Restoration Times Magazine - May-June 2023

Restoration Times expounds the close ties between the Old and New Testaments. We teach the continuity and harmony that extend from Yahweh’s actions anciently down through His present activity in Yahshua the Messiah. This was also the conviction of the early New Testament Assembly.

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Restoration Ministry

Firecrackers or Dynamite? The Dynamics of Pentecost

by Alan Mansager

The day began with anxious expectation. Only a few days earlier Yahshua had made an extraordinary statement about this day. We read of it in Acts 1:4-5:

“And, being assembled together with them, [He] commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, said he, you have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days hence.”

The disciples had misunderstood, thinking it was about the prophesied Kingdom. “When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Master, will you at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? And he said unto them, it is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father has put in his own power. But you shall receive power, after that the Holy Spirit is come upon you: and you shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”

Yahshua wasn’t ready to establish His Kingdom on earth then. Many more would need to be tried and tested for

their desire to follow Him, eventually to take up important positions as priestly rulers. This school had only begun.

None of the disciples could have imagined what was about to happen as they were there in that upper room 2,000 years ago. As they had since their conversion, they gathered to keep this Feast known as Firstfruits or Feast of Weeks, also called Pentecost.

The Enabling Power of the Spirit

Which of them could have foreseen the dramatic transformation the events this Feast of Shabbuoth (Heb. “weeks”) would bring to his life and the lives of other believers.

They would embark on a critical part of Yahweh’s plan ultimately to bring His Kingdom to earth, with all His faithful to rule with Him. The important groundwork for that plan is set by this observance. It was at this time that the covenant with His people was ratified at Sinai. And Israel assured Him that they would do all He had said, including keeping His laws.

The Feast of Weeks provides us the ability by which the Covenant can be kept – as well as the means by which Yahweh’s message can be taken to the

World – all by the giving of Yahweh’s Holy Spirit.

This is also called the Feast of Firstfruits which began that great calling to fulfill Yahweh’s plan of salvation with the called-out firstfruits of brethren.

The Feast of Weeks is unique as a multi-faceted, meaning-packed observance. It is the final of the annual moedim to have had a second fulfillment in the New Testament.

Briefly, this Feast encompasses the core of the salvation plan. It gives us:

• the law to bring us in line with Yahweh’s will,

• the Spirit, not only to help us obey but also to empower His chosen to take the truth to all the world, and

• the harvest of both the natural fruit and the spiritual firstfruits for the kingdom.

Some confuse this Feast with the day of the barley wavesheaf during Unleavened Bread. The fact is, Pentecost falls scripturally 50 days from the Feast of Unleavened Bread, not during it. Additionally, there are two different wavesheaves, one being the Passover barley, represented by Yahshua, and the other the Pentecost wheat, which depicts the saints.

Exodus 34:18-23 discusses the implication of firstfruits. The firstborn as firstfruits are a key class of people in the Scriptures.

The plan of salvation and the coming Kingdom itself are revealed in Yahweh’s seven annual Feast Days. These aren’t just ho-hum holidays kept because Yahweh had a whim. They are unlike all of man’s holidays that are here one day and gone the next with no lasting impact.

In stark contrast, Yahweh’s Feasts are jam-packed with profound, salvation truth, as well as prophetic meaning! What’s more, these holidays are commandments from Yahweh. They are part of His law given to all men. He says in essence, “These are My Feasts, and you will observe them if you want the blessing of salvation.”

These observances represent a great plan for His people, and when you are properly schooled in and complete the plan, you are ready for graduation.

All of Yahweh’s Feasts revolve around the harvest seasons, and it is the theme of harvest in a spiritual sense that gives these days real meaning.

John 3:13 tells us that no one but Yahshua has ascended to heaven. Therefore, He is the first of the firstfruits. He became the fulfillment of the spiritual wavesheaf offered during the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Recall His cautioning Mary in John 20:17 not to touch (hold onto) Him because He had not yet ascended to His Father as the wavesheaf firstfruit offering.

Some wonder why Yahshua ascended

Holy Days in 2023

Passover Memorial - April 4 (evening)

Feast of Unleavened Bread - April 6-12

Pentecost - May 28

Feast of Trumpets - Sept. 17

Day of Atonement - Sept. 26

Feast of Tabernacles - Oct. 1-7

Last Great Day - Oct. 8

to heaven following His resurrection and then came back to earth for 40 more days, and ascended again just before Pentecost.

The answer is so that He could fulfill the ordinance of the firstfruits offering. The firstfruits of the barley harvest with Israel was to be presented, or waved, before Yahweh on the morrow after the Sabbath within the Feast of Unleavened Bread, Leviticus 23:11.

Yahweh had to accept the firstfruits before the rest of the harvest could commence. If there was a shortcoming, if it was the wrong grain, if the grain was not firstfruits or if it didn’t for some other reason meet His expectations, then He would reject it.

As the perfect sacrifice, Yahshua met all the criteria and was accepted as the firstfruits offering at His resurrection for the harvest of souls.

Judged by What We Do

All of this relates to the quality and nature of potential human firstfruits. The bride had to make herself ready. She had to meet certain expectations and qualifications. Yahshua said in Matthew 16:27 that when He comes He will reward everyone according to their works. He said the same thing in Revelation 22:12.

When the books are opened, each will be judged according to their works, Revelation 20:12. The life they lived and the obedience that they showed would have to stand the test of the law. The barley and its firstfruits are gleaned long before other major grains. Yahshua is portrayed by the barley.

The Apostle Paul writes of this in 1Corinthians 15:22-23: “For as in Adam all die, even so in Messiah shall all be made alive. But every man IN HIS OWN ORDER: Messiah the firstfruits [wavesheaf]; afterward they that are Messiah’s at His Coming.”

Fifty days later the firstfruits of the human harvest is presented, depicted in the wheat harvest by the wave loaves of bread, Leviticus 23:15-21.

Finally comes the general harvest in

the autumn, at the Feast of Tabernacles, also called the Feast of Ingathering.

Harvest is a central theme in all of the major Feasts. Is it any wonder that the Feasts begin chronologically with the tender ears of barley in the spring and end with the general ingathering of all the produce in the fall?

The barley had to be at a certain stage of maturity for the wavesheaf, just as Yahshua had to be spiritually confirmed to be the firstfruits in advance of the brethren. Just as firstfruits are not of ripe and dried grain, so Yahshua was not taken as an old man, but in His early 30s, at the beginning of the most productive age of an individual.

He prepared the way for us to help Him, and so He offers His Spirit for that.

In chapter 1 of Acts, Luke picks up where His Book of Luke left off, discussing the life of Yahshua the Messiah and His last act on earth at that time, called the transfiguration, vv. 1-2.

By those acts He did after His resurrection, they could not deny that He was the risen Messiah.

Had they left Jerusalem or had they not come for the Feast of Firstfruits, or Shabuoth, they would not have been present to receive Yahweh’s Spirit.

The same lesson is for us to make every effort to attend Yahweh’s Feasts. All indications are that Yahshua will return at a Feast, at a “time appointed” (moed), as Daniel 8:19 reveals.

When the woman (assembly) is carried on eagle’s wings into the wilderness, it’s for her protection; we will want to be with His people at that time. And it will likely happen when His people are gathered at an annual Feast.

But When Does Fulfillment Happen?

The first time such a thing occurred, ancient Israel as a unified body was taken into the wilderness to keep a Feast to Yahweh, as Moses explained to Pharaoh. Yahweh protected Israel from Pharaoh’s pursuing army.

Compare Exodus 19:4: “Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians,

and how I bare you on eagles’ wings, and brought you unto myself;” with Revelation 12:6: “And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of Elohim, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days” (3½ years).

In Revelation 12:6 spiritual Israel is:

• taken to the wilderness (just as Israel was);

• to a place prepared of Yahweh (we are commanded to keep the Feasts where Yahweh places His Name, just as Israel did);

• there the Assembly is fed for a period of time (just as we feed on Yahweh’s word at His Feasts and as Israel ate manna).

So you are gathered with the brethren at a Feast, either Unleavened Bread, Pentecost, or Trumpets and the fall Feasts – the 3 main times as potential times for Yahshua to return.

There you find protection while others who are not obedient are left out in the world to suffer from tribulation or Yahweh’s wrath unleashed on the wicked.

Yahweh always works in parallels, in duality, in type and antitype – especially with prophecy

meaning ancient and modern fulfillment.

Pentecost and a New Dimension

The Bible is such a complex collection of books that the majority of what it has in it has a parallel to something else or to another place or time.

We see only through a dark glass. We see only the tip, while the rest of the iceberg lies submerged and out of sight. Back to Acts 1.

Yahshua continues advising the disciples in verse 5, showing that there would be a distinction, an advancement, from John’s baptism, which would begin with Pentecost and the giving of the Spirit.

In verse 6 they were looking for Yahshua to restore the Kingdom to Israel right then. His answer came in verse 7:

“And he said unto them, it is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.” He didn’t say something like, brothers, you have it all wrong, the Kingdom will be the newly established church.

We read in verse 8: “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Spirit is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”

Power is the Greek dunamis from which we get our word dynamite. It means force. That is what the Spirit is. A force emanating from the Father and Son to help witness Yahshua throughout all the earth.

Scriptures. Yahweh doesn’t function that way. Yahweh is a Mighty one of activity and creativity, of work and power and purpose and function. He expects nothing less of His family of people. To get out there and get the job done of teaching the truth to the world.

Imagine Yahshua taking a day off from evangelizing. “Let’s just go to Ceasarea, Peter and James, kick back, enjoy some wine, and watch the ships come in.” Imagine Yahshua doing nothing, as the do-nothing doctrine of faith alone for salvation is negated by Yahshua’s own actions. We have a job to do and we need to be discovering, learning, and teaching it. To serve Yahweh we need to know the Book.

Tradition has provided a simplistic, superficial purpose for the Spirit. Yahweh’s Spirit is not for showboating to draw attention to oneself in charismatic displays.

The Holy Spirit is not like fireworks, something pretty to watch, something to dazzle the eyes and excite the imagination. The Spirit is given to accomplish a work, its the power of dynamite (dunamis). Dynamite moves mountains.

When you scan the whole trajectory of Yahweh’s Feast days you see a dynamic plan in operation on the most basic, personal level:

In John 1:7 we see that John came to bear witness, the Greek word is marturia. It means an active witness, not just a single display.

Too often the idea is that I must get baptized and receive the Holy Spirit for the sake of my salvation, and then there is nothing more for me to do. I’ve now accomplished what was necessary.

All the while a whole other purpose for the giving of the Spirit is ignored.

The Holy Spirit is given for a key reason, individually and for humanity as well. We are converted to Truth for a purpose, not just to do nothing. Not just to sit back and say, “Well, I’m saved,” and do nothing more.

That notion is foreign to the

• Passover, Yahweh separates a people out from the Egypt of sin.

• This is followed by the eating of unleavened bread, rooting out the falsity from our lives and hearts and replacing it with truth.

• Then comes the Feast of Weeks, where we are empowered with the Spirit to bring others to the truth of Yahweh.

So now Yahshua prepares the disciples, telling them not to go anywhere, but to be at Jerusalem where they must wait for the promise of Yahweh. That promise was the force of dunamis – active power to be used to bring a forceful witness to the world through communication, example, and miracles.

His people are a witness to the

The promise was the force of dunamis – active power to be used to bring a forceful witness to the world through teaching, example and miracle.

greatest power in the universe. We should never be afraid to express or speak out when it comes to who we are as His called-out people.

The danger comes in pompously turning prideful with any spiritual gift.

This Ruach haKodesh, Yahweh’s Spirit force, is manifest by the gifts it bestows, detailed in 1Corinthians 12, like wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, prophecy, even just the stamina to “continue on” when discouraged or just being too tired to go any further.

Each of us is given one or more of the Spirit’s gifts when we are immersed into Yahshua’s Name.

The Gift of Tongues: Real Language

So let’s see how that promise of the Holy Spirit is fulfilled in Acts 2. Peter and the rest had been waiting in that large upper room.

This Pentecost would come nine days after his ascension to heaven.

Verses 1-2: “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.” One accord means “of one mind.” These were not a group of mixed worshipers brought together to beg down the Spirit. The Holy Spirit was imposed automatically from Yahweh to the gathered believers.

Verses 2-3: “And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.”

In John 20:22 after Yahshua was resurrected He stood in a room with the disciples and breathed on those who were with them, giving them the firstfruits of the Spirit. That same breath of life made Adam a living man. Psalm 104:29 says that when Yahweh takes that spirit of life away we die; and again in verse 30, that He sends His Spirit and man is made a living being.

The Holy Spirit is the active force of Yahweh, and we see it in action in various ways.

The account continues in Acts 2:4-11: “And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak

with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” “Other” is the Greek heteros, meaning different kinds of glossa or languages.

“And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language [dialektos, dialect].

“And they were all amazed and marveled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? [tongue, from root dialegomai: to dispute, to preach, to reason, to speak a language].… we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of Elohim.”

Peter’s Powerful Sermon

Peter answered those who questioned the tongues’ authenticity: “But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words: For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel,” 2:14.

He then recites Joel 2:28: “And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith Yahweh, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy.”

Peter launches into more prophecy of the earth in the final days in verse

2:19: “And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke: The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of Yahweh come: And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of Yahweh shall be saved.”

We find all of this after the Spirit was poured out in Acts 2. The people had asked in verse 12, what does this mean? They heard people speaking in their languages, which was amazing enough, but it was what they heard being spoken that really amazed them.

Work – Dunamis – Power

The narrative continues in verse 22 concerning the wonderful works of Yahweh that v. 11 speaks of. Peter’s words through the power of the Spirit convicted 3,000 people. Now that’s power!

This New Testament Feast of Weeks (Pentecost) was unique. It marked the genesis of a dynamic work to bring the truth to the entire world employing the active power of the Holy Spirit.

Some grow angry when they hear

truth that counters what they believe. That is only because our world is solidly entrenched in layer upon layer of erroneous traditions that many have been taught to believe is true.

Only dynamite of the Spirit will loosen them from it.

This Feast has big implications.

Israel had been released from Egypt at Passover, purged from past sin. Then in the Feast of Unleavened Bread that follows, they were to remove all that leads to sin in their lies.

Now at the Feast of Firstfruits they received Yahweh’s law, His blueprint for the Kingdom. At this Acts 2 Feast, Yahweh’s Spirit was given to help them obey and to take the message of salvation to the world.

What does it mean for us today?

Time to Get Active Pentecost is a time for action. To let that Spirit in those who were immersed bear fruit by teaching others of the truth of salvation that they have never heard.

When they left that Feast the disciples began to work. The rest of Acts is a testimony to the growth of the Assembly made possible by the Spirit.

Should we not do the same? To be a part of making things happen for the sake of Almighty Yahweh? To tell friends and relatives and anyone interested in the truth about Yahweh’s salvation plan?

Pentecost is the one biblical Feast day that churchianity has not been able to deny or ignore. There are at least two reasons for this: at the center of the Feast of Firstfruits or Pentecost is the Holy Spirit sent by Yahweh on this day to those desiring to follow the Truth. Yahweh’s Spirit is an essential aspect of a True Worshiper’s life and his or her salvation.

The other reason is that churchianity teaches that it was on this Feast day when the “New Testament church” was born in Acts 2. In doing so they acknowledge this key Feast day.

Does Yahweh allow us to decide which Feast days we choose to keep and which to ignore? If we accept one, then scripturally we must accept them all. All of Yahweh’s Holy Days come as a package to be observed, with the admonition that these are the Feasts of Yahweh (not just Feasts of Jews), Leviticus 23:4.

To argue that these special days are “Mosaic Law” and therefore are abolished is to be ignorant of the many statements in Scripture telling us that these are Yahweh’s observances, not Moses’ observances. Each has aspects of salvation tied to them.

John wrote, “Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the Word which you have heard from the beginning,” 1John 2:7.

The only Word they had at the time was the Old Testament. Verse 24 continues, “Let that therefore abide in you, which you have heard from the beginning. If that which you have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, you also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father.”

Yahshua kept every one of the Feast days. He said He had kept all His Father’s commandments and we are to follow Him, John 15:10. He did so perfectly, without fail, 1Peter 2:21-22.

The command for the Feast of Weeks is found in Deuteronomy 16:911: “Seven weeks shall you number unto you: begin to number the seven weeks from such time as you begin to put the sickle to the corn. And you shall keep the feast of weeks unto Yahweh your Elohim with a tribute of a freewill offering of your hand, which you shall give unto Yahweh your Elohim, according as Yahweh your Elohim has blessed you: And you shall rejoice before Yahweh your Elohim, you, and your son, and your daughter, and your manservant, and your maidservant, and the Levite that is within your gates, and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, that are among you, in the place which Yahweh your Elohim has chosen to place His name there.”

This Feast is marked by offerings and rejoicing. It was at the time of the Feast of Firstfruits that Israel received the law at Sinai, which can be determined by synchronizing the timing of their journey in the wilderness with

the timing of the Feast.

The biblical Feasts are a type of the spiritual trek we make as we come out of the world and follow the ways of Yahweh. Seeking Truth is also a wilderness adventure at times as we travel a path not well-traveled by this world.

After the 120 received the power of the Spirit, they began to teach the truth boldly and powerfully. Peter gave such a stirring message that 3,000 people sought and received baptism into the Name of Yahshua.

In their ministries Peter and John spoke with uncommon power and boldness, Acts 4:13. Miracles began happening, and these apostles had powers they never had before in their various ministries.

The Feast of Firstfruits shows us that Yahweh’s laws exist beyond physical limitations. Now the spiritual intent of obedience is emphasized. The real purpose for obedience becomes clear and a righteous attitude is made manifest.

Hebrews 8:10 says that Yahweh’s laws would be put into our minds and written on our hearts. Some may claim that this means we obey only spiritually and don’t actually do anything, like observing the Sabbath or Feasts. However, in biblical terms writing something on a heart means to obey even more closely, as heartfelt.

Let’s read Ezekiel 11:19-20: “And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh: That they may walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances, and do them: and they shall be my people, and I will be their Elohim.” We “take to heart” Yahweh’s laws when those laws are in our hearts.

The Feast of Weeks was the kickstart for the intense spread of New Testament teachings and Truth around the world, beginning an evangelism that continues today.

by the late Donald R. Mansager

Will We Recognize Others in the ?

At His second coming, Yahshua will establish His kingdom rule from Jerusalem. Spiritbodied saints shall be given positions of rulership and will reign with the Messiah for a thousand years, Revelation 20:4.

A second resurrection comes a thousand years later, verse 5. Those in the first resurrection shall be immortal and the second death will have no power over them, verse 6. They cannot die or be killed in the lake of fire.

The question often asked is, because the saints will be resurrected with spirit bodies, according to Paul in 1Corinthians 15:35-38, will they be recognizable in the Kingdom? Even those who are alive at the return of the Messiah will have their bodies changed from mortal to immortal, from corruption to incorruption, verses 5054.

If we will not have the same physical bodies we have now, how will our identity be preserved during the interval so that we will be known in the resurrection?

A Chance to Meet the Patriarchs Yahshua reveals that there will be many who come from around the world and enter into the Kingdom to sit with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, Matthew 8:11. Obviously these patriarchs will

be recognizable.

Notice that the rich man who had ignored Lazarus in his earthly sojourn (Luke 16:19-31), did recognize Lazarus and Abraham at their resurrection. He pleaded for relief from his anguish and also for his five brethren. That means we will also be recognized in the resurrection.

Our Savior Yahshua, when He was resurrected from the dead, could be seen, identified, and touched.

He first appeared to the disciples, who were terrified, supposing they had seen a spirit. He said to them, “Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me and see; for a spirit has not flesh and bones as you see me have,” Luke 24:39.

Furthermore, He ate some broiled fish and a honeycomb, verses 41-43. Thus, He appeared in a material body and proved it was He Himself by the nail holes in His hands and feet.

Yahshua had the ability to change to physical form and also had the ability to move through solid objects. Walls and doors didn’t stop Him when He suddenly appeared before the assembled disciples, John 20:19. He also appeared to the disciples as they were reclining and eating, Mark 16:14.

In Luke 24:30-31 Yahshua joined two as they walked to Emmaus. When they had recognized Him through

His breaking of bread, He suddenly vanished.

They then joined the eleven disciples. Yahshua suddenly appeared in the midst of them and they were terrified, verses 36-39. He showed them His hands and feet and ate broiled fish before them.

The point is that Yahshua could manifest Himself to His disciples by “slowing down” His spirit body. This allowed His energy to become physical substance so the disciples could see and feel His material flesh, Luke 24:3940 and Matthew 28:9. Yahshua even ate physical food (Luke 24:42-43) to prove He was not a spirit or the figment of their imaginations, even though He needed no physical food for energy.

Physical to Spiritual ... and Back

It is a law of physics that matter cannot be created or destroyed. However, matter like wood or coal will release energy, such as heat and light when burned. Energy can also be changed to physical substance.

Energy in the form of light from the sun is stored in vegetables and plants through the process of photosynthesis.

Yahshua was unique in that He was not recognized immediately by Miriam or His disciples. Evidently He was so viciously beaten before He died that His skin was ripped open and His

flesh severely bruised. Isaiah says His appearance was marred more than any other man, Isaiah 52:14.

When Yahshua appeared to Mary and the disciples, Yahweh had apparently given Him a reconstituted body that was free from ruptured, bleeding, lascerated skin and torn muscles. This explains why He might not have been easily recognized even by those closest to Him.

He still retained the nail holes in His hands (wrists) and feet, however, as well as the spear wound in His side, John 20:20. He will have these nail prints as proof He is the returned Messiah, Zechariah 12:10 and 13:6.

Mark 16:12 reveals that He was manifested in another form when He appeared to the two who were walking to Emmaus. He was recognized by Mary only after speaking her name (John 20:16), and the disciples knew Him only after they saw His hands as He broke bread for them, Luke 24:3031.

He also upbraided them for not accepting the fact that even though they saw Him they did not acknowledge that He was risen from the dead, Mark 16:14.

Matthew 8:11 tells us that many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of the heavens. Luke goes a step further. Yahshua told the rulers of the synagogue that although they would be thrust out, that they would see not only Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the Kingdom, but also all the prophets, Luke 13:28.

Clearly these three ancient patriarchs would be known and recognized, as well as all the prophets.

From Hebrews 11, known as the faith chapter, we learn that Abraham sought that heavenly Jerusalem (verses 10 and 16) which is the celestial body of believers, the saints made spirit beings, Hebrews 12:22, Revelation 3:12, 21:2 and 10, Galatians 4:26.

Undoubtedly, Abraham will be in

that first resurrection, as the writer of Hebrews reveals that he, like us, is also looking for that heavenly city, Hebrews 13:14.

All of the patriarchs will be in the Kingdom, and will evidently be recognizable as they will join in the marriage supper of the Lamb when He returns. It will be at that time when Yahshua rewards those who have followed Him, and the Apostles are made judges over the 12 tribes of Israel, Matthew 19:28.

Of all the billions of people who will have populated the earth and then died, how can Yahweh resurrect each with the same individual personality and character they had before?

returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit goes back to Elohim who gave it, Ecclesiastes 12:7. Yahweh is the “giver of breath to the people thereon, and of spirit to them who walk therein,” Isaiah 42:5.

Because Yahweh has a perfect memory, He has our DNA “on file” and can resurrect any individual from death exactly as he was. Perhaps He will do this through the spirit that goes back to Yahweh at death.

Yahweh gives man life when man is just an embryo in the womb (Isa. 44:2). Much as we might push a key on a computer, Yahweh can resurrect and remake an individual from the spirit particle that had returned to Him upon death of an individual.

Holy Spirit Draws Like a Magnet

While man has a human spirit within him, the Holy Spirit of Yahweh is omnipotent and much more majestic and pervades the universe. When His Holy Spirit power dominates the believer he or she will be closely attuned to Yahweh.

How can He bring these people back to life, having the same body, when some have had their ashes scattered to the four winds? Or some perhaps torn apart in accidents, or killed at sea, consumed by sharks and fishes? Is there a way that Yahweh can bring man back to be the same as he was before death?

Revelation 20:13 makes this very plain. We know Yahweh is able to do anything He wants. He has said in His Word that He will bring the dead back to the land of the living.

Those who have accepted Yahshua as their Redeemer have taken on a different nature. They will have had a change in their attitude and character because they now have the Holy Spirit within them as a part of their makeup.

When a human dies, the dust

Upon Yahshua’s return with a shout, the sound of the trumpet, and the voice, those having the Holy Spirit dominant in their lives will easily respond to the call.

Much as a magnet draws iron particles to itself, the power of Yahshua’s Spirit will draw His Spiritfilled followers to Him. We can probably describe it much as a type of electromagnet pull of Yahshua’s Spirit acting on ours. Yahshua said, “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto myself,” John 12:32.

First the believers are drawn in this life to follow Him and His teaching. Then, when He returns they will be drawn to Him to meet Him in the air before He sets His foot on the Mount of Olives, Zechariah 14:4. Later will come those in the second resurrection.

Yahshua will pull up to Himself those who have allowed Yahweh’s Spirit to take over their lives and dominate their thinking and attitudes.

Clearly these three ancient patriarchs would be known and recognized and all the prophets as well.

Resurrection and Promise in the

by Randy Folliard

As Yahshua the Messiah fulfilled the Passover through His death, so He fulfilled the Feast of Unleavened Bread through His resurrection. It was during this time when our Savior conquered death and the grave.

I have often considered which is greater – Yahshua’s death or His resurrection? I believe they are equal in importance. Without Yahshua’s death we would have no redemption from sin, and without His resurrection we would have no hope of the resurrection.

If He had never conquered the grave, we would die eternally. It is only through Him that we find the promise of redemption and the hope of eternal life. In John 11:25 Yahshua said, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live.”

As we reviewed His death during the Passover, let us now focus on His triumph over death and proclaim that the Messiah is risen!

A key biblical concept is firstfruits. It was during the Feast of Unleavened Bread when the wave sheaf was

offered, being the firstfruits of the barley harvest, Leviticus 23:10-14.

Understanding Firstfruits

“Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye be come into the land which I give unto you, and shall reap the harvest thereof, then ye shall bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest unto the priest: And he shall wave the sheaf before Yahweh, to be accepted for you: on the morrow after the sabbath the priest shall wave it. And ye shall offer that day when ye wave the sheaf an he lamb without blemish of the first year for a burnt offering unto Yahweh. And the meat offering thereof shall be two tenth deals of fine flour mingled with oil, an offering made by fire unto Yahweh for a sweet savour: and the drink offering thereof shall be of wine, the fourth part of an hin. And ye shall eat neither bread, nor parched corn, nor green ears, until the selfsame day that ye have brought an offering unto your Elohim: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations in all your dwellings.”

This a description of the wave

sheaf offering. As we see from Deuteronomy 16:9 and from Jewish antiquity, including from Josephus and the Mishna, the Israelites could not harvest or eat the new grain until the wave sheaf was offered:

“Seven weeks shalt thou number unto thee: begin to number the seven weeks from such time as thou beginnest to put the sickle to the corn” (Deut. 16:9).

Ancient historian Josephus writes, “And while they suppose it proper to honor [Elohim], from whom they obtain this plentiful provision, in the first place, they offer the first-fruits of their barley, and that in the manner following: They take a handful of the ears, and dry them, then beat them small, and purge the barley from the bran; they then bring one tenth deal to the altar, to [Elohim]; and, casting one handful of it upon the fire, they leave the rest for the use of the priest. And after this it is that they may publicly or privately reap their harvest. They also at this participation of the first-fruits of the earth, sacrifice a lamb, as a burntoffering to [Elohim],” (Antiquities of

the Feast of Unleavened Bread

the Jews, book 3, chapter 10).

The Mishna further teaches with regard to the five grains: “And it is prohibited to reap them prior to the omer offering. The Gemara asks: From where are these matters derived? Rabbi Yoḥanan said: It is derived by means of a verbal analogy between ‘the first’ written in conjunction with the new crop: ‘You shall bring the sheaf of the first fruits of your harvest to the priest’ (Leviticus 23:10), and ‘the first’ written with regard to ḥalla: ‘Of the first of your dough you shall set apart a cake for a gift’ (Numbers 15:20). Just as the obligation to separate ḥalla applies only to bread prepared from the five grains, so too the prohibition against reaping the new crop prior to the omer offering applies only to crops of the five grains” (Menachot 70b:11).

This point is important when confirming the barley for the beginning of the biblical New Year. From the above citations, the harvest could not begin until the wave sheaf was offered.

Knowing the nature of barley, it was crucial that Israel not postpone the

harvest by waiting an additional month once the barley was in Abib.

This offering consisted of the very first ripened grain, meaning that the barley had to be sufficiently mature to produce flour, which first occurs in the soft dough stage. This offering also began the count to Pentecost or the Feast of Weeks.

The wave sheaf offering occurred during the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which is why we count firstfruits from the Sunday within the Feast. We also know that the wave sheaf consisted of an omer of barley, roughly one-tenth of an ephah, or about five pints or a half gallon.

So how does all this relate to Yahshua the Messiah? As we see in 1Corinthians 15, Yahshua was to become the firstfruits of those to be resurrected. “But now is Messiah risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Messiah shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Messiah the firstfruits; afterward they

that are Messiah’s at his coming.”

Here we find Paul speaking about Yahshua’s resurrection. He says that Yahshua has become the firstfruits of them that slept. When Paul uses the word “slept,” he’s referring to death or the grave. He goes on to say, “For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.”

As we know, the man who was resurrected from the dead was Yahshua the Messiah, our Savior. He was the first to be resurrected to eternal life. While certain believers may have been resurrected before Yahshua, none were resurrected to everlasting life as He was.

This is why Yahshua’s resurrection is special. Just as the wave sheaf was the firstfruits of the barley harvest, Yahshua was the firstfruits of mankind to be resurrected to eternal life.

We see a connection here between the wave sheaf of the Old Testament and Yahshua’s resurrection in the New Testament and why the concept of firstfruits is so important during the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Remember that it was during this time when the

wave sheaf was offered AND when Yahshua rose from the grave.

Yahshua the Fulfilled Firstfruits

In John 20:10-16, we see evidence of how Yahshua might have fulfilled the wave sheaf.

“Then the disciples went away again unto their own home. But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre, And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Yahshua had lain. And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Master, and I know not where they have laid him. And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Yahshua standing, and knew not that it was Yahshua. Yahshua saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away. Yahshua saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and

saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.”

Several amazing incidents are seen in this passage. Mary was at the tomb weeping for Yahshua. Looking into the sepulcher, she sees two angels who ask her why she’s weeping, and she replies by saying that she did not know where

concealed His appearance; others believe Mary’s view of Him may have been obscured. Either of these explanations may be possible but I tend to believe that Yahshua supernaturally concealed his appearance, as we see when Yahshua met the disciples.

Yahshua eventually called out to Mary and when she heard Him she realized it was Yahshua and said, “Rabboni,” which is to say, “Master.” Prior to this moment, she believed Yahshua was dead and that His body had been taken elsewhere. She must now have been beyond thrilled.

Just as the high priest offered the wave sheaf in the Old Testament, Yahshua, being the High Priest after the order of Melchizedek, ascended to His Father to offer Himself as the new wave sheaf, John 20:17.

Timing of His Burial

they had laid the body of Yahshua. Upon saying this she turned and saw Yahshua, whom she believed to be a gardener.

There’s a lot of speculation as to why Mary did not recognize Yahshua. Some believe that Yahshua somehow

Lawkeeping in the New Testament

For many in churchianity, advocating obedience to the Word today is bondage to a bygone era and an attempt to earn salvation. Nothing could be further from the truth. The law represents the character and values of Yahweh and Yahshua, which believers are to emulate in their lives. Forget misguided church teachings. Get the facts. Request or go online to read the dynamic duo of booklets, Yahweh’s Perfect Law and The Most Misunderstood Book of All Time.

We know from the Bible that Yahshua was in the tomb for three days and three nights. In Matthew 12:40 Yahshua said, “For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.”

Based on the Greek, when He said, “three days and three nights,” it referred to three full days and three full nights. “Nights” as well as “days” confirms days of 24 hours each. Most believe that our Savior died on Friday and was resurrected Sunday morning. But counting Friday afternoon to Sunday morning, it’s impossible to get three full days and nights.

So, what was the chronology of Yahshua’s death and resurrection? We find the answer in Luke 23:51-56.

“(The same had not consented to the counsel and deed of them;) he was of Arimathaea, a city of the Jews : who

also himself waited for the kingdom of Elohim [Wednesday/Passover]. This man went unto Pilate, and begged the body of Yahshua. And he took it down, and wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a sepulchre that was hewn in stone, wherein never man before was laid. And that day was the preparation [Thursday/start of Unleavened Bread], and the sabbath drew on. And the women also, which came with him from Galilee, followed after, and beheld the sepulchre, and how his body was laid [Friday]. And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments [Sabbath]; and rested the sabbath day according to the commandment.”

As we see from this event, Yahshua was placed in the tomb late Wednesday (before sunset) and He resurrected before the end of the Sabbath, Saturday evening. Dake’s Annotated Reference Bible agrees with this: “[Yahshua] was dead for 3 full days and for 3 full nights. He was put in the grave Wednesday just before sunset and was resurrected at the end of Saturday at sunset. Good Friday should be changed to Good Wednesday. No statement says that He was buried Friday at sunset. This would make Him in the grave only one day and one night, proving His own words untrue (v 40). The sabbath of John 19:31 was not the regular weekly one, but the special sabbath of the feast.”

I Am the Resurrection

Let us transition to the importance of Yahshua’s resurrection. As we’ve already seen, Yahshua was the first to be resurrected to eternal life, and our own resurrection is dependent upon His. Without Yahshua’s resurrection, we would have no hope of our own.

In John 11:20-27, we find Yahshua speaking to Martha, the sister of Lazarus. “Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Yahshua was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house. Then said Martha unto Yahshua, Master, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. But I know, that

even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of Yahweh, Yahweh will give it thee. Yahshua saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again. Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. Yahshua said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? She saith unto him, Yea, Master: I believe that thou art the Messiah, the Son of Yahweh, which should come into the world.”

We know from the account that Yahshua resurrected Lazarus and everyone who witnessed it was amazed. But I believe the most important part of this story is what Yahshua shared with Martha: that He is the resurrection and the life.

As believers, it’s important that we recognize the source of our salvation. Without Yahshua the Messiah, our Savior, we would be without the hope of eternal life.

For me, this is the real message behind the Feast of Unleavened Bread. As Passover represents Yahshua’s death, the Feast of Unleavened Bread represents His resurrection and by extension our own resurrection.

In John 6, Yahshua said, “Verily,

Blessings from the Heart

When Yahshua pointed out the poor widow’s remarkable giving to support the temple, He made a statement about the true heart. One doesn’t support what is not believed in. You can donate either online or by mail. See the contact information on the back cover of this issue. Request the booklet, The Poor Widow’s Challenge

verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of Elohim is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.” Yahshua is the source of life for all mankind. Again, without Him, there is no hope of a resurrection or eternal life.

First Resurrection

Paul describes Yahshua’s coming and the first resurrection in 1Thessalonians 4:13-18. “But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Yahshua died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Yahshua will Elohim bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of Yahweh, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Master shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Master himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of Elohim: and the dead in Messiah shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Master in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Master. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”

Paul begins by encouraging us not to be saddened for those believers who die or pass away. The reason is, we serve a risen Savior. Again, this is the message we find throughout the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Without Yahshua’s death and resurrection, we would have no hope. It’s only through Him that we find these promises.

Paul also describes Yahshua’s coming and the first resurrection, wherein Yahshua will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of Elohim. Some believe that Paul’s describing a secret rapture, but we see here that Yahshua’s coming is anything but a secret. Everybody in this

world will know that the Messiah has returned.

Some might wonder when this will happen. The most likely time is during the Feast of Trumpets. The Passover, Feast of Unleavened Bread, and Pentecost have been fulfilled through Yahshua’s death, resurrection, and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

How then are the saints resurrected? The righteous dead will be raised first, followed by the living. They will both be changed from mortal to immortal, and they will then meet Yahshua in the clouds.

Can you even begin to imagine

planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is impaled with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Messiah, we believe that we shall also live with him: Knowing that Messiah being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto Elohim. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto

about sin, sin is something of which we MUST be cognizant. As disciples of the Messiah, it is our responsibility to avoid and abstain from sin. Nothing will do more harm to our relationship with Yahweh than willful and deliberate sin.

Confess and Believe

In Romans 10:9-11, Paul addresses the hope of salvation we have through Yahshua the Messiah. “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Master Yahshua, and shalt believe in thine heart that Yahweh hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.”

I want to focus on what Paul says about confession and belief. The word confession is from the Greek homologeo and is defined by Strong’s as, “to assent, i.e. covenant, or to acknowledge.”

what this moment will be like? Not only will we have immorality and new bodies, but we’ll also be with Yahshua the Messiah forever. There’s not a greater promise in this life. Everything we do in this life should be motivated by this promise.

Resurrected in His Likeness

Many of us probably don’t spend enough time thinking about this promise. I believe this is one reason the Feast of Unleavened Bread is so important: it reminds us that we follow and serve a man who conquered the grave and offers us the same hope now.

Paul also speaks about this promise in Romans 6:4-11. “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Messiah was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been

Elohim through Yahshua Messiah our Master.”

Here baptism represents Yahshua’s death. When we are baptized into Yahshua’s Name, we die to Him. When this happens, we are to walk in the newness of life, meaning anew in life. As believers, we’re to obey the commandments and follow the examples of our Savior.

We also find here the promise of a resurrection. Those immersed into Yahshua’s Name will share in the likeness of His resurrection, meaning we will be resurrected in the same form and body as Yahshua was with His own resurrection. As an example, as Yahshua was able to appear and disappear, I believe we too will have this same power and ability.

Paul also references sin in this passage. Even though many refuse to acknowledge or speak

Thayer’s Greek Lexicon defines this word as: “1) to say the same thing as another, i. e. to agree with, assent; 2) to concede; 3) to profess; and 4) to praise or celebrate.”

The King James Version translates this word in the following ways: “confess (17x), profess (3x), promise (1x), give thanks (1x), confession is made (1x), acknowledges (1x).”

As believers, we must be willing to confess and acknowledge the faith we have through Yahshua the Messiah. We should never be ashamed of our faith in Him; we should stand in boldness and confidence. In Matthew 10:33 Yahshua said, “But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.”

The word “believes” in Romans 10 is from the Greek pisteuo Strong’s defines

this word as, “to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e. credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one’s spiritual well-being to Messiah).”

The last part of this definition is about trusting our spiritual well-being to Messiah. As we see here, belief is more than a verbal acknowledgment; it’s a deep and sincere trust in our Savior, realizing and believing that only through Him do we find remission of sins and the promise of everlasting life. It also entails following Him. This is why it’s so important that we both confess and believe in Yahshua the Messiah, for it is only through Him that we find the hope of the resurrection and life eternal in Yahweh’s Kingdom.

Hope of the Resurrection

A remarkable passage with an amazing promise is found in 1Peter 1:3-5. “Blessed be the Elohim and Father of our Master Yahshua Messiah, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Yahshua Messiah from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of Elohim through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”

Through Yahweh’s abundant mercy He has begotten us with a lively hope by the resurrection of Yahshua the Messiah. According to Thayer’s, “begotten” means, “to produce again, beget again, beget anew; metaphorically: thoroughly to change the mind of one, so that he lives a new life and one conformed to the will of Yahweh.”

While we believe that being born again is not complete until the resurrection, the process begins when we are baptized into Yahshua’s Name. At this time we should also have a change in heart and mind, conformed to the will of Yahweh. This undoubtedly is what Paul meant when he wrote about

“Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets, I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill,” Matthew 5:17. With these words did Yahshua abolish the law? Not only don’t even think it, but an analysis of the word fulfill also shows that He neither did away with his Father’s statues nor the Old Testament itself.

Meaning of the word ‘fulfill’ in English

Fulfill is defined in Webster’s New World Dictionary as: 1. “To carry out (something promised, desired, expected, predicted, etc.); cause to be or happen 2. to do (something required); obey 3. to fill the requirements of; satisfy.”

Meaning of the Greek from which ‘fulfill’ is derived

“Fulfill, pleroo (4137) - to make replete, literally to cram it full, level up, satisfy, execute (an office).” Nothing in these English or Greek meanings of fulfill shows an abolishment. “Meet the terms of” does not mean to eliminate, just the opposite. Yahshua said “think not,” so why think that He did destroy the law?

But let’s suppose fulfill (pleroo) in Matthew 5:17 means to terminate, as some believe. Then what about the same Greek word translated fulfill in other passages? Does it mean to abolish in any of those verses? The following are all the other New Testament verses where “fulfill” is translated from pleroo Let’s see whether the idea of “abolishment” fits in these other contexts:

• Matthew 3:15 – “And Yahshua answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness. Then he suffered him.” By “fulfill all righteousness” did Yahshua abolish everything that is righteous?

• Philippians 2:2 – “Fulfill ye my joy, that ye be likeminded having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.” Was Paul asking the assembly at Philippi to put an end to his joy and not have the same love, the same harmony, and the same mind as he?

• Colossians 1:25 – “Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of Elohim which is given to me for you, to fulfill the word of Elohim.” Was Paul made a minister so he could eliminate the Scriptures?

• Colossians 4:17 – “And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the master, that thou fulfill it.” Did Paul want Archippus to take his ministry seriously and then terminate it?

• 2Thessalonians 1:11 – “Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our Elohim would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power.” Did Paul pray that those called in Thessalonica would be worthy of their calling, and then to eliminate Yahweh’s goodness and stop all the work they are called to do?

To contend that “fulfill” means to abolish not only runs counter to the definition of the word, but also contradicts the context where we find “fulfill” elsewhere in Scripture, rendering abolish as nonsensical and absurd.

walking in newness of life.

Peter also speaks of the resurrection and the promise of everlasting life. He describes it as an inheritance that is incorruptible, undefiled, which fades not away. The word “incorruptible” comes from Greek aphthartos, meaning, “uncorrupted, not liable to corruption or decay, imperishable.” “Undefiled” comes from the Greek amiantos and means “not defiled, unsoiled; free from

that by which the nature of a thing is deformed and debased, or its force and vigor impaired.”

From this we discover that in the resurrection we will be free from death including those elements of nature that cause weakness or defilement of body. These promises will never fade away. All of this is based on Yahshua’s death and resurrection, without which we have no hope

The meaning of fulfill in Matthew 5:17

Restoration Times Edition TEST YOUR TUTELAGE

Which is true regarding the millennial Kingdom?

A. The saints will rule with Yahshua the Messiah

B. Everyone will be required be obey the commandments

C. A temple with sacrifices will be restored

D. The nature of animals will change

E. All of the above

The millennial Kingdom will bring many changes. The saints will rule with Yahshua (Rev. 20:6); everyone will be required to obey Yahweh’s laws, including the Sabbaths and Feasts (Isa. 2:3; 66:23; Mic. 4:1-3; Zech. 14:16-19); a temple with sacrifices will be restored for those living on the earth (Ezek. 4047); the nature of animals will change (Isa. 11:6-9); Yahshua's Name will change to "Yahweh our righteousness" (Jer. 23:6); the span of human life will extend to 100 years (Isa. 65:20); and Israel will be restored to her land (Ez. 37-15-28). For more information, see the chart, "12 Facts About the Millennial Kingdom," on p. 1379 in the 4th edition of the Restoration Study Bible (RSB). Correct: E

“Yehovah” is the closest pronunciation possible of our Creator’s Name.

A. True

B. False

The pronunciation “Yehovah” is a manmade hybrid using the four Hebrew letters of the Father’s Name (i.e., yodhay-waw-hay) plus vowels of “Adonai” inserted. Those vowels were intended to signal the reader to use Adonai in place of Yahweh. They were not meant to be inserted into Yahweh’s Name to produce the different name “Yehovah.” Consider the following reference: “Jehovah [or Yehovah], an erroneous pronunciation of the name of the G-d of Israel in the Bible, due to pronouncing the vowels of the term ‘Adonay,’ the marginal Masoretic reading with the consonants of the text-reading ‘Yahweh,’ which was not uttered to avoid the profanation of the divine name of magical or other blasphemous purposes. Hence the substitution of ‘Adonay,’ the ‘Lord,’ or ‘Adonay Elohim,’ ‘Lord G-d.’ The oldest Greek versions use the term ‘Kurios,’ ‘Lord,’ the exact translation

of the current Jewish substitute for the original Tetragrammaton Yahweh. The reading ‘Jehovah’ can be traced to the early Middle Ages and until lately was said to have been invented by Peter Gallatin (1518), confessor of Pope Leo X. Recent writers, however, trace it to an earlier date; it is found in Raymond Martin’s Pugeo Fidei (1270)” (Encyclopedia Americana, vol. 16, p. 8). For additional information, read our online article: The Yehovah Deception.

Correct: B

The Feasts are just for Jews.

A. True

B. False

Yahshua and His disciples kept the Feasts as a model for us today (see Remarkable Harmony of the Testaments chart in the fourth edition RSB). Three major prophets foretell of Feast-keeping in the millennial Kingdom: Isaiah 66:23; Ezekiel 45:1346:24; and Zechariah 14:16, which speaks of all nations that will be coming up each year to Jerusalem to keep the Feast of Tabernacles.

Correct: B

The Hebrew word “hovah” within “Jehovah” means what?

A. Eternal B. Strength

C. Omniscience

D. Disaster

The word “hovah” is Strong’s Hebrew Dictionary No. 1943 and means, “ruin or disaster.” Why would our Heavenly Father give Himself a Name that carried such a negative connotation? This is one of the many proofs against the name Jehovah (Yehovah). In addition, Hebrew and Greek are without a “J” sound. The letter “J” was the last letter to be added to the English alphabet and was not included in the first printing of the King James Version of the Bible. For example, the name of the Messiah appeared as “Iesus” in the original KJV. As confirmed by modern scholarship, the proper pronunciation for our Creator’s Name is “Yahweh.”

Correct: D

Arius, who opposed the Trinity belief, believed what concerning the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit?

A. The Father, Son, and Spirit were co-eternal and co-equal

B. The Father, Son, and Spirit were co-equal, but not coeternal

C. The Father was eternal, but the Son and Spirit were created

D. The Father was superior to the Son and Spirit

F. None of the above

According to author Wayne Grudem in the book, Systematic Theology, “Arius taught that G-d the Son was at one point created by G-d the Father, and that before that time the Son did not exist, nor did the Holy Spirit, but the Father only. Thus, though the Son is a heavenly being who existed before the rest of creation and who is far greater than all the rest of creation, he is still not equal to the Father in all his attributes—he may even be said to be ‘like the Father’ or ‘similar to the Father’ in his nature, but he cannot be said to be ‘of the same nature’ as the Father.” The only difference between Arius’ understanding and YRM’s understanding is that the Spirit is not a being, but the power of Yahweh, and therefore has always existed as part of the Father.

Correct: C

biblical lesson hfm hebrew word

Matteh

Mat-teh’

Composition: mem, pathach, tet, Seghol, heh.

The Hebrew word Matteh (H4294) is a masculine noun and has the meanings: staff, rod, shaft, branch, scepter, a tribe.

The next day Moses entered the tent and saw that Aaron’s staff, which represented the tribe of Levi, had not only sprouted but had budded, blossomed and produced almonds.

Numbers 17:8

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Linda Lowe

David Lynch

In addition to restoring the sacred names Yahweh and Yahshua, this unique Bible includes: in-depth book introductions, thousands of eye-opening study notes, cross references, instructional and archaeological charts, chronological timelines, and an extensive topical reference section. This unique Bible has Strong’s numbering for all significant words in the text and Strong’s Hebrew and Greek dictionaries at the back so you can confirm meanings yourself. It even has a family record section for recording important life events. It is three books in one – a real value.

Three cover choices: Outreach (Paperback), Designer (imitation leather), and Premium (cowhide); the contents are the same in each.

Ten-point main text size (as in standard newspapers and magazines); footnotes are slightly smaller.

Thumb tab cutouts for quick-and-easy referencing (Designer and Premium) * Ribbons for place-holding

Place your order at: yrmstore.org/shop or telephone 573-896-1000

Feedback

“Yrm.org is the most accurate website for worshiping Yahweh through Yahshua, biblical knowledge, and history. I feel blessed to have found it.” – NW

“I have enjoyed following YRM for several years. I have recommended you to a friend. I found YRM through my search for Bible truth.” – AR

“This is a beautiful surprise that I was led by the Holy Spirit. Many of my questions have been answered and I cannot wait to better understand this so I can spread this message of Truth! You all are a blessing to me and now to my family.” – RM

“I wish I had found you earlier. Your site was so helpful. I have been all over the Internet but no one seems to have the answers. YOU DID PERFECTLY! You have now become my number one search for my strange answers. I was trying to understand and switch over to the Hebrew calendar for the Sabbath and feast days. Praise Yahshua for you and your team. Thank you, thank you, thank you!” – JH

“I used to watch your 24-hour programing on ROKU...but it is no longer there. Will it come back? Will there be new programs? I have watched almost everything that is there now.” – BD

“I have lived my entire life following the Laws of Yahweh. I grew up in the WWCG but left in 1995 when they began to shift away from Truth. After disconnecting from organized groups my wife and I began a long search through the scriptures and our eyes were open to understanding that which was incorrect and learned new things that have enhanced our relationship with our Creator and Father and of course Yeshua Messiah. We have learned not to judge what others believe and are always

Simplify Your Hectic Life

interested in conversation regarding our love for the truth – but we do not debate. We consider our understanding and relationship with Yahweh a blessing and are always looking for fellowship with believers of like mind.” – RM

“Has anyone at YRM read Jonathan Cahn’s book, “Return of the Gods”? He references

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the return of Baal, Molech, and Ishtar as causing all the horrible changes in man’s attitude towards abortion, homosexuality, promiscuity and mankind turning away from Yahweh. I have read this book and see similarities of how people thousands of years ago worshiped these pagan gods and what is happening today.” – BK

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Music

• Workshops: Marriage and Preppers

• Delicious Dining

• Sukkah Activity

• Learn Hebrew Session

• Gym Games for all Ages

• Outdoor Movie

• Teen Dinner and Outing

• Baptisms

• Fellowship Galore ... and much more!

To register, go to: yrm.org/fot-2023-registration/ “These are the Feasts of Yahweh, which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations.” - Leviticus 23:37

You can now conveniently donate to Yahweh’s Restoration Ministry by regular, automatic withdrawal from your bank account. Save time and effort. Go online and print and complete the Pre-Authorized Debit Authorization form and mail it to the postal address below. If you do not have Internet access, you can receive the form by calling (573) 896-1000. (US accounts only) YRM | POB 463 | Holts Summit, MO 65043