March-April 2013 Volume 35 No. 2
How much more shall the blood of the Messiah, Who through the eternal Spirit, offered Himself without spot to Elohim, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living Elohim? Hebrews 9:14
The Master Key is dedicated to opening the door to sound Bible understanding. The true names of the Heavenly Father, Yahweh, and His son, Yahshua the Messiah, are restored in this publication. The “lying pen of the scribes” (Jeremiah 8:8, NIV) and the “experts in the law” (Luke 11:52, NIV), as well as Bible translators, took away the key to knowledge by substituting titles—God, Lord, Adonai—for the true names. They also neglected other Bible truths proclaimed in these pages. The Sacred Name is easily proved in most good encyclopedias and dictionaries under the heading “Yahweh,” “Jehovah,” “god” or “Tetragrammaton.” You may also request our free booklets, “The Heavenly Father’s Great Name,” and “The Missing J” for a wealth of well-known secular and religious sources that prove the Sacred Name in detail. The Master Key is published by Yahweh’s Assembly in Messiah, 401 N. Roby Farm Rd., Rocheport, MO 65279, (573) 698-4335, FAX (573) 698-3305. Although we offer a free one-year subscription, your donation is welcome and will help spread the news of the coming Kingdom of Yahweh to the entire world. We sincerely thank you for your support.
WEEKLY SABBATH SERVICES MISSOURI Rocheport Assembly (573) 698-4335 Services 1:00 pm PENNSYLVANIA Frystown Assembly (717) 933-4796 Services 11:30 am
PHILIPPINES Elder Anselmo Blanquera #027 Tempra Hwy., San Fabian Pangasinan, Philippines Elder George Pana 1152 Purok, 6-A, North Poblacion, Maramag 9714 Bukidnon, Philippines
Stonefort Assembly Elder Ray Saldia 10 Datu Siang St., POB 7 Cotabato City 9600 Philippines
Cover photo: Passover Tableau
IN THIS ISSUE
©Kenneth Sponsler
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Page # Could the Savior Return Today, By Elder George Garner............................................................................. 1 Where to Find Us ................................................................................................................................................ 3 PayPal Information ............................................................................................................................................. 3 Sanctification, By Deacon Edward Burgett ...................................................................................................... 4 Invitation to Passover/Feast of Unleavened Bread........................................................................................... 6 Decisions, By Mike Greene ................................................................................................................................. 7 Yahweh’s Children Website Information ......................................................................................................... 9 The Name of Yahweh and the Nazarenes, By Sean Killian ........................................................................... 10 Ask the Elders.................................................................................................................................................... 11 Agony in the Garden ......................................................................................................................................... 12 Where Is Esther ................................................................................................................................................. 13 Prayer, Suffering & Disappointment, By Joël Peeters .................................................................................. 14 Women’s Corner: Enoch & EliYah Died in the Faith, By Sarah “Mimi” Hubble ..................................... 17 Info on Free Literature and Sabbath Services on DVD ................................................................ Back Cover
Could the Savior Return Today? Not until certain prophecies are fulfilled will Yahshua return to establish His Kingdom on earth. Learn what must happen first! By Elder George Garner
For years, preachers have been looking for a rapture of the present-day “church.” They believe the righteous are to be snatched away to safety, while calamity falls on the rest. The time could never be more ripe. Look around you! Hospitals are full of people with all types of strange diseases, and great tragedies are occurring all over the world. Many ministers say that the present calamities represent Yahweh’s end-time punishment. That is true, but this is only the beginning of the awesome wrath that is to come on the great and terrible day of Yahweh—the great wrath spoken of by the prophets of Yahweh. Many prophesied events must yet take place before the Day of Yahweh comes. Let’s see what some of the prophets say about the end times ahead. Jeremiah spoke to Israel before they went into exile for their sins and gave them Yahweh’s words: ...take from My hands this cup filled with the wine of My wrath and make all nations to whom I send you to drink it (Jeremiah 25:15). All nations did drink of the wrath of Yahweh’s cup at that time, just as Jeremiah prophesied. If this prophecy came true, so will the prophecies of the Day of Yahweh’s wrath. Yahweh told Jeremiah, “The days are coming,” declares Yahweh, “when I will bring My people Israel and Judah back from captivity and restore them to the land I gave their forefathers to possess” (Jeremiah 30:3). Notice verse 7: How awful that day will be! None will be like it. It will be a time of trouble for Jacob, but he will be saved out of it. Did you grasp what Yahweh said? Jacob will be saved from it! Now verse 8: “In that day,” declares Yahweh AlMarch-April 2013
mighty, “I will break the yoke off their necks and will tear off their bonds; no longer will foreigners enslave them.” This is the cup of Yahweh’s wrath. Israel is scattered today in every nation of the world, just as the Prophet Amos said they would be (Amos 9:9), with a yoke on their necks, according to Jeremiah. In Jeremiah 30:8-9, Yahweh said He would indeed break this yoke and they would serve Him and David their king, whom Yahweh would raise up for them. David had died before Jeremiah’s time, and his grave is with us to this day, waiting for the resurrection of the dead (Acts 2:29). Yahweh scattered Israel and it will be Yahweh Who gathers His people again. Ezekiel 20:23 says that Yahweh scattered them because they broke His laws, rejected His decrees and desecrated His Sabbaths. In verses 34-35, Yahweh said He would bring them back into the desert of nations and there, face-to-face, execute judgment upon them. Verse 38 says that He is going to take all rebels, and those who revolt against His laws, out of their countries. Could this be the rapture that ministers are talking about? Let’s find out. MORE THAN COINCIDENCE Revelation 12:6 mentions the woman going into the desert for 1,260 days. Revelation 11:2 talks of the Gentiles trampling on the Holy City for 1,260 days. In verse 3, the two witnesses prophesy 1,260 days. Revelation 13:5 says that the beast blasphemes Yahweh and His great Name for 1,260 days. Could all of this activity be the same period of time? Let’s look at the relationships. The beast will blaspheme Yahweh’s Name, while the
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Gentiles trample the Holy City. The two witnesses proclaim the end-time message, while Israel, the “woman” who gave birth to a male child, will be taken into the desert—each for 1,260 days. At the end of those 1,260 days, the beast will overcome those saints or witnesses, (Revelation 11:7 and 13:7). Then the seven vials of Revelation 16 will be poured out on the beast for the final wrath of Yahweh. But before all of this takes place, the prophecies that the prophet Moses spoke of must be fulfilled. Israel was scattered because Moses knew, before they entered the Promised Land, that they would leave Yahweh for Baal worship—and serve idols of wood and stone (Deuteronomy 28:64). Yahweh gave Israel blessings and cursings— blessings if they kept His laws, cursings if they broke them. Because of their sins, they were exiled. Before Yahshua returns, Israel will be taken into the desert. Could this, then, be the great rapture Christianity is looking for? Notice that they will not be taken to heaven, but to the desert, a place prepared by Yahweh. The Prophet Micah foretold, Shepherd your people with your staff, the flock of your inheritance which lives by itself in a forest in fertile pasture lands [in the middle of Carmel]. Let them feed in Bashan and Gilead as in the days long ago. As in the days when you came out of Egypt I will show them My wonders (Micah 7:14-15). Before this can occur, what is written in Deuteronomy 30:1-7 must take place. All the words of the prophets must be fulfilled. Let’s amplify the key parts of this passage. Deuteronomy 30:1-3 tells us, When all these blessings and curses I have set before you come upon you, and you take them to heart, wherever Yahweh your Elohim disperses you among the nations, and when you and your children return to Yahweh your Elohim and obey Him with all your heart and with all your soul according to everything I command you today, then Yahweh your Elohim will restore your fortunes and have compassion on you and gather you again from all the nations where He scattered you. Deuteronomy is Yahweh’s Law Book. He is saying that, if they return to the law, the blessing will come back to Israel. Verse 5 says, He will bring you to the land that belonged to your fathers, and you will take possession of it. He will make you more prosperous and numerous than your fathers. Verses 7-10, Yahweh your Elohim will put all these curses on your enemies who hate and persecute you. You will again obey Yahweh and follow all His commands … Then Yahweh your Elohim will make you most prosperous in all the work of your hands and in the fruit of
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your womb, the young of your livestock and the crops of your land. Yahweh will again delight in you and make you prosperous, just as He delighted in your fathers, if you obey Yahweh your Elohim and keep His commands and decrees that are written in this Book of the Law and turn to Yahweh your Elohim with all your heart and with all your soul. This will be fulfilled by Abraham’s offspring. They are those who will proclaim the end-time message of Revelation 11, along with those who were taken into the desert. There are billions of people on earth, yet how many will be found worthy to enter the Kingdom of Yahweh? Jeremiah 23:3 said, I myself will gather the remnant of My flock out of all the countries where I have driven them and will bring them back to their pasture, where they will be fruitful and increase in number. Only a remnant, out of billions of people, will be saved. CONSEQUENCES OF DISOBEDIENCE Yahweh had reason to be angry with Israel. Jeremiah 11:7-8 said, From the time I brought your forefathers up from Egypt until today, I warned them again and again saying “Obey Me,” but they followed the stubbornness of their evil hearts, so I put the curses of the covenant on them. Jeremiah 11:10, They returned to the sin of their forefathers, who refused to listen to My words and worshipped the shameful god (Baal=Lord). Jeremiah 7:18, The children gather wood, the fathers light the fire and the women knead the dough and make cakes of bread for the Queen of Heaven. The Prophet Isaiah said that man cut down trees to fashion a “god” with some of the wood, and with the other half, would warm his food. Yet, he would worship the same wood! See Isaiah 44:14-20, He cut down cedars … some of it he takes and warms himself; he kindles a fire and bakes bread. But he also fashions a god and worships it; he makes an idol and bows down to it. Half of the wood he burns in the fire; over it he prepares his meal … from the rest he makes a god, his idol; he bows down to it and worships. He prays to it and says, “Save me, you are my god.” … He feeds on ashes; a deluded heart misleads him… Do we have “idols” in our own lives that we’ve allowed to take first place over Yahweh? The Israelites shamed themselves to Yahweh’s face by their actions. Repentance and a return must take place for these children of Israel. The Good News about Yahshua, the Son of Yahweh, must be taught to all of them so that they might, hopefully, exchange their “deluded hearts” for the Word of Truth, before Yahshua returns.
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Sanctify them through Thy truth: Thy Word is truth (John 17:17). TRUTH, NOT ERROR, WILL BE TAUGHT AGAIN Another phenomenon must take place before Yahshua’s return. There will be a strong reversal in the teaching of lies, against which the prophets warned, and the teaching of truth which will be spread over the whole earth, as a fulfillment of prophecy. False worship will be exposed at the end time. Yahweh said Israel would worship wood and stone—“false idols.” Israel defamed Yahweh by their acts. And wherever Israel went among the nations, they profaned My holy Name for it was said of them, “These are Yahweh's people, yet they had to leave His land” (Ezekiel 36:20). Yahweh said it is not for their sake that He will bring Israel back from the nations, but to show the holiness of His great Name (verse 22). SEAL OF HIS NAME ON THE SAINTS Another event that must take place before Yahweh’s own are gathered from the nations is that they must be sealed. Revelation 7:3 says, Do not harm the land or the sea or the trees until we put a seal on the foreheads of the servants of Yahweh. Revelation 14:1 tells us what that seal is—the name of the Father and the name of the Son. Isaiah 43:5-7 bears witness to this: Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west. I will say to the north “Give them up!” and to the south, “Do not hold them back!” Bring My sons from afar and My daughters from the ends of the earth—everyone who is called by My name, whom I created for My glory, whom I formed and made. THE GOOD NEWS WILL GO FORTH How can they return unless they hear about the Good News? How can the people be sealed unless Yahweh’s name is taught? And everyone who calls on the name of Yahweh will be saved; for on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be deliverance, as Yahweh has said, among the survivors whom Yahweh calls (Joel 2:32). Could Yahshua the Messiah return today? Certainly not! We must await the appearance of the two witnesses, the beast, and the salvation of Israel, who will be calling upon the name of Yahweh, as prophesied.
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IMPORTANT NOTICE You can now donate to Yahweh’s Assembly in Messiah via PayPal on our website. Although there is a small fee (2.5%) that we incur for each PayPal transaction, we have been asked to add this to our new website as it is an easier and simpler method of donating for some people. If you have any questions, please let us know.
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Sanctification By Edward Burgett
The awe-inspiring events that occurred at Mt. Sinai teach us about the holiness of Yahweh. This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses; now choose life so that you and your children may live and love Yahweh your Elohim, listen to His voice and hold fast to Him (Deuteronomy 30:19-20). Yahweh instructed us about a written “code of ethics” that would teach men how to become holy, that would teach us how to recognize the clean from the unclean. This is sanctification! In this article, we will be learning about a very important principle called “sanctification.” According to Strong’s Concordance, the word “sanctify” (#6942 in the Hebrew—qadash) means, “to be, make, pronounce or observe as clean…consecrate, dedicate, holy…purify, sanctify.” In Scripture, all of these meanings are used to address those things that pertain to Yahweh and the work He is accomplishing upon this earth. For example, we read in Genesis 2:3 that He …blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it. Looking at the definitions of “sanctify”, we understand that the seventh day was “holy,” meaning separate (Exodus 16:23). It was something that was to be observed, which means “to hedge about, guard, or to protect, attend, or keep.” A person was to sanctify this day, regarding it as clean and pure (Deuteronomy 5:12). Yahweh has made something pure and separate; He has separated the clean from the unclean, and He has commanded us to do the same. Scriptures are quite clear, from Genesis to Revelation, that a part of Yahweh’s creation—its inhabitants—had become unclean, as a result of disobedience. Man was created from the “dust of the earth” in the Garden of Eden, but he defiled himself by sinning, and thereby experienced physical death (1 Corinthians 15:21-22). “Paradise” was lost as a result of the true nature of disMarch-April 2013
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obedient man (John 3:19; Romans 13:12; 1 Peter 2:9; Ephesians 6:10-12; Psalms 51:5; Jeremiah 17:9). Because of the impurity of the man, Yahweh made sanctification a central part of His plan for restoration. The psalmist addressed the issue through a simple statement: I will praise You; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works... (Psalms 139:14-16). David, the writer of Psalms, did not understand how he was made, but he did understand the Book, the Law, and he did have faith in its validity. DISCIPLINING OUR MINDS Paul teaches us that we are to have …a renewing of our minds, being not conformed to this world, but to be transformed in order to prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of Elohim (Romans 12:2). The teacher of Proverbs tells us, The way of the wicked is as darkness; they know not at what they stumble. My son, attend to my words; incline your ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from your eyes; keep them in the midst of your heart. For they are life unto those that find them and health to all their flesh. Keep your heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life (Proverbs 4:19-23). Man was made in the likeness of Yahweh by the
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power of His Spirit. John 4:23-26 says that Yahweh is Spirit. Psalms 92:15 says that, in this Spirit Creator, there can be found no unrighteousness. Yahweh made that choice, affirming that righteousness was superior to unrighteousness. Nehemiah said in 9:13-14, You came down upon Mt. Sinai…gave them right judgments, and true laws, good statutes and commandments: and made known to them Your holy Sabbath…by the hand of Moses Your servant. THE CHOICES WE MAKE
plore you on Messiah’s behalf: be reconciled to Elohim. Yahweh made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of Elohim (2 Corinthians 5:12-21). We know from Scripture that sin is the transgression of the law (1 John 3:4) and that the result of sin is death (James 1:15, 5:20). How much more, then, will the blood of Messiah, Who through the eternal Spirit, offered Himself unblemished to Elohim, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living Elohim (Hebrews 9:14)? We can be assured that our Restorer, or Minister of Reconciliation, will not only remove that which curses us, but He will also re-create, through the Spirit of Yahweh, a new person, through sanctification by the Spirit (John 3:5-6).
This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses; now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love Yahweh your HOW WE OBTAIN REDEMPTION Mighty One, listen to His voice, and hold fast to Him. For Yahweh is your life and He will give you many For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkyears in the land He swore to give to your fathers, ness and brought us into the Kingdom of the Son He Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Deuteronomy 30:19-20). loves, in Whom we have redempThe fool has said in his heart, tion, the forgiveness of sins. He is “There is no Elohim.” They are We can be assured that our the image of the invisible Elohim, corrupt, they have done abominaRestorer, or Minister of Reconciliathe firstborn over all creation. For ble works, there is none that does tion, will not only remove that by Him all things were created… good. Yahweh looks down from which curses us, but He will also so that in everything He might heaven upon the children of men, re-create, through the Spirit of have the supremacy (Colossians to see if there were any that did understand, and seek Elohim Yahweh, a new person, through 1:13-18). Understanding these things, we (Psalms 14:1-2). sanctification by the Spirit. can clearly see that there are prereqThe awe-inspiring events at Mt. uisites to entering the Kingdom beSinai serve to utterly destroy the longing to Yahweh, which will be ruled by Yahshua, and evolutionary theory, lending a greater understanding of is governed by the laws of righteousness. Righteousness creation. Moses, led by the Spirit of Yahweh, wrote the (#6663 in the Hebrew) means “to be right, cleanse, clear first five books of the Bible, dealing more with the reself.” How does one become right or cleansed? To be creating of man than the original creation. Moses passed sanctified, a person must be set apart, or made holy, and on to the House of Israel Yahweh’s righteous law, given washed or purified, before he or she is able to stand bein order that, if a man would attach himself to it, he fore Yahweh. would not only find eternal life, but life abundantly—on What is the first step in becoming sanctified? Turn to earth and in the coming Kingdom (Mark 10:29-30). Hebrews 11:6, Without faith it is impossible to please These things are greatly misunderstood by those who Elohim, because anyone who comes to Him must beteach that it was by chance, and not by design, that man lieve that He exists and that He rewards those who was created. earnestly seek Him. Hope of restoration or reconciliation to Yahweh is one Paul wrote, Faith comes by hearing and hearing by of the most important elements of the law, based on the the Word of Yahweh (Romans 10:17). Unless we besupreme sacrifice of our Savior, Yahshua the Messiah. come as little children, having a simple, childlike trust in Therefore, if anyone is in Messiah, he is a new creaYahweh, we will, in no wise, understand His law. tion; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is In dealing with man and his fleshly heart, Yahweh infrom Elohim, who reconciled us to Himself through structed him to enter into the covenant which He made Messiah and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: with Abraham and His seed. As Paul said, You are all that Elohim was reconciling the world to Himself in Messiah, not counting men’s sins against them. And the children of Yahweh by faith in Yahshua the MesHe has committed to us the message of reconciliation. siah. For as many of you as have been immersed in the We are, therefore, Messiah’s ambassadors, as though Messiah have put on the Messiah. There is neither Elohim was making His appeal through us. We imJew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is March-April 2013
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neither male nor female: for you are all one in Yahshua the Messiah. And if you be the Messiah’s, then are you Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise (Galatians 3:26-29). So then faith comes by hearing the Word of Yahweh (Romans 10:17). Taking hold of the Word will sanctify those in agreement with Yahweh. Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, a light unto my path (Psalm 119:105). This written and living “Word” carries us along the ancient, but narrow pathway that leads us— those who are seeking truth—through the narrow gate that leads to life. Trust in Yahweh with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight (Proverbs 3:5-6). There is, therefore, no condemnation to them which are in the Messiah, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit (Romans 8:1).
weh is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of Yahweh are sure and altogether righteous. They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb. By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward. Who can discern his errors? Forgive my hidden faults. Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then will I be blameless, innocent of great transgression. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Yahweh, my Rock and my Redeemer (Psalms 19:7-14). May we be those who continually strive, with Yahweh’s Holy Spirit, to purify ourselves, as we seek the face and favor of Almighty Yahweh!
PURIFICATION THROUGH YAHSHUA Yahshua came to magnify His Father’s Name (John 17; Hebrews 2:12). Yahshua came to establish a new covenant with Israel through the power of the Spirit (Jeremiah 31:31-33; Hebrews 8 and 10). The writing of the law is within man’s heart, instead of tablets of stone; the last becoming obsolete, growing old and passing away. The Law reveals man’s sinful nature (Romans 3:20). Yet this same Law teaches that the Creator can repair this dying clay through His Spirit and the placing of His instruction manual within our hearts and minds for the sole purpose of giving man the opportunity to obtain eternal life! Yahweh offered it to all men (Acts 10:34-43). Because of His great love for us, Elohim, Who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Messiah, even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And Elohim raised us up with Messiah and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Messiah Yahshua, in order that in the coming ages, He might show the incomparable riches of His grace, expressed in His kindness to us in Messiah Yahshua (Ephesians 2:1-10, and through the end of the chapter). Sanctification will be brought about by putting into practice the principles that we’ve just read about. If we do so, we will be justified by the Spirit of Yahweh, in and through the name of Yahshua the Messiah (1 Corinthians 6:11; Romans 11:26-36). The law of Yahweh is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of Yahweh are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of Yahweh are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of Yahweh are radiant, giving light to the eyes. The fear of Yah-
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lease join us as we remember the wonderful things our Savior Yahshua did for us! Keep the Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread here at Yahweh’s Assembly in Messiah, Rocheport, Missouri. A memorable Passover service will be observed, beginning at sunset on March 25, 2013. The Feast of Unleavened Bread will begin at sunset on March 26th. Please let us know early if you’re coming, by going to our website: www.yaim.org or by calling us at 573-698-4335. You can also send us an email at officestaff@yaim.org. We look forward to seeing you here!
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By Mike Greene
Decisions are something we have to make our entire life. Some are trivial, some are life-changing and some may have eternal consequences. There was a young man who went to work for a small company. He was very industrious and hardworking. Because of his hard work, the company grew and he was elevated up the ladder and he became CEO. Because of his decisions, that company grew from just a few people into a mighty corporation. Another young man came to work and heard of the CEO. He also was industrious and wanted to help himself while also helping the company. He went to the old man to ask him for some wisdom. He said, “Sir, how did you become so successful?” The old fellow looked at him and said, “Two words: good decisions.” The young fellow pondered on that and he said, “But how do you know you made good decisions?” And the old fellow looked at him and said, “One word: experience.” So the young man said, “How do you get this experience?” The wise fellow said, “Two words: bad decisions.” This is a rather light-hearted example, but isn’t it true? Do we not learn from our bad decisions— sometimes? All of our life we make bad decisions. There’s an old parable that says, “We learn from our mistakes.” While reflecting on this, I have to wonder: after all, with all the mistakes I have made, I should be a genius! Decisions can be very important. There was a young child who was standing, looking into a freshly-opened box of chocolates deciding which one to take. The rule was: “You can take one, but only one, but you can have any one you want.” He’s looking down there and he thinks, “That small round one there just might have my favorite peppermint cream in it. But, what about that long one there? It might last a bit longer.” You know, it’s a rather trivial thing to us, but for that child, that’s a very important decision. Likewise, the decisions we March-April 2013
make from time to time can be even more crucial to us. We need to make sure we make the right decisions. I heard a dear brother tell about a decision to stop working on Sabbath, and to live by it, despite losing a substantial monetary amount. But he didn’t give up any money—he invested that money into a heavenly retirement plan. We should all be making those “investments.” Psalm 90:10, The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labor and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away. Life is very short. Seventy years is pretty much average. There are people who live to be 120, as we hear every once in a while. However, I don’t think it is the quantity of life we experience, it’s the quality of life. I read a statistic that the average “Christian” lived to be 70 years old. Of that 70 years, 24 years is spent sleeping; 14 years in working; 8 years in amusements; 6 years at the dinner table; 5 years in transportation; 4 years in conversation; 3 years in education; 2 years reading and studying for a total of 66 years. The remaining 4 years were spent in miscellaneous pursuits, of which 45 minutes were at “church” services, 5 minutes were devoted to prayer each day. That gives us a whopping grand total of 5 months that were devoted to the one they worship. That’s a very small percentage—not even 10 percent, is it? However, if he attended “Sunday School” and three 1-hour services each week, it would add to the total of 1 year and 9 months—still very, very pathetic. What should we devote to Yahweh for what He has done for us? Let’s begin at the beginning—Genesis 1:26, And Elohim said, “Let us make man in Our image, after Our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the
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air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.” WOW! What an honor. Genesis 2:7, And Yahweh Elohim formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. He was only a clod of clay; but with that breath of life, became a living soul, in the image and likeness of Yahweh, who was given dominion over all the earth. What company could you go to work for, without any experience, and start as President? But, there was trouble in paradise…. Genesis 3:1-5, Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which Yahweh Elohim had made. And he said unto the woman, “Yea, hath Elohim said, ‘Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?’ And the woman said unto the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, Elohim hath said, ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.” And the serpent said unto the woman, “Ye shall not surely die: for Elohim doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as Elohim, knowing good and evil.” A brother once said that whatever Satan offers you is only temporary and is only of this earth. That is ALL that he can offer! What he was offering to Adam and Eve was to be Elohim. Adam was created in the image and likeness of Yahweh. He was given dominion over all the earth—he WAS an Elohim (mighty one). But that fruit, which some refer to as an apple, caused him to give up his dominion, and his kingship, by partaking of that fruit. It’s like Esau who gave up his birthright for a bowl of soup. Not a very good trade, was it? What would you give up? We read in Psalm 90:10 how many years we have. Now, consider verse 12: So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. Remember the Christian fellow—how much time he spent serving the One he worships? We’re supposed to seek the Kingdom and everything else will be given to us. We’ve got to learn to keep our priorities in order. Matthew 16:24-26, Then said Yahshua unto His disciples, “If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his stake, and follow Me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose March-April 2013
it: and whosoever will lose his life for My sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? What is your soul worth to you? What would you give up your soul for—a better-paying job, a little power, prestige? How about if we offer you to be the most powerful man on earth? How about if we made you President of the United States? Would you give up your soul for that? Yet, there are times when we are weak and we do give in and we do accept little trinkets along the way that distance us from Yahweh. When we repent, we have an advocate. Yahshua the Messiah is our Advocate, and because of Him, we can be forgiven and restored. Hebrews 11:13-16, These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore Yahweh is not ashamed to be called their Elohim: for He hath prepared for them a city. Yahshua said we had to be in this world, but not of it. We’re still given free will, we’re still weak and we still make mistakes, but when we fall down, we pick ourselves up and go again. No one said it was easy. Very little that is good is easy. Even worldly things you have to work for. The harder you work, the more you receive. But, these are trifle earthly things; things that the “god” of this world can give you. When Adam fell, the pedestal that he was on crumbled to pieces. Satan was there to grab the pieces of that pedestal and put it together and he became “god” of this world, having dominion over it. Remember when Yahshua spent forty days and forty nights fasting in the wilderness? During that fast, Satan tempted Him, took Him up on a mountain and said, “If you’ll just bow down and worship me, I’ll give you all these kingdoms.” It was his to give—he had picked up those pieces that Adam broke.
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For a lousy piece of fruit or a lousy bowl of soup, look what was lost! Our very salvation is at stake, depending on the decisions that we make! We must try to always make good, wise decisions and learn from our mistakes. However, when you make a mistake, you have to learn to overcome and repent— repent from sinning, which is transgression of the law. Yes, the laws are still in effect! Do the decisions we make put a smile on Yahweh’s face? Think of Job. Again, verse 16 above says ...they desire a better country, an heavenly: wherefore Yahweh is not ashamed to be called their Elohim. Is Yahweh ashamed of us? Think how He boasted about Job. Job 1:7, And Yahweh said unto Satan, “Whence comest thou?” Then Satan answered Yahweh, and said, “From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.” (Satan was, and is still, accountable to Yahweh. He might be the “god” of this world right now, which that will be shortlived, because he still must answer to Yahweh.) Job 1:8, And Yahweh said unto Satan, “Hast thou considered My servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth Elohim, and escheweth evil?” What a recommendation! Will we ever obtain that? Of course, you know the rest of that story. Satan was given permission to smite Job up to even the point of death. I can only imagine what that man had to endure, but he was faithful and did not curse Elohim, as his wife told him to do. Job lost everything he had except one thing—his wife. I think the reason was that Satan wanted to give him just a little more temptation because she kept saying, “Curse Yahweh and be done with it!” But he would not. His friends kept hammering him, but he would not falter. Job 19:23-27, Oh that my words were now written! Oh that they were printed in a book! That they were graven with an iron pen and lead, in the rock forever! For I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: and though after my skin, worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see Elohim: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me. We will see our Redeemer. With our own eyes, we will see Him. He’s always been there by you. March-April 2013
You just couldn’t see Him. He’s always been standing by you, He’s always been ready to be your Advocate before the Father when you repented. We owe everything to Yahweh and to Yahshua because without Yahshua, we cannot go directly to the Father. So, when you make decisions, make them wisely! A lot of you out there made a lot of sacrifices to be at the Feast—sacrifices of time and money. But you made those sacrifices—those decisions to be obedient to Yahweh’s Word when He tells you to keep the Feasts. It may have taken dollars out of your pocket, but think of the eternal dollars you will gain as a reward. The things of Satan are going to be burned up in this world when it is purified, but the gifts of Yahweh are eternal and will last forever. Eternity—that’s what we want, isn’t it? Most of all, stay true to the Word, stay true to Yahweh and be rewarded that eternal retirement plan. HalleluYah!
Have you checked out the children’s website lately? There’s a very challenging word find puzzle where you first must match up fathers and sons and THEN find all their names. Let us know how you do on it. We’ve added the Book of Genesis to the Bible Books section. This section has entire books with tasks and challenges mixed in and followed by a quiz to test your knowledge. The book of Ruth is also ready and is a great lesson for everyone. Someday we’ll have the entire Bible online, in a fashion easily readable by younger children! If you would like to see a specific book put on, let us know by calling or e-mailing the office and we’ll do what we can to get it on. Now that the camps are done for the year, you should be seeing pictures from them. We would like to hear from those attending what you thought and we can put your thoughts on the site. May Yahweh bless you all and we hope to see you soon at His upcoming Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread celebration here in Missouri!
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THE NAME OF YAHWEH AND THE NAZARENES By Sean Killian In the Scriptures, we are told to call on Yahweh's Name (Exodus 3:15; Isaiah 12:4; Jeremiah 10:25; Psalm 105:1-3); to make His Name known (Exodus 9:16; Isaiah 64:1-2; Ezekiel 39:7); and not to obliterate or forget His Name (Deuteronomy 12:3-4; Isaiah 65:11; Jeremiah 23:27; Psalm 44:20). However, over time, the religious leaders sought to eliminate the use of Yahweh’s Name: “In the Biblical period, there seems to have been no scruple against its use in daily speech … But in the early Rabbinic period, the pronunciation of the Name was restricted….” (Abraham Cohen, Everyman’s Talmud). “Whoever pronounces the Name forfeits his portion in the future world to come” (Sanhedrin xi. 1). “Whoever explicitly pronounces the Name is guilty of a capital offense” (Pesikta 148a). YHWH. The Personal Name … is referred to as the ‘Tetragrammaton.’ At least until the destruction of the First Temple in 586 BCE, this Name was regularly pronounced with its proper vowels … But at least by the third century BCE, the pronunciation of the Name YHWH was avoided, and Adonai, ‘the Lord,’ was substituted for it … when the consonantal text of the Bible was supplied with vowel points … the vowel points for ‘Adonai’ with one variation ...were used for YHWH, thus producing the form YeHoWaH. When Christian scholars of Europe first began to study Hebrew, they did not understand what this really meant, and they introduced the hybrid name ‘Jehovah’ … caused by a misunderstanding of the Third Commandment…” (Exodus 20:3,7; Deuteronomy 5:11), (Encyclopedia Judaica, Vol. 7, p. 680). In the days when Yahshua walked around the land of Israel training His Emissaries, Yahweh’s Name was all but forgotten. The historian, Josephus, (37-100 CE) wrote that it was “not lawful … to speak it” (Josephus, Antiquities, 2:12:4). Nominal Judaism followed the tradition of substituting Yahweh's name with “the LORD” (just as Christianity has done, as well). However, Yahshua did not follow this tradition. He proclaimed Yahweh’s Name (Hebrews 2:12). In fact, He manifested it (John 17:6, 26). The word underlying manifest in [the Greek copies of] the Scriptures is phaneroo, meaning “manifest, as opposed to what is conMarch-April 2013
cealed ... An external manifestation, to the senses, hence open to all … the persons to whom the revelation is made” (The New Strong’s Expanded Dictionary of Bible Words). Accordingly, His Emissaries proclaimed Yahweh’s Name (Acts 2:21; Romans 10:13). They took the revelation and went out spreading it to others. Their preservation of Yahweh’s Name was then handed on to the early followers of the Way. Once again, quoting from the Encyclopedia Judaica, “The true pronunciation of the Name of YHWH was never lost. Several early Greek writers of the Christian Church testify that the Name was pronounced ‘Yahweh.’” Yahshua was called a “Nazarene” (Matthew 2:23), and Paul (Sha’ul) was called “a ringleader.” We know the other Emissaries were also “ringleaders” of the Nazarenes as well. Consider what Epiphanius, an “early church father,” had to say about the Nazarenes of his day: “These heresies … did not keep the name “Jews”; they did not call themselves Christians, but Nazarenes … They use not only the New Testament, but also the Old … Only in this respect they differ from the Jews and Christians: with the Jews they do not agree because of their belief in [Yahshua], and with the Christians because they are trained in the Law…” (Roy A Pritz, Nazarene Jewish Christianity, p. 33-34). The Nazarenes followed Torah and believed in Messiah Yahshua (Revelation 12:17; 14:12). To the Jews, they were considered Christians and to the Christians, they were considered Jews. Does this sound familiar? You can likely relate if you are reading this. The Nazarenes rejected anti-Scriptural traditions coming from both the Christians and the Jews. This is because Yahshua would do just the same. He proclaimed Yahweh's Name and so did His Emissaries. Their early writings contained Yahweh’s Name, as shown by the very religious leaders who persecuted them. As the only extant religious group using Yahweh’s Name, and following Torah, the Assemblies of today hold an intimate connection to the Nazarenes. May Yahweh bless you and keep you, and make His face shine upon you. May these words be confirmed by many witnesses for all who seek.
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Q.
Is the Bible and its promises, just for one group of
people called the Israelites?
A.
Adam was not an Israelite. Enoch was not an Israelite. Noah was not an Israelite. Shem was not an Israelite. Ham was not an Israelite. Japheth was not an Israelite. Arphaxad was not an Israelite. Salah was not an Israelite. Eber (the first Hebrew) was not an Israelite. Serug was not an Israelite. Nahor* was not an Israelite. (*The family line apparently was Chaldean.) Terah was not an Israelite. Abram (Abraham) was not an Israelite. Isaac was not an Israelite.
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Jacob WAS the first Israelite. Note: Adam, Enoch, Noah, Shem, Ham, Japheth, Arphaxad, and Salah were not even Hebrew! So, if being an Israelite is imputed to any before Jacob, then all the progeny to whom being an Israelite is imputed must also be considered Israelite. To say that the promises only pertain to Israelites is to completely distort the scriptural record. What was Abraham if he wasn’t an Israelite and certainly not a “Jew”? A “gentile” perhaps? Imagine that! A Chaldean gentile was given the promise of inheritance by faith! Tainted blood lines seem to be a cornerstone of this argument, but you do not hear much about this: Joseph was an Israelite, but his wife, Asenath, the daughter of Powtiy-Phera, was Egyptian, who from birth was dedicated to the goddess Neith. That means, of course, that Ephraim and Manasseh, the children of Asenath, were equally Egyptian and Israelite. No pure bloodline there! And let’s not leave out Ruth, the Moabitess, whose son, Obed [1/2 Moabite], was the father of Jesse, [1/4 Moabite], and the grandfather of David, [1/8 Moabite]. So even Messiah’s bloodline was not pure Israelite!
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Y
ahshua the Messiah was a human being, as well as a Supreme Being. His life here on earth was a perfect example of how we should face this world and its problems. Yahshua was well aware, as He kept His last Passover, that His life was ending. Through scriptural records, we can watch Him as He endured with quiet calmness the unjust beatings and cursings of the soldiers, the authorities, and mostly the religious sect. Spiritual Battle in the Garden of Gethsemane Gethsemane, an ancient word meaning “the oil press,” was a garden spot, a place designed for enjoying the beauties of growing things. Jerusalem was built on the top of Mount Zion, where no garden would be grown. So the wealthy had gardens on the slopes of the Mount of Olives. They reached their gardens by descending from Jerusalem, crossing the ravine through which the brook Kidron flowed, and then climbed the adjacent slopes. This particular spot, Gethsemane, probably belonged to some friend, who, no doubt, allowed Yahshua to use it as He wished. John 18 observes that the Savior went there often. It was in this place of solitary agony, as He felt His heart ready to break, that He fought His last battle with Satan. We find it hard to understand the anguish of heart that Yahshua was experiencing in that place. His own disciples, Simon Peter, James and John, went with Him into that garden, yet in spite of His plea for prayerful support, they slept while He fought the battle alone. Still He prayed, Father, if You be willing, remove this cup from Me: nevertheless, not My will, but Yours be done (Luke 22:42).
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More Than a Garden! Gethsemane, for Yahshua, was not a retreat, but preparation for a spiritual battle. Yet His final decision in that garden brought about our salvation! As He was taken out of that garden by the hands of man, Yahshua’s purpose was clear and His resolve was unshakable. Even as He hung on the tree, Yahshua cared for His mother, and prayed for His brothers that their sins be forgiven. Can we feel what He must have been feeling? Yet it was this supreme sacrifice upon that tree that paid for our sins. Yahshua knew it and we know it. We must come to Yahweh with a plea for forgiveness, and as we pray, we will begin to see that effective prayer is not measured by how much we can get out of Yahweh, but by how much of Yahweh we let into our lives. All of this continuing daily commitment to the will of the Father prepares us for the time when we most probably will be called upon to carry a very heavy burden. We must allow ourselves to come under the discipline of the Savior Who said, Whosoever will follow after Me, let him deny himself, take up his burden (“tree”) and follow Me (Mark 8:34). Just as Yahshua did in the garden, we must seek a quiet place alone and be willing to receive guidance from that “still small voice” that will lead us in the right direction. Yahshua’s final submission to His Father (Abba) is one of the greatest lessons of all: “Not My will, but Yours.” We can be assured that, because we are much-loved by the Father, His hand will never cause us a needless tear. In calm assurance, we can say, “I know not what the future holds, but I know Who holds the future.”
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So back to the “garden,” in reading through the Bible, we can see that Yahweh has an affinity for beautiful gardens. In the first chapter of the Bible, we are told that He created a garden called Eden for His people to dwell. But sin defiled that beautiful picture of perfection and drove Adam and Eve out of His presence. Because of our sin, we, too, have forfeited our right to fellowship with Yahweh. Yet, in the Garden of Gethsemane, another miracle took place—the affirmation to make salvation possible for you and for me! Then, in the last chapter of the Bible, Yahweh again promises another garden for His people—a perfect place to live forever as Yahweh originally intended for His obedient children. He provided a perfect Lamb whereby we may, if we choose, enter into that place prepared for those who love Him (1 Cor. 2:9). May we have the desire, the faith and the courage to say to Him, in all honesty and humility, “Not my will, but Yours be done.”
Lamb of Yahweh, Who Takes Away Our Sins This has been written to help us understand the depth of love and faith and obedience present in the mind of Yahshua—the perfect Lamb of Yahweh! If we call ourselves true followers of Yahshua, then we will attempt to follow His perfect example, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Messiah (2 Cor. 10:5). Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the rulers of this world, that come to nought: but we speak the wisdom of Yahweh in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which Elohim ordained before the world unto our honor: which none of the rulers of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have impaled the Sovereign of majesty (1 Cor. 2:6-8)!
Where Is Esther?
I
The Isaiah scroll from the Dead Sea Scrolls
n 1947, a Bedouin shepherd boy lost a goat. While looking for the goat near the Dead Sea, in the rough wilderness about 15 miles west of Jerusalem, he looked into a small cave and found some jars. In the jars were seven old scrolls which his family sold to an antiquities dealer. The dealer sold the biggest scroll to a religious leader for $250. (It was later sold for $250,000!) This event began a search of the area, which took ten years and produced over a thousand scroll fragments from eleven caves. The Dead Sea Scrolls are very important because of their great age. They date from a few hundred years before Yahshua’s birth, to a few decades after His death and resurrection. This is almost ten centuries older than any Old Testament manuscripts previously available! The scrolls included parts of all the books of the Old Testament, except Esther. The complete scroll of the Book of Isaiah corresponds almost exactly to the documents that have been in use. This is an amazing record for hand-copied documents. But, what happened to Esther? The answer lies in the third commandment. Exodus 20:7, You shall not take the name of Yahweh your Elohim in vain, for Yahweh will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain. For thousands of years, religious Jews have zealously guarded the name of Yahweh. They began to forbid people to even say the holy name. They would never destroy a document with Yahweh’s name in it. Books or scrolls which were too old and tattered to be used any longer were stored safely, but never destroyed. Esther, however, is unique among the Old Testament books. It is the only book which does not contain Yahweh’s name! Therefore, no scrolls of Esther were preserved. The absence of the Book of Esther verifies the reason for the preservation of the Dead Sea Scrolls. Yahweh’s name saved those scrolls—just like us! “Yah is Salvation.” Proverbs 18:10, The name of Yahweh is a strong tower; the righteous run into it and are safe.
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PRAYER, DISAPPOINTMENT & SUFFERING
Spirit what is contrary to those of the flesh are opposed to each other, so that you do not do what you want (Galatians 5:16-17). Therefore, since our carnal nature has the upper hand, from the onset, our heart is founded on rebellion and opposition. If what we hope for does not materialize, then our disappointment is great, for the simple reason that, from the start, our lust is opposed to Yahweh. Thankfully, the Scriptures offer an antidote for such a “carnal” hope. The ONLY hope that does not disappoint is a hope based on the Truth (John 17:17)—that is, on Yahweh Who cannot lie (Titus 1:2) and on the observance of the Law (1 John 5:3). To realize this hope, our hearts must submit to Yahweh and to His instructions. Then ,and only then, can Yahweh give us what our hearts desire, because our hearts, in this case, seek what is in agreement with Yahweh and what pleases Him. Consider for a moment what John says under the heavenly inspiration: And whatsoever we ask we receive of Him, because we keep His commandments and we do what pleases Him (1 John 3:22).
By Joël M. Peeters How many among us have not suffered disappointments in their lives? Whatever they are, they are often numerous, and we must live with them. But does that mean it is inevitable? Do we always have to experience disappointments along with the suffering associated with it? There is no doubt that we cannot avoid disappointments but, nevertheless, Yahweh can greatly diminish the number of those which adversely affect our lives. At the origin of disappointment—and this is the irony of the thing—there is also hope, but not just any kind of hope, as we will see later. Disappointment arises largely from the hopes or the expectations that we have in something which is not realized. The greater the hope, the greater the disappointment will be, as well as the suffering, which is a corollary of disappointment. We can see that it is the hope, itself, which is problematic. But it is under a certain condition that this hope is problematic—when this hope rests on the desires of our own heart and not on Yahweh. In such case, the chances of having big problems heighten and, consequently, the likelihood of having great disappointments also increases. But Yahweh has some very strong words defining the human heart: The heart is crooked above all, and desperately sick—who shall know it (Jeremiah 17:9)? As a matter of fact, Yahweh is clear on this subject. Left to its own devices, our heart is tied to our carnal nature, as opposed to the love of Yahweh, and therefore, resistant to His Law. This is confirmed in the following verses: I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against those of the Spirit and the
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Based on this simple verse, it is already very clear that compliance to the Torah and being pleasing to Yahweh are the prerequisites, or the basic requirements, of making effective prayer requests to Yahweh. Therefore, OUR HEARTS HAVE TO DESIRE THINGS THAT ARE IN COMPLIANCE WITH WHAT YAHWEH INSTRUCTS. OTHERWISE, YAHWEH WILL NOT HEAR BECAUSE HE CANNOT COMMIT PERJURY. Take the case of the resurrection of Lazarus and read the words of Yahshua the Messiah: For Me, I knew that Thou hearest Me always: but because I spoke to the crowd around Me, that they may believe that Thou hast sent Me (John 11:42). What does He say later in the same book? He Who sent Me is with Me; He does not let Me alone, because I always do what pleases Him (John 8:29). But what kind of people are pleasing to Yahweh? ...in every nation anyone who fears Him and works righteousness is acceptable to Him (Acts 10:35). Justice, according to Yahweh, is based on the observance of His commandments, and the Torah (Psalm 119:72; 1 John 5:3). Justice is also based on submission to His will and goodness as defined by Him in Micah 6:8. A person who fears Yahweh is also a person whose heart is subjected to His will. This was also true of Yahshua the Messiah, and that is why His prayers were answered—they were always in accordance with the will of Yahweh. None were opposed or contrary to Elohim. We note, without a shadow of a doubt, that the Messiah was heard, because He was pleasing to Yahweh, and He always
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did what Yahweh asked of Him. His requests always conformed to the Scriptures, and the desires of His heart were CONSTANTLY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE WILL OF YAHWEH. We can deduce that, if the desires of our hearts are not in tune with what Yahweh wants, then Yahweh will not give us what we ask of Him. Yahweh is always consistent and trustworthy. It is certain that Yahweh WANTS to do us good and does answer our prayers: Make Yahweh thy delight, and He shall give thee the desires of your heart (Psalm 37:4). However, this verse requires that our prayers conform to what Yahweh wants. He commands us to do one particular thing that we can read in the Epistle to the Ephesians: Examine what is pleasing to the Master (Ephesians 5:10). In other words, if you want something, ask yourself if what you ask for is going against Yahweh’s will or not. But how can we know? How can we sense if our request is consistent and in tune with the desires that Yahweh is ready to grant us? How, if not by examining the Scriptures? All Scripture is inspired by Yahweh and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of Yahweh may be thoroughly equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17). We also read in 1 Thessalonians 5:21, Prove all things, hold fast to that which is good. To “prove all things” is pleasing to Yahweh, and what is pleasing to Yahweh is that which is good. Being good is defined by Yahweh in His Word: Be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is the will of Yahweh, which is good and acceptable and perfect (Romans 12:2). What is goodness or good according to Yahweh? As referenced earlier, He has declared to you, O man, what is good. And what does Yahweh require of you: but to do right, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your Elohim (Micah 6:8)? In fact, we must admit that, by itself, our hearts are unable to submit to Yahweh, except through the Holy Spirit and Yahshua Messiah Himself, Who is living in us (assuming we walk accordingly, of course). The need of the Holy Spirit is vital; otherwise, disappointment will only accumulate over time because we would never stop asking for things which are not in accordance with the will of Yahweh; by implication— things which Yahweh will not grant us, despite His desire to hear our prayers and do us good. Take, for example, having a serious relationship with a person in the world, i.e., an unbeliever, when we ourselves are believers, is simply not consistent with Yahweh, as we read in 2 Corinthians 6:14-17, Do not go with unbelievers abroad. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? And what accord has he be-
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tween Messiah and Belial? Or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? What connection is there between the temple of Yahweh with idols? For we are the temple of the living Yahweh as Yahweh said, “I will dwell and walk among them, I will be their Elohim and they shall be My people. Therefore, come out from among them and be separate,” says the Master. “Touch not the unclean thing, and I will receive you.” It is obvious that such a relationship is not something that pleases Him. Consequently, Yahweh cannot fulfill something that goes against His own instruction. Yahweh cannot contradict Himself, as we can read in 2 Timothy 2:13 and John 10:35, If we are not trustworthy, He remains trustworthy. It is impossible for Him to deny Himself. If He called them elohim, to whom the word of Elohim came—it is impossible for the Scripture to be broken. Let's consider for a moment that, in 2 Corinthians 6:14-17, Yahweh clearly ordered us to separate ourselves from an unbeliever, and not to partner or to join with him/her. Going against this command, even as clear as it is, equals rebelling against Yahweh. If, therefore, as an example, we ask Yahweh for a person of the world to be our husband or wife, Yahweh will not hear us under any circumstances. And if you get one—an unbeliever whom you love dearly, but who does not do concrete steps to change his/her bent ways and to obey Yahweh—then there are huge chances that it is not Yahweh who heard you, but someone else—like the Adversary. The best protection against this is to follow the Scriptures of Yahweh. Again, it is His Word that defines what pleases Him and what He is ready to grant us. In fact, we can avoid much suffering by observing Yahweh's instructions! So says the Bible in many ways. Oftentimes, much of our suffering and disappointments have come from our relationships with people of the world, and/or hopes that we have put in them. If we put too much hope in others, and if this hope is not realized, then disappointment and suffering inevitably follow. A wise man once said: "Require a lot of yourself, but expect little of others. This way, you will avoid many troubles." When you think about this, it is just common sense. We should not forget that non-believers may not think or act according to the principles of justice, integrity, and love of Yahweh, as do believers. For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh, while those who live by the Spirit mind the things of the Spirit. And affection of the flesh is death, while the affection of the mind, that is life and peace for the carnal mind, is enmity against Yahweh, because it does not submit to the law of Yahweh, nor can it do so, and those who are in the flesh cannot please Yahweh (Romans 8:5-8). Adulterers you are! Do you not know that friendship
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with the world is enmity against Yahweh? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of Yahweh (James 4:4). Love not the world, nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him, for everything in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life, is not from the Father, but from the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of Yahweh stands forever (1 John 2:15-17).
make in our prayers will be answered or not. To take the example given above, if you ask Yahweh for someone of the world, an unbeliever, as a spouse, even though Yahweh shows you that it is unpleasant to Him in His Word, your request is frivolous and vain. Yahweh will not give attention to your request, and consequently, He will not hear it. Another example is a commercial association with a person of the world. Yahweh does not want for us to be a part of their craftiness and corruption. If we choose that kind of association, then He will not bless our work and will not hear our prayers.
If the love of the world is enmity against Yahweh, we Examples of this are numerous. One question to ask is this: should in no way expect Yahweh to hear us if our demands “If my prayers are not granted, is it because what I'm asking are in line with the ways of the world, and not in the way of is unpleasant to Yahweh or against His will?” Indeed, this is Elohim. Moreover, the contrast between these two ways of perhaps one of the main reasons that our prayers are not anthinking, which are totally opposite from each other, is only swered. We understand that Yahweh WANTS to hear us creating friction, tension, and then a final “explosion.” It is and do us good, and He WANTS to give us impossible to accurately predict the extent of what our hearts desire (Psalm 37:4). damage following such an event. There can be For we are the temple of Yahweh is the same yesterday, today, and no unity, by definition, between two opposithe living Yahweh as forever. He does not change, so why would tions. A believer must seek the company of his Yahweh said, “I will own kind, and partner with, unite, bind, join dwell and walk among He withhold His blessings from us in the end times when He has granted blessings to His his own kind, because this is the only way to them, I will be their Yah- people in the past? Yahweh is not a respecter achieve the unity of the Spirit, in peace and in weh, and they shall be of person and does not show favoritism, contruth. My people.” “Therefore, trary to what some might suggest. The fact Believers and unbelievers cannot unite, no come out from among that we have reached the end of time does not more than clay and iron. They simply go change Yahweh. As in the past, His greatest against each other by nature. This is one of the them and be separate,” desire is to do good to His children, and to says the Master, “touch many implicit reasons why Yahweh comnot the unclean thing, give them what they want, as much as possimanded what was written in 2 Corinthians and I will receive you.” ble. But the children of Yahweh must ask for 6:14-17, as was previously written. good things, which are consistent with the will It is well described elsewhere in Scripture of their Heavenly Father. that we, as believers, are the Temple of Yahweh: Know ye not that ye are the temple of Yahweh, and that the Spirit of Yahweh dwells in you (1 Corinthians 3:16)? Why, then, should we expect our prayers to bring us blessings if our demands, our dreams and our desires go against what Yahweh has ordained? IN SUMMARY, we see that disappointment is generated by an unrealized hope or expectation. In turn, such disappointment gives rise to suffering. The hope is not realized, nor is the petition heard, because it is not based on things which are consistent with the good things that Yahweh is ready to give us. The things that Yahweh will grant to us, if we ask Him, must be those that are in line with the good as defined by Yahweh in His Word. We receive from Him what pleases Him, and what pleases Him are those things which are in tune with His law and will. Finally, in order to know if what we ask Him is consistent with what pleases Him, we must prove all things on the basis of His Word, which is the Truth.
Scriptural Resources Available Online at: www.yaim.org Be sure to click on the Bulletin tab at the top of the Home Page for important information regarding new moons, feast days, etc., and the Resource button for links to more resources!!
It is only through a process of reflection and examination of the Word that we can clearly define if certain demands we March-April 2013
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Scriptural Proof: Enoch and EliYah Died in the Faith By Sister Sarah “MiMi” Hubble Yahweh sent His Spirit of truth to lead and guide the people in all spiritual wisdom and understanding of the inspired Holy Scriptures. Yet the spirit of error prevails in the world today, with many led astray because of Satan’s influence and deception by false teachers. We are admonished to search the Scriptures, proving all things and to remain steadfast in the truth, ...not according to the words which man’s wisdom teaches, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of Elohim spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:21). The following biblical references are given for careful study, especially to those who believe and teach that Enoch and EliYah are still alive, living in the Garden of Eden, and who will be the two witnesses of Revelation 11 during the end-time tribulation. Gen. 5:24, Enoch walked with Elohim and he was not, for Elohim took him. Heb. 11:5 (faith chapter), By faith, Enoch was taken away from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found because Elohim had taken him (NIV). This is the same as Moses in Deut. 32:42-50. Yahweh told Moses to go up to the mountain— Mt. Nebo—and he would die on the mountain: ...and be gathered to your people, just as Aaron your brother died on Mt. Hor and was gathered to his people. Deut. 34:5-6, Moses died there in Moab as Yahweh had said. He buried him in Moab in the valley opposite Beth Peor, but to this day, no one knows where his grave is (same as Enoch and Eliyah: It is appointed unto man once to die..., Hebrews 9:27). Heb. 11:5, Enoch was taken away, that he did not see death (he was not aware that he was dying, nor did he experience it). Heb. 11:13, All these people were still living by faith when they died (including Enoch, verse 5). No one found the body of Enoch, just as no one found the body of Moses. The same is true for Eliyah (2 Kings 2:1, 11): Eliyah went up to heaven in a whirlwind. Elisha saw him no more (verse 12). 2 Chron. 21:12, Jehoram received a letter from Eliyah, the prophet. In chronological order, this was 7 to 10 years after EliYah was “taken.” Reference to this is in Acts 8:39-40, when Philip baptized the eunuch. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of Yahweh suddenly caught (took) Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again (verse 40). Philip, however, appeared (was found) at Azotus (Heb. Ashdod), and passing through, he preached in all the cities until he came to Caesarea. People have argued these facts, the same as in Jude, verse 9, when Michael, the archangel was disputing (arguing, contending) with the devil about the body of Moses (verse 10), which tells of men who speak abusively against what they do not understand. The challenge is great, but we are to contend for the faith, and Yahweh will lead us in the pathway of truth and righteousness, for His name’s sake! March-April 2013
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Free Literature & Sabbath Services on DVD! Unless you are taking an active part in this ministry, you are missing some of the most valuable literature we offer. Here’s a sample of what you might be missing: BEGINNING ANEW NEWSLETTER
2013
This periodical keeps you abreast of news within the organization providing inspirational reading and reports on timely scriptural events. The “Beginning Anew” also regularly focuses on prophetic happenings on the world scene that are becoming more critically important as we near the Second Coming of our Messiah. You’ll find that the “Beginning Anew” will become a welcomed friend in your home, with a variety of topics written in a pleasant and easy style. Always included are full-color photos of people and numerous events happening in the Body of Messiah. This free newsletter is sent to faithful contributors to this ministry.
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