Restoration Times Magazine September-December 2012

C O N T E N T S

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Magazine

VOL. 2 | No. 8 | September-December 2012

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A R T I C L E S

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4 | Overcoming the Storm

by Randy Folliard

8 | Yahweh’s Feasts - Make Your Appointment by the late Donald R. Mansager

11 | Why I Keep the Biblical Feasts

by Alan Mansager

16 | Walk of Truth

20 | Questions and Answers 22 | Discover the Truth TV Ad 23 | Letters

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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. © 2012 Yahweh’s Restoration Ministry

FRONT COVER: Ancient church with starry sky and Milky Way. istockphoto

Yahweh’s Restoration Ministry PO Box 463 Holts Summit, MO 65043 Telephone: 573-896-1000 www.yrm.org info@yrm.org

Come out of

Generic Worship

Is the One you worship personal to you, or is He no more than a common title?

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e live in a generic culture.

You can buy generic food, drugs, clothing, electronics, tools – almost anything lacking a recognized brand name.

Generics are cheaper because they are sometimes inferior. Come to think of it, the same applies to a generic deity. Most prefer a nameless being who is reduced to mass appeal. It is simpler and much easier if the one you honor expects no more involvement or effort than the bare minimum that most give to him.

The point is, Yahweh’s Name is His identity; it defines His character, which in turn reveals certain expectations about His worship. Replacing His Name with a label renders Him anonymous. It also puts any devotion He might expect into the realm of ambiguity. An unstructured, allis-acceptable approach to worship appeals to most people. They would rather not get too close to Him by honoring His personal Name lest it require changes in their lives.

Instead they are perfectly happy with a generic title that reflects their noncommittal way of worship.

Strangely, few have problems using the Savior’s name (Latinized-Greek though it is). Why isn’t the Son known exclusively by a title in the same way that “god” has replaced the Name of His Father? At least that would make everything consistent.

Calling a stranger “mister” or “sir” or even “hey you” is an expression of anonymity. It reveals unfamiliarity with the other person. Continued use of such terms is even worse, as it communicates little interest in wanting to know him better.

On the other hand, using a stranger’s name automatically puts you on a closer level. It pulls you into his sphere. You have stepped out of the nameless, faceless crowd and made a personal connection. You have value with that person when you make the

effort to learn and use his or her name. You He expected from them, as well as us. notice that the response you get is visibly Once you make a covenant to worship warmer and more immediate. the only true Creator Yahweh through Can it be any different with our Creator? baptism in His Name, you commit to Him Arguing that His Name isn’t necessary and your very life. You become part of His that He is just as happy with generic terms family. What’s more important than that? like L-rd and G-d reveals a woeful lack of Israel eventually neglected His Name understanding. And it also defies Scripture. and used other names and titles learned He doesn’t share worship with any other, from their heathen neighbors. In so doing which another title or name creates. He they implicitly identified with other deities. said in Isaiah 42:8: “I [am] Yahweh: that “You have forgotten My Name for Baal,” [is] my name: and my glory will I not give He told them in Jeremiah 23:27. He and to another, neither my praise to graven His Name are inseparable. You can’t images.” He can’t get any clearer about the worship Him using another name or with necessity of His people calling on His true common, generic titles and still expect to Name and not on titles of heathen deities. have closeness, not to mention blessings.

Titles are casual contact. But closeness The prophet wrote, “Pour out Your fury comes from calling on and using a personal upon the heathen that know You not, and name. Yahweh demands an intimate upon the families that call not on Your relationship from His people that doesn’t Name,” Jeremiah 10:25. come from common terms. Paul wrote, Calling on His revealed, personal Name “There be gods many and lords many, but brings you the worshiper and Yahweh to us there is but one Elohim the Father,” your Father together. Using His Name is 1Corinthians 8:5. essential for a personal relationship with Making the effort to know and call on Him. And He will respond accordingly.

His Name Yahweh instantly draws you into Yahweh’s Name is a sign between Him and His sphere. When He made the personal His people. covenant with His people Israel in Exodus The Master Potter repeatedly tells us 23:13, Yahweh commanded the Israelites how important His Name is to Him. Who from that point on to “make no mention of is the clay to say otherwise? other mighty ones, neither let it be heard out

by Alan Mansager of your mouth.” He knew the destructive effects of using other Request our NEW 24-page booklet names and titles. He demands exclusive “Your Father’s Name” worship from His people through His Find out why using Yahweh’s Name is key to proper worship for unique identity.

A special bond the sincere believer who wants to comes with calling on walk closer to his or her Heavenly His personal Name Father. as well as obeying Him. That was a key See back cover for ordering details. requirement of what Restoration Times Magazine September-December 2012

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Overcoming the Storm

Every year before the Feasts it seems that trials test our faith and endurance. It is important that we are equipped with the necessary means to overcome these trials and temptations when they come.

H

ave you ever felt completely overwhelmed with no hope in sight, like being lost in a storm without knowing where to turn? For many, life today is not easy; for some, it is devastating.

Most likely, we all know someone who is suffering – whether with finances, health, relationships or some other challenge.

As believers nothing pleases Satan more than to discourage us and pull us away from the faith. For this reason we must strive to hold on to the treasure that we’ve been given – to persevere no matter what the cost or sacrifice.

Suffering Servant One man who suffered and overcame it all was Job. In Job 17:6 we get a taste of what he went through: “He hath made me also a byword of the people; and aforetime I was as a tabret.

Mine eye also is dim by reason of sorrow, and all my members are as a shadow.

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Restoration Times Magazine September-December 2012

by Randy Folliard Upright men shall be astonied at this, and the innocent shall stir up himself against the hypocrite. The righteous also shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger.”

In the beginning this man had it all – health, wealth, and prosperity. As a way to prove Job’s faith, Yahweh allowed Satan to test him.

Job lost everything. He lost his wealth, health, and even his children. His own wife suggested that he just curse Yahweh and die. But through it all Job never failed His Creator; he never defied or disobeyed His Father in heaven. Not only did he not curse Yahweh, but he also held onto his own integrity and righteousness. Even in his utter agony was he able to see the benefit in living according to Yahweh’s truth.

Most anyone else in this situation would have given up long before; they would have cursed Yahweh and died.

What about us? Are we going to stay firm like Job or curse Yahweh and

die? Sadly, most will not follow Job’s example. Instead they will throw in the towel, acknowledging that the suffering is simply not worth the price of salvation. A select few, however, will follow this man’s example.

As Yahshua said, many are called, but few are chosen. Now what did Yahshua mean by this statement? Simply that many would be called to the faith, but that only a small percentage would overcome. Like Job, Yahweh is seeking the cream of the crop. To be found worthy of Yahweh’s Kingdom we must have the patience and strength of Job. Another lesson we learn is that Satan wants nothing more than to attack and discourage the faithful. They are the prize in Yahweh’s eyes. In the Job story the Adversary used every weapon in his arsenal, consuming and destroying all that Job had, hoping that in the end Job would turn away from Yahweh.

Satan’s tactics don’t change; he attacks each of us in the hope that we will forsake our Father in heaven. And believe me, Satan knows where and how to attack; he knows our weaknesses and does his very best to persuade us that Yahweh’s truth is simply not worth the struggle. Like Job, we must be strong enough to stand up to Satan and against all odds stand firm in our convictions.

Two Men with Conviction Two men who also stood against great trials and overcame were Caleb and Joshua.

Numbers 13 and 14 chronicle their faith. In these passages we read where Moses sent out the 12 men to spy out the land. When these chosen men got to the destination they realized that they were physically no match for the inhabitants. As a result, when they returned to Moses, nearly all gave a discouraging report.

In Numbers 13 they told Moses and the people that there was no use trying to defeat the people-the Amalekites, the Philistines, the Hittites and the other nations whom occupied the land. There were two of the 12, however, who spoke otherwise: Joshua and Caleb. These men were not afraid.

They had great faith.

Beginning in Numbers 14:1 we see how the people responded to the lack of faith of the 10 others: “And all the congregation lifted up their voice, and cried; and the people wept that night. And all the children

of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron: and the whole congregation said unto them, If only that we had died in the land of Egypt! or if only we had died in this wilderness! And wherefore hath Yahweh brought us unto this land, to fall by the sword, that our wives and our children should be a prey? were it not better for us

“Even though physically it seemed impossible, they understood that with Yahweh they would have the victory.” to return into Egypt? And they said one to another, Let us make a captain, and let us return into Egypt.”

Instead of faith, the people had fear and so they cried to Yahweh. This example illustrates one of Israel’s most significant problems: a lack of trust in their Father in heaven. In place of believing in Yahweh’s deliverance, the people succumbed to the very worst conclusion. They showed no faith in the One they worshiped. They believed that they were doomed with no hope of victory.

Before we criticize Israel, however, have we ever been guilty of this kind of doubt; have we wavered in faith when we should have stood in boldness? We probably all have occasions where we could have been stronger and showed greater faith.

In verse 6, we find two men who did just that, who were willing to stand on the side of their Father in heaven. They assured the people that if Yahweh was with them that nothing could defeat them.

“And Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, which were of them that searched the land, rent their clothes: And they spake unto all the company of the children of Israel, saying, The land, which we passed through to search it, is an exceeding good land. If Yahweh delight in us, then he will bring us into this land, and give it us; a land which floweth with milk and honey. Only rebel not ye against Yahweh, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defence is departed from them, and

Yahweh is with us: fear them not.”

In verse 9, they told the people again not to rebel against Yahweh and not to fear the occupants of the land. These two men understood that if Yahweh was behind the effort that it would succeed. They had no doubts, no reservations; they had complete faith in Yahweh. Even though physically it seemed impossible, they understood that with Yahweh they would have the victory.

When we come against our own Amalekites and Philistines we need to embrace the faith of Joshua and Caleb and understand that if Yahweh be for us that nothing can be against us. Howbeit, this doesn’t promise an easy road without trials or suffering, but does promise in the end that we will triumph through Almighty Yahweh.

Joshua’s Faith Rewarded In Joshua 1:5-8 we find Yahweh reinforcing this man’s faith and courage as he succeeded Moses in leadership of Israel: “There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them. Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.

This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.”

Moses is now dead and Joshua has been promoted to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land.

Notice what Yahweh tells Joshua. He said that as He was with Moses that He would also be with him and admonished him only to be strong and of good courage.

The word “strong” is from the Hebrew chazaq and is a primitive root meaning, “to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong, obstinate; to bind, restrain, or to conquer” (Strong’s Concordance). So from this word Joshua was to fasten his hope upon Yahweh’s deliverance and blessings.

In like manner the word “courage” comes from the Hebrew amats and is again a primitive root, meaning “to be alert, physically (on foot) or mentally (in courage)” (Strong’s Concordance). From this we find that Joshua had to be mentally ready for what lay ahead of him and Israel.

For many people, the battle is lost before it ever begins. The vast majority resign to failure even before a shot is fired. Yahweh was mentally and spiritually preparing Joshua for the battle that he would soon face. He knew the long road that lay ahead and the strength and courage that would be required if he was to succeed.

The same holds true for us. Like Joshua,

Request our booklet Yahweh’s Perfect Law for an in-depth look at the Law and the requirements of a true believer. To read, visit yrm.org/literature.htm To request, see back cover for details

Restoration Times Magazine September-December 2012

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we too have battles ahead of us. They will require the same strength and courage that Yahweh speaks about here.

For example, perhaps a loved one will oppose Yahweh’s Word or our attendance of His Feasts. Will we compromise for our loved one or will we follow our Father in heaven instead? From Scripture there is only one right answer and that is to follow

Yahweh. Any other answer is defeat.

This is what separates the spiritual adolescent from the adult; the adolescent will quit and abandon hope, but the mature will continue to stand firm and if necessary give all to the cause.

As Paul said, our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual wickedness in high places. In some ways, physical battles are easier than the spiritual battles we face as believers. With physical battles one can see the enemy coming. As with Job, however, we often are blindsided by the Adversary.

Job did not understand the reason for his trial; he only knew the pain he suffered.

In like manner, we don’t always know why certain things happen.

Yahweh Always in Control To understand why good people suffer, one would need to know the mind of Yahweh.

The only conclusion is that Yahweh has a

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Restoration Times Magazine September-December 2012

reason for all things, and that sometimes those reasons are not always manifest or known. Nonetheless, we must always stand on strength and faith!

As believers, it’s not our position to question what Yahweh allows or disallows, but to simply know that He’s in control, that He hears our prayers and that everything has a purpose. There were likely times that

Joshua asked, “Why, Yahweh?” and never received an answer. In these situations all we can do is to be strong and of good courage. If we do this we’ll be blessed and in the end be found worthy of the Kingdom’s Promised Land.

Another man who suffered and overcame against great odds was the Apostle Paul. In 2Corinthians 11:23 we read about his trials: “Are they ministers of Messiah? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness

and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the assemblies.”

Paul, the great evangelist, was subjected to imprisonment, beatings, stoning, shipwreck, and general persecution. He was hated and disliked by many, including his own. But through it all he never stopped; he never quit; he never relinquished his faith.

As believers it’s imperative that we follow in this example and never quit. No matter the sacrifice, we must never relinquish the Faith!

For those who believe that they may be exempt from such trials, in Acts 14:21 Paul promises otherwise: “…and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of Yahweh.”

Trials Are for a Reason From Paul we find that those who seek Yahweh’s Kingdom will need to suffer at times. The word “tribulation” comes from the Greek thlipsis and means “pressure.”

The Thayer’s Greek Lexicon offers two definitions for this word, (1) a pressing together and (2) metaphorically, oppression, affliction, tribulation, and distress.”

Understand that as believers it’s not IF we will suffer persecution or affliction, but when. This message is different from what we hear from most ministers today. Most are preaching health, wealth and prosperity now – even as Yahweh’s Word promises that we will suffer tribulation. Many have bought into this lie.

For those who have, it’s time to wake up and realize that the life of a believer is not about us, but about conforming to the will of our Father. When we do this we will suffer persecution. If we again desire His Kingdom, then we must be willing to sacrifice and overcome.

In 1Corinthians 15:58 Paul offers some additional words of encouragement: “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of Yahweh, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in Yahweh.”

This is often called the resurrection chapter. Within it, Paul describes the first resurrection. He talks about how we’ll be raised in power, glory, and strength; he talks about how we will go from corruptible to incorruptible; from mortal to immortal.

There’s a great prize awaiting those

found worthy. As Paul says again in verse 58, “...be you stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of Yahweh…”

This is how we overcome the storm. As believers, we must hold our ground no matter what the tribulation or persecution.

If we do, then we’ll be found worthy of the resurrection at Yahshua’s coming and all the sufferings that we’ve encountered will be a thing of the past.

What persecution will remain in Yahweh’s Kingdom? The answer is none.

If we are suffering physically, we’ll have new bodies, if we are suffering financially, we’ll have treasure and nourishment from Yahweh. In His Kingdom there will be no tribulation, no opposition, no trials, and no suffering. All we must do is to hold firm and follow the will of Yahweh to the end.

As Job did.

In Galatians 6:7, we find that we must live a certain way to receive the gift that Yahweh’s prepared for those who follow Him: “Be not deceived; Elohim is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”

There are some who foolishly believe that they can live a life of sin and still be found worthy of Yahweh’s Kingdom. The problem with this notion is that it clearly contradicts our Father’s Word. If a person sows to the flesh, Scripture undeniably confirms that he or she will reap corruption and death. Howbeit, if you sow to the Spirit, you shall receive everlasting life.

What does it mean here to sow to the

Spirit? It refers to the fruits of the Spirit, which are love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance. If we live by these values and faint not, as we find in verse 9, then we’ll receive Yahweh’s Kingdom and at that point all suffering will be only a distant memory.

“As believers, we must hold our ground no matter what the tribulation or persecution. ” So while the life of a believer is not easy, the prize that awaits us at the end is worth any persecution or tribulation we may suffer. It is important that we try to see the big picture, especially when we’re battling the storm. The life we live now will be only a speck in time compared to Yahweh’s promise of eternity. Our Father promises 70 years in this life, but in the life to come, He promises life without end.

This is the hope that should provide us with the courage and strength to weather the storm.

Refining of the Believer What many do not realize is that there’s a reason and purpose for trials. In James 1:2 we discover that reason. “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh

patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.”

Temptations and trials build character.

James says temptations lead to patience and patience to perfection. So we find that persecution is not without purpose or benefit.

James’ description is similar to physical exercise. To grow muscle, that muscle must be subject to opposition. Character is no different. Most often it’s our mistakes and trials that shape our person. Those who never have an opportunity to experience struggle often do not grow in character as someone who has suffered tribulation.

Opposition is not always bad. We should view it as an opportunity to test our moral fiber and move us one step closer to perfection.

James states, “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried he shall receive the crown of life, which Yahweh hath promised to them that love him” (James 1:12).

A prize awaits those who have suffered and endured the storm of life. James promises a crown of life.

So how do we overcome the storm? – we realize that this life is not the end and that no matter what struggles we may face that Yahweh is greater than them all.

Yahweh does not promise health, wealth and prosperity now, but does promise all such blessings in the life to come. What awaits us in the Kingdom far outweighs anything in this life. So let us not give up hope, but determine to endure and overcome those storms that await us.

Did You Know?

HALLELUYAH

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hen you say the word “halleluyah” you are praising Yahweh’s Name.

“Hallel” is Hebrew for praise and “Yah” is the short form of His Name Yahweh.

His Name is hard to miss. It is found 6,823 times in the Hebrew manuscripts from which the Old Testament Scriptures were translated.

Request the booklet, Your Father’s Name. (see back cover for details) Restoration Times Magazine September-December 2012

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Yahweh’s Feasts

Make Your Appoint The Feasts of Yahweh will not only help you walk closer to the Father but are a benefit to your overall faith and that of your family. These appointed times are essential to the spiritual endurance needed to stand in these latter days. by the late Donald R. Mansager

Y

ou might think of the seven annual Feasts as personal appointments we make with our Creator seven times a year ... because they are.

Yahweh specifically commanded Israel to keep seven Feasts to Him throughout the year. These seven Feasts were in addition to the weekly Sabbath. The purpose of the Feasts is to keep Yahweh always in the minds and hearts of His people.

Observing the Feasts also brought His people together as a family and helped unite them as a nation. In addition to the Feast of Tabernacles, there are two other convocations that are also known as “Pilgrim Feasts.” These are the Feast of Unleavened Bread and the Feast of Weeks.

We are expected to leave our homes and travel to attend these “appointed times” (SEC No. 4150, Heb.= moed, moedim [plural]). These three Feasts depict our journey through life as pilgrims and travelers seeking a better country, the City that Yahweh has prepared for us (Heb. 11: 16).

We aspire to the Kingdom of Yahweh, which will come to this earth. His Feasts help us understand that coming Kingdom and how it will be administered.

These three great Feasts were celebrated at the three times the fruits of the earth were gathered: the barley harvest at Unleavened Bread, wheat harvest at Pentecost, and the oil, honey, and grapes at Tabernacles.

The Feasts are reminders of Israel’s historic events. Passover in the first month of the year (March or April) memorializes the deliverance of Israel from Egyptian bondage. Fifty days later Pentecost marks

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the ratifying of the law (making a Covenant) at Sinai. Tabernacles on the fifteenth day of the seventh month commemorates Israel’s settlement in the Land of Promise.

Tabernacles Release and Joy At last Israel was home and finally at peace under King Solomon. After 40 years of wandering in the wilderness they now possessed the land. Tabernacles was a thankful and holy remembrance of past wanderings without a fixed dwelling.

At that time Israel took boughs of palm and willows of the brook and made temporary huts. They sat under these booths just as did Joshua upon settling the land: “And all the congregation of them that were come again out of the captivity made booths, and sat under the booths: for since the days of Joshua the son of Nun unto that day had not the children of Israel done so.

And there was very great gladness (Neh. 8:17).

During the time of Solomon (Heb. “king of peace”) Israel was at home and enjoyed peace and prosperity throughout the land. “And Judah and Israel dwelt safely, every man under his vine and under his fig tree, from Dan even to Beersheba, all the days of Solomon” (lKings 4:25).

Tabernacles and the Ark The last vestige of wilderness life ended when the Ark of the Covenant was taken from the portable tent and placed in the magnificent Temple of stone in the seventh month. The event was further celebrated by observing the Feast of Tabernacles on the fifteenth day of the month:

“Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel, and all the heads of the tribes, the chief of the fathers of the children of Israel, unto Jerusalem, to bring up the Ark of the Covenant of Yahweh out of the city of David, which [is] Zion. Wherefore all the men of Israel assembled themselves unto the king in the feast which was in the seventh month. And all the elders of Israel came; and the Levites took up the ark,” 2Chronicles 5:2-4.

After the Captivity Finally, on the 23rd of the seventh month, Solomon sent the great congregation away, glad in heart for the goodness Yahweh had showed to David, Solomon, and His people Israel. Home at last! The Ark of the Covenant was now situated in the security of its Temple home. A wonderful event to associate with the Feast of Tabernacles.

Take note, it was at the beginning of the seventh month after their return from Babylonian captivity that the Jews gathered under Ezra and Nehemiah. Nehemiah 8:2-3 says: “And Ezra the priest brought the law before the congregation both of men and women, and all that could hear with understanding, upon the first day of the seventh month. And he read therein before the street that was before the water gate from the morning until midday, before the men and the women, and those that could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive unto the book of the law.”

The returned captives were gathered in Jerusalem the second day of the seventh month to listen to Ezra the priest read from the book of the law. In it they learned that

ment there was a convocation to be observed on the fifteenth of this seventh month: “And they found written in the law which Yahweh had commanded by Moses, that the children of Israel should dwell in booths in the feast of the seventh month: And that they should publish and proclaim in all their cities, and in Jerusalem, saying, Go forth unto the mount, and fetch olive branches, and pine branches, and myrtle branches, and palm branches, and branches of thick trees, to make booths, as it is written.

“Also day by day, from the first day unto the last day, he read in the book of the law of Elohim. And they kept the feast seven days; and on the eighth day [was] a solemn assembly, according unto the manner” (Neh. 8:14-18).

Just as the returning captives were unaware of the Feast of Tabernacles, many today are ignorant of Yahweh’s Feast of Tabernacles. As soon as the Jews learned that they were expected to keep the Feast, they proclaimed the coming Feast and urged those in all their cities to prepare for the full eight days of the Feast. , Spiritual Meaning of Feasts The Passover points to Yahshua as the true Passover Lamb Who was sacrificed for the sins of the world. Because we believe in the atoning work of His sacrifice, we are to keep the Feast of Unleavened Bread: “Purge out therefore the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, as you are unleavened. For even Messiah our Passover is sacrificed for us: Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened Restoration Times Magazine September-December 2012

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[bread] of sincerity and truth” (1 Cor. 5:78).

Pentecost (Feast of Weeks) is a memorial of the giving of the Law at Sinai, and the descent of the Holy Spirit to enable us to keep the Law. Having the Law written on our hearts is more effectual than having it written on stone. His law within us guides us day by day and we make His law come alive as we obey and follow it day by day: “[Forasmuch as you are] manifestly declared to be the epistle of Messiah ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living Elohim; not in tables of stone, but in the fleshly tables of the heart,” (2Cor. 3:3).

The day of Trumpets is announced by the thin crescent moon just after sunset, which ends the sixth and begins the seventh month, in our September or October. It is the beginning of the civil year in Judaism.

However, the month of Abib in the spring is Yahweh’s beginning of His religious year, usually March-April.

The day of Trumpets calls our attention to the beginning of Yahweh’s seventh month. The sounding of the trumpet traditionally warned of an alarm, war or danger such as we find in Zephaniah. “A day of the trumpet and alarm against the fenced cities, and against the high towers” (Zeph. 1: 16).

Trumpets is to prepare us for the return of the Messiah and His setting up the Kingdom. We keep our mind on heavenly things, being alert to signs of His return.

Ten days after the day of Trumpets comes the day of Atonement. It is known in the Rabbinical writings as the “holiest day of the year.” From the day of Trumpets to Atonement is a time of deep introspection and self-appraisal.

It was the time when the High Priest emerged from the Holy of Holies to the shouts of joy of the people, knowing their sacrifice was acceptable. Atonement marks the day our High Priest Yahshua comes out from the heavenly Holy of Holies to assure us His atoning sacrifice for our sins was acceptable to the Heavenly Father.

[is] in the tabernacles of the righteous: the right hand of Yahweh does valiantly” (Psalm 118:15). The Jews of the captivity had not kept Tabernacles in their exile, but were now excited over the command to observe it. “And all the congregation of them that were come again out of the captivity made booths, and sat under the booths: for since the days of [Yahshua] the son of Nun unto that day had not the children of Israel done so. And there was very great gladness” (Neh. 8: 17).

Calling Out in the Latter Days Those Yahweh is calling out of this world to keep His Feast of Tabernacles and the Feasts of the seventh month should make every effort to do so. If Yahweh’s Spirit has sparked an interest in your heart to start keeping His Feasts, do not quench that desire. The entire family is expected to keep the Feasts together.

The Bible also speaks of a second tithe that we set aside throughout the year so that we have the means to keep the Feasts.

A Deeply Moving Time Those who attend the Feast of Tabernacles will always remember their first time.

Some newcomers arrive at the Feast site somewhat circumspect, not fully knowing what to expect. But soon the experienced Feastgoers help their new neighbors get settled and ready for the eight wonderful days of fellowship and Bible studies.

Friendships come easy as the brethren realize they are united in purpose and goals, as Israel was.

Having once attended a Feast, one looks with great anticipation to the next one. It soon becomes a family reunion as spiritual brothers and sisters who share the faith gather as Yahweh’s children to worship Him and study His Word.

The word feast is from the Hebrew moed [mowed] meaning appointment, a fixed time or season, specifically a festival.

The sense or meaning is that these special times have been ordained by Yahweh and set aside for His worship.

Another word translated feast is chag (SEC No. 2282), meaning a festival and is from chagag (SEC No. 2287), a prime root meaning to move in a circle. It is translated celebrate, dance, keep or hold a (solemn) feast, holiday. Chag has the sense of a joyful time.

We are reminded as we attend these annual festivals of Yahweh’s admonition, “You shall rejoice!” Notice: “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 thy Elohim hath chosen to place his name there” (Deut.

16:11).

We are to come to the Feasts with great expectations and with the intent and attitude that above all we are going to enjoy Yahweh’s special times. We look forward to the good things of this life, yet with a greater anticipation of better things and joy to come.

“Having the law written on our hearts is more effectual than having it written on stone.”

You Shall Rejoice There is much rejoicing at the Feast of Tabernacles, which starts on the 15th of the seventh month, with the celebration ending with the Last Great Day on the 22nd.

“The voice of rejoicing and salvation

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This second tithe is to assure Yahweh’s people that if they are diligent and set this amount aside, they can enjoy the Feasts to the fullest. It is retained by the individual at home and is often called “the Festival Tithe.” The entire family is to enjoy the Feasts.

“You may not eat within your gates the tithe of your corn, or of your wine, or of your oil, or the firstlings of your herds or of your flock, nor any of your vows which you vow, nor your freewill offerings, or heave offering of your hand: But you must eat them before Yahweh your Elohim in the place which Yahweh your Elohim shall choose, you, and your son, and your daughter, and your manservant, and your maidservant, and the Levite that [is] within your gates: and you shall rejoice before Yahweh your Elohim in all that you put your hands unto“ (Deut. 12:17-19).

Of the three annual Sabbath celebrations known as “Pilgrim Feasts,” the Feast of Tabernacles still awaits complete spiritual fulfillment.

Join Us The Feasts of Yahweh are primarily centered on learning more of Him. Fellowship one with another is an added benefit. The Feasts are an appointment we make with Yahweh

to meet before Him in brotherly fellowship and worship. He has told us in His Word the special times we are to meet during the year, beginning with the Passover and Days of Unleavened Bread.

We are to meet in the place where His Name is placed. Yahweh is the One Who reveals His Name to His people and places it in the hearts and minds of His people.

We are to gather in convocation as a body to worship Him and fellowship with the brethren. We must not remain home and worship in our backyard. We are expected to make every effort to join with others and observe all the days of the Feast.

We are commanded to come out and keep a Feast, just as Israel had to leave Egypt to keep a Feast to Yahweh “in the wilderness,” Exodus 5: 1.

If Yahweh’s Spirit has sparked an interest in your heart to start keeping His Feasts, do not quench that desire.

We Seek Another Kingdom We are thankful that Yahweh has shown us His personal Name that we may call upon Him as our Father. He has shown us His Sabbaths that we might be sanctified (set apart) and that we might know Him through His Sabbaths:

“Moreover also I gave them My Sabbaths, to be a sign between Me and them, that they might know that I [am] Yahweh that sanctify them” (Eze. 20: 12).

All people of good will are invited to join us in observing his Feasts as a witness to the world that we are but sojourners on this earth, seeking the coming Kingdom of Yahweh.

Elder Donald Mansager committed his life to serving Yahweh in the ministry. He fell asleep in the Messiah on July 14 and now awaits the resurrection.

Why I Keep the

Biblical Feasts

Does it make any sense that Yahweh would command the Feasts of the Bible ‘forever’ and then eliminate them today in the New Covenant? Here are solid and substantiated reasons why the Feasts are still for us today – in 2012. by Alan Mansager

“

W

hy do you teach the Old Testament Feasts?” the caller asked after watching an episode of Discover the Truth. “Weren’t they done away, along with the rest of the laws like sacrifices and other rituals?” His question reflected a common misconception.

Many have the notion that what is in the Old Testament is old and dead and to be avoided now. This common mistake completely loses sight of the Covenant Yahweh makes with us as He did with Israel of old.

The only way Yahweh deals with us is through His covenant, whether we lived in the time of Moses or the time of Paul.

That is why the New Testament should more properly be called the New (or renewed) Covenant. When you hold your Bible you are actually holding a covenant that Yahweh makes with you. It’s an agreement that He will bless you if you follow His instructions. This covenant begins with His terms of obedience and ends with salvation for those who prove faithful.

It is absolutely

regrettable that our own English translation gets in the way of so much Bible Truth.

When you read the Scriptures in the original language a lot of fog melts away, and so do many false beliefs.

The Old Testament’s promises and expectations are a part of the overall plan of Yahweh, as are those of the New. There are not two different and separate sacred requirements: one for Jews and the other for us. Neither is there more than one route to salvation. John tells us, “ ...Scripture cannot be broken” (10:35).

Paul said in Ephesians 4:5, “There is one body, and one Spirit, even as you are called in one hope of your calling; One Master, one faith, one baptism.” The true faith is not a smorgasbord. You don’t pick and choose only what you like. You do it only Yahweh’s way – all the way.

The Feasts are Yahweh’s own celebrations. They are the annual holidays you find on HIS wall calendar. And they are not just for the Old Testament people.

That’s an age-old falsehood whose time is ending as more and more believers come to understand the critical nature of His days.

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We and others are bringing back the Truth of the only authorized yearly observances in the Bible.

Here are some common fallacies surrounding the Feast days: •

Misconception No. 1: The Feasts were only for ancient Israel and are Jewish.

•

Misconception No. 2: The Feasts are part of the old, dead ritualistic law.

•

Misconception No. 3: The Feasts were nailed to the torture stake along with all the other laws Yahshua abolished.

Let’s look at each of these myths one at a time.

Was Sinai the Beginning?

Nearly two months before the First (Old) Covenant was ratified and before he scaled Mount Sinai to receive the codified law from Yahweh, Moses was instructed about Passover and the first Feast, Unleavened Bread.

Yahweh told Him, “And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and you shall keep [it] a feast to Yahweh throughout your generations; you shall keep it a feast by an ordinance forever” (Ex. 12:14).

We learn first of all that it is a Feast “to Yahweh.” Later in Leviticus, a book that details each of the seven annual Feast observances, Yahweh commands Moses, “Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, ‘Concerning the feasts of Yahweh, which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations, even these are my feasts’” (Lev. 23:2).

He leaves no doubt as to who owns these observances. They are Yahweh’s, not Israel’s and not “Jewish” Feasts. Lest we wonder just how many Feasts belong to Yahweh, He details all seven for us in Leviticus 23:5-43.

But note how He prefaces the Feasts He is about to list (verse 4): “These are the feasts of Yahweh, even holy convocations, which you shall proclaim in their seasons” (Lev. 23:4).

You can’t select a few Old Testament teachings that appeal to you and ignore the rest. It comes as a package deal. The Old Testament forms the very structural foundation holding up the New Testament.

The Old Testament was the Savior’s teaching text. It was all He had at the time. The same for all the apostles. Yahshua quoted or

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referred to the Old Testament 243 times in His ministry. Why was He quoting from a “dead” book? That fact that He taught from the Old Testament should tell it all.

All the Feasts belong to Yahweh. At the end of the chapter, after Yahweh finished detailing each of the seven observances, we read, “And Moses declared unto the children of Israel the feasts of Yahweh” (Lev. 23:44).

It didn’t matter whether you were an Israelite or a stranger, you were required to observe these days. Notice what it says about the first of the Feasts, Unleavened Bread: “Seven days shall there be no leaven found in your houses: for whosoever eats that which is leavened, even that soul shall be cut off from the congregation of Israel, whether he be a stranger, or born in the land” (Ex. 12:19).

These special annual times belong to Yahweh and are given to those who seek to know Him and take hold of His promise— no matter who they are. No matter when they live.

Various Laws, Different Purposes The mistaken assumption of many is in thinking that all law in the Bible is the same.

Far from it. In fact we find five different kinds of law in the Scriptures: •

Spiritual law

•

Commercial-civil law

•

Ceremonial-ritual law

•

Judicial-criminal law

•

Natural law

The Feasts fall into the category of spiritual law, just as the Ten Commandments (which also are judicial). They reveal the unique spiritual nature and character of Yahweh and they transform us in heart and mind to be more like Yahshua when we observe them. The suspension of animal sacrifices in the New Covenant doesn’t affect the Feasts at all, because they are not in the same category of law.

The change in the law that many like to cite entails the ceremonial-ritual law. These laws fall under the administrative aspect that you see in the temple ritual. It includes all the rigamarole that the Levitical priests had to go through. Hebrews clarifies it in chapter 9 verses 9-12:

“Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience; Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation. But Messiah being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.”

These ritualistic ordinances had been added to the law obligation because of Israel’s continued transgressions (Gal. 3:19). It was imperative that Israel learn the important lesson that sin is serious business that separates us from Yahweh and requires a blood sacrifice to bring us back again.

Yahshua’s blood and not the blood of bulls and goats is the only effective antidote for our sin.

This is the change in the law that the Bible speaks of. We find nothing here or anywhere else in Scripture about a change in our responsibility to keep the spiritual law – including the Ten Commandments and the Feast days. That is because the Commandments and the Feasts are not part of the ceremonial-ritual law that was affected by Yahshua’s sacrifice and His new Melchizekdek priesthood.

Nailing Down What Was Nailed Up “But doesn’t Colossians 2:14 say that all of Yahweh’s laws, including the Feasts, were nailed to the stake when Yahshua died?” some ask. Let’s understand.

We read in Colossians 2:14, “Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to the tree.” Here we find that the ordinances that were nailed to the tree were “against us.”

Is Yahweh’ s law against us? Did not Paul write, “Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and GOOD” (Rom. 7:12)?

If the law is against us, why does lJohn 5:3 say, “For this is the love of Yahweh that we keep His commandments”? Do you want Yahweh’s love and favor? Then obey Him. In Colossians 2:14 the “ordinances” that Paul mentions are dogma and mean manmade rules that the Jews added to the law.

These added rituals are mentioned a few verses later: “(Touch not; taste not; handle not; Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men” (Col. 2:21-22). An example of these man-made tenets in operation is Mark 7:5, where the Pharisees accused Yahshua of breaking their traditional ordinances: “Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not your disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashenhands?”

Feasts Now and Forever Had Yahshua or Paul told us that under the New Covenant we don’t need to observe the seven annual Feasts, then we would be like the rest of the world and not bother with them. The reality is, no one in the New Testament said such a thing. In fact, we can find many passages in the New Testament where people intended to keep them, were keeping them, and would keep them in the coming Kingdom. And these included Yahshua Himself! Here are a few: *“And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast” (the Savior’s parents are in the act of keeping Passover and Unleavened Bread in Luke 2:42). *“And he said, Go into the city to such a man, and say unto him, The Master saith, My time is at hand; I will keep the passover at thy house with my disciples. And the disciples did as Yahshua had appointed them; and they made ready the Passover” (Yahshua keeping the Passover in Matthew 26:18-19). *“Now the first day of the feast of unleavened bread the disciples came to Yahshua, saying unto him, Where will you that we prepare for you to eat the passover?”

(Yahshua and disciples prepare for the Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread, Matthew 26: 17). *“Now the Jews’ feast of tabernacles was at hand. But when his brethren were gone up, then went he also up unto the feast, not openly, but as it were in secret. Now about the midst of the feast Yahshua went up into the temple, and taught” (shows Yahshua keeping this fall Feast, John 7:2,10, 14). *“And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast” (non-Jews observed Passover in John 12:20). *“But bade them farewell, saying, I must by all means keep this feast that comes in

Jerusalem: but I will return again unto you, if Yahweh will. And he sailed from Ephesus” (Paul in Acts 18:21, speaking after the Savior’s resurrection about his intentions to observe the Feast of Tabernacles). *“Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth” (Paul telling us to observe the Feast of Unleavened Bread). *“But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom” (our Savior’s statement promising to observe Passover in the Kingdom with the faithful, Matthew 26:29).

Considering Yahweh’s many commands to keep His Feasts, and Yahshua and prominent participants doing just that, what hinders us to fulfill righteousness as well?

The Feasts Separate In His instructions to Moses and Israel detailing the Passover and Feast that follows, Yahweh made it crystal clear that this was not a one-time command. Nor was it just for Israel at that time.

Yahweh thundered, “And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and you shall keep it a feast to Yahweh throughout your

“When Yahweh’s Kingdom comes to earth everyone will come to keep Yahweh’s appointed times” generations; you shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever” (Ex. 12:14).

No fewer than four times in Leviticus 23 – after mentioning the various Feasts – Yahweh declares the Feasts “a statute forever.”

When Yahweh’s Kingdom comes to earth everyone will come to keep Yahweh’s appointed times: “And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, says Yahweh.”

(Isaiah 66:23) And what if they refuse or ignore them, as many do today?

“And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, Yahweh of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles.

And it shall be, that whoso will not come up of all the families of the earth unto Jerusalem to worship the King, Yahweh of hosts, even upon them shall be no rain. And if the family of Egypt go not up, and come not, that have no rain; there shall be the plague, wherewith Yahweh will smite the heathen that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles” (Zech. 14:16-18).

We’ve already read where Yahshua promised to keep Passover in the Kingdom with His disciples (Matthew 26:29, Mark 14:25, Luke 22:18, 30). Does it make any sense that Yahweh would command these Feasts forever, and enforce them in the future Millennial Kingdom on pain of plague, and not have them binding today? Of course not!

His Feasts were just as much a part of His law as the Ten Commandments.

Turn to Ezekiel 20:10-12. (Here in this chapter Yahweh describes a rebellious Israel to whom He tried to be an intimately personal Heavenly Father): “Wherefore I caused them to go forth out of the land of Egypt, and brought them into the wilderness. And I gave them my statutes, and shewed them my judgments, which if a man do, he shall even live in them. Moreover also I gave them my sabbaths, to be a sign between me and them, that they might know that I am Yahweh that sanctify them.”

How do the Sabbaths reveal that He is Yahweh that sanctifies us? Sanctify means to set apart. By keeping His Sabbaths we are set apart. How? *You take off from work or school, when others do not. *You stop working and cease from doing business, when others do not. *You use the day in worship, when others do not.

Therefore, you are different. You are set apart by His sanctified observances.

The Sabbaths (plural) include not just the weekly Sabbath, but also all the Sabbaths contained in His Feasts. Sabbaths is a substitute term for Feasts in the Scriptures, the moedim. Implicit in that Hebrew word is assemblies. These are appointed times for assemblies, when we are to come together.

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set apart. Who says? Yahweh Himself does.

This explanation was given by the inspired prophet Ezekiel.

Nothing Has Changed Question: We in the New Covenant desire to know Him, too. Therefore, the New Testament believer might ask, since He is known by certain Sabbaths and because He sets apart people by Sabbaths, which “Sabbaths” did Yahweh or Yahshua give to us to replace those He gave to Israel?

Answer: None.

The same Sabbaths are found in the New Testament. Nowhere in the New Testament do we find any other Sabbaths or Feasts given to those converted under the New Covenant system. Nowhere do we find that the Passover or Feast of Unleavened Bread have been replaced by something else. The same goes for Pentecost (which we find the Apostles specifically observing in Acts 2); nothing to take the place of the Feast of Trumpets, Day of Atonement or Feast of Tabernacles.

Nowhere, from Matthew 1 through Revelation 22, do we find that the Holy Days that Israel was commanded to keep have been changed to, or replaced by, other holidays. Not Easter, not Valentine’s Day, not Halloween, Thanksgiving or Christmas.

Nowhere do we find the Apostles, who followed Yahshua every day, keeping anything but the seven annual Feasts He kept. In fact, over and over we find them, as well as Yahshua Himself, still keeping Yahweh’s seven annual Feasts. Under the New Covenant!

So what has changed? As far as the Feasts go, nothing.

Paul in Galatians 6:16 calls the New Covenant Assembly “the Israel of Yahweh.”

In 1Corinthians 10 he says that Israel’s experiences are lessons and examples for us. (Read 10:1-11 and see how Israel is no different from us, and we are no different from Israel in the worship of Yahweh through His Son).

Mal. 6:3 tells us Yahweh doesn’t change.

So why would He give different observances today from what He gave to Israel?

We are spiritual Israelites, not some radical new movement called the church with its own worship distinct from what was begun with Israel.

Yahweh made a covenant with Abraham with promises that his seed would cover the earth like sand of the sea. In His parable

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of Luke 13, Yahshua said there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and all the prophets, in the Kingdom and you yourself thrust out.

Paul wrote that those who are of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham, Galatians 3:9.

Clearly, then, what Abraham and the Old Testament patriarchs were all about, we also are a part of.

Exodus 19:5-6 tells us that in order to be considered one of His people, one is expected to keep Yahweh’s covenant. Doing so will make you very special to Yahweh and open the way for a special position in the coming Kingdom.

What all of this means is that if you want to be of a priestly tribe in the coming Kingdom, keep the covenant. The physical priesthood simply represented a more important and future spiritual priesthood.

The Ark of the Covenant that Moses was commanded to make is only a replica of a spiritual one in the heavens, according to Rev. 11:19. Is that old covenant dead and buried? Not according to this passage or 15:5. (Even the tabernacle was a replica.)

So when Yahweh gave Israel a Covenant that included seven annual Feast days, something very special was happening. These Feasts will even be a part of the coming Kingdom. And all who are part of expanded Israel will be observing them.

For the sake of record, the Feast days are found in mainly Exodus chapters 12 and 23 and Leviticus 23.

Exodus 12 is about Israel’s observing of the Passover and Feast of unleavened Bread—the Passover in Egypt and the Feast in the wilderness after leaving Goshen. This was all before the law was given on Sinai.

Israel could not have the Feast in Goshen where they were living. Yahweh specifically said that they were to “come out” and keep a Feast in the wilderness. That was the main reason Moses went to Pharaoh when he told him, “Let my people go, that they may hold a feast unto me in the wilderness,” Exodus 5:1.

What we see here is the beginning

of redemption through the moedim or appointed seasons of Yahweh. It was for the expressed purpose of holding a Feast that Israel was to be released from the captivity of sin in Egypt. It is the Feasts that bring us out of this world of sin and draw us close to Yahweh. That is the all-important lesson. It’s a pivotal activity in Yahweh’s dealing with His people.

The Feasts and Sabbaths present to Yahweh’s people an outline of His entire plan and purpose for the whole earth. That is

how necessary they are. And that is why the evil one has done his best down through the millennia to create counterfeit observances such as the world revels in today. Not only to keep people from observing the Biblical Feasts, but also to make them think they are pleasing Yahweh when they are not.

The one on December 25 comes readily to mind, as well as the Passover counterfeit named after the pagan goddess Ishtar. Man contends that these holidays memorialize the Savior. Yahweh never says a word about them.

Instead we must look to the Feasts given in the Scriptures.

These are MY Feasts, Yahweh

Request our booklet The Amazing Biblical Feasts for an in-depth look at the importance and blessings of Yahweh’s Feast days To read, visit yrm.org/literature.htm To request, see back cover for details

thunders. And almost everyone but the faithful ignores them.

And therein lay the promises as well.

Deuteronomy 5:33 reads, “You shall walk in all the ways which Yahweh your Elohim has commanded you, that you may live, and that it may be well with you, and that you may prolong your days in the land which you shall possess.” And nearly everyone still ignores them mostly through ignorance because of what they have been taught.

Whatever Yahweh says to do, human

There was Pentecost big and bold right there looking out at us in Acts 2. And we ignored it.

These are MY Feasts, Yahweh said.

And we looked the other way. We kept the worldly days instead.

The seven annual Moedim are appointed times of Yahweh. They foreshadow future events. In Colossians 2:16-17 Paul tells us that we should not let unconverted outsiders convince us or judge us by the keeping of these days.

beings ignore; what He says don’t do that’s what man does.

When I was a churchgoer, I remember hearing about Pentecost in Acts 2, and I often wondered why we didn’t observe this day.

It was claimed that the New Testament “church” began at this observance. So why didn’t we do something on this day? We were always reminded about “Whitsuntide” and “Epiphany and Lent and Good Friday and Easter. But these were not in the Bible. And yet the seven annual Feasts were scattered throughout Scripture. As a teen going to church I wondered why we ignored the holidays of Scripture.

Feasts Show Redemption Here is a synopsis of the seven annual Feasts: Passover—when the lamb was slain, the death angel came over and the firstborn of Egypt died.

Yahshua became the Passover Lamb in the New Covenant.

Feast of Unleavened Bread – when Israel left Egypt, and when we remove from our lives sin, hypocrisy, wickedness, malice and false teachings that lead to sin (Luke 12:1; Matt. 16:12; 1Cor. 5:8).

Pentecost (Feast of Weeks or Firstfruits) – when the law was given at Sinai and the firstfruits were offered to Yahweh, and when Yahweh’s Spirit was given in Acts 2 to the firstfruits of many more brethren to come as the Assembly began to grow.

The last four moedim await a future fulfillment : Feast of Trumpets – (Yom Teruah), “Day of the Awakening Blast,” heralding Yahshua’s return.

Day of Atonement – (Yom Kippur), depicting the covering of our sins

by Yahshua. (Kippureth was the mercy seat over the Ark in the Tabernacle.)

Feast of Tabernacles – (Succoth or booths), when Israel dwelt in tents in the wilderness and when the harvest of souls takes place at the return of Yahshua. Also called Feast of Ingathering.

Last Great Day – Depicts the Great White Throne Judgment.

Israel kept these Feasts throughout the Old Testament. In the early New Testament Assembly all believers observed the Sabbaths of Yahweh – both weekly and annual and would have never considered changing anything.

Today, relatively few keep the Sabbath and fewer still keep the annual Feasts. Most people are not even aware of them because they don’t read the Bible and they aren’t taught anything beyond love.

“They’re Jewish,” people say. Wait… their Savior was Jewish.

But are they Jewish? Let’s see what the Scriptures say about that: in Leviticus 23:2 and Exodus 23:14 Yahweh commands us to keep a Feast “unto Me…” He did not say keep a Feast for Judah or keep the Feasts because you are Jews. He says they are MY Feasts.

Yahweh asks, “Who am I? Find out by keeping My Feasts. True Worship means keeping My Feasts.” Yahweh never commanded anything but the weekly Sabbath and annual Feasts as special days for His people to keep.

Pathway to the Kingdom The blood of the Lamb is applied to our temporary dwellings, these physical bodies.

That is justification. We give up our slavery to sin as Israel left the slavery of Egypt. Once that happens, we put out all that offends in our lives. That is sanctification or the setting apart of our lives for Yahweh, depicted by the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Along with that we learn of His laws, as given at the next Feast, Pentecost or Feast of Weeks, when the Law was given at Sinai and the Spirit in Acts 2.

Between Pentecost and Trumpets is a lengthy time when the spirit grows within us and we mature in truth, knowledge, and righteousness. We the bride prepare our hearts for the Messiah the husband.

The Feast of Trumpets then heralds the return of Yahshua to redeem us at the last trump, 1Corinthians 15:52.

Redemption comes at Atonement, which some call glorification, when the dead and living are changed and we become at one with Yahweh. It is Atonement that deals with the question of how sin impacts salvation and what needs to be done to be free of it.

Finally, the Kingdom comes to earth, with Yahshua the reigning Monarch and His chosen serving in His priesthood. This is the lesson of Tabernacles and the Last Great Day. Is it any wonder that Paul proclaimed in 1Corinthians 5:8 , “Let us keep the Feast”?

The Feasts are the key to understanding salvation and the part His people will have in a Kingdom without end.

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Walk of TRUTH Ask why many refuse to get involved in organized worship and the responses you get will vary. Yet, the Apostle Paul said the assembly is the pillar and ground of the truth, and the Savior said the true Body would always exist on earth. Why was organized worship established? Is meeting with the true Assembly important?

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ust why millions of Americans refuse to get involved with organized religion was brought to light by religion writer Russel Hale. He listed the following as typical reasons: • The Anti-institutionalists—those who see the church as primarily interested in its own self-preservation, meddling in secular affairs, and showing undue concern for finances or property. “I don’t have to attend church to be a Christian, it is between G-d and me.”

• The Boxed-in—those who feel the church stifles their independence. “I make my own decisions.”

• The Burned out—those who say the church wanted too much of their time and too much money. “All they want is me to work and give.”

• The Cop-outs—those who are apathetic, uninformed, and indifferent. “Why all the fuss about attending and joining?”

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• The Happy Hedonists—those who find fulfillment in a succession of momentary pleasures. “I come first.”

• The Locked Out—those who feel rejected, neglected or discriminated against by religious institutions. “What have they ever done for me?”

• The Publicans—those who view church people as hypocrites and frauds leading double lives; pious in church, outside like everyone else.

• The Scandalized—those who are disgusted with the church’s disunity and denominational rivalry, backbiting one another.

• While other classifications might come to mind, author Hale undoubtedly touched upon some attitudes you have seen over the years, or even have felt yourself. Anyone can find an excuse for avoiding religious involvement.

• Going it alone, however, is not Yahweh’s way or His desire. The Bible warns, “Let us

not give up meeting together as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching,” Hebrews 10:25, NIV. Even ancient Israel was commanded to meet in “holy convocation,” Leviticus 23:3.

Collective Worship by Design Israel had the Temple and priesthood to guide and keep them in the way of righteousness.

The laws of offerings, sacrifices, and washings were a part of that system. Today our offerings and sacrifices are the praise of our lips, Hebrews 13:15. The sacrifice of our bodily presence each Sabbath is what we bring to Him as obedient and living examples of faith, Romans 12: 1.

Today our worship takes on a deeper, spiritual aspect as we are guided by Yahweh’s Holy Spirit. And it still requires interaction with others.

To help the saints overcome the world, our flesh, and the Adversary, Paul tells us that when Yahshua ascended to the Heavenly Father, that the Holy Spirit was poured out and He gave gifts to mankind, Ephesians 4:8.

These gifts were the abiding of the Holy Spirit within, empowering qualified men, chosen by Yahweh, to become the guides and leaders of the assembly.

Paul explains, “It was He who gave some to be Apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare Yahweh’s people for works of service, so that the body of Messiah may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of Elohim and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Messiah,” Ephesians 4: 11-13, NIV. Since the destruction of the Temple in 70 C.E., the followers of the Bible no longer have a central place to worship. Instead, Yahweh sent His Spirit to this earth at Pentecost.. His Holy Spirit does not dwell within the Holy of Holies in a Temple at Jerusalem. Rather, it indwells repentant believers.

This is the promise Yahshua gave to the Apostles and to us in John 14:16-17. The Holy Spirit is to be with us forever (v.

16) and dwells with those who are called (v. 17). The Spirit is implanted within the believer who answers Yahweh’s call and is baptized into Yahshua’s Name, Acts 2:38. Those called and chosen are expected to be faithful unto the end, Revelation 2: 10.

Paul put it this way, “Know you not that you are the temple of Elohim and that the Spirit of Elohim dwells in you?” 1Corinthians 3:16. Paul adds that the body of Messiah is “built upon the foundation of the Apostles and prophets, Yahshua the Messiah Himself being the chief cornerstone, in Whom all the building fitly framed together grows unto an holy temple in Yahshua: in Whom you also are builded together for an habitation of Elohim through the Spirit,” Ephesians 2:20-22.

The Temple Is People Paul reveals that the assembly of gathered believers is now the spiritual temple wherein Yahweh’s Spirit dwells.

“But each man has his own gift from Elohim; one has this gift, another has that,” 1Corinthians 7:7, NIV. That is to say, each member of the Body of Messiah is given a

special gift to complement and function as part of that body. “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same spirit,” 1 Corinthians 12:4.

We learn that we have all been immersed by the Holy Spirit into one body no matter our nationality, origin, sex, or where we reside, 1Corinthians 12:13. Yahweh has given each believer a function to perform in the Body of Messiah, verses 18-27.

“Whenever reference is made to the Body of Messiah or the Assembly it is always as a unified and cooperative body.”

In His wisdom, however, Yahweh has gone a step further. To help guide the body of believers, Yahweh has set leaders in the Assembly. These include Apostles, prophets, teachers, workers of miracles, healings, helps, governments, and diversities of languages, verse 28.

Paul repeats this establishing of spiritual

guides in the Assembly in Ephesians 4: 1113. He alludes to Yahshua as being the One Who had ascended to the heavens, after which

at Pentecost the Holy Spirit was sent to this earth.

The Apostles were given special power or a gift of the Spirit to be used to build and edify the Assembly, verses 7-8. These are the offices of Apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, and teacher, to prepare Yahweh’s people for works of service as they continue their growth unto maturity, verse 12.

Whenever reference is made to the Body of Messiah or the Assembly it is always as a unified and cooperative body. It is not a disorganized group of individuals all going their separate ways. The Body of Messiah is likened to a human body, all members working together for the common good of the body, all striving for that goal of spiritual perfection.

While each may have a different function, Romans 12:4-8, the whole Body is closely joined and knit together through contact with the Source of its life, Yahshua, from Whom we derive the power to grow.

We are not all going to have the same task to perform, nor will we all have the same position. Our desire is to take whatever talents and abilities Yahweh has bestowed upon us and use His gifts for His honor and glory by being an active member of that collective body. We are to help and encourage those brethren who are also striving to overcome, and be a compelling force in the world as well.

A Role for Each First, we individually assume our responsibility of obedience to Him as we daily walk in the good works He has previously prepared for us, Ephesians 2:10. We are to pattern our lives after the righteous example of the Savior.

Second, we are directed to collectively show our love for the brethren, esteeming others better than ourselves, Philippians 2:3-4. In humility we are to serve one another and be an example to those around us. It is difficult to see how one can consider oneself a follower of Yahshua and His Body by keeping aloof from others striving to be a part of that same spiritual family of True Believers.

The relationship enjoyed in the Body and loving concern each fellow believer has for others is a sign to the world that this is the assembly that wholeheartedly is living the commandments given by Yahshua, “You love one another as I have loved you, that you also love one another.

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disciples if you have love one to another,” John 13:34-35.

As society continues to deteriorate and love of many grows cold, the True Believer stands in stark contrast to the religion of selfish hedonism in a mass population bent only on enjoying the fleeting pleasures of the world.

The closer we get to the truth the narrower the pathway becomes and the fewer who will sacrifice to walk the way leading to life. The vast majority will exert only minimal effort and think Yahweh should be pleased with that.

A Different Walk All through history it has been a small group of dedicated people who changed the world.

It is no different with the way of Truth, beginning with Yahshua and only 12 close

disciples. Many of us came out of the vast horde of churchianity once we learned that the Sabbath was the seventh day, not the first.

We discovered that the Sabbath will yet be observed in the Kingdom and is a sign now between Yahweh and His people, Ezekiel 20:12.

We found that the first day of the week is mentioned only eight times in the New Testament, and it did not refer to a specific gathering for worship on that day in any of

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those verses. In contrast, we found the Sabbath mentioned 60 times in the New Testament when Yahshua and His followers worshiped and rested each week.

We could find no place where the Sabbath was set aside and no command to replace it with the first day of the week. Nor was there even a suggestion that Sunday displaced the Saturday Sabbath. We learned that the sole authority for the switch to Sunday was the Roman church.

Convicted by this truth alone, we had to leave Sunday-keeping religion. Then came the Feast days. We discovered as we studied Leviticus 23 that the Feast days are as obligatory as the Sabbath. Leviticus 23:14,21, 31, and 41 say the Feasts are to be observed forever, for all time.

According to Exodus 12 and Leviticus 23, the Sabbath and Feast Days are for everyone.

True to fact, we found the Feast days being kept in the New Testament as well, by none other than the Messiah Himself!

Having proved we are to keep Yahweh’s times (without animal sacrifices), we found ourselves even more alone as we continued to walk on higher, but ever narrowing, ground.

After diligent search and inquiry we proved Yahweh’s and Yahshua’s Names and were impressed with the great importance Yahweh places on invoking His one true Name. (See our latest booklet, Your Father’s Name; also online at http://www.yrm.org/ yourfathersname.htm) When Yahweh showed us how important His Name was, we repented of our ignorance, asked His forgiveness, and gladly embraced His Name as much as we did Him. At this point the way got very narrow and lonely.

Trials Strengthen Resolve During those times that we feel alone in our walk we understand in a measure how earlier believers felt as they were driven from their homes in the middle of the night and persecuted by religious groups. Foxe’s Book of Martyrs is an excellent treatise on the price paid by many who clung to the Bible as their guide.

We have “not resisted unto blood” as did

some of those martyrs, but we may at times feel ostracized by society as a whole because we keep the weekly and annual holy days and call upon our Creator by His exalted Name Yahweh. We gave up the more popular and man-made generic titles that have no basis in truth.

Almost daily we become involved in situations that test our resolve and faith, and yet these experiences build character and perseverance. Often we have no one in our locality who believes as we do and with whom we can share our trials and from whom derive support. At those times we need to go to Yahweh in ardent prayer, believing.

If our situation is such that we are unable to worship Yahweh without the benefit of assembling with others of like faith each week, we will stand in good stead if we continue our dedication to serve Him. Conditions will become increasingly difficult and even hostile toward those professing the Bible as their guide for living and worship. We must prepare now to withstand by overcoming the lesser trials.

We do not conform to our society’s popular religions. And we have yet to resist unto blood as many of the earlier believers had to do, Hebrews 12:4. This is a strong possibility, however, as we near the end, Revelation 6:911. That is one reason we must draw on one another’s strengths through fellowship. This is the wrong time to be walking independently.

It is important that followers of the Messiah maintain a close relationship with one another to show the world that we are indeed brethren, a part of the family of Yahweh. Through association we are taught by other believers. We are taught humility and compassion through interaction with fellow saints. Through lessons gained we take on the nature of Yahshua who made Himself of no reputation.

Brethren Help Light the Way The New Testament has many examples where a better understanding of the Bible came through another believer. Seldom did anyone receive a new revelation from on High all by himself. It was usually handed to him by another.

To be sure, the Holy Spirit opened his eyes of understanding to perceive the great truths of the Old Testament being unveiled in the death and resurrection of Yahshua. As brethren come together they discuss the Bible and are able to help one another come to a clearer understanding of the sense and meaning of

His Word.

Ours is not a new revelation or some entirely different message that was given out of the blue sky. The message Yahweh wants us to learn and follow is already there in His Word. It is up to us to prayerfully study it and comprehend what He means. Brethren can help us do that.

The Assembly – in Focus Yahshua said that the gates of the grave would never prevail against the assembly. That is, there would always be the true Body of believers somewhere on earth. In 1Timothy 3:15 Paul refers to that body as the “pillar and ground of the truth.” It is the collective Body of Messiah that will be given the gems of truth

Excusing oneself of collective worship on the grounds of being “independent” reveals a lack of zeal and desire not to obey Yahshua in all things. Not being willing to exercise dedication in following the Messiah’s command to have love one for another is definitely not the mark of the True Believer.

Peter likened us to “living stones,” 1 Peter 2:4-5, being built on the cornerstone of Yahshua the Messiah. The building of this spiritual temple is best done by interaction between the gathered believers especially on the days that Yahweh has set apart for the worship of Himself.

The chiseling, shaping, and polishing of these “living stones” is taking place now. When the last of these stones, “elect and precious” is

a noble task by ignoring the Body of Messiah, the very ones who will rule with us shoulder to shoulder.

Are you willing to have some rough edges smoothed out by associating with those who will be co-heirs with you and the Messiah in the Kingdom? Spiritual growth comes through communing with others. How you treat those of the Body of believers is how you treat the Messiah Yahshua Himself, Matthew 25:40. Let Him shape and polish you to be a fit member of the Kingdom! Don’t ignore Yahshua by disregarding the Body of Messiah.

Only by encouraging and building up one another through whatever gift Yahweh has given us can we show that we are worthy of that heavenly calling. Yahweh is building a

as they faithfully meet together to praise and worship Yahweh.

Yahshua said that where two or three are gathered in His Name, He would be there among them, Matthew 18:20. Do we realize that when we gather with others on the Sabbath that He is among us? His Spirit is there to guide us in praising Yahweh and giving us richer faith and deeper understanding of His Word.

accomplished, the Master Workman will bring us all together in the first resurrection. The temple will then be filled with His glory.

The present mission of the Assembly is the perfecting of the saints for the future work of service for the Master. We are to develop every grace and be Yahweh’s witnesses to the world.

Our goal is to prepare ourselves to be fit kings and priests in the next age, Revelation 1:6 and 20:6. It is next to impossible to partake of such

spiritual house of believers who will one day live in His Kingdom.

Those who have built physical houses know of the many trials and problems that accompany such an endeavor. How much more trying is it to build a spiritual house that is worth infinitely more than anything material we can put together on earth? Expect trials, but then overcome them through faith and Yahweh’s help. The reward will be worth it all.

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in Scripture Why don’t you use the Jewish calendar rather than expecting people to look for the crescent new moon every month to establish Feasts?

We do not use the present Jewish calendar for several reasons. It begins the year in the fall, in the seventh month of Tishri, instead of spring.

Yahweh clearly tells us in Exodus 12:2 of the spring month of Abib, “This month (moon) shall be unto you the beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year to you.”

The present Jewish calendar has a series of dehioth (postponement rules) that are nowhere authorized in the Bible. For example, the day of Atonement cannot precede or follow the weekly Sabbath. Also, Trumpets shall not occur on a Sabbath. Passover as well can fall only on Monday, Wednesday, Friday or Sabbath.

Arthur Spier’s book, The Comprehensive Hebrew Calendar, makes this note in explaining the postponements: “In more than 60 percent of all years Rosh Hashanah [Trumpets] does not occur on any of the Molad [conjunction] but is postponed according to one of the Dehioth. Therefore the Dehioth [postponements] are actually not the exceptions to the rule but the rule.”

Yahweh did not give this calendar to Moses, and there is no record that it was used in Yahshua’s time.

Incidentally, our present Gregorian calendar ignores new moons, and divides the year into 12 months. Its days begin at midnight, but scripturally days begin and end with sunset. The calendar in the Bible is based upon the circle of the moon about the earth, adjusted seasonally.

The Biblical calendar begins in the spring,

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near the time of the vernal equinox, and is based upon an area of Jerusalem where green heads of barley will be available at the time of the Passover season. This was the custom during the time of the Messiah with empirical sightings of the new moon.

Moon spotters would search the western skies at sunset every 29 or 30 days seeking the thin crescent near the horizon. The Sanhedrin would verify the new moon day upon examination of the witnesses by the blowing of trumpets.

Furthermore, should a follower of Yahshua be isolated and not have access to fellowship, he would still be responsible for keeping Yahweh’s Holy Days and would be able to determine them for himself if required.

After the destruction of the Temple the Sanhedrin could no longer meet to verify new moon sightings and sanctify the new month.

In the year 359 C.E. Hillel II published the present calculated Jewish Calendar instead, which gained in popularity for its convenience.

We strive to keep the Feast Days as determined in the Bible and kept by the Savior. The Jewish Calendar was revealed to the world in the 4th century and although a masterpiece of mathematical and astronomical calculation, it carries the imprimatur of man.

Having the year begin in the fall at Trumpets and postponing various Feast Days is nowhere sanctioned by the Bible.

Where did Yahweh’s Restoration Ministry come from?

Our teachings are rooted in apostolic times. What has become the modern Sacred Name movement originated from an interest in Yahweh’s

Name inspired by a book using the form “Yahvah” by Alexander McWhorter in 1857.

The question of the early pioneers, which prompted their earnest study and search, was, “Into what Name are we to baptize?” A key fact conflicting with traditional baptism done into the name of “Jesus” was that there was no J in any language until 500 years ago, including the ancient Hebrew and Greek from which our Bibles come.

Simply put, the Bible students of the 19th century era faced the undeniable fact that this name did not exist before the 15th century.

Early in the 1930s a serious study began into the name Jehovah as well, concluding that this name never could have existed until 500 years ago nor could it be the name of the Heavenly Father.

These name issues peaked at a summer camp meeting in 1936. At that time Elder Andrew N. Dugger, overseer of the Church of God, 7th Day, headquartered at Salem, West Virginia, asked the gathered elders to decide what words were proper to use in baptism. In 1937 Elder Clarence O. Dodd, who had been relieved of his position as Secretary-Treasurer of the Church of God 7th Day because of his teaching of the Feast days, began publishing The Faith magazine to proclaim the annual Feast days. He soon began using the Sacred Names as well.

Elder Dodd mentioned in a 1947 Faith magazine article that “Bro. Herb” (Herbert W. Armstrong) had also kept the Feast of Tabernacles in the Eugene, Oregon, area. Other observances of the Feast were also noted from various parts of the country. This information shocked some who had heard Armstrong teach as late as the 1980s that his was the only group in the world keeping the Bible’s annual Holy Days. Sacred Name groups had also begun keeping this key Biblical command many decades before. Elder Dodd had written

a convincing tract on the keeping of the days of Leviticus 23 sometime in the 1930s.

The Sacred Name movement, then, began in the 1930s with some of those who were associated with the Church of God 7th day, which itself originated with the Millerite movement of 1844. Elder Dugger did much evangelizing with his book, The Bible Home Instructor, as did Elder Dodd through The Faith magazine. Both are remembered for their joint effort in recording the early history of the true faith in a book called A History of the True Religion (printed in Jerusalem, 1968).

In 1963 Elder Angelo B. Traina published a Holy Name Bible based on the King James Version, carrying out his missionary work while his wife ran a nursing home. This KJV Bible restored the holy Names Yahweh and Yahshua.

As scholars catch up with the facts, the Sacred Name is becoming more and more acknowledged in many resources and references, including common dictionaries, encyclopedias, religious references, Bible notes, concordances, lexicons, Bible almanacs, and history books. Each state that the proper name is Yahweh (see under Tetragrammaton, Jehovah, Yahweh, Lord or God).

Although found abundantly in ancient autographs like the Dead Sea Scrolls, Yahweh’s Name has become disseminated through the years mostly through tracts and literature. In the Philippines, a discarded tract was picked up from the street and came into the hands of two dedicated Adventists who soon became the first to proclaim the EliYah message, “My Mighty One is Yah” in the Philippines.

It is our prayer that you will follow the truth of the Sacred Name which is now being revealed to those Yahweh is calling for His Kingdom.

I have been told tithing is a fallacy today because there is no Levitical priesthood functioning. Is this correct?

The first time tithing is found in the Bible is in Genesis 14:20, where Abraham tithed to Melchizedek, priest of the Most High. This was long BEFORE any Levitical priesthood was established. Yet, we discover that the man called “the father of the faithful” is tithing.

The writer of Hebrews (7:1-28) establishes the great importance of

Melchizedek, who resembles the Son of Elohim in many respects, including the references “King of Salem (peace),” and “priest of the Most High,” without beginning of days or end of life. Abraham gave tithes to the priest Melchizedek hundreds of years before there ever was a Jew or a Levitical priest.

The progenitor and the very one from whom would come the Levitical priesthood and to whom all the promises were first made was Abraham. And he tithed to Melchizedek. Therefore, the great Abraham is subordinate to Melchizedek because from the loins of Abraham came both the future Levitical priests and those who tithed to them.

Furthermore, the Levitical priesthood is inferior to Melchizedek’s. The Levites who took tithes were mortal, but the Melchizedek priesthood is without beginning of days or end of life (Heb. 7:3).

Yahshua remains a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek, Psalm 110:4. The argument of Hebrews is that Levi paid tithes to Melchizedek through Abraham, which implies that both Levi and his descendants are also subordinate to Melchizedek.

The Levitical priesthood is now in abeyance and will not function again until a Temple or Tabernacle again comes into existence. Ezekiel shows that in the coming Kingdom rule of Yahshua the Levitical priesthood will again function in the Millennium. Beginning with 40:39 we read of two tables on each side for slaying the burnt offering, the sin offering, and the trespass offering. Verse 46 speaks of the priests, the sons of Zadok of the tribe of Levi, who will minister to Yahweh at that time. “Chambers” or storerooms will be there for the priests and Levites and for the tithes and offerings.

Thus, we see that the priesthood will be established in the Millennial reign of the Messiah, which means that tithes will be taken by the Levitical priesthood. Notice Isaiah 66:20, “And they shall bring all your brethren for an offering unto Yahweh out of all nations upon horses, and in chariots, and in litters and upon mules, and upon swift beasts to My holy mountain Jerusalem, says Yahweh, as the children of Israel bring an offering in a clean vessel into the house of Yahweh.”

Jeremiah 33:14-20 also tells of the establishment of the Levitical priesthood (which means tithing as well). Malachi 3:3-

4 speaks of this same time. It is clear that the tithing principle is from antiquity, going back to Genesis 14, and extends to the future as well, to be kept in the Kingdom.

We are presently under the Melchizedek priesthood, which is an older and greater priesthood under the Messiah. He Himself, speaking of tithing, told the Jews, “These things ought you have done and not left the other undone,” Matthew 23:23. The tithing principle is still with us today.

Giving ten percent is one of the neglected truths practiced in the Old Testament and part of Millennial reign of the Messiah and is therefore necessary today. If ours is the Kingdom then we will be expected to teach tithing to others (Rev. 2:26-27). Can we openly and honestly teach others to do in the Kingdom what we ourselves have never done ourselves?

I was told that the Feast days are not necessary because they must be kept at Jerusalem and observed with animal sacrifices at the ancient Temple. Is this true?

Not everyone who kept the Feasts in the Old Testament kept them at Jersualem.

Israel kept Passover in Egypt (Ex. 12: 11-13 and 9:26) and the Feast in the wilderness of Sinai after leaving Egypt, Numbers 9:5. They kept it on the plains of Jericho also, Joshua 5: 10.

In the New Testament Yahshua told the woman of Samaria that the time is coming when neither in this mountain nor at Jerusalem would you worship Yahweh, John 4:21. Yahweh commands us to keep His days in the place where He chooses, Deuteronomy 16:16. That does not limit the location only to Jerusalem.

The weekly Sabbath is a Feast day as well. Who would maintain that the weekly Sabbath must also be kept at Jerusalem? If the Feasts cannot be kept without animal sacrifices, then neither can the weekly Sabbath, as sacrifices were also required on it, Numbers 28:9-10.

Yahshua became our sacrifice and so sacrifices are spiritual today, 1 Peter 2:5.

We still sacrifice, but now it’s through praise, the “calves of our lips,” Hosea 14:2. And we still gather on days Yahweh commanded His people to be kept “forever” (Lev. 23:14, 21, 31, 41).

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Watch Discover the Truth

Broadcasting the TRUTH across the United States on Dish Network satellite!

We invite you to join hosts Alan Mansager and Randy Folliard every week on Dish Network channel 262 (Angel One channel) AngelOne reaches 14 million plus households in the USA. AngelOne also goes international through their web TV platform. Tell your family and friends to tune in!

Channel 262 Wednesdays at 5:30pm and Sundays 11:00am central time.

Don’t have Dish Network? Visit www.discoverthetruth.tv to watch past episodes online.

Help us reach more, donate online: donate.yrm.org

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Feedback Discover the Truth Making an Impact “I’m still just thrilled to hear and see Yahweh’s and Yahshua’s Names being expounded by His ministers at YRM on SkyAngel Network, and all the truth that goes with it. Thanks to all there who are doing such wonderful work for His glorious Name.” – MV, TX “I found your TV program today. It was your teaching on the Sabbath. I must say I was intrigued by your teaching. It was really informative and enlightening. Are you on any other networks?” – LK, SD “I recently was able to watch your show Discover the Truth. It was excellent and I’ll be looking for it again on the Sky Angel Network. Could you please send more information about your ministry?”

– DW, SD “The program was AWESOME. I cannot wait to get the information!” – FP, OH “Your program and message are beautiful.” –LT, NY “Please send me your pamphlet, Your Father’s Name. I am 82 years old and I like learning new things.” –AN, IA “Please send booklets A.S.A.P. I was born into the Roman Catholic Church and always had questions but was told it was a sin to ask them. I’m enclosing a small check to help others to see the Truth.” – SB, AZ “Whatever material you will send me I would appreciate it. I’m 70 years old. I thank Yahweh in Yahshua’s name every day for you being on T.V. I found you on Dish a few days ago. I was raised in a Pentecostal Church. I’m learning a lot from your programs.” -GA

“Please send your free literature. I feel the need to learn the real truth of (Yahweh’s) Word or I should say, understand it more than I do so I won’t be deceived anymore!”

– CM, KY “We enjoy your Website and the TV program. We don’t have the TV station so we watch it on the Website. We are glad to finally find someone who teaches the TRUTH. So many claim to, but after close inspection it is found to be otherwise. You hold up to close inspection. Good for you and even better for those who learn from you.” – RB, MO Here is more of what callers are telling us as reported by our phone operators: A woman from South Carolina commented, “I am in agreement with everything you are saying.” She asked if we had archived messages she could listen to, and was excited that we did.

A man from Minnesota said he had been searching for in-depth knowledge and really liked the show.

A man wrote to us that he had been searching for truth for 40 years and, after seeing several programs, said, “I believe I have found it.”

J.S. from Arkansas said, “I figured out the correct Names myself. I continue studying for more in depth understanding of the scriptures. I will go to your website for more.”

B.T. from Indiana expressed this conviction: “Just found the program. I was really drawn to your show. I am going to start using the right names.”

“I am so glad to find your program on Dish channel 262” said JC of Oklahoma. “I do not

Send us your comments Visit: yrm.org/feedback

have a computer, so please send information. What do you teach? Do you have DVDs or books? I hope you can stay on TV.” B.R. from West Virginia said this: “ I was taught that you weren’t supposed to use the Name and I didn’t know about using ‘Elohim’ either. Thanks, I’m very interested and have no Internet access. Glad I can watch you on T.V.” S.B. from Arizona said, “Please send booklets A.S.A.P. I was born into the Roman Catholic Church and always had questions but was told it was a sin to ask them. I’m enclosing a small check to help others to see the Truth.”

One caller teaches a Sunday school class in a Baptist church. She wants to buy Bibles for all in her class when they are available.

Asked lots of questions, had to call back.

(Our Restoration Study Bible is now out of print. We hope to have the second, greatly expanded, edition by the end of this year or first part of 2013. – ED) Comment: Very nice lady 86 years old said, “Guess I have some bad habits I need to break.”

(Discover the Truth is starting to make an impact. Our outgoing mail has doubled since the program began airing at the end of June. As many as 100 calls and requests for literature come in each time it is aired (weekly). We are thrilled that Yahweh is using this medium to open so many eyes.

Pray that more will answer His call. Watch the program Sundays and Wednesdays on Dish satellite channel 262. The latest episodes will eventually be available on the YRM Website after they are televised.

Watch at www.discoverthetruth.tv - ED)

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PO Box 463 Holts Summit, MO 65043

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Not Adding Up? Much of what is taught in many churches today stems from millennia of church tradition not found in the pages of the Bible. Some even comes right out of paganism.

The harmony of Scripture is clear throughout the Old and New testaments. Find out what you have not been told!

Order your free copy of Astonishing

Bible Truths That Your Church Never Taught

Or read it online. See below for details.

Here’s how to request the free literature offered in this magazine Online: www.yrm.org E-mail: request@yrm.org Phone: 1-573-896-1000

Mail: Yahweh’s Restoration Ministry PO Box 463 Holts Summit, MO 65043