Restoration Times Magazine, September-October 2019

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VOL. 9 | No. 5 | September-October 2019

A R T I C L E S

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9 3 | The Angelic­­­­­ Realm, Part 1

by Randy Folliard

12 | Samhain and the Origins of Halloween

by Randy Folliard

7 | Your Devotion Reflects Your Heart

16 | RSB Topical Reference Preview

by Alan Mansager

9 |Principles of Effective Bible Study

by Alan Mansager

19 | Q & A 23 | Letters

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. © 2019 Yahweh’s Restoration Ministry

COVER: A doorway to another realm. iStock

EDITOR Alan Mansager COPY EDITOR Debra Wirl GRAPHICS / LAYOUT Ryan Mansager CONTRIBUTING WRITER Randy Folliard DIGITAL PUBLISHINGS Lucas Cecil

Yahweh’s Restoration Ministry PO Box 463 Holts Summit, MO 65043 Telephone: 573-896-1000 Office hours M-F 8am-4pm

www.yrm.org info@yrm.org

The Angelic Realm Part 1

by Randy Folliard

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or millennia mankind has questioned the nature of angels, including their existence, appearance, knowledge, ability, and purpose. Surprisingly, the Bible provides a great deal of knowledge about the angelic realm. In this two-part series we will take an in-depth look at angels and answer age-old questions and much more.

Are Angels Created Beings?

Let’s begin with the question, were angels created? While many believe that angels are eternal, Scripture shows that they had a beginning.

Nehemiah 9:6 states, “Thou, even thou, art Yahweh alone; thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth, and all things that are therein, the seas, and all that is therein, and thou preservest them all; and the host of heaven worshipeth thee.”

We see that Yahweh created everything in the heaven of heavens,

including all their hosts. The word “host” is from the Hebrew tsaba. One of the definitions offered in the Brown Driver Briggs Hebrew Lexicon is a host of angels. From this we find that Yahweh created the angelic realm.

Based on the biblical evidence, this creation was done through Yahshua the Messiah. The Old and New testaments verify that Yahshua preexisted and through Him all things came to exist, including the angelic realm, Proverbs 30:4; John 1:1-3; and Colossians 1:1516.

From Job 38, verses 4 and 7, we learn that angels were created before the earth. “Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding… When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of Elohim shouted for joy?” The references here to the morning stars and sons of Elohim refer to angelic beings.

As a side note, the phrase “sons of Elohim” can also refer to human beings.

Evidence for this is found in Matthew 5:9; Luke 3:38; Romans 8:14; Galatians 3:26.

What Angels Look Like

Let’s now consider the appearance of angels. While there is not one right answer, it appears that most angels have a human-like form. We’ll see exceptions to this in part 2 of this series when we review the cherubim and seraphim.

For now, let’s focus on one aspect, a human form. Hebrews 13:2 gives us this insight: “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” If it’s possible to entertain angels without knowing it, they must appear as human beings.

One instance is in Genesis 18 with the three men visiting Abraham. In this case, one of those beings was called Yahweh, which was likely the preexistent Messiah.

Genesis 19 offers another episode Restoration Times Magazine September-October 2019

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when the two angels came to Lot in the city of Sodom. Lot recognized them as being special, but the men of Sodom saw them as only men.

The New Testament gives us yet more insight with Yahshua the Messiah.

After His resurrection, Mary believed that He was only the gardener, which shows that He looked like an average human being.

From these and other occurrences we learn that angels often take human form where one could not tell the difference between an angel and a flesh-and-blood human being.

Bodily Nature of Angels

In addition to the appearance of angels the Bible provides insight into their bodily nature. In Luke 24, we find several clues: “And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them, Saying, The Master is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon.

And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread. And as they thus spake, Yahshua himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see, for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet. And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat?

And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb. And he took it, and did eat before them,” verses 33-43.

Here is a description of Yahshua’s post-resurrection body. Keep in mind that Yahshua would have shared a body similar to angels after His resurrection.

As seen in the passage, Yahshua was able to appear before His disciples. When this happened the disciples believed that it was a spirit and not the person of Yahshua. The word spirit here is from

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He reasoned that spirit beings, including angels, can either speed up or slow down their molecules allowing them either to transcend or to occupy the physical world. This can be shown when boiling water changes in form to steam. the Greek pneuma. Strong’s Greek Dictionary defines this word as “a current of air, i.e. breath; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e. (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital principle, mental disposition, etc., or (superhuman) an angel, demon, or (divine) God, Messiah’s spirit, or the Holy Spirit.”

Because the disciples were afraid, some commentators believe they thought He was an evil spirit and not Yahshua Himself. Eventually, though, they realized that it was indeed the risen Savior standing before them.

Yahshua said something here that is quite fascinating. In trying to convince the disciples that He wasn’t a spirit, he told them, “…for a spirit hath not flesh and bones.” Yahshua verifies that angelic beings can have flesh and bone, but not blood.

The mention here of flesh and bone is somewhat of a mystery. While angels can appear with a physical body, it seems to be different from our mortal bodies, including the flesh and bone that Yahshua mentions. While they can appear solid, they can also transcend the physical world. In reference to the blood, the Bible verifies that the blood is the life-force for humans and animals Watch us on Roku!

alike. But as we see here, this is not true for spirit beings or angels.

Accelerating Molecules

Have you ever pondered how spirit beings can appear and disappear at will, but also assume a physical form that can also eat, as we find Yahshua doing here?

Here is a theory that the late Elder Donald Mansager believed on this issue.

He reasoned that spirit beings, including angels, can either speed up or slow down their molecules allowing them either to transcend or to occupy the physical world. This can be shown when boiling water changes in form to steam.

While this is only conjecture, it seems plausible, especially if you understand the makeup of an atom.

It is a scientific fact that there is more empty space than solid space within an atom. In fact, according to the site www. education.jlab.org, “A hydrogen atom is about 99.9999999999996% empty space.

Put another way, if a hydrogen atom were the size of the earth, the proton at its center would be about 200 meters (600 feet) across.”

The Apostle Paul provides some insight on what it means to be an angelic being in 1Corinthians 15:42-44. “So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.”

Paul draws a contrast between the bodies we have now and the bodies given at the resurrection. He begins by saying that we were sown in corruption, but will be raised in incorruption. The word “corruption” in Greek refers to decay or ruin, while the word “incorruption” refers to unending existence or immortality.

For a moment, consider this difference: Human beings are preordained to die, but

as spirit beings we live forever. The Bible describes the life we have now as a vapor and a flower that quickly fades away. But in the resurrection the saints will be like the angels in heaven and will live forever.

Paul continues and says that we were sown in dishonor, but will be raised in glory. The word “dishonor” in Greek refers to infamy, shame, or disgrace. The word “glory” comes from the Greek doxa and according to Thayer’s refers to “the glorious condition of blessedness into which is appointed and promised that true [believers] shall enter after their Savior's return from heaven.”

There’s just no comparison between our earthly bodies and the bodies that we’re going to receive at the resurrection if we prove faithful.

Paul also says that we were sown in weakness, but will be raised in power. The word “weakness” refers to feebleness of mind or body, while the word “power” refers to force or to something miraculous. Being spirit not only will death not exist, but neither will pain or disease.

Not only do we find a glimpse of what it will be like in the resurrection, but also see what it’s like for an angel in heaven.

Self-Inherent Immortality of Angels

As the above implies, the Bible shows that angels are immortal. Yahshua reveals this in Luke 20:34-36. “And Yahshua answering said unto them, The children of this world marry, and are given in marriage. But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage: Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of Elohim, being the children of the resurrection.”

In this passage Yahshua is describing the first resurrection at the return or Second Coming, of Yahshua the Messiah, likely to happen on the Feast of Trumpets.

The angels will gather the saints from the four corners of this earth. The righteous dead will rise first, followed

by the righteous living. Both will be changed from flesh to spirit.

Those in the resurrection will live forever, as immortal, no different from the angels in heaven. They will be called children or sons of Elohim and also sons of the resurrection.

Because they are immortal angels live forever. But because they are immortal can they still be destroyed?

From prophecies pertaining to Satan the devil, we believe the answer is yes.

Ezekiel 28:18 prophesies that Satan will be turned into ashes. In the Greek Paul in Romans 16:20 says that Yahshua will bruise Satan under His feet, referring to a lopping off or to complete destruction. And as we see in Revelation 20:10, Satan will be cast into the lake of fire.

If Satan the devil, an anointed cherub according to Ezekiel 28:16, can be destroyed, reason would conclude that angels too can also be destroyed. What Yahweh creates He can also destroy.

Beings with Limited Knowledge

In addition to the appearance and existence of angels, many wonder whether angels have all knowledge.

Matthew 24:36 verifies this is not the case: “But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.”

Yahshua is referring to His Second Coming and the first resurrection. We learn that no one knows the exact day

“

If Satan the devil, an anointed cherub according to Ezekiel 28:16, can be destroyed, reason would conclude that angels too can be destroyed.

What Yahweh creates He can also destroy.

or hour of His Coming and this includes angels. So we see that angels are limited in what they know.

But what about Satan the devil, does he have all knowledge? While Satan is a very powerful being, we don’t see in Scripture where he has all knowledge.

In fact, the above passage shows that the only one who knows the day and hour of Yahshua’s coming is Yahweh.

This also implies that Yahshua Himself is limited in knowledge, but second to the Father.

Only Yahweh, our Father in heaven, is all-knowing and all-powerful. This is one reason we perceive that the Father and Son are two separate beings as opposed to what we see from the Oneness or Trinity beliefs.

John Told Not to Worship Angels

The Bible says that we are to avoid worshiping angels. Paul in Colossians 2:18 states, “Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind.”

Also, we see this from Revelation 22:8-9: “And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things. Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship Elohim.”

In Revelation 22 the angel tells John of Patmos not to bow down to him. The reason was that the angel himself was a fellow servant.

Even though angels are on a higher plane than human beings, in many ways we serve the same role. We are all servants and deferential to our Heavenly Father.

More specifically, just as there are angelic messengers doing Yahweh’s will, we also see earthly messengers doing the same. In fact, the Hebrew word for angel simply means a messenger and can refer to human beings as such.

Let’s change focus now and consider Restoration Times Magazine September-October 2019

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the different roles of angels.

How Yahweh Uses Angels

As seen in Scripture, they mainly are messengers. The word angel comes from the Hebrew malak, literally meaning, “messenger.”

We see this in Matthew 1:18-21.

“Now the birth of Yahshua Messiah was on this wise: When as his mother Miriam was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily.

But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of Yahweh appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Miriam thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.

And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name YAHSHUA: for he shall save his people from their sins.”

All should be familiar with this passage. We see here an angel coming to Joseph regarding the birth of Yahshua the Messiah.

As an aside, we see here that Joseph was planning to divorce Miriam because of his belief that Miriam had been unfaithful, even though they were only espoused or engaged.

The Bible shows that engagement begins marriage. This is important because only during the engagement is divorce an option. As seen in Matthew 19, when two people have come together and consummated that marriage, man is not to separate what Yahweh has joined together. Romans 7:2 tells us that when this happens, we

are bound together for life.

Returning to Matthew 1 we again see that an angel came to Joseph in a dream, told him not to fear, and to take Miriam as his wife. The angel explained that what was conceived in her was of the Holy Spirit. As we know, the birth of Yahshua the Messiah was not by man, but by the power of Almighty Yahweh.

As a side note, we also see here that an angel communicated to Joseph in a dream. So not only can angels communicate to us when we are awake or conscious, but also when we’re unconscious or asleep.

We can see many more instances like this one throughout Scripture. The use of angels as Yahweh’s messengers is recognized throughout the Old and New testaments.

In addition to serving as messengers, we also see angels protecting mankind.

In 2Kings 6:15-17 we find a miracle involving Elisha and an angelic host: “And when the servant of the man of Elohim was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do? And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. And Elisha prayed, and said, Yahweh, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see.

And Yahweh opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.”

The Syrian army had entrapped Elisha in the city. In response to this threat, Elisha says something very powerful to his servant. He tells him not to fear and reveals in vision the Is the soul a mystical cloud like vapor that floats away at the moment of death? Can a spirit die? We answer these questions and more. Watch “Were You Born Immortal?” on Discover the Truth TV. youtu.be/DyXo6ay7ZGE

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overwhelming army of Yahweh.

Obviously the horses and chariots of fire were angelic beings and they were there to protect Elisha from the Syrian army.

This is one of the few times we are given insight into the spirit realm. This also reveals that much of what we see in the physical seems to be an image of the spiritual. In this case, it appears there are horse-like creatures within the angelic sphere. In many ways it appears that the angelic realm is more like our physical realm than what we may realize. Even we were created in Yahweh’s image.

Guardians of Human Beings

Finally, the Bible seems to show that all human beings have guardian angels.

We see this in Matthew 18:10 and Acts 12:15.

“Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven,” Matthew 18:10.

Here Yahshua intimates that children have guardian angels as “their angels do always behold the face of my Father…” This appears to support the idea of guardian angels generally.

There is also evidence that even adults have guardian angels assigned to them. “And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel,” Acts 12:15. It was assumed that it was not Peter at the door, but his angel.

Clearly, Peter may have had a guardian angel. If Peter had a guardian angel it is possible that all adults or possibly all believers also have guardian angels.

In part two we will consider specific types of angelic beings, including cherubim, seraphim, and ophanim. We will also explore how Judaism defines the angelic hierarchy, along with some amazing examples of spirit beings found in Scripture.

Your Devotion Reflects Your Heart

by Alan Mansager

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man once wrote, “I don’t worry about whether its wine or grape juice for Passover. I don’t make a big issue about cooking on the Sabbath or stopping to get gas when I am traveling to services. If I don’t get all the leavening out for Unleavened Bread and don’t live in temporary dwellings at Tabernacles, I don’t worry.”

There are five “I”s in his three short sentences. The fellow needs to pay more attention to what the One he worships expects than to himself.

When the two sons of Aaron performed an unbiblical, sacrificial offering, no doubt with a similar cavalier attitude that it doesn’t really matter what fire they used, Yahweh took them out. No questions or explanations given.

Ya h w e h h a s s t a n d a r d s a n d expectations. There is His way and there is man’s way. A flippant attitude toward obedience doesn’t sit well with Yahweh or His Son. In Matthew 5

Yahshua not only upheld His Father’s statutes but He also raised the bar on them. Just thinking about sinning is the same as committing sin, He said.

If we can dispense with some seemingly minor devotional details is it okay to make larger changes like switch the Sabbath to any day of the week that suits us? Or fiddle with the timing of the holy days laid out in Scripture? Once you open the floodgates of compromise there is no stopping the trainwreck.

Sticking to True Worship is all about your level of devotion. How close do you want to be to Yahweh?

The entire camel will soon be in the tent if you don’t keep his nose from poking under the door flap.

Human nature looks for the loophole, always pushing the limits and changing things to suit self to make worship easier and more convenient. It is all about whom you are serving, the Son or self.

The True Believer realizes that

Yahweh always comes first, the believer comes second. We must draw the line where Yahweh draws the line and live within the limits He sets.

Some say that’s too stringent, others say that’s right where we should be. What’s your position? Where’s your level of devotion?

Why would we not want to get His worship right, being that our salvation hinges on it? Yahweh is clear about His contempt for Laodicean attitudes.

When did Yahweh ever inspire His writers to teach His worship as a collection of acceptable options: Sabbath or Sunday—take your pick and I’ll honor your choice. Call me Yahweh or call me G-d—each is okay.

I understand.

No, He doesn’t. The way of Truth is narrow, it is demanding and requires a life of dedication and that is why few will find it. Yahshua said so.

How we adhere to the Word reveals our deepest being. The level of our commitment is a barometer Restoration Times Magazine September-October 2019

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of our heart. Eternal rewards will be given on the basis of how we handle commitment by what we do with His Truths.

Proverbs 13:13 says, “Whoso despises the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.”

In Matthew 5:19 Yahshua said, “Whosoever therefore shall break one of these LEAST commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”

Does that mean that if you practice and teach commandment breaking you will be allowed into the Kingdom but perhaps only as a lowly doorkeeper?

The KJV translation is a bit imprecise. The Twentieth Century New Testament in combination with Moffatt’s translation reads that the lawbreaker will be “least esteemed in the REALM of heaven.”

In other words, a commandment breaking, no-law teacher will have zero respect or honor among the heavenly hosts, not the least of which are Yahweh and Yahshua. But such a person would never be permitted salvation without repenting.

Working Out Salvation

Our salvation hinges on a proper and accurate understanding of the Bible.

Whether we walk in Truth as it is presented will depend on our desire, our resolve, and our correct grasp of that Truth.

Paul told Timothy: "Take heed unto yourself, and unto the doctrine [proper teachings]; continue in them: for in doing this you shall save both yourself, and them that hear you," 1Timothy 4:16.

F o r d i ff e r e n t r e a s o n s s o m e passages create difficulty. Problems result when care is not taken to rightly divide the Word. The devoted student will take the time to study them out.

Compare them with other Scriptures

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on the subject.

We cannot afford to be careless or flippant about this. The Word, Paul said, is given for proper doctrine, correction, and instruction in righteous living, 2Timothy 3:16. What’s the point of giving us instructions on life and worship if we’re just going to go our own way anyway?

In 2Thessalonians 5:21 Paul wrote, “Prove all things, hold fast to that which is good.” Paul also told Timothy, "Study to show yourself approved unto Elohim, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth," 2Timothy 2: 15. That means study it out yourself to ascertain Truth.

Ignorance Is Not Bliss

The biggest problem today is that most are ignorant of the Bible. The road to salvation is narrow and few will find it, including clerics. They not only fail to give the right answers or advice, but their teachings also make matters worse when they don’t speak the Word.

In Job 38:2 Yahweh asks, “Who [is] this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?” Ignorance puts others in darkness and error is perpetuated.

Few in this world have any use for 2Timothy 2:15 and its command to study the Word.

The command is to “rightly divide the word of truth” – the term is from a single word, orthotome’o. The Expository Dictionary defines it as “not dividing Scripture from Scripture, as some would love to believe, but teaching Scripture accurately.”

T h e Tr e a s u r y o f S c r i p t u r e

Knowledge adds that neither is the reference “to dividing up Scripture into dispensations, and applying to ourselves only what is allegedly valid for this dispensation. Neither is it dividing Scripture on the basis of to whom it was originally addressed or spoken of, the Jew, the Gentile or the Church of G-d, for all scripture is given by inspiration of Yahweh and is profitable…and we have no right by such arbitrary distinctions to eliminate from our careful consideration whole sections of the Word. The emphasis is not upon ‘right division,’ which in the practice of some is ‘wrong subtraction,’ but on correct interpretation” (p.

1432).

Another key verse is Philippians 1:10, where, after Paul encourages abounding in knowledge and in all judgment “that you may approve the things that are excellent…” “Are excellent” should have been translated “differ” (RSB note).

Preach the Word and separate out error. That’s not just a good way to go about evangelism, that’s a command.

Paul wrote in 2Timothy 4:2: “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears. And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.”

Once we test teachings and find what deviates from truth, we make a distinction and drop the error. That is the way truth restoration works.

Principles of Effective

BIBLE STUDY

by Alan Mansager

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ow do we know that we are properly understanding Yahweh’s Word? How do we make correct interpretations by rightly dividing the Word?

Basic principles of Bible study will help guide us in getting the truth from each verse, while solving most problems presented by the more difficult passages.

Bible study should be systematic, which takes time and discipline.

Before beginning you should have at hand good study Bibles like the Companion and Restoration Study Bible (RSB). Your understanding will increase exponentially by looking up words in the source languages, which these two Bibles help you to do.

When you compare parallel or contrasting verses, as typically provided in a good study Bible like the RSB, you get a more accurate understanding.

The New Testament was written in Hebrew. That’s a fact for several reasons, not the least of which is that the Hebrew writers would write in their native language, which was Hebrew.

They were not speaking Greek in the Galilee region in the first century. The Galileans were considered country folk.

Peter, James, and John were not Greek scholars or even Greek speakers. Neither

was Matthew, or Mark.

But to date only Greek manuscripts of the New Testament survive, of which there are some 5,400, not to mention thousands of Latin versions and other languages like Syriac, Coptic and Armenian. Most of the manuscripts derive from the Middle Ages, from the 7th century onward.

Of all the thousands of Greek manuscripts, no two are exactly alike.

Some scholars put the differences at 200,000, others at 300,000, meaning there are more differences in manuscripts than there are words in the entire New Testament. Realize also that the manuscripts were all hand written (which is the meaning of “manu-script”).

That is why we must go back to the Old Testament foundation for course corrections when needed.

Sometimes scribes left out words, lines or even entire pages, especially when two lines ended with the same words. It didn’t help that they didn’t use paragraph divisions, lower case letters, punctuation, or even spaces between words. This is true of both Hebrew and Greek script.

Sometimes a word was inserted centuries later and at times whole sentences were added. You can see this

from the Greek Codex Sinaiticus, the oldest New Testament manuscript.

And sometimes scribes would introduce mistakes, as in Act 15:24: “Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment.” The bold-face words are not in the manuscripts, and are omitted in most translations.

Old Testament the Anchor

Some changes are not as significant as others. For instance, the oldest and best manuscripts of John don’t have the story of the woman taken in adultery, where Yahshua says he that is without sin cast the first stone. (Think about that—if only righteous, sinless people could inflict punishment, then the Old Testament law of stoning is moot.) This passage does not appear in the Greek manuscripts until the 12th century.

The passage of 1John 5:7-8 is the only passage in the entire Bible appearing to teach a trinity of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The passage is missing in the text of all Greek manuscripts, and doesn’t occur until the invention of the printing press in the Restoration Times Magazine September-October 2019

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15th century.

Ironically the more difficult a passage reads the more true it probably is to the original, where scribes didn’t try to gloss and explain the text. The very loosely translated Living Bible comes to mind.

All of this is to say that trying to understand Yahweh’s Word can at times be like trying to hit a moving target in the dead of night.

This is just one more case for the importance of the Old Testament as an anchor for New Testament teachings.

Sometimes it is the only authority we have to ascertain the truth of a passage.

We read in 2Tim. 3:16: “All scripture is given by inspiration of Elohim, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.”

First and foremost, this applies to the Old Testament. Referring to various incidents recorded in the Old Testament, Paul tells us in 1Corinthians 10:11 that “all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.” Let’s now consider five principles that make good Bible study.

First Principle: Take It at Face Value

Take the passage just as it reads. Look first for the literal meaning. A symbolic or deeper sense of the passage will often be evident, especially in combination with other related passages and verses elsewhere.

W h e n Ya h w e h c o m m a n d s , “Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy,” Exodus 20:8, and adds that we are to work six days and rest the seventh, He means to keep the Sabbath literally by resting from work. He does not mean or even imply to honor the Sabbath by just thinking nice thoughts about the Sabbath while continuing to work on the seventh day.

The passage is better rendered, “Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.” The Amplified Bible says that it means to withdraw

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from common employment and dedicate the day to Yahweh, which verse 10 plainly says.

The command clearly is not intended for just a SPIRITUAL application, as some teach, but for literally ceasing from labor, a proper rendering made clear by consulting other translations. When reading other versions you may find divergent renderings, which is a tip-off to begin digging deeper, which means going back to the source languages.

Principle two in proper study is: Read the Passage in Context

When faced with a difficult verse, read all the verses surrounding it. Read what comes immediately before and after the passage. Read the entire chapter, if necessary. Often this will reveal the true meaning.

Remember that chapters, verse numbers, sentences, paragraphs, and punctuation did not exist in the ancient autographs. Therefore, sometimes thoughts get wrongly separated, which can cause misunderstandings.

For instance, the last two verses of Romans 2 should be numbered as the first two verses of Romans 3. They fit with those verses that follow, but the chapter numbering got in the way.

Colossians 2:14 must be read with vv.

20-22.

As obvious as it should be to take everything in context, even many “experts” fail to apply it and end up twisting a passage or missing its meaning entirely.

An example is Romans 14:5, which has been used to support Sunday worship. “One man esteems one day above another: another esteems every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.”

If you read the whole chapter it is plain that Paul is addressing fasting and vegetarianism, not the day of rest. The third principle is: Let Scripture Explain Itself

The Bible never contradicts itself.

Hebrews 6:18 tells us it is impossible

for Yahweh to lie. Therefore, we can’t say Paul under inspiration of Yahweh’s Spirit did away with the law in Galatians 3:13 only to have him by the same Spirit upholding the law in Romans 7:1, 12.

In the same way we cannot read Yahshua’s plain instruction to the young man, “If you will enter into life, keep the Commandments,” Matthew 19:17, and then turn around and teach that He abolished the law at His death, completely undoing and contradicting what He told the young man and hundreds of others. How would they trust Him again if He did that?

When a particular view of a passage does not seem to hold up in light of other Scriptures that say the exact opposite, then something is wrong with our understanding of the passage. The fourth principle is: See Why and to Whom It Was Written

You often need to know the reason a passage was written to understand it properly; it may also be very helpful to know to whom the passage was written and why.

For example, 1Corinthians 16:2 has been grossly misinterpreted to support worship on the first day of the week.

“Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as Yahweh has prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.”

“Lay by him in store” does not mean passing an offering plate at Sunday morning church. Besides, how much preparation does it take to put a coin in your purse or pocket to give as an offering?

Rather, Paul is seeking aid in the form of foodstuffs and other things for the drought-stricken and starving brethren at Jerusalem. He asks that the brethren in Corinth have their donations ready to give to him when he drops by to pick them up on the first of the week.

“Day” was not in the Greek but was added by translators who were pushing Sunday worship. They added the word “day” in all 8 New Testament references to the first (day) of the week.

No reference to a Sunday worship service is intended or implied. A careful reading of the first 4 verses of chapter 16 reveals the clear truth of the circumstance and will dispel any erroneous conclusions about Sunday worship.

Some believe that Paul taught against observing Sabbaths and Feasts in Galatians 4:8-11: “Howbeit then, when you knew not Elohirn, you did service unto them which by nature are no g-ds. But now, after that you have known Elohim, or rather are known of Elohim, how turn you again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto you desire again to be in bondage? You observe days, and months, and times, and years. I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labor in vain.”

If we understand that the Galatians were converts from a pagan place called Gaul (an area of France from which they derived their name), then it is clear that he is telling them to stop going BACK to their old Celtic ways.

The “days, and months, and times, and years” he is speaking about are not the Sabbath and Feasts commanded at Sinai, but their old pagan worship that they had just left, which is defined as “weak and beggarly,” being without substance and truth.

What’s more, their name comes from the Romans who called them Galli, meaning barbarians. This is not about

believers keeping Yahweh’s calendar.

Yahweh’s days are never referred to as weak and beggarly, but are a big part of His laws that are defined as “holy ... and just, and good,” Romans 7:12.

The biggest mistake in study is a failure to harmonize all the relevant Scriptures, a violation that has led to a myriad of contradictory teachings. A verse will never disagree with any other verse or part of the Word.

In John 10:35 Yahshua said the Scriptures cannot be broken (“broken” is the Greek luo, meaning to loosen or dissolve). Paul in 2Timothy 3:16 tells us that ALL Scripture is inspired, meaning it is “Yahweh breathed.” The fifth principle is next.

Language and Grammar

Anyone who has studied a foreign language knows that nuances of meaning are often lost in translation. By returning to the source languages as much as possible, we can come much closer to understanding the passage.

The common interpretation of Romans 10:4 is that Yahshua did away with the law. “For Messiah is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone that believes.” The Greek word “end” is telos and means “goal.” Far from being the termination of the law, Yahshua is the very purpose for the law! The law aims at Him.

24/7/365 Torah, Sabbath and Sacred Name programming playing every hour of every day! It’s not LIKE a TV network, it IS a TV network! Watch on our Roku channel, or the YRM mobile App.

The law transforms us to be like Him when we adhere to it. He said in Matthew 12:50, “For whosoever shall do the will of my father Which is in heaven, the same is My brother, and sister, and mother.”

Now we can employ principles three and five together and show it does not mean end or cessation. The same word telos is found in James 5:11, “ ... you have heard the patience of Job, and have seen the end [telos] of Yahweh…”

Telos is used in both passages. If telos means “end,” as in the end of the law, then Yahweh has also come to an end! In truth, telos means “goal” in both verses, not end.

Another example of the importance of knowing the original meaning of words is in Matthew 25:46, which has been popularly interpreted to say that the wicked go to an ever-burning hell fire to roast in agony for eternity. “And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.”

The word “punishment” is from the Greek kolasis, and signifies a “lopping off.” It derives from No. 2849 in Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance Greek Dictionary and means to curtail.

Properly interpreted, the verse tells us that the wicked will forever be “cut off,” their lives “curtailed.” It is a condition, not an ongoing action.

This agrees with 2Thessalonians 1:9, which reads that the wicked “shall be punished with an everlasting destruction from the presence of Yahweh and from the glory of his power.” “Destruction” in this verse is the Greek olethros and means to destroy, not sizzle forever in agony in sulfurous flames. Anyway, how does a “soul,” a spirit essence, suffer in physical flames? The prophet wrote, “The soul that sinneth, it shall die,” Ezekiel 18:20.

The New Testament English translation is at the center of most misinterpretation. The Old Testament translation isn’t plagued with as many difficulties. Nevertheless, no other literary work has been preserved better through the ages than the Bible.

Restoration Times Magazine September-October 2019

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Samhain and the Origins of

by Randy Folliard

W

ith the cooling of the season and the changing of the foliage comes the popular holiday known as Halloween. While many view this time as simply an evening of fun for the children and family, the facts of Halloween may shock you. Most will never never question the etymology or history of this holiday.

This is not a day we believers or our children should be observing.

Halloween is one of the most demonic days in today’s secular calendar. Before we delve into Scripture, let’s first consider the history of Halloween.

A Deadly Connection

The History Channel provides this short synopsis on the history of Halloween, “Evolving from the ancient Celtic holiday of Samhain, modern Halloween has become less about literal ghosts and

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ghouls and more about costumes and candy.

“The Celts used the day to mark the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter, and also believed that this transition between the seasons was a bridge to the world of the dead. Over the millennia the holiday transitioned from a somber pagan ritual to a day of merriment, costumes, parades and sweet treats for children and adults.” http://www.history.com/topics/ halloween Halloween comes from an ancient pagan holiday known as Samhain.

This fact is indisputable! There is no denying the pagan roots of Halloween.

As explained in this source, this day marked the fall harvest and was believed to be the day when the line between the living and dead was at its thinnest.

As a second witness, the New World Encyclopedia states, “Halloween has origins in the ancient Celtic festival

known as Samhain. The festival of Samhain is a celebration of the end of the harvest season in Gaelic culture, and is sometimes regarded as the ‘Celtic New Year.’

“The Celts believed that on October 31, now known as Halloween, the boundary between the living and the dead dissolved, and the deceased became dangerous for the living, causing problems such as sickness or damaged crops. Festivals frequently involved bonfires, into which the bones of slaughtered livestock were thrown.

Costumes and masks were also worn at the festivals in an attempt to copy the evil spirits or placate them.” (http:// www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/ Halloween) Samhain was a pagan Celtic festival observed on October 31st. This was a special date for the Celts as the living came together on the evening of October 31. Afraid that the spirits of the deceased

would cause harm to them or those around them, the Celts would disguise themselves by dressing in costumes that imitated the deceased. In doing so, they believed they would not be harmed.

Even though the name has changed, its pagan practices are still very much alive today through Halloween. Like so many other fossilized church traditions, the Roman Church repackaged this day to resemble something that was holy or sacred. It is called “syncretism,” which the Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines as “the combination of different forms of belief or practice.”

From the Encyclopaedia Britannica we learn how a once pagan day that likely included human sacrifice was slowly morphed into a day that was intended to honor the saints of the church: “Halloween had its origins in the festival of Samhain among the Celts of ancient Britain and Ireland. On the day corresponding to November 1 on contemporary calendars, the new year was believed to begin. That date was considered the beginning of the winter period, the date on which the herds were returned from pasture and land tenures were renewed.

“During the Samhain festival the souls of those who had died were believed to return to visit their homes, and those who had died during the year were believed to journey to the otherworld. People set bonfires on hilltops for relighting their hearth fires for the winter and to frighten away evil spirits, and they sometimes wore masks and other disguises to avoid being recognized by the ghosts thought to be present.

“It was in those ways that beings such as witches, hobgoblins, fairies, and demons came to be associated with the day. The period was also thought to be favourable for divination on matters such as marriage, health, and death.

When the Romans conquered the Celts in the 1st century CE, they added their own festivals of Feralia, commemorating the passing of the dead, and of Pomona,

the goddess of the harvest.

“In the 7th century CE Pope Boniface IV established All Saints’ Day, originally on May 13, and in the following century, perhaps in an effort to supplant the pagan holiday with a Christian observance, it was moved to November 1. The evening before All Saints’ Day became a holy, or hallowed, eve [contraction of evening] and thus Hallowe’en. By the end of the Middle Ages, the secular and the sacred days had merged.

“The Reformation essentially put an end to the religious holiday among Protestants, although in Britain especially Halloween continued to be celebrated as a secular holiday.

“Along with other festivities, the celebration of Halloween was largely forbidden among the early American colonists, although in the 1800s there developed festivals that marked the harvest and incorporated elements of Halloween. When large numbers of immigrants, including the Irish, went to the United States beginning in the mid 19th century, they took their Halloween customs with them, and in the 20th century Halloween became one of the principal U.S. holidays, particularly among children.” (http:// www.britannica.com/topic/Halloween) Church-Pagan Blend

In an attempt to purify a once pagan observance, the Church repurposed this day to memorialize something holy. The problem with such an action is that it directly goes against the clear teachings of Scripture. Jeremiah states that we are not to learn or practice the ways of the heathen.

Halloween is not the only example of this blending with pagan traditions.

The Roman Church did the same with Easter and Christmas.

In fact, Easter hearkens back to the Old Testament. It was then called Estarte or the Queen of Heaven. The tribe of Judah was condemned by Jeremiah for the worship of this deity, Jeremiah 7:18 and 44:15-26. The more things change, the more they stay the same. Instead of

standing on truth, it was easier for the Church to simply re-label these days and sweep its pagan past under the rug.

Sadly, we continue to see this same type of compromise today. Instead of standing on truth, many ministers are forsaking the clear teachings of Scripture for numbers and expediency.

Avoiding All Paganism

Yahweh our Heavenly Father commands us to come out of false worship. A powerful prohibition is found in Jeremiah 10:2, where we read, “Thus saith Yahweh, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them.”

What do you suppose Jeremiah means when he says, learn not the way of the heathen? How does the Bible define a heathen?

This word is from the Hebrew gowy and refers to a foreign nation; specifically, an unbelieving nation.

Based on this definition, would it be proper for us to change Yahweh’s worship for the worship of a foreign nation? The answer is a resounding no!

This one warning in Jeremiah should be enough for us to remove all worship that deviates from the Bible.

Regrettably, though, the majority of today’s worship in the church is based more on tradition than the Bible. No different from when Israel adopted the pagan beliefs from their neighbors, nominal worship has done the same.

This is true for most of the popular church holidays today, including Valentine’s Day, Good Friday, Easter, Lent, Halloween, and Christmas. Even though all of these days were adopted from paganism, a strong case could be made that Halloween is the most egregious. This day is literally rooted in demonic activity.

Jeremiah wasn’t the only one to express concern regarding the practice of adopting and blending pagan ways.

We also find a warning in Leviticus 20:23: “And ye shall not walk in the Restoration Times Magazine September-October 2019

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manners of the nation, which I cast out before you: for they committed all these things, and therefore I abhorred them.”

As we saw in Jeremiah, Leviticus also states that we must not follow the worship of the nations. The word “manners” is from the Hebrew chuqqah.

The Brown Driver Briggs Hebrew Lexicon defines this word as, “a statute, an ordinance, a limit, an enactment, or something prescribed.” In short, this word refers to any pagan belief outside of the Bible.

Notice what Yahweh says at the very end of verse 23: “I abhorred them.” The word “abhorred” means to “be grieved or to loathe.” Why would we ever follow or adopt a practice that our Heavenly Father loathes? Any rational person not blinded by his or her own tradition would never willfully anger their Creator. This is why we avoid pagan days of worship, especially Halloween.

Another warning is found in Deuteronomy 12:30-31, “Take heed to thyself that thou be not snared by following them, after that they be destroyed from before thee; and that thou enquire not after their mighty ones, saying, How did these nations serve their mighty ones? even so will I do likewise.

Thou shalt not do so unto Yahweh thy Elohim: for every abomination to Yahweh, which he hateth, have they done unto their mighty ones; for even their sons and their daughters they have burnt in the fire to their mighty ones.”

It’s amazing how believers can ignore such admonitions and follow beliefs that clearly go against Yahweh’s Word. While we realize that many simply don’t know the truth, we also know that many do and choose to ignore it. As believers, if we desire to please the One we worship then we must worship Him as He commands.

Yahweh says that these practices are an abomination to Him. This word “abomination” is used for the absolute worst! It comes from the Hebrew tow` ebah and according to Strong’s refers to something that is morally disgusting, an abhorrence.

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Notice the horrid practice we find in the above passage: they sacrificed their sons and daughters in fire to false mighty ones. This is likely a reference to Molech, whose worshipers would murder their children in sacrificial fire.

Something similar to this is found in the pagan roots of Halloween. As did the worshipers of Molech, the ancient Druids also engaged in human sacrifice through bonfires. We find this from the Encyclopaedia Britannica: “The Druids offered human sacrifices for those who were gravely sick or in danger of death in battle. Huge wickerwork images were filled with living men and then burned; although the Druids preferred to sacrifice criminals, they would choose innocent victims if necessary.” (http:// www.britannica.com/topic/Druid) Halloween, too, is rooted in human sacrifice. The fact is, there is little historical difference among these practices. They were equally barbaric forms of worship!

A Dishonor to Yahweh

Knowing this, how is it possible to justify the keeping of Halloween? Sure, we can say that we no longer sacrifice and that this day is now one of fun for the kids, but it does not change the past and also the fact that Yahweh says not to learn the ways of false worship!

We’re now faced with a choice: Are we going to follow our Heavenly Father or indulge in the false traditions of this world? This is the essence of what it is to be a believer.

How far are we willing to go to please the One we worship? Are we willing to just meet Him halfway, as so many do today, or do we go all the way with His truth? Those who go only halfway will not receive His blessings.

Whether we realize it or not, Yahweh requires complete devotion to Him and part of this devotion includes making sure our worship is pure.

Demonic Activity Rampant

As we’ve seen, Halloween is drenched in demonic ideas and practices. Just

notice all of its costumes, gore, and glorification of death. Leviticus 19:26 and 31 cautions against such wickedness: “Ye shall not eat any thing with the blood: neither shall ye use enchantment, nor observe times... Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am Yahweh your Elohim.”

This passage warns against sorcery and demonic activity. It speaks about eating blood, divination, observing times or magic, familiar spirits or ghosts, and wizards.

Do we see any of this in today’s observance of Halloween? Sure, we see all of it and much more! Today’s customs are more gruesome than ever before with blood being the main focal point. It’s all about divination, magic, and ghosts. What Yahweh commands us NOT to do, society does with abandon!

We see the same warning reiterated in Deuteronomy 18:9-14. “When thou art come into the land which Yahweh thy Elohim giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations. There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.

For all that do these things are an abomination unto Yahweh: and because of these abominations Yahweh thy Elohim doth drive them out from before thee. Thou shalt be perfect with Yahweh thy Elohim. For these nations, which thou shalt possess, hearkened unto observers of times, and unto diviners: but as for thee, Yahweh thy Elohim hath not suffered thee so to do.”

Parents know how frustrating it is to tell their children multiple times not to do something and then watch them do it anyway. How many times does Yahweh say in His Word not to follow the ways of the nations and not to pursue witchcraft, divination, and paganism?

We find multiple warnings in both Old and New testaments to avoid such things

and yet most simply ignore it.

Following Yahweh according to His Word is what separates the wheat from the chaff. If we desire to be wheat, i.e., part of the called and chosen, then we must fully commit ourselves to Him now. We must be perfect with Yahweh our Elohim. “Perfect” derives from the Hebrew tamiym and means to be “without blemish, complete, without spot, undefiled, upright, and moral.”

These are characteristics that Yahweh is looking for in His saints.

We might not be perfect in the literal sense, but that doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t strive for tamiym. Right now Yahweh is calling out a few who will serve as priests in the millennial Kingdom. If we are going to be found worthy, then we must forsake pagan beliefs and follow Him completely.

Paul and Celtic Worship

Ironically, we find traces of worship similar to Halloween in Galatians 4:8-11. “Howbeit then, when ye knew not Yahweh, ye did service unto them which by nature are no mighty ones. But now, after that ye have known Elohim, or rather are known of Elohim, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage? Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years. I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain.”

Most clerics will say that Paul’s comment, “…you observe days, and months, and times, and years,” refers to Jewish days of worship. The problem with this is that it doesn’t fit the context or the historical setting. In verse 8 we read that prior to the Galatians coming to the truth, they worshiped false mighty ones. To be precise, Paul states, “which by nature are no mighty ones.”

Let’s consider how the common argument that these are Jewish days of worship could not fit this context.

Since there’s clearly a connection between verses 8 and 11, the only conclusion would be to say Paul is stating that Yahweh, the Elohim of the

Old Testament, is a false mighty one.

Obviously, we know this was not Paul’s conclusion. To understand this passage we need to know who these people were historically.

According to the Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature, the people of Galatia were a mixture of Gauls who migrated from northern Europe and Greeks. We know historically that the Gauls were the ancient Celts. More than likely this is what Paul is speaking about here; he’s not referring to Jewish or Old Testament days of worship, but to the pagan worship of the ancient Celts.

No wonder Paul was so concerned when he said, “I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain.” These people were not returning to Jewish or biblical days of worship, but instead going back to their old pagan worship after all of Paul’s efforts to evangelize them.

Remarkably, nothing has really changed; this is no different from today’s acceptance of Halloween by the Church. As believers, we must avoid false worship, not embrace it. Paul in 1Corinthians 10:20 states unequivocally that we must present a difference: “But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to Elohim: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.”

This is a very simple concept, we cannot worship devils and also worship Yahweh. We must choose which one we will serve. The sad reality is most believers today try to justify doing both.

They know days like Halloween and Christmas emerged from pagan worship, but the argument is, it’s no longer pagan.

In other words, the Church has sanctified this day as holy. Is it really possible, though, to sanctify or cleanse such a day? The answer is an overwhelming no!

Whether people realize it or not, so much of what is taught today in the church was adopted long ago from paganism. Many people who are new to this information may agonize

at the thought of removing days like Halloween and Christmas. Typically this concern is in not knowing how their families will respond and in some cases these people have a right to be concerned.

While pursing the truth isn’t always easy, it’s worth it. There’s nothing greater in this life than knowing you are living for your Heavenly Father.

The fulfillment that comes by living for Yahweh is far greater than anything else this life can offer.

Come Out of Her

Revelation 18:4 provides a warning and admonition to all sincere Bible believers: “And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.”

Yahweh commands us to come out of the sin of this world. This includes removing all the pagan and foreign tradition that has been adopted the last 2,000 years, including not only Christian tradition but also Jewish tradition. The fact is, whether it’s the Jewish Talmud or decrees from Church counsels, if it deviates from the Bible then we must reject it.

It is critically important we remove false traditions from our walk. By so doing we please the One we worship and avoid the plagues of this world. Yahweh is calling out a few who will serve as priests in His coming Kingdom.

Nothing in this life comes even close to the blessings that we will receive if found worthy of this calling. As we find in the Book of Deuteronomy, Yahweh has set before us life and death, blessings and the curse, and He’s telling you today, as He told Israel of old, choose.

Life is about choices; are we going to follow our Heavenly Father or allow something or someone to impede that from happening? The most important choice for us is making sure that our life and worship is right with Yahweh so that we’ll be found worthy of His Kingdom at the return of His Son. Restoration Times Magazine September-October 2019

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A Preview of the Improved and Expanded

Topical Reference for the Next Edition RSB

Abortion Even though abortion is a political issue today, it has always been a moral issue. The Bible is clear that a new life begins in the womb, specifically at conception, and not at the moment of birth. Scripture describes prenatal existence in personal terms, showing that Yahweh already recognizes yet unborn individuals. Yahweh loves both the born and unborn. Human life is a sacred gift from Yahweh.

• “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations” (Jeremiah 1:5, RSB).

• “By thee have I been holden up from the womb: thou art he that took me out of my mother's bowels: my praise shall be continually of thee” (Psalm 71:6, RSB).

• “For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb” (Psalm 139:13, RSB).

• “Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; Yahweh hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name” (Isaiah 49:1, RSB).

• “But when it pleased Elohim, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood” (Galatians 1:15-16, RSB).

• “For he shall be great in the sight of Yahweh, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb” (Luke 1:15, RSB).

Adultery The word “adultery” occurs 40 times in the King James Version. The Merriam Webster Dictionary defines adultery as, “voluntary sexual [relations] between a married man and someone other than his wife or between a married woman and someone other than her husband.” The punishment for this sin in the Old Testament was death. In the New Testament the Messiah broadened the sin of adultery to include lustful thoughts and intents.

• “Thou shalt not commit adultery” (Exodus 20:14, RSB).

• “If a man be found lying with a woman married to an husband, then they shall both of them die, both the man that lay with the woman, and the woman: so shalt thou put away evil from Israel” (Deuteronomy 22:22, RSB).

• “Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looks on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart” (Matthew 5:27-28, RSB).

Age of Accountability The Bible reveals that the maturity level at which someone is accountable for his or her actions is 20 years of age. At this age a man was qualified for military service, priestly duties and taxable. A person at 20 was also counted as an adult in the census and could work on temple construction. The clearest verification of 20 as the age at which one is held accountable is that all Israelites 20 years and older were barred from the Promised Land because of their disbelief and disobedience, except for Joshua and Caleb who showed great faith in trusting Yahweh. Those under 20 were allowed to go in.

• “From twenty years old and upward, all that are able to go forth to war in Israel: thou and Aaron shall number them by their armies” (Numbers 1:3, RSB).

• “Your carcases shall fall in this wilderness; and all that were numbered of you, according to your whole number, from twenty years old and upward, which have murmured against me” (Numbers 14:29, RSB).

• “Take the sum of all the congregation of the children of Israel, from twenty years old and upward, throughout their fathers' house, all that are able to go to war in Israel” (Numbers 26:2, RSB).

• “Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When a man shall make a singular vow, the persons shall be for Yahweh by thy estimation. And thy estimation shall be of the male from twenty years old even unto sixty years old, even thy estimation shall be fifty shekels of silver, after the shekel of the sanctuary” (Leviticus 27:2-3, RSB).

• “These were the sons of Levi after the house of their fathers; even the chief of the fathers, as they were counted by number of names by their polls, that did the work for the service of the house of Yahweh, from the age of twenty years and upward” (1 Chronicles 23:24, RSB).

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Apostasy The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia says of apostasy, “a falling away, a withdrawal, a defection. Not found in the English Versions of the Bible, but used twice in the New Testament, in the Greek original, to express abandonment of the faith.” Never in the history of the church has there been such departing from truth as today. Paul prophesied that as the Messiah’s coming looms closer, apostasy will become common.

• “For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock” (Acts 20:29, RSB).

• “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears” (2Timothy 4:3, RSB).

• “For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way” (2Thessalonians 2:7, RSB).

• “But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction” (2Peter 2:1, RSB).

Backsliders Backsliding is turning from the faith once we come to the knowledge of truth or have been enlightened. For those who completely backslide and forsake the faith there remains no more opportunity for salvation.

• “For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Spirit, And have tasted the good word of Elohim, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they impale to themselves the Son of Elohim afresh and put him to an open shame” (Hebrews 6:4-6, RSB).

• “The meaning of this passage has caused much debate. One view is that this refers only to those believers who have been enlightened and empowered through the Holy Spirit. A second interpretation is that this generally refers to all believers. Based on the Greek, the first view is favored. Enlightened means, "illuminated with understanding." The Holy Spirit teaches greater understanding (John 14:26), but is given only to the obedient, Acts 5:32. Also see Hebrews 10:26-27” (RSB).

• “For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins” (Hebrews 10:26, RSB).

• "If one in full knowledge deliberately rejects Yahweh's truth for the pleasures of sin, there remains no more a sacrifice from the Messiah. Yahweh's grace brings one to repentance and Yahshua's blood offers justification or release from sin. Once that grace and justification have been received, one must strive to abstain from sin (Rom. 6:20-21; Jude 1:4,” RSB).

• “For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Master and Savior Yahshua Messiah, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning” (2Peter 2:20, RSB).

• “Those who understand and accept Yahshua the Messiah but later return to a life of sin will find themselves in a far worse condition than if they never committed to the Messiah (Heb. 6:4-6;10:26-27; Matt. 12:31-32,” RSB).

• “Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living Elohim. But exhort one another daily, while it is called Today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we are made partakers of Messiah, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end” (Hebrews 3:12-14, RSB).

Baptism Scripture defines baptism as complete submersion in water. The word comes from the Greek baptizo and means “to immerse, submerge; to make overwhelmed (i.e. fully wet)…”, John 3:23, Acts 8:38 (Strong’s). The ritual of sprinkling or aspersion was not practiced until centuries after the apostolic or early assembly, being a church invention. Yahshua was baptized by John to fulfill all righteousness, Matthew 3:15. Water baptism is a requirement for all believers and impacts salvation. Peter wrote, “The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now saves us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward Elohim,) by the resurrection of Yahshua Messiah,” 1Peter 3:21. Submersion into water represents death of the old, carnal man and the rising out of the water as the birth of a new, spiritual creation. In that it typifies Yahshua’s death and resurrection, Romans 6:3-5. Immersion is to be administered by the ordained ministry. It is preceded by repentance and is followed by the laying on of hands of the minister(s) to receive the Holy Spirit, Acts 2:2-4, 1Timothy 4:14 (presbytery— Gk. presbyterion: elders of the assembly). Paul writes in Romans 8:9 that without His Spirit imparted after immersion that we “are none of His.” • “And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified Elohim, being baptized with the baptism of John” (Luke 7:29, RSB).

• Yahshua answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of Yahweh” (John 3:5, RSB).

• “water...Spirit - depicting baptism and the resurrection” (RSB).

• “Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Yahshua Messiah were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Messiah was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:3-4, RSB).

• “Immersion in the burial waters of baptism symbolizes Yahshua's own death and burial. Rising out of those waters typifies Yahshua's resurrection and a new life” (RSB).

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• “In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Messiah: Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of Yahweh, who hath raised him from the dead” (Colossians 2:11-12, RSB).

• “Paul confirms here that circumcision is no longer achieved through the flesh, as instructed in the OT (Ex. 12:48), but by baptism into Yahshua's Name” (Acts 2:38, RSB).

• “One Master, one faith, one baptism, One El and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all” (Ephesians 4:5-6, RSB).

• “In a single statement Paul demolishes today’s ecumenism and widespread belief in diversity of truth. Only one body, faith, and baptism is acceptable to Yahweh” (RSB).

Baptism into Yahshua's Name All baptisms in the New Testament were into the singular Name of Yahshua the Messiah. There is no instance of baptism in any other name or formula, including baptism in the names of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Baptism is also done into—and not in—the Name of Yahshua, as the True Worshiper figuratively enters into His death, Romans 6:3, and then enters into the family of Yahweh and His Son Yahshua through the Holy Spirit, Matthew 5:45.

• “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in [into] the name of Yahshua Messiah for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38, RSB).

• “Baptism was done only into the singular Name of Yahshua (Acts 8:16; 10:48; 19:5; 22:16; Rom. 6:3; Gal. 3:27) and involved the imparting of Yahweh's Holy Spirit” (RSB).

• “And he commanded them to be baptized in [into] the name of Yahshua. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days” (Acts 10:48, RSB).

• “Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit: (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in [into] the name of the Master Yahshua.) Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit” (Acts 8:15-17, RSB).

• “The Holy Spirit comes only through the laying on of hands by the elders. Deacon Philip baptized, but he could not lay on hands” (RSB).

• “When they heard this, they were baptized in [into] the name of the Sovereign Yahshua” (Acts 19:5, RSB).

• “Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Yahshua Messiah were baptized into his death?” (Romans 6:3, RSB).

• “For as many of you as have been baptized into Messiah have put on Messiah” (Galatians 3:27, RSB).

• “Yahshua answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of Yahweh. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? Yahshua answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of Yahweh. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again” (John 3:3-7, RSB).

• “born again” - should be born from above. Born from above indicates spirit essence (vv.6, 8). One cannot be born again and remain physical and mortal (1Cor. 15:22-23, 50-54)” (RSB).

• “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren” (Romans 8:29, RSB).

• “But now is Messiah risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept…Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory” (1Corinthians 15:20, 51-54, RSB).

• “Yahshua was the firstfruits of those to be resurrected, meaning that He was the very first to be resurrected to eternal life. Those immersed into Yahshua's Name will be resurrected in His likeness at His coming (Rom. 6:5)” (RSB).

• “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Messiah was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is impaled with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin” (Romans 6:4-7, RSB).

• “To participate in the likeness of Yahshua's resurrection, one must rise from a symbolic burial depicted by the baptismal waters.

Being 'born again' includes both baptism into Yahshua's Name (born of water) and the resurrection (of the spirit). At the Messiah's return, the saints will receive spirit or heavenly bodies (1Cor. 15:48-49). These bodies will share in the same likeness and glory of Yahshua's own resurrected body” (RSB).

“Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts” (2 Corinthians 1:22, RSB).

“Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory” (Ephesians 1:14, RSB).

• “The word ‘earnest’ is from the Greek arrhabon and means ‘a pledge or part of the money given in advance as security.’ Those who are baptized into the Name of Yahshua the Messiah (Acts 2:38) receive only a portion of Yahweh's Spirit now, waiting for the fullness at Yahshua's return, 2Corinthians 1:22 (NIV calls it a deposit).” (RSB).

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Restoration Times Magazine September-October 2019

Q

I know a group who believe in the weekly Sabbath but teach that Zechariah 14:16-17 says that only the Feast of Tabernacles will be observed in the Millennium. Furthermore, they state that these things were fulfilled in the Messiah and therefore all feast keeping is symbolic, for He was offered as the "final sacrifice."

A

Zechariah 14:16-17 does teach that Tabernacles will be kept in the Millennium. Isaiah 66:23 also says of the Millennium, "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."

Notice, this passage speaks of not only the new moons, but also includes more than the weekly Sabbath, because the Hebrew for Sabbath is in the plural.

The other annual Sabbaths will be observed in the Millennium as well as Tabernacles.

Leviticus 23 lists the seven annual Holy Days and we read that these "shall be a statute forever throughout your generations in all your dwellings" (verses 14, 21, 31, 41).

If as some wrongly assume, the Feasts were given only to Jews, then the Jews were misled by His assumed abolishing of them because Yahshua's death and the New Covenant He instituted apply to Jews as well, Galatians 3:28.

If these days were abolished or set aside by Yahshua, then why did Paul say in 1Corinthians 5:7-8, “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 bread of sincerity and truth"?

Here Paul was also addressing Gentiles. The Corinthians were not Jews.

Yet he plainly described the Savior as "our" Passover sacrifice, adding that we should keep the Feast of Unleavened Bread! Obviously, the Corinthians had been taught about Passover and the seven days of Unleavened Bread that follow.

All this was after the death and resurrection of the Savior, and Paul was still teaching the annual Holy Days! Why? Because the Bible calls them "Yahweh's

Feasts," not Jewish Feasts.

In writing the history of the early assembly Luke specifically mentions that he and others sailed away from Philippi after the days of Unleavened Bread, Acts 20:6. Note that Luke establishes time according to the annual holy days, which would be irrelevant if those days were no longer in effect.

Paul was determined to spend Pentecost at Jerusalem (Acts 20:16), and Acts 24:11 reveals that he went there to worship, not just to address a crowd of people. This was 25 years after the impalement and resurrection of the

Messiah Yahshua.

In Acts 18:21 we learn that Paul observed the Feast of Tabernacles. In Acts 27:9 Luke establishes the time according to the fast on the Day of Atonement commanded in Leviticus 23:27-29 (about 61 C.E.).

The sacrifices ordained in the Old Testament are set in abeyance for us today since the death and resurrection of the Messiah. But the sacrifices were only an aspect of the ceremony carried out at the Feasts.

Just because the sacrificial ceremony changed does not mean the Feasts themselves went into disuse as well. If we are Abraham's seed and take hold of the Covenant offered us, we will become a part of the body of Messiah. Afterwards those not called now will be given their opportunity, but the sacrifices will be reinstituted, as we see in Ezekiel 40-44.

The weekly and annual Sabbaths were

given anciently to Cain and Abel (Gen. 4:1-5). They were kept by Abraham (Gen. 26:5) and written down for Israel when they were redeemed from Egypt, Exodus 23:10-11, 24:3. These were observed by ancient Israel. They were observed by the Messiah and His disciples. Paul kept them as shown. They will be kept in the Kingdom. Why then do some teach that these Sabbaths and annual Holy Days are set aside now?

To assume Colossians 2:14-16 states that the annual Feast Days are done away is perverting Scripture. This is not what these verses teach. Neither do they do away with or set aside the weekly Sabbath as some Sunday keepers teach.

How can we be a teacher and a priest in the Kingdom (Rev. 1:6; 5:10) unless we can show others what to do and when to observe these commanded days?

Even in our secular world one has to be very knowledgeable about the law and even be a practicing lawyer before one becomes a judge.

How can we be a judge in the Kingdom when we never kept the annual Sabbaths a day in our life? How can we bring judgment upon someone for not observing Tabernacles (Zech. 14:16-18) when we ourselves never observed it?

The walk in truth is a continuum. It begins in this life and carries on into the next life in the Kingdom.

Q A

What happens after the Millennium? I hear a lot about the thousand-year reign, but not about what occurs afterward.

In the Book of Revelation Yahweh details events that follow the Millennium, declaring that He will come to earth in the New Jerusalem and describing what the city will be like. But before that, the White Throne judgment will immediately follow the Millennium.

At that time Satan, the man of sin, and death are all destroyed in the lake of fire, Revelation 20:7-15.

Revelation chapters 21-22 discuss various aspects of New Jerusalem.

Following are highlights: • There will be no more sorrow (21:4).

• All things will be made new (21:5).

• Overcomers will inherit all things Restoration Times Magazine September-October 2019

19

(21:7).

• The wicked will be destroyed in the lake of fire (21:8). The 21st chapter should begin in verse 9, with the above verses a continuation of chapter 20. The Greek text did not have chapter divisions. Catholic cardinal Stephen Langton invented the chapter divisions in 1205, which are still used today. They were then back-inserted into Greek manuscripts of the New Testament in the 16th century.

• Revelation 21:9-22:7 describes the New Jerusalem, with Yahweh dwelling on earth.

• The Tree of Life shown in Genesis reappears, bearing fruit each month and producing leaves that will heal (22:2). We find it significant that most pharmaceuticals used today are derived from plants.

• Yahweh's Name will be in the foreheads of the people (22:4).

• Only those who keep Yahweh's laws will have right to the Tree of Life and will be able to enter the holy city (22:14).

The parts of Ezekiel 37 and beyond concern post-millennial Jerusalem.

Q A

If we use Yahweh 's Name, aren’t we in danger of blasphemy, according to the Word?

Leviticus 24:15-16 is often quoted as the reason the Jews stopped proclaiming the Name Yahweh and disguised or substituted other appelations like Adonai (L-rd) to hide the Name.

The verses read, "And you shall speak unto the children of Israel, saying, Whosoever curses his Elohim shall bear his sin. And he that blasphemes name of Yahweh, he shall surely be put to death, and all the congregation shall certainly

stone him: as well as the stranger, as he that is born in the land, when he blasphemes the name of Yahweh, shall be put to death. The Septuagint reads, "names the Name” for "blasphemes.”

Because the Name is holy and precious, no one should invoke Yahweh's Name flippantly or use it in a degrading manner. The death penalty was decreed on one who would bring disgrace to the personal Name Yahweh.

The Third Commandment clearly shows the sacredness and high esteem we should have for Yahweh’s Name, as declared in Exodus 20:7: "You shall not take the name of Yahweh your Elohim in vain for Yahweh will not hold him guiltless that takes His name in vain."

To stop calling upon His Name lest one might blaspheme it, however, is much like ignoring the Sabbath so one will not break this Fourth Commandment.

Neither can we ignore our parents to avoid breaking the Fifth Commandment.

We must learn to handle rightly Bible truth and not do away with or circumvent His commandments.

There is salvation only in Yahweh's Name and we are to invoke the Name Yahweh and use it, as we read in Joel 2:32: “And it shall come to pass, that whoever shall call on the name of Yahweh shall be delivered; for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be those that escape, as Yahweh has said, and among the remnant those whom Yahweh does call.”

King David clearly teaches in the Psalms that we are to call upon the Name Yahweh and all nations will come and worship before Yahweh and "shall glorify your name," Psalm 86:7-9. The one whose

Tabernacles 2019 Rundown Filled to capacity, people from across the country arrived in Holts Summit, Missouri to keep he Feast with us at YRM. The spiritual food was as abundant as the physical food. From learning the Hebrew language to understanding the importance of the Firstfruits and more, those who came hungry went away full.

Watch the Sukkot Rundown >> youtu.be/Lb13YcnlkKo

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Restoration Times Magazine September-October 2019

Name is Yahweh will spare us according to Psalm 91:14, "Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high because he has known my Name!" There are a number of Psalms with this and similar promises.

It is strange that the admonition in Jeremiah 44:26 is also used as "proof" that Jews were not to call on Yahweh's Name while in Egypt—and apparently some teachers would like to include everyone in this prohibition as well.

One must read the entire 44th chapter to understand the reason the Jews were not to call upon Yahweh's Name. Calling on Yahweh's revealed Name is a privilege that Yahweh granted His people. But verse 26 and the 44th chapter prohibited invoking His Name as a punishment for the Jews' gross idolatry. He did not want His Name mixed in with heathen worship.

Q

Could you suggest any reading that would help me to understand the Yahweh I find in the Hebrew Bible who seems to order or at least condone the killing of innocents? I struggle to see the loving Father of the New Testament in too many of the accounts of Yahweh's commands. Is it just my modern Protestant Christianity which is off-base? I do struggle with the idea of the trinity and salvation by grace alone, which is what attracted me to your message.

A

Yahweh is a Mighty One of standards and high expectations of His people. The Reformers seem to have missed that fact with their grace and faith alone teachings.

When His people failed Him Yahweh chastised them in various ways. It was man who sinned and turned from Him in Eden, and still lives with the results of that curse.

When He gave Israel the Promised Land of Canaan Yahweh had to remove the wicked, Baal-worshiping inhabitants.

Otherwise they would have completely polluted Israel with their evil ways and His whole purpose of a chosen people who would conform to Him would have been an utter failure. The “uncircumcised Philistines” living there would never convert to Him but would only be bent on

wiping out His people Israel wherever they encountered them, which they repeatedly attempted to do.

When you don’t deal decisively with evil it will always come back to bite you. Does that mean the ignorant will all be destroyed in the lake of fire? We believe that they will learn of and have an opportunity to accept Yahweh in the second resurrection. As Paul said in 1Timothy 2:4, Yahweh “desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”

Those in the first resurrection, like maybe you, are Yahweh’s first choice and will receive the greater blessings forever!

Is that not incentive enough for us to want to live for Him now?

Q

Read Revelation 20:10. It says the devil and the creature and the false prophet will be tormented day and night forever and ever. That does not mean destroyed, does it?

A

Were this the only verse dealing with the question, it might appear that Satan will be tormented forever and ever. Revelation 20:10 reads: “And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are [were cast], and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.”

“Are” is added by the translators of the King James Version. Other English translations imply that the beast and the false prophet will be tormented forever as well.

However, the beast and false prophets are both human beings. Does this mean that they are selected above all wicked people to be tormented forever along with the devil?

The word “tormented” is No. 928, basanizo, from No. 931, a touchstone, meaning to test metals, by the touchstone, then to torture. Some scholars contend that the sense is that the awful record left by

Satan will be a deterrent from disobedience, and will serve to influence good behavior in the future of mankind forever.

Spirit beings can indeed be destroyed, as this is the question the demons asked Yahshua: “Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with you, you Yahshua of Nazareth?

Are you come to destroy us? We know who you are, the Holy One of Yahweh,” Mark 1:24.

Although spirit beings cannot die, apparently they can be destroyed: “But they who shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage: Neither can they die any more: for they are equal to the angels; and are the children of Elohim, being the children of the resurrection,” Luke 20:35-36.

Let us turn to other verses in the Bible for a balanced and complete view of this subject, which indicates that Satan will be destroyed: • “Since then the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is. the devil” (Heb. 2:14).

• ”You were perfect in your ways from the day that you were created, till iniquity was found in you. By the multi­tude of your merchandise they have filled the midst of you with violence, and you have sinned: therefore I will cast you as profane out of the mountain of Elohim: and I will destroy you, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire. Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty, you have corrupted your wisdom by reason of your brightness: I will cast you to the ground, I will lay you be­ fore kings, that they may behold you.

You have defiled your sanctuaries by the multitude of your iniquities, by the iniquity of your merchandise; therefore will I bring forth a fire from the midst of you, it shall devour you, and I will bring you to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all them that behold you.

All they that know you among the people shall be astonished at you: you shall be a terror, and never shall you be any more” (Ezek. 28:15-19).

• “How are you fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how are you cut down to the ground, which did weaken the nations! For you have said in your heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of Elohim: I will sit also upon the mount of the con­gregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Yet you shall be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit. They that see you shall narrowly look upon you, and consider you, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that shook kingdoms; That made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed her cities; that opened not the house of his prisoners? All the kings of the nations, even all of them, lie in glory, every one in his own house. But you are cast out of your grave like an abominable branch, and as the raiment of those that are slain, thrust through with a sword, that go down to the stones of the pit; as a dead body trod­ den under feet” (Isa. 14:12-19).

• ”And the Elohim of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly…” (Rom. 16:20 KJV). The NIV translates bruise as “crush,” as does the NRSV. The word “bruise” in the King James is Strong’s No. 4937, suntribo, to crush completely i.e. to shatter and is translated break in pieces, broken to shivers. Thus, Paul says that Satan and evil will be crushed ut­ terly, destroyed by Yahshua. That is also the thrust of this verse.

• “And the nations were angry, and your wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that you should give reward to your servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear your NAME, small and great; and should destroy them who destroy the earth” (Rev. 11:18).

Outreach Program’s Current Partners We recognize our outreach partners for their outstanding dedication to the Truth in their effort to fulfill the Great Commission. If you are interested in becoming an outreach partner to help us spread the Truth, visit: http://www.yrm.org/outreach or call us at (573) 896-1000 during normal office hours (M-F, 8:00 am- 4:00 pm.) We willl explain how you can join this group committed to spreading the Good News!

Meandy Bishop Michael Bishop Larry Godejohn Robert Kountz Linda Lowe

Zipporah Mwangi David Nesta Steve Twillegar James Williams Michael Hubbard

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“I have followed the laws of Yahweh for 38 years, the last 20 without an assembly. Glad I found you. May Yahweh continue to bless your outreach and bring more believers into the fold.” – TH “Thank you for clearing up the Sabbath.

I want to serve Yah in all I do. I did start keeping the Sabbath on Saturday and then came across [a web site] and thought I may have been keeping it wrong. I read for myself but never found anything to do with the moon. I always did feel that somehow it wasn't right. Thanks again for confirming it.” – MP [Yahweh established the weekly Sabbath as every seventh day. It is a constant that was established by Him alone when He rested the seventh day of creation. There are no instructions in the Scriptures to count out the Sabbath starting with the new moon as a weekly Sabbath day. For a detailed look at the lunar Sabbath heresy, and all of its problems, see our online booklet at: https:// yrm.org/lunar-sabbath-illusion/ -ED] “I'm so grateful and glad for Yahweh and his son! I finally found a congregation that knows, believes, and follows the same doctrine that Yahweh showed me in the Bible and through his Son and his Holy Spirit.

All other congregations have been given a false doctrine and they believe it without even reading the Bible themselves. It's so

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wonderful to know you are there, fellowship with other followers and believers is so important and vital to the well-being of our spirit. I have a question. Where do we find out about the scriptural age of 20 being the accountable adult age?” – RJ [See p.16 of this issue as well as our study at https://yrm.org/come-belief-ageaccountability-20/ - ED]

true worship.” -ST

“I believe the videos, articles, sabbath sermons, etc., are awesome resources for those of us searching and praying for answers that we will never find in traditional churches. I found you by Googling ‘Holy Trinity,’ a belief that I could never figure out or understand even as a child in Sunday school or the place they send youngsters to keep them quiet but not actually learning about scripture. I haven’t thought it was true and cannot really trust a pastor who does not help me understand and find answers. I enjoy most of your teachings and agree with some but am not sure about others. I am going to continue searching, though, as it’s how Yahweh answers us. We need to look to find, not have someone else just tell us. Look at how much the trinity has caused because people just don’t seek.” - SJ

“I’m a boat captain and that has been my career since my early life and have a family to take care of and make a decent living....I know nothing else and wouldn’t even make half of what I make now and wouldn’t be able to support my family and would lose all that I own because I either lean on the mercy of the FATHER and pray he holds me in his loving arms and do my best or I give up my career to go work at McDonald’s and stay off the boats. I’ve been a boat captain for 16 years working a 20/10 schedule with only one Saturday off out of the month....

Then there are those who would argue that Saturday is not the actual day of the week because Saturday is ....(1) derived from the root word for Saturn and refers to the day when people worship and honor Saturn and then ....(2) there are those who would argue that the true seventh day is based on the lunar calendar the Hebrew people follow which switches for us because our months vary....so the question is why so much division and why is it so hard to just be a follower?” - MR

[Your struggle with the Sabbath shows you’re being convicted. Yahweh won’t let you down if you take the obedient steps to honor Him first. Others literally “in the same boat” have done so and were blessed. Yahweh tests us to step out in faith, believing. As for the pagans calling Sabbath Saturn, they also call the next day Sunday for sun worship and named other days of the week for heathen deities. As for the lunar Sabbath fantasy, see our answer to the first letter on this page.]

“A lady at our Bible study wants to be baptized, but does NOT want to observe the Sabbath (she feels she’s not ready to totally commit). Please advise.” –EC [Baptism follows repentance, which means a complete redirection in life and devotion.

Unless we are totally committed and ready to make that transformational life change, we are not ready for immersion. We make a mockery of baptism if we continue to sin by deliberate Sabbath breaking. -ED] “I am studying your booklets. Have been a Sunday worshiper but have now learned the set-apart names and the true day of worship.

Any assistance through baptism will be appreciated. Thanks for your efforts to restore

“Mom and I come from a church background.

Trying to teach the truth is tough. May I ask for prayers in teaching my mom that she see and accept the truth, and for prayers that I will be healed so I can support myself and be able to better serve Yah. Bless you all for the work you are doing.” - EB

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Strange bedfellows?

Discover the shocking compromise the church made with paganism!

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