transliteration of thison Where the Tetragrammaton is used the Hebrew text ofinadequate Scripture, it is v Where the Tetragrammaton is used in the text of Scripture, Hebrew text of Scripture, it is vowel-pointed with personal name has appeared as Jehovah. This the vowels of the word Elohim with (God), sovowels that it ofof withthe the vowels the word Elohi m (God VR WKDW LW PD\ EH SURQRXQFHG Âł Ad the word Elohi m (God VR WKDW LW PD\ EH SURQRXQFHG Âł Adonai rendering repeats the mistake made by the late may be pronounced, “Adonai.â€? The Talmud says, “It VD\V Âł,W LV LV ZULWWHQ ZULWWHQ yothehayhay [Yahweh ] but itpronounced is they pronounced Renaissance Christian Hebraists saw alephaleph Âł,W yothe [Yahweh ] but it iswhen dalethdaleth [ Ado is written yothe hay [Yahweh] butVD\V it is pronounced yĂ´dh, heh, waw, heh in the Masoretic Hebrew text Rand nd \\\\are are commonly used among Jewish people to indicate the Ineffab commonly used among thethe Jewish people to indicate the Ineffable Na aleph daleth [Adonai].â€? Today, ÂśK R ’ ÂśK RRaand are with the nekudot (vowel pointing) of the Hebrew commonly used among the Jewish to in Hebrew. usedinpeople inwritings writings word Elohim (God) supplied (vowels used in Hebrew. indicate the Ineffable Name when it is used in emphasized). Since in German the letter “jâ€? Thistime-honored time-honored tradition shows ultimate respect forpersonal the person writings in Hebrew. This tradition thatthat shows ultimate respect for the nam corresponds to “yâ€? and “wâ€? corresponds to “v,â€? QRW SHUPLWWLQJ LWV XVH ZDV UHVSHFWHG E\ -HVXV KLPVHOI LQ KLV XVH RI ÂłNLQJGRP This time-honored tradition thatQRW SHUPLWWLQJ LWV XVH ZDV UHVSHFWHG E\ -HVXV KLPVHOI LQ KLV XVH RI ÂłNLQJGRP RI KH shows ultimate the transliteration became Yehowah or Jehowah, respect for the personal name RI of ÂłNLQJGRP God by not RI *RG´ which VXEVWLWXWLQJ came into English as Jehovah. Though ÂłKHDYHQ´ DV D HXSKHPLVP IRU Âł*RG´ M

RI ³NLQJGRP RI *RG´ VXEVWLWXWLQJ ³KHDYHQ´ DV D HXSKHPLVP IRU ³*RG´ MXVW DV XVLQJ ³Adonai´ IRU WKH 7HWUDJUDPPDWRQ DQG DV PDQ\ GR XVLQJ ³ HaShem´ XVLQJ ³Adonai´ IRU WKH 7HWUDJUDPPDWRQ DQG DV PDQ\ GR XVLQJ ³ HaShem´ 7KH 1 RI ³*RG ´ There is no evidence that Jesus ever spoke the name 24 of his Father i RI ³*RG ´ There is no evidence that Jesus ever spoke the name of his Father in pub

name of divinity by which he had previously revealed to Moses and other patriarchs of and Mary to callhimself him was (Yeshua), which simply means Yah in the role Israel in his pre-incarnation Christophanies. The name which the angel Gabriel instructed Joseph

was the Memra (Logos in Greek), the Word of God who existed with the Fat

and Mary to call him was

(Yeshua), which simply means Yah in the role of Saviour. Jesus

past and shared the name Yahweh. It was only fitting, then, that when he becam

they should not feel restricted from using the name Some have even suggested that the name Yah was more was the Memra (Logos in Greek), the Word of God who existed with the Father from eternity maintain that name together the expression his role.Diaglott Some have even s themselves, for it was certainly used by the kings and emphatic in with the Saviour’s name. TheofEmphatic past and shared the name Yahweh . It was only fitting, then, that when he became man, he should prophets of Israel long after it was revealed by God to says, “For Isoua among the Hebrews is salvation, and name Yah was morH HPSKDWLF LQ WKH 6DYLRXUÂśV QDPH 7KH (PSKDWLF 'LDJORWW Moses. Christians should, however, the same care among them son suggested of Nun is called Joshua; and Iasoue maintain that name together with take the expression of his role. Some havetheeven that the among the of Hebrews is salvation, and among them the son of Nun is called Josh that Jesus did in not using the name in the presence is the salvation of Jah.â€? name Yah was morH HPSKDWLF LQ WKH 6DYLRXUÂśV QDPH 7KH (PSKDWLF 'LDJORWW VD\V Âł)RU Isoua Jewish people and thereby being considered The English word by which we refer to the Son of God is WKH VDOYDWLRQ RI -DK ´ among the Hebrews is salvation, andcommandment among them the “blasphemersâ€? or violators of the third of son of Nun is called Joshua ; and Iasoue is Jesus, which is a transliteration of the Latin Iesus The English word by which we refer to the Son of God is Jesus, which i WKH VDOYDWLRQ RI -DK ´ the Decalogue. (pronounced Yesus), which transliterates the Greek

The English word by which weof refer the Son of God is Jesus, which is), awhich transliteration ІΡĎƒÎżĎ…Ď‚ (Iesous, pronounced Yaysoos in which the thetoLatin Iesus (pronounced Yesus transliterates the initial Greek ČąČ˜ÄąČ ČŁČ˘ (Ie

[Ďƒ] represents the ,“shâ€? sound, which does not of the Latin OF IesusTHE (pronounced which transliterates the ČąČ˜ÄąČ ČŁČ˘ pronounced MEANING NAME Yesus), Yaysoos in which sigma theGreek initial sigma(Iesous [Äą@ UHSUHVHQWV WKH ÂłVK´ VRXQG ZKLFK GRHV Q exist in Greek, and a final Greek sigma [Ď‚] is added to Yaysoos in which initial macompared [Äą@ UHSUHVHQWV WKH ÂłVK´ VRXQG ZKLFK GRHV QRW H[LVW LQ *UHHN The Hebrew name the Yahweh cansigbe and awith finaltheGreek indicate sigma [Ȣ] added tocase), indicate case), which, i the is nominative which,the in nominative turn, is a direct Hebrew wordGreek for being, thetofull significance and a final sigmhayah, a [Ȣ] to is gain added indicate the nominative case), which, in turn, is a direct transliteration of the Aramaic Yeshu, (in which final ayin of its meaning. Ehyeh (first person singular of hayah)

transliteration of the Aramaic Yeshu, (in which final ayin [ ] of the Hebrew is

transliteration of the Aramaic Yeshu, (in which final ayin [ ] of the Hebrew omitted),which whichtransliterated the of the Hebrew isis omitted), means “I am.â€?Yahweh means, “I am because I am, I am that transliterated (Yeshua). I transliterated am, or I causethe myself to be.â€? It(Yeshua is a formation of the the Hebrew Hebrew (Yeshua). Hebrew ). causative (hiphil) conjugation of the verb and is intended In the view language of the language stream throughwhich the name In view stream through name of the Sav language streamchoice through which ofthe name of the Savior came to the which the to reveal In theview causeofofthe existence. Yahweh’s of this of the Savior came to the English speaking world, the English-speaking the name Jesus is the closest (fromisHebrew to name to express hisworld, being then, was highly accurate, for transliteration English-speaking world,Jesus theispossible name Jesus the closest transliteration possible name the closest transliteration possible (from heAramaic, alone possesses the quality of aseity–he is the cause to Greek, to Latin, to English). Christians certainly at to liberty to usetoJesus (or Jesus Hebrew Aramaic, Greek, to Latin, to English).at liberty to us Aramaic, to are Greek, to Latin, to English). Christians are certainly of his own existence. It is also an accurate expression of are certainly at name libertyof toour use Jesus (or Jesus [pronounced Yaysoos] in German or the equivalent in anyChristians other language) as the the fact that God alone is the cause of[pronounced all existence. Yaysoos ] in German or the equivalent in any other [pronounced Yaysoos] in German or the equivalent in any language) as “Without him was nothing was made that was other language) as the name of our Savior as a proper madeâ€? (John 1:3). The name Yahweh has also been transliteration of his Hebrew name,Yeshua. translated, “I will be what I will be,â€? which is a statement Savior a properthat transliteration of hisisHebrew name, Yeshua. Some haveas supposed the word Jesus a translation of God’s immutability, a characteristic which he alone of Zeus, theSome king of thesupposed Greek gods. is based have thatThis themistake word Jesus is a translation of possesses. This name can also be translated, “I will be on the sounds of the words Jesus and Zeus, which have there,â€? a statement of his eternal presence. When the gods. This mistake is based on the sounds of the words Jesus and Ze absolutely no connection linguistically. If “Jesusâ€? meant Jewish people think of the ineffable name, it means to FRQQHFWLRQ OLQJXLVWLFDOO\ ,I Âł-HVXV´ PHDQW Âł3UDLVH IRU =HXV ´ LW ZRX “Praise for Zeus,â€? it would have to have been written them, “He is,â€? or “He was.â€? with a zetarather ratherthan than aa sig ma (ČąČ˜Č—HȣȢ!instead with a zeta sigma ( insteadofofČąČ˜ÄąČ ČŁČ˘" In add THE SON OF GOD AND HIS NAME When the Son of God was brought into the world in the role of Savior, he maintained the name of divinity by which he had previously revealed himself to Moses and other patriarchs of Israel in his pre-incarnation Christophanies. The name which the angel Gabriel instructed Joseph and Mary to call him was (Yeshua), which simply means Yah in the role of Saviour. Jesus was the Memra (Logos in Greek), the Word of God who existed with the Father from eternity past and shared the name Yahweh. It was only fitting, then, that when he became man, he should maintain that name together with the expression of his role.

inconceivable that the Hebrew into th ІΡĎƒÎżĎ…Ď‚. In addition to the this scholars fact, it is who totallytranslated inconceivable thatVersion the scholars translated would the Hebrew into the thename of a paga of the who Old Testament have used Greek for the Septuagint Version of the Old Testament national hero, Joshua, who was called Yeshua in the Hebrew but wa would have used the name of a pagan deity in reference This is the reason Joshua called JesusYeshua in Acts to their national hero,why Joshua, whois was called in 7:45 and in He the Authorized Hebrew butVersion. was called Iesous in the Greek. This is the reason why Joshua is called Jesus in Acts 7:45 and in A B A L4:8 A N of C E the D A PPR A C H TAuthorized O U SI N G T HVersion. E NAME Hebrews KingOJames

One might well question the importance of learning the prop

in most versionsAPPROACH of the Holy Scriptures, this THE name does not appe A BALANCED TO USING NAME RFFDVLRQDOO\ UHIHUV WR *RGÂśV QDPH DV -DK RU -HKRYDK 0RVW RIWHQ L

OneWhen mightone wellreads question the importance of however, learning the the Hebrew Scriptures, the continued and proper name of Deity.

reference to Deity is unmistakable. This personal name Yahweh a

times in the Hebrew Bible. If the Heavenly Father was careful eno

25

name, it would seem that we who honor and worship him should w for ourselves. On the other hand, it is certainly not so utterly distasteful for

After all, in most versions of the Holy Scriptures, this name does not appear. The Authorized Version occasionally refers to God’s name as Jah or Jehovah. Most often it names him as “the LORD.” When one reads the Hebrew Scriptures, however, the continued and repetitive use of Yahweh in reference to Deity is unmistakable. This personal name Yahweh appears approximately 6,800 times in the Hebrew Bible. If the Heavenly Father was careful enough to give Israel his proper name, it would seem that we who honor and worship him should want to understand that name for ourselves. On the other hand, it is certainly not so utterly distasteful for believers to refer to Yahweh by the various titles which rightly apply to his Being that he would cut them off for worshipping false gods, as some have mistakenly suggested. Using such titles and names to refer to Deity could not be construed as violation of the third commandment, for one would have to take or use the name Yahweh in vain, not use another name or title in sincere reference to the Eternal. Indeed, Jesus taught his disciples to pray, “Our Father,” not, “Our Yahweh.” While the names of Deity are important, it should be remembered that all names are merely words designed to reveal the qualities of the bearer. Though Yahweh and Yeshua are the proper names of Deity, it is appropriate to say, “The Eternal,” or “The Savior.” Too often God’s people lack balance. This has been the case with the name Yahweh. The Jews were so afraid of violating the third commandment by pronouncing the name that they avoided its use and may well have lost its original pronunciation. Some Christians have rediscovered and restored the use of the name and have taken the other extreme, believing that failure to use the name exclusively is a violation of the third commandment. We must remember that God speaks English, Chinese, and Spanish, as well as Hebrew and that we can use terms and names that communicate with one another and with the public our understanding of God.

authority and meaning of the name is more essential to the believer today. Christians must also be sensitive to the concerns of the Jewish people for respect and honor of the Ineffable Name. Attempting to pronounce the name or to transliterate it from Hebrew is particularly offensive to most Jews and is considered blasphemous by many. If Jesus respected the tradition of using substitute terms or euphemisms for the Tetragrammaton, surely Christians can mirror their Lord’s respect for Jesus’ people.

RESTORATION Biblical names in Hebrew forms, transliterated into the world’s languages, are a part of the restoration of Christianity’s Jewish foundations. Believers should gain this knowledge and enrich their relationship with God by understanding his nature revealed in his proper name, Yahweh. The need for restoring the knowledge of God’s name by the believers today is readily discernible in the fact that those who are called his elect are referred to in Revelation 14:1 as “having his Father’s name written in their foreheads.” Surely those who will be called by his name should want to know his name. Moses did! Understanding God’s personal name is but another part of the great heritage of Judaism that is being restored in our day. It is a part of the better way of recognition and worship of the Eternal God. While Christians should honor the Jewish people’s sensitivities concerning the use of the Ineffable Name, they should certainly come to understand what God’s name is and what it means.

©2012, John D. Garr. None of this material may be reproduced in any form without the express written consent of the author.

We must use wisdom in conversing with unbelievers in the language with which they are familiar. By isolating ourselves totally to the use of biblical Hebrew surnames of God, we severely restrict the effectiveness of our witness. While understanding the name of God is important for information’s sake, understanding the

26

Rees Howells, Intercessor written by Norman Grubb. Rees Howells lived out what he believed. His unique relationship with God through faith and believing prayer impacted thousands. It shows the reality of the intercessor y lifestyle. His love for his fellow man is still exemplary for this generation to follow.

The Army In The Valley written by Valton Brown. This book is dedicated to a new generation of believer who desire a new encounter with God. ‘A people of Faith’. It is a call to ordinary people to take their place and to understand why they do not fit into the traditional religious framework or structure. This book is a road map to finding your place of destiny in Gods global plan. If you are a seeker of truth and desire an authentic relationship with God this book is designed for you… ‘Through this book the author, Valton Brown, opens to you a new way so that you can live a more confident, positive, more godly life. As a result, you will grow to possess an undivided heart, loyal to God and His ways in every domain of life... ‘ Pastor Daniel Rozen Jerusalem Foundation Living Stone Ministries Israel

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A publication of Breakthru International - Volume 1 - September 2012

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