VOL. 1 | No. 1 | July-August 2010 A R T I C L E S
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n FEATURE ARTICLE
4 | Yahweh’s Survival Handbook You live in a modern, worldly jungle. Times are getting worse and you need to know what to pack in your survival kit.
by Alan Mansager
n FRONT COVER: iStockphoto image -
The Tough Climb Ahead..
3 | EDITORIAL This new publication and the ministry behind it, our future goals and the work being done right now. by Alan Mansager 8 | Are You Keeping Your Appointments? The Feast days are evident from the beginning of creation, and they go through to the end of the age and even on into the Kingdom. How significant is that in their importance for us?
Restoration Times is published bimonthly by Yahweh’s Restoration Ministry. We have restored the true names of the Heavenly Father, Yahweh, and His Son, Yahshua the Messiah. These names were hidden by biblical scribes and translators and can be easily proved in any good encyclopedia or dictionary (under “God,” “Jehovah,” “Lord,” “Jesus” or “Yahweh”). They are found in ancient manuscripts from which we derive our modern translations. Our desire is to return as closely as possible to the pure teachings of scripture. That includes rooting out many popular doctrines and traditional teachings that are not Biblical, but which developed through the centuries from human custom or by compromise with error. We encourage each reader to prove scripturally for himself what he reads here, 1Thessalonians 5:21. 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. This publication is sent free of charge, made possible through the tithes and offerings of those who desire to see the truth of Scripture restored in our day.
11 | Questions and Answers The Virtuous Woman section 12 | “Yes We Can” by Debbie Reed 13 | Berries, the jewels of summer recipes. New YRM cookbook in the works
Yahweh’s Restoration Ministry PO Box 463 Holts Summit, MO 65043 Telephone: 573-896-YAH-8 (9248) Fax: 573-896-9533 www.yrm.org info@yrm.org
welcome to restoration times
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elcome to the first issue of our new magazine, Restoration Times! This publication represents a transformation of our newsletter into a magazine, enhanced though the use of full color and greater use of illustrations. We hope you like the new look and feel. Why the change? The newsletter provided news of Yahweh’s Restoration Ministry along with a Scriptural article or two, and for 12 years served well as an internal organ of the ministry. Almost from the beginning, however, we received requests for a magazine periodical with more in-depth articles and a look that is more conducive for evangelizing. We are pleased to announce that the time has come and we pray that Restoration Times fits the bill. It will continue to have the same features the newsletter had, with the option to expand to include more in-depth articles and studies. Bro. Ryan Mansager is using his graphics abilities to design and illustrate Restoration Times. We are starting with 16 pages, four more than the newsletter had but still small as most magazines go. Our prayer is that through readership support we can add size, content, and more full color as the publication matures. We also plan to include additional writers who have a firm grasp of solid Bible truth. Our goal is that Restoration Times will be the publication of choice to help you grow in your understanding of Yahweh’s Word as we all strive to restore and contend for the “faith once delivered,” Jude 1:3. Yahweh’s Restoration Ministry’s continuing goal is to improve and expand wherever possible, taking full advantage of all practical outreach outlets. In that
vein, work continues on the study Bible project, with a debut edition planned for sometime after the Feast of Tabernacles this year. A Website exclusively for women is nearly complete and will soon appear on the Web. The ladies are also working hard on an extensive YRM cookbook of clean and Feast-appropriate recipes. Our 24/7 YRM Channel on the Internet is growing in popularity, with the largest audience ever joining us each Sabbath for live worship. We also recently introduced a once-a-week E-news email update of the latest YRM news. This year we have redesigned nearly all of our booklets into a larger format and with full-color covers and illustrations to enhance esthetics and effectiveness. The number of DVD subscribers increases weekly. The official Website, yrm.org, is undergoing another facelift to make it even more enticing and user friendly. (Yrm.org is ranked in the top one-half of one percent of all sites on the Net. Our praise to Almighty Yahweh!) We have added Facebook to our outreach and have 400 friends who network through this avenue. We are continually adding more outlet sites to accommodate our video ministry. We are running at full tilt, and pray you will be led to help us with these ambitious and sometimes daunting projects. If you have other outreach ideas, don’t hesitate to tell us. We’ll take a serious look. Time is getting short. We need to get the Word out with all speed and efficiency while we are able in these uncertain times. May Yahweh bless you as you live for Him and present a good example to others of the hope that is within. ■ THE RESTORATION TIMES July/August 2010
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magine taking a survival training class as you prepare for an extended outing into the arctic wilderness. Being a novice, you need and want all the help you can get to prepare for and survive such an awesome and hazardous venture. The course description says that the class is based on the training manual and everyone taking the class must purchase a copy and learn it. You are bewildered, however, when on the first day of class your instructor announces that although he will teach from the training manual, actually following it could prove harmful. He tells his class that they don’t really need to learn anything about the wilderness. He says faith is all they need to exist in the wild, and no survival knowledge or training is necessary. He then spends the remainder of the course telling cute stories and cracking jokes. This is incredible! If survival skills are not needed and training for the wilderness is useless, then why am I taking this course? you wonder. Retire the Old Testament?
For the purpose of illustration, the “training manual” compares to the Bible, particularly the foundational Old Testament. The Scriptures are Yahweh’s Handbook for survival and overcoming in the wilderness of this world. Your past Bible “instructors” probably taught that two-thirds of 4
Scripture – the Old Testament – was only for ancient Israel and no longer applies to us in the “New Testament dispensation.” Most ministers believe and teach this. Paradoxically, countless clerics have no qualms about illustrating their sermons using the books of the Old Testament. They don’t hesitate to refer to the Ten Commandments on occasion, quote the Psalms, Proverbs, and Prophetic writings or show the lives
of the patriarchs as examples of right and proper behavior. When it comes to highlighting sermons most freely quote a pertinent passage from the Old Testament and see no contradiction in doing so. But ask them whether it is necessary to apply the statutes and truths found in the Old Testament and you are promptly told that the Old Testament is no longer valid. It has completely been replaced by the New. So what is the point of having it? Going hand-in-glove with the demise of Old Testament teachings is one that says that the Old Testament is the Bible for Jews, while only the New Testament is for Christians. Nothing is
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further from reality. This notion that we need not apply any Old Testament teachings to life is fundamental to why churchianity has deviated widely from the “faith once delivered,” prophesied in Jude 3 of our day. It is the basic reason an originally Hebrew-Biblical faith has been replaced by a blend of GrecoRoman concepts, practices, beliefs, and even iconology that play a central role in most modern worship. Culture Shocked
The original faith as practiced by Hebrew Israelites has taken on an entirely different feel and flavor imposed by the culture and the nonBiblical practices that many in the infant faith soon accommodated. After the death of Yahshua, dramatic differences started to developed between what He taught and what would be observed a century later. A simple example of cultural influence on perception can be found in Renaissance paintings of biblical scenes reproduced in some contemporary Bibles. These illustrations show the Savior and His disciples dressed in Middle Age garb, or they depict ancient, Middle East soldiers attired in uniforms resembling 15th century Europe. How easily culture corrupts truth. But far more serious, societal influence and pressure have also transformed moral beliefs among those in the pews. The teachings of fundamental Scripture underwent a dramatic transformation. What had deep meaning in a Hebrew setting began a shift to embrace pagan ideologies as gentiles were allowed to bring in their religious baggage unchecked. Add to this the anti-Semitic leanings of the early church leaders and you have a recipe
for radical transformation. The greatest influence for change, however, came with the doctrine that the modern church has replaced Israel. This notion led to the complete overhaul and elimination of beliefs and practices of the Old Testament. Ignorance of the overarching covenant-salvation design of the Bible is what breeds so much doctrinal misunderstanding today: What is sin? Is the law abolished? Which day is the Sabbath? Are we under grace or obedience? What about faith alone, is it enough? The answers to these and other fundamental questions are found in Yahweh’s salvation plan first revealed in the Old Testament and brought to full reality in the New. With the correct view of exactly how both Old and New testaments harmonize, these and many more issues can be resolved easily. In fact, a proper understanding of how the two testaments complement each other holds the key to True Worship itself. Only when we look at the Bible as a completely unified work – as Yahweh intended – do we realize how far popular worship has deviated from reality. A Peculiar Treasure
Did the Messiah Yahshua come to advance a whole new religion based on grace without obedience? Did He fulfill the law so that we don’t need to? Let’s allow Him to respond to this crucial issue Himself: “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill” (Matt. 5: 17). That seems clear enough. The law and prophets are found in the Old Testament. The basic meaning of “fulfill” is to carry out or bring to fullness. If He didn’t destroy the law then it is still in effect – brought to full light and understanding through the example of His life. If it is brought to fullness then it is still intact and complete. If a soldier fulfills his duties he does everything required of him, leaving nothing undone or incomplete. By fulfilling the law, Yahshua obeyed
it all and left nothing out. The same Greek word translated fulfill is used in Matthew 3:15, where Yahshua requested John the Immerser to baptize Him: “And Yahshua answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becomes us to fulfill all righteousness.” If fulfill means to abolish, then Yahshua and John the Immerser did away with all righteousness when the Savior was baptized! Of course, what it really means is that Yahshua obediently complied with the mandate for immersion, as He did in all points of the law. He fulfilled His mission by being law observant and completely compliant. He tells us to follow in His steps. “If you keep my commandments,” He said in John 15:10, “you shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in His love.” And what were His commandments? The same as His Father’s, except that He magnified them. He said in Matthew 5 that just having sinful thoughts is enough to break them (vv. 22, 28). Law Produces Peace and Happiness
What should be obvious to anyone is the simple fact that if moral law is disregarded then our society will self-destruct. Secular values lack the power to stand alone. Only moral law gives a society stability, structure, and order. Ronald Reagan said, “Freedom prospers when religion is vibrant and the rule of law under G-d is acknowledged.” The only reason that police forces are able to keep the peace is that the majority of the population is lawabiding. But take away the law or the desire to obey it and chaos quickly takes over. Consider what happens in a natural disaster like a hurricane or earthquake when the population is in a frenzy and uncontrollable. Violence spreads. Anarchy rules. Without law society crumbles into madness. Almighty Yahweh provided the answer to happiness when He gave man His laws. He put limits on man’s behavior in order to protect him. By
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our Savior’s own admission He came to confirm and establish the law. Why do so many go to Paul and try to disprove what was spoken from the Messiah’s own lips? Simply put, rebellion. Humans are born with a natural disdain for authority and rules. Did Paul write against the spiritual law and the moral code laid down in Exodus, Leviticus, and Deuteronomy? Let’s see what he actually said. In his trial before Felix, the Apostle made an unmistakable statement that has been nearly ignored for 2,000 years. “But this I confess unto you, that after the way which they call heresy so worship I the Elohim of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets” (Acts 24:14). What Paul believed and taught was the Old Testament, which is what he referred to when he said “law and prophets.” The New Testament was not yet written. What he did was adhered to the precepts, commands and truths found in the Old Testament. Paul later was to proclaim: “Men [and] brethren though I have committed nothing against the people, or customs of our fathers, yet was I delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans,” Acts 28:17. And in verse 23 of this chapter we read, “And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of Elohim persuading them concerning Yahshua, both out of the law of Moses from morning till evening.” Far from deserting Old Testament teachings Paul bases his writings about Yahshua on the Old Testament! “Do we then make void the law through faith? Elohim forbid: yea, we establish the law” (Rom. 3:31) Why do modern teachers teach that Paul taught against the law of the Old Testament? Either Paul lied or they ignore what he said! In the preface to Paul’s writings in the New Jerusalem Bible we find this revealing statement: “It is important to remember that Paul’s letters were not meant as theological treatises: 6
most of them represent his response to a particular situation in a particular assembly. Paul’s letters presuppose the oral teachings which preceded them and enlarge and comment only upon certain points of that.” The oral teachings include the Old Testament and its laws. Simply put, Paul was not setting forth new doctrine. He was merely applying the precepts he learned from Old Testament Scripture to the assemblies in the New Testament. Become of Israel
Writing years after the Savior had resurrected, Paul knew that the law Moses received on Sinai was meant for more than just the 2-3 million Israelites
“Far from
deserting Old Testament teachings Paul gs bases his writin about Yahshua on the Old Testament!”
camped there. He wrote, “This is he [Moses], that was in the assembly in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sinai, and with our fathers who received the lively oracles to give unto us.” “Lively oracles” in the Greek is idioma logion meaning living utterances.” They are the law Yahweh gave to Israel through Moses. Another fundamental truth you likely were never taught is that one of the purposes of the Savior’s death was to provide a way for those outside Israel to join in the promise first given exclusively to Israel. Nowhere in the Bible do we find that the Covenant promise was given to any peoples but Israel. Gentiles must be grafted into that one promise, as one grafts a branch from one tree
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into another tree. The tree and its roots provide the support and nourishment the transplanted branch must have. Paul explains all of this thoroughly in Romans chapters 9 and 11. In Romans 9:4 he addresses the true ones called Israelites: “Who are Israelites; to whom pertains the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law and the service of Elohim, and the promises.” As participants in the promise to Israel, Gentiles must follow the terms and dictates of that promise because the “tree” that supports them is rooted in the Covenant. Therefore the person seeking True Worship must become a part of the congregation of Israel. Yahshua said He did not come but to the lost sheep of the house of Israel, Matthew 15:24. With our foundation established in Yahweh’s commands to Israel, the next obvious questions are: who was Israel’s Mighty One and what did He call Himself? How was He to be worshiped? How was Israel to live? What observances were they commanded to keep and on which days? To be set apart from the world, what were ancient and now modern Israelites to eat and not eat? Touch and not touch? Do and not do? The True Worshiper – today’s spiritual Israelite – must conform to all points of the renewed Covenant in his worship of Yahweh, the Mighty One of Israel. Malachi 3:6 tells us, “For I am Yahweh, I CHANGE NOT; therefore you sons of Jacob are not consumed.” He has not changed His mind, nor has He changed His mandate for man’s obedience. We read about Yahshua in the New Testament, “And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that OBEY him,” Hebrews 5:9. Even under the Old Covenant Yahweh told Israel that He expected obedience over sacrifices, 1Samuel 15:22. Obedience was always the foremost desire of our Creator for His people even as they were sacrificing bulls and goats daily. If the Covenant promise was given exclusively to Israel, and we wish to
have a part in it, then we need to look closely at its terms. What was Israel’s obligation? We find in Exodus, before Yahweh gave the law, that the Israelites agreed completely to Yahweh’s mandates. Notice: “And Moses went up unto Elohim, and Yahweh called unto him out of the mountain, saying, Thus shall you say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel; You have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles’ wings, and brought you unto myself. Now therefore, if you will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then you shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: And you shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which you shall speak unto the children of Israel. And Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and laid before their faces all these words which Yahweh commanded him. And all the people answered together, and said, All that Yahweh has spoken we will do. And Moses returned the words of the people unto Yahweh” (Ex. 19:3-8). Israel had promised, “All that Yahweh has spoken we will do.” By this pledge they were committed to the Covenant. Everything Yahweh expected of them they agreed to do. Yahweh’s part of the compact was a promise to make Israel a special kingdom of priests (Isa. 61:6) – the same promise he makes to us if we are obedient to His laws. Notice: “To him that overcomes will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne,” Revelation 3:21. Overcome what? Sin! Sin is defined as lawbreaking, 1John 3:4. Yahshua said, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me you might have peace. In the world you shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
Through obedience we overcome sin. By obeying Yahweh’s Word we come to know what He is all about and who He is. What is important to Him becomes important to us. Hebrews 5:9 makes it clear: “And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him.” Feasts Part of the Covenant
Nowhere did Yahweh make a covenant with anyone not of the Abrahamic line. But notice. He told Israel in Deuteronomy 29:14-15: “Neither with you only do I make this covenant and
this oath; But with him that stands here with us this day before Yahweh our Elohim, and also with him that is not here with us this day.” Anyone outside of Israel could be included in the promise if they agreed to the same covenant terms Yahweh gave to Israel. That includes us who came later.
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Israel promised Yahweh that they would do what He said. “And he [Moses] took the book of the covenant, and read in the audience of the people: and they said, All that Yahweh has said WILL WE DO, and be obedient,” Exodus 24:7. Again, notice how Yahshua demands the same obedience to what He taught, the same obedience mandated from Yahweh for Israel: “And he that overcomes, and keeps my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father” (Rev. 2:26-27). Yahweh called Moses to Mt. Sinai and proclaimed the terms of the Covenant. We can read about these not only in Exodus 20, where we find the Ten Commandments, but also in the succeeding chapters of Exodus, where the Feast days (chapter 23), statutes, and judgments are included in the Sinai Covenant with the True Worshipers – the chosen of Yahweh. A New High Priest
Does this mean that everything Israel was commanded to do and practice now becomes incumbent on us? No. With the coming of the Savior a change was made in the administration of the law. No more are animal sacrifices needed for sin. Yahshua’s sacrifice now atones for sin. Similarly, the temple ritual has been replaced with the acts of Yahshua, our High Priest and Mediator of a New Covenant. Our High Priest Yahshua is the priestly order of Melchizedec and not Levi. Under His priestly administration we and ancient Israel are offered blessings far greater than the earthly advantages ancient Israel was promised for obedience. Now we can have eternal blessings (see Heb. 9). Paul tells us, “Forasmuch as you are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Messiah
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ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living Elohim; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart,” 2Corinthians 3:3. As the law is now written on our hearts (Heb. 8), so we make it a part of us and live it. A few verses later the Apostle writes, “Who [Elohim] also made us able ministers of the new [Greek kainos—renewed] testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit ...” The Covenant is reintroduced in the New Testament through the blood of the Savior, not the blood of animal sacrifices. His is a higher priesthood. Being that the Covenant is now magnified and placed on a far higher plane, it is incumbent on True Worshipers to be even more careful about their obedience, not less. Notice how Paul compares submission in the Old Testament to obedience today: “He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses. Of how much sorer punishment suppose you, shall
he be thought worthy, who has trodden under foot the Son of Elohim, and has counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and has done despite unto the Spirit of grace?” Hebrews 10:28-30. By deliberately disobeying the law now, we risk not the death of a mere animal, as anciently, but the actual impalement of our very Savior all over again! Hebrews 6:6. Far from abolishing the law, Yahweh today instills it within us, and we obey out of the sincere desire of a willing heart that loves Him. You may have been led all your life to believe that certain teachings were fundamental truth. But did you confirm them in Scripture? Proverbs 14:12 reads, “There is a way which seems right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” All his life Paul had been ignorantly persecuting the True Worshipers as heretics. When he was knocked down
on the road to Damascus, he didn’t defend his error but listened to what the celestial Being (Yahshua) told him, and humbly submitted himself to Yahweh. From then on Yahweh used Paul as one of the premier teachers of the Faith. When presented with the truth many of us were not that virtuous, but instead defended what we had always been led to believe was true. How could these great churches be wrong? we reasoned. But as we became convicted of real truth, we had to humbly repent before our Father for our error. We came to the understanding that the majority is misled, as it has been throughout history. Yahshua confirmed that the masses are on the broad road leading to destruction. He said His people would be a “little flock,” and only few would be given the Kingdom, Luke 12:32. True Worshipers are not labeled the “called out” for no reason. May you find the way to life and may you not be hesitant to walk in all the light you are given. ■
The Feast days are evident from the beginning of creation, and they go through to the end of the age and even on into the Kingdom. How significant is that in their importance for us?
abolished with the coming of Yahshua the Messiah for all who believe in Him. The Feast days are not only the original “holidays” of humankind, which inspired the very concept of keeping annual celebrations, but these days are also a part of an ongoing, living law of Yahweh specifically given to man. They are not just “Jewish” observances but special days for all the world to keep. Most of the world utterly fails when it comes to these sacred appointments. First, they skip right over them, not even
acknowledging these days given in the Scriptures. Second, they substitute secular holidays—which is the biblical definition of idolatry. Most will throw biblical Feast days in the category of old Mosaic laws that were abolished by the Savior. This presents sticky problems, however, because we find compelling evidence that the patriarchs were involved in the appointed Feast days even back at the time of the first human family long before Moses even entered the picture.
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hen it comes to Yahweh’s Biblical Feasts, most Bible professing individuals make two mistakes. They assume the Feasts are just for Jews and they believe these annual holy times are part of an Old Testament ritualistic law that was 8
Confessing Our Own Error
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In Genesis 4 we learn: ▪ Abel was a sheep herder; Cain was a farmer. ▪ The phrase in verse 3, “In the process of time” in Hebrew means, “at the end of days.” This indicates a counting period. At the end of a specified number of days an offering was to be made. This also points strongly to an appointed Feast. The animal skins that Yahweh clothed Adam and Eve with after their sin in chapter 3 meant blood was shed so that their sins would be covered. But Yahweh was the one who sacrificed the animals to produce the leather. In the Passover Israel had to participate in the sacrifice in order for their sins to be covered. We find the same with Abel, who brought a sheep from his herd to offer in sacrifice. This was likely the precursor to the Passover lamb. Just as you can’t get blood from a turnip—Cain’s offering was not a blood sacrifice. It was a crop offering and Yahweh was not pleased. If this is a Passover-category event, then a grain offering won’t do. Animal blood must be shed. No wonder Yahweh was
not pleased. He is never happy when mankind makes up his own rules for worship. No doubt Cain’s bad attitude played into this as well. Notice that Cain brought from the regular fruit of the ground, while Abel from the firstlings of his flock. Cain’s was not a firstfruit. It was just part of the normal crop that he harvested from the field. Yahweh wanted the firstfruits of our increase dedicated to Him, just as He does today, whether it be tithe or offerings or sacrifices of praise—He wants the best we have to offer. For Israel it was always to be the firstfruits of what they produced. Giving to Yahweh off the top shows our devotion to Him as supreme in or lives, before anything else. Genesis 4:4 reads, “Yahweh had ‘respect.’ That means that fire probably went out from Yahweh and consumed the offering, as we note how He accepted other passages. It shows that He was pleased. Verse 7 is fascinating. Cain did not please Yahweh. He sinned. The Hebrew does not simply say that that
it was just sin that lay at the door, but that a sin offering was still at the door. In other words it wasn’t accepted, it wasn’t consumed. It was not of an animal but a crop, and he didn’t offer in the right spirit. This was also symbolic of an unresolved sin that now wants to control Cain. Cain’s real problem was not his brother. Cain’s problem was Cain. Yet it was his brother Abel who ended up on the receiving end of Cain’s wrath. And that scenario has been repeated throughout all of history. Can we find evidence of more Feast-like activity early on, before the covenant with Israel? We certainly can. In Genesis 17:21 Almighty Yahweh discusses with Abraham plans for a covenant with his soon-to-be son, Isaac. Set time means appointed time, a moed. Psalm 104:19 tells us that Yahweh appointed the moon for moedim, “fixed times or festivals.” The same thing in Genesis 1:14, where the sun and moon are for “seasons,” moedim, appointed times. Yahweh built feast observance into creation itself. How can these Feast days be done away today when the very sun and moon above our heads attest to them and set their times by their revolution year after year? What can be more permanent when planets and stars set the agenda? Feasts Before Moses
Important events typically occurred on Yahweh’s Feasts, from the exodus at Passover and Unleavened Bread as well as entering the Promised Land at this same time, to the giving of the law and covenant and the Spirit at Pentecost, to the return of Yahshua perhaps at Trumpets. In Genesis 18 three angels come to Abraham and he makes a meal of unleavened cakes, v. 6. In verse 14
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the term “appointed time” is again the word moed, elsewhere used for Feast. In Genesis 19:3 Lot baked unleavened bread for the two angels who came to Sodom. Clearly Yahweh’s Feast commands did not originate at Sinai. Let’s look at a few other cases: Moses asked Pharaoh to let the people go to observe a Feast (Ex. 3:18; 5:1; 8:25; 10:9). In Exodus 16:4 the Sabbath law is in effect! In Exodus 18:16 we see statutes and laws before Sinai. These commands to keep Feasts, appointed times, were intended for all mankind for all ages. But because most everyone else chose to ignore them, Yahweh zeroed in on a select group called Israelites, making a covenant agreement with them to keep these times and in return to be blessed above all people on earth. Judah was only one of the 12 tribes of Israel. So we can dismiss the idea out of hand that these Feasts are only for Jews. They were given to all Israel in a special covenant, both Jews and non-Jews. Also, most assume the Feasts are part of the law that was abolished by Yahshua’s death, and therefore are no longer in effect. However, it was only the ceremonial/ritual law that was superseded by Yahshua’s death, as we find in Heb. 9:10 and foretold in Isaiah 1:11-20. We must not thrown the baby out with the bathwater. If the whole law were abolished, then we no longer can know what sin is, because by the law we have the knowledge of sin, Romans 3:20, and even further, that sin no longer exists, Romans 4:15—no law, no sin. In fact, there are five kinds of law in the Scriptures: 1) Spiritual law, including the Ten Commandments 2) Commercial/civil law, governing interpersonal and business relationships 3) Ceremonial/ rituallaw—governing priestly activities 4) Natural law, the laws of nature 5) Judicial law—dealing with crime and punishment. The Feasts fall under the spiritual law—those laws that shape our character and 10
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lead to everlasting life. Like the Ten Commandments and other charactershaping laws. When we keep Yahweh’s Feasts we draw closer to Yahweh and understand His plan for His people better. Which directly impacts us, strengthening our faith and leading to a closer walk. Yahweh chose the people of Israel because of His covenant with their forefather Abraham. He didn’t chose any other nation. As Shaul explains, others can be grafted in to that same relationship and receive the same promises, Romans 9 and 11. In 1John 2:5-7 we are instructed to walk as Yahshua walked. How did Yahshua walk? Was He obedient to the law? Did He not set an example for us by His obedient walk? Were not the Feasts part of His walk? Of course. Let’s see a few examples: As a child He went with His parents to keep Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread, Luke 2:42.
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In Matt. 26:18 and Luke 22:11 we find Yahshua observing Passover and unleavened bread. He instructed His disciples to stay in Jerusalem in Acts 1:4 to wait for the giving of the Spirit which would happen at Pentecost. In John 7:10 He went up to keep the Feast of Tabernacles, and in the middle of the Feast we see Him teaching, verse 14. Again on the Last Great Day of the Feast in John 7:37 Yahshua stands up
and teaches from the Old Testament. Here Yahshua is teaching from the Old Testament, which includes Yahweh’s laws. We must walk as He walked. In Exodus 12:14 Yahweh says to keep the Feast “forever.” Who is He See Appointments, page 14
We respond… Was Paul a fugitive from the Law? I have heard a lot of teachings concerning Saul of Tarsus lately. They say he was an apostate because of his message. I am seeking Yahweh’s Truths and understand that the scribes have deliberately changed things as the Old Testament states. Can you please help me on this. The scriptures tell us to see things out but there are so many lies it makes it hard to decipher the truth. – HR, email Paul is apostate only to those who misunderstand or deliberately twist his teachings. By his own admission he was clearly pro-law (Rom. 3:31, 6:13, 7:12). He stated that he believed all things written in the Old Testament (Acts 24:14). In fact, Peter confirms Paul’s apostleship in 2Peter 3:1516, “And account that the longsuffering of our Master is salvation—as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures.” With the exception of 134 instances where Yahweh’s Name was replaced by Adonai, the Old Testament text has remained practically untouched since its inception. This can be proved by comparing the accuracy of the many texts available to scholarship today. The Scribes and Pharisees were less guilty of modifying the text and more guilty of adding their own rabbinical, man-made traditions (Matt. 15:3). The inquirer asks about an assumed contradiction… How do you reconcile two passages containing opposing statements: Mathew 5:17-18 and Romans 10:4? – D.H., email
To reconcile these passages one simply needs to understand the Greek. When Paul stated that the Messiah was the “end of the law,” he was saying that the Messiah was the goal or purpose of the law. The word “goal” is derived from the Greek telos, which means, “to set out for a definite point or goal); properly, the point aimed at as a limit” (Strong’s Concordance). Both Matt 5:17 and Rom. 10:4 support obedience and the understanding that the Messiah fulfilled or completed the Law through His atoning sacrifice. As we find throughout the NT, Paul taught obedience to the law (Acts 24:14, Rom. 3:31, 6:15, 7:12, and 1 Cor. 7:19). The inquirer is pleased with the response… I am amazed at the answer because I was not expecting a satisfactory resolution but must say I am pleasantly surprised. This because I really enjoy the book of Romans in particular but Paul’s apparent objection to the law was disconcerting and leading me to believe that work attributed to him should be considered invalid. In light of your answer I am even more amazed at Peter’s prophetic words that people would twist Paul’s writing to their own destruction. I am interested in your ministry and am watching your sermon videos and Q&A forums often. I have no real church home because I am convicted that they are teaching lies. I’m glad that the truth exists on your website-thanks to Yah for you and your ministry! Should a non-name-using minister baptize me? I attend a [Sabbath group] in my area. They believe in the Sabbaths, Feast days, and most of the same things you believe in except for the use of the NAME. I have asked the pastor to baptize me in the name of Yahshua and he said he would as he has others. My question is, will this be a true baptism since he does not believe in the importance in the difference in the name between J-sus and Yahshua?. Also, would I receive the Holy Spirit through his laying on of hands? –CP, email
In Matthew 7:21 Yahshua said, “Not everyone that saith unto me, Master, Master, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Master, Master, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” Just professing the Name and even using it occasionally does not guarantee Yahweh’s approval. One must also follow all that the Bible commands. Employing deception to draw people to fill pews reveals an insincerity of heart. Salvation is only through the Name of the Messiah Yahshua, Acts 4:12. Immersion in his Name must be pure and free of disingenuous strategies. We know of no one in Scripture who was given a legitimate immersion by anyone who didn’t believe and follow ALL that the Word commands. Acts 5:32 says Yahweh gives His Spirit to those who obey Him. It is highly unlikely that the minister is ignorant of the Names. If in his heart he knows they are correct, then failing to use them is blatant disobedience according to the Word. The other problem is that your group does not use the scriptural calendar when it comes to the Feasts. They go by the calculated Jewish calendar that ignores the scriptural new moons as well as the green ears of Abib. Therefore their Feasts are off base and don’t conform to the command to observe specific days of the month established by the new moon. Can you get the Spirit imparted through this man? In light of these facts it is most doubtful. Would we trust him with something that is as salvation-critical as immersion? No. And neither would we want to affiliate with a group that fails to practice all truth. We entreat you to make sure you are doing all in your power to be acceptable to Yahweh. YRM has an immersion service at the spring and fall Feasts, and we would be blessed to have you join us at Holts Summit any Sabbath in between. We also welcome you celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles in Indiana this year.
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’s n e n m io o t W ec S
days. However, frozen produce is only good for a year or two before becoming freezer burned and losing much of its nutrients. You will also need to purchase a large freezer to store frozen produce in adequate quantities. Canning or pickling
Yes, We Can! by Debbie Reed “They should collect all the food of these good years that are coming and store up…” Genesis 41:35
I
n mid-summer, our gardens, like well-tended children, are growing rapidly and hopefully producing good fruit. Of course, there are weeds and insect infestations to deal with, but diligence and an eagle eye can catch these aberrations before they get out of hand. Once your fruits and vegetables are ripe, however, the real work begins in the kitchen. It’s a race to preserve them before they wither and rot. There are three main methods of preserving homegrown food: dehydrating, freezing and canning/pickling. I’ve found that dehydrating is an excellent method for some foods such as apples, tomato, or zucchini slices. Your food dehydrator should come with an instruction book and recipes for making an array of these “nibble treats.” But, because the drying process removes most or all of the water, it takes large quantities of any given fruit or vegetable to make a small amount of dried food. I don’t use this method for the staple foods, such as corn, green beans, beets, and most of the tomatoes that will constitute a large part of our daily meals. To retain that garden fresh flavor, freezing works very well for most foods, especially peppers and berries. Freezing fruits and vegetables is also quicker and easier than canning and doesn’t usually require heating up the stove, and the whole house, on these hot summer 12
foods, although the most labor intensive, works best for long-term storage. Pickling is a subcategory of canning and differs in that instead of water a mixture of vinegar and sugar or spices is added to the fruit or vegetable before processing. If properly processed, canned/pickled foods can last for years with slower loss of quality than their frozen counterparts. So, just exactly how does one can? The best advice I can give is to buy a good
THE RESTORATION TIMES July/August 2010
book on home canning, available in paperback at just about any hardware or department store that sells canning supplies. I bought mine in 1976 and wouldn’t be without it. You will also need a few tools such as a large kettle with an inner rack and a lid, a pressure cooker, jar lifter, funnel, and canning jars with lids and rings. Canning jars come in various sizes such as quart, pint, and half pint (1 cup). The half-pint jars are great for giving away samples to friends and family. You will also have to choose “wide-mouthed” or “smallmouthed” jars whose openings and matching lids are made to accommodate the type and size of foods you will fill them with. For example, a large-mouthed jar makes retrieving dill pickles much easier, but I prefer small-mouthed jars for more fluid items, such as applesauce. For the sake of frugality, some cooks save emptied commercial mayonnaise or jelly jars, but the glass is thinner and doesn’t always hold up to the extreme heat in processing. Many times I’ve had jars break and the contents ruined trying to be “frugal.” There are two basic methods for processing, or sealing, food in jars. The “boiling water bath” method is used to process tomatoes, pickles, relishes, jams and jellies. Using a large kettle with a bottom rack and a lid, the jars are covered with a couple of inches of water and boiled for a certain amount of time. The “pressure cooker” method is used for most other fruits, vegetables, and meats due to their lower acidity levels. Your canning book will give preferred
method, length of processing time, and suggested recipes. Once you’ve gathered your produce from the garden, cleaned it, and either snapped, peeled, sliced, shredded, chopped, mashed, seasoned, cooked or otherwise prepared it, you must wash and sterilize the jars and lids before filling them. Check the jars first for any cracks or chips around the opening that could prevent the lids from sealing properly. Wash the jars in warm soapy water and rinse well, or run them through a normal dishwasher cycle. Place them in a large kettle (I use my “water bath” kettle) on the rack, cover with water and boil for fifteen minutes. Keep in mind that a dishwasher DOES NOT sterilize jars adequately for canning purposes. Place the lids with rings in a pan with some of the leftover boiling water until ready to use. Jams, jellies, preserves, butters, pickles and relishes are usually pre-cooked first and then added, as is, to the jars before processing. Other foods, such as green beans, potatoes, and corn require the addition of salt and water. Tomatoes require much of the juice be first removed and only salt added (new canning standards also require the addition of small amounts of lemon juice for more acidity). With a clean, damp cloth, wipe the jar tops to remove any bits of food that could prevent sealing before screwing on the lids. You are now ready to process the jars using one of the two methods described above. Although canning may seem like a daunting task at first, it’s certainly not too difficult to master. It does take time in the kitchen but its well worth the effort. You will appreciate your summer’s bounty all winter long.
tional recipes for appetizers, beverages, main dishes, vegetables/side dishes, candy, cookies, cakes, breads…you name it! Plus helpful hints, measurement conversions, baking times, spice descriptions and uses, and countless other vital cookbook information will abound. We pray this will be the most beautiful cookbook you will own, featuring cover and divider artwork dedicated to Yahweh, done by Sis. Linda Lowe, and inspiring verses throughout the recipe pages. This helpful book will encourage and explain Levitically-clean eating in the foreward written by Elder Alan Mansager, and will be a must-have for your kitchen, as well as an excellent gift for anyone you care about. The ladies at YRM and other Sisters-in-the-Faith are hammering out certain publication details to produce the best book possible at a ‘palatable’ price. The suggested donation price of the publication will be about $15. Proceeds will be directed toward YRM’s building expansion, which will supply classrooms for children’s Bible classes and a restful eating area for those attending Sabbath services. If you would like to help with this publication, we have a job for you . . . submit recipes! Send us your tested, tried, true and all-time favorite clean (kosher) recipes for inclusion in the book. There is no limit to the number of recipes you can send. Each contributor’s name will appear beside his or her submission. Each month we will be collecting a certain group of recipes as follows:
July—appetizers and beverages August—soups and salads September—vegetables and side dishes October—main dishes/crockery cooking/ campfire dishes November—breads and rolls/unleavened bread Work Begins on Major Cookbook - With December—deserts a goal to distribute in September/October January—cookies and candy 2011, the first-ever YRM cookbook glorify- February—this and that, and all those ing our Father’s Name is off and running! special feast recipes. It will contain 300-350 Scripturally-clean recipes for you and your family to enjoy Send your submissions to Meschelle at for years to come. Special feast recipes, YRMcookbook@hotmail.com and I will unleavened bread recipes, crock cookery, keep you updated every month regardand easy camp recipes will grace the ing the progress of this eagerly awaited pages of this book, in addition to tradipublication! - by Meschelle Sevier
Berries are the jewels of summer: blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, gooseberries, loganberries, currants, elderberries, and more. Berries come in all shapes, colors, and flavors. Whether eaten straight from the vine or prepared in special ways, they are a true delight. Following are some “berry” good recipes contributed by our brethren. Triple Berry Brownies – submitted by Jennifer Folliard 1 box fudge brownie mix plus water, vegetable oil and eggs as called for on brownie mix box 1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened 1/2 cup powdered sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 cup frozen whipped topping, thawed 1 1/3 cups halved fresh strawberries 1 cup fresh blueberries 1/2 cup fresh raspberries Heat oven to 350° F (325° F for dark or nonstick pan). Grease or spray bottom only of 12-inch pizza pan. Make brownies as directed. Spread in pan. Bake 20 to 26 minutes or until toothpick inserted 2 inches from side of pan comes out clean. Cool completely. In medium bowl, beat cream cheese, powdered sugar and vanilla with electric mixer on high speed until smooth and creamy. Fold in whipped topping; spread on brownie. Arrange berries over cream cheese mixture. Refrigerate 1 hour. Store covered in refrigerator. Yields 16 servings. Raspberry Ribbon Cookie – submitted by Naomi Holm 1 c. butter 1 (3 oz.) pkg. cream cheese 1 c. sugar 1 egg, beaten 1 tsp. vanilla THE RESTORATION TIMES July/August 2010
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Appointments continued from page 10
1 ½ c. flour 1 tsp. baking powder 1 c. raspberry preserves Blend butter and cheese; add flour and cream thoroughly. Blend in egg and vanilla. Add flour and baking powder, sifted together; mix well. Chill dough about 1 hour; then divide into 8 parts. Place on lightly floured pastry cloth and shape into 8 (9-inch) rolls. Flatten slightly and make a depression down the center of each. Place on ungreased cookie sheet and spread preserves in each depression. Bake at 375 degrees for 15 minutes or until lightly browned. Slice each strip into 8 bars. Stovetop Blackberry Dumplings – submitted by Debbie Reed Dumplings: 1 cup flour ¼ cup sugar 2 tsp. baking powder ½ tsp. salt ¾ cup cream or milk Combine and set aside Sauce: 4 cups blackberries 2/3 cup sugar 1 1/3 cups water 2 tsp. lemon juice ¼ tsp. ground nutmeg In a large saucepan, combine, bring to a boil, and reduce to medium heat Drop 1/8 of the dumpling batter into a different area of the blackberry sauce. Cover the pan with a lid and cook for 10-12 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat. Serve the dumplings with a generous portion of the blackberry sauce, warm or cold. Top with whipping cream or ice cream, if desired. 14
talking to? The only nation He ever made a covenant with—Israel. If He kept the Feasts, so should we. If He did not observe Christmas, Easter, and Halloween, neither should we. Follow the commandment you heard from the beginning. Base your faith in the same Scriptures Yahshua and the Apostles did—the Old Testament. They had no other to go by. They Kept the Feasts.
The Feasts represent the plan for man from the beginning, as we saw in Genesis. The plan involves us today as His people, and beyond this life into the Kingdom. When Yahweh says these are ordinances “forever,” that is just what He means. No fewer than four times in Levitics 23 Yahweh declares the Feasts a statute “forever.” Does forever mean until His Kingdom comes? No. More than even that. Isaiah 66 speaks of the Millennial Kingdom. We learn that when Yahshua sets up the Kingdom rule on this earth that everyone will come to keep Yahweh’s appointed times, verse 23. What if they refuse, as many do today? Zechariah 14:16-18 tells us that the rebellious who won’t go up to keep the Feast will get no rain. Even the Egyptians, who like Israel and everyone else will be commanded to obey. We recall that Yahshua promised to keep the Passover again with His disciples in the Kingdom, Matthew 26:29. Do you seek to be in that Kingdom?
Free Offer The Most Misunderstood Book of All Time The Bible is the most misread and misinterpreted Book ever written. Much of what you may think the Bible teaches is probably not even close to the truth. Carve away centuries of error and traditions and read the Bible with open eyes. To recieve your FREE copy write to the address on page 2, or read and request on our website:
THE RESTORATION TIMES July/August 2010
www.yrm.org/literature.htm
What about being blessed right now? Then follow His Word. Keep His laws. Attend His Feasts. Learn about Him. Mold your life into the pattern Yahshua taught us. Pay no attention what the world is doing or thinking. Resolve to obey Yahweh, the One who put you in your mother’s womb. If you can find Yahweh promising blessings by keeping the observances of the world, then by all means go for them! If not, why else would you want to keep these pointless, useless, ineffectual days? A fundamental purpose of Yahweh Feasts is to instruct. We see this happening in the kingdom in Ezek. 44:23-24. We learn important spiritual lessons by physical actions. Learning by doing. Hands on experience. That is why Yahweh expects our participation in His Feasts. Going there and observing them with others. No, there are no longer animal sacrifices. But that doesn’t mean the principle is dead and gone. We sacrifice of ourselves when we attend the Annual Feasts. We sacrifice of our time and resources to attend. We give up the world for as much as a week to be instructed by Yahweh’s Word. It is a sacrifice pleasing to Yahweh. Keeping only part of a Feast is like giving half a lamb on the altar of sacrifice. The command is to keep His entire Feast, not only half of it. As we see our culture sliding into the abyss, we know that Yahshua’s return is imminent. What will be your response to Him when He asks you, where were you when I looked for you at Passover, Unleavened Bread, Feast of Weeks, Trumpets, Atonement, Tabernacles? I gave these days to my chosen ones, I kept them myself as an example for you. But you thought they weren’t important. You made time for the world but not for me. So now I ask, what blessing is left for you? I wanted to give you a position in my Kingdom, to teach others. To show them how to obey me. But you would not obey me yourself. May that scene not be a part of your future. May you and yours say as Shaul, I must by all means keep this Feast. n
Letters Minister Discovers Truth of the New Moons
E-news Appreciated
“I really appreciate the weekly enews and the weekly Sabbath program. Despite being unable to be there physically, I rejoice with those who are there, praise Yahweh, and pray for each person newly immersed. Apart from the times that I recommit myself to Yahweh on my own, I find myself doing so again with renewed determination as that portion of the Sabbath service includes the newly immersed brethren. I am also especially grateful for the portion of the newsletter entitled Test Your Tutelage. I have been receiving the newsletter for a short period of time. However, I find myself seeking first to answer the questions on my own, then its time to go to my lifeline – Yahweh’s Word, to check the Scriptures on these points again. I have found that Test Your Tutelage is a wonderful way to bring to light to those things you may not or may have read, and forgot. Test Your Tutelage gives these facts the same newness that was there when you first read them. Thank you for including it.” – ML, IL [If you would like to be added to the weekly enews list, just request it. – ED]
“I was looking on the web today and ran into your site. It took my interest so I studied what you have posted on your site. Very good work and job well done. I am a pastor also who has been exposed to the truth about the New Moon at this time of my life. What are some of things that you do on that night, give me some examples so I will be able to teach others in our congregation how to conduct services that night that will bring honor to our Father in heaven, in the name of Yahshua Ha Mashiach. I would be grateful for all the help that you give in this process that I am undertaking now.” – Pastor A D H, email.
Wonderful Work
“I praise Almighty Yahweh for YRM ministry everyday. You guys go above and beyond to get the truth of Yahweh’s Word out to all that are interested! Yahweh Almighty is doing a wonderful work through YRM ministry. Once again Thank you and may Yahweh bless all that you do.” – DB, MI
A Long-distance Impression
“I’ve discovered your website only a few days ago and every time I visit you I’m more and more impressed. I have no doubt that you must be true Yahweh’s ministers. I’ve studied the Bible every single day for over 20 years (Jos.1;8 and Ps.1:1+). I only regret that you are so far away and I cannot participate in your worship. But what you’ve done so far is absolutely INCREDIBLE! Very professional. Are you planning to expand your ministry to other countries?” – AF, Australia
Tithe Issue Cleared
“I found my answer re tithing or was convicted of same from reading The Poor Widow’s Challenge pamphlet. I thank Yah for guiding me to that and thank YRM also for your works for Yah.” – JE, FL
Praise Yahweh
“How I love the teachings you send…” – VK, WI
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