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September-October-2004
INSIDE THIS ISSUE How
Names Describe Scriptural Fulfillment Why
We Should Observe the Feasts of Yahweh Atonement,
A Day of Covering Should
A New Testament Believer Be Circumcised?
Messiah,
Torah, and Me
WHY ANOTHER MAGAZINE? By Jerry Healan I
know that this will be the first question
asked, and that is a good question. With the virtual explosion of knowledge in
these last days, as prophesied by the prophet Daniel, there is simply too much
to read, too much to learn. It simply isn’t possible for us to read everything
in print. Neither is it possible for us to absorb it all. The libraries are
chocked full of books and more and more books are being written each day. There
are newspapers, magazines, text books and then there is the internet. The
internet alone, has more than one can read in thousands of lifetimes. This, of
course, certainly isn’t necessarily new. Solomon stated, “...of making of
many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the
flesh,” Eccl. 12:12. Can you imagine that? Even in Solomon’s day, there were
too many books to read and too much studying and reading certainly does cause
one to become weary. So why don’t we take the hint and just forget about the
production of another magazine. Don’t the people have enough to read already? We certainly know how that is here at
Yahweh’s Evangelical Assembly because we do have a tendency to receive
magazines that never get read and also to purchase books which are only
partially read at this point, but with all of the knowledge made available to us
today there still lacks a magazine or publication (other than the Bible, of
course) that focuses principally on the One Who should be most important to us
and that is Yahshua the Messiah, the Son of the Heavenly Father Yahweh. It seems
that we get to focusing on the importance of Yahweh’s Name, or the Torah
(which is important), or our own ability to fulfill the Torah, etc., but we
neglect something that is extremely important and that is Yahshua and His
fulfillment of the Scriptures. Yahshua told the people of His day, “Search
the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they
which testify of Me. And ye will not come to Me, that ye might have life,” Jn.
5:39-40. Is it possible that we are making the same mistake? You know, history
does repeat itself, time and time and time again. Why? Because man has a
tendency to forget. Man has a tendency to forsake history. Yahshua gave the
parable of the 10 virgins in Mat. 25 who all slumbered and slept. Half of them
were foolish because they took no oil in their lamps and when the cry came to
awake from sleep and come meet the returning Messiah Who is also to be their
husband, the Bridegroom, they weren’t prepared for it. Yahshua also told His disciples, “These are
the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be
fulfilled, which were written in the Law of Moses, and in the Prophets, and in
the Psalms, concerning Me.’
Then opened He their understanding, that they might understand the Scriptures,
and said unto them, ‘Thus it is written, and thus it behoved the Messiah to suffer, and to rise
from the dead the third day: and that repentance and remission of sins should be
preached in His name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are
witnesses of these things,”
Lk. 24:44-48. We find that so many are neglecting to teach
how Yahshua fulfilled the Scriptures. Rather, many are going about seeking how
to establish their own righteousness, a mistake that Israel made, according to
the Apostle Paul, and surely a mistake that the Pharisees, Scribes and Sadducees
made. Many have been led to question the New Testament Scriptures altogether,
but the New Testament is not only a witness of the New Covenant that Yahweh
promised to make, but it is a witness concerning how Yahshua fulfilled the Law
of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms. It is the purpose of this magazine to utilize
both Old and New Testament Scriptures in order to reveal how Yahshua is spoken
of and how He has fulfilled them. We also understand that He also has other
Scriptures to fulfill in the future. These also must be pointed out. We certainly solicit your prayers on our
behalf as we embark on this journey, intent and goal to feed the flock of
Yahshua with the True Bread from heaven, remind you of Yahshua’s fulfillment
of the Scriptures and seek to aid the bride in preparing herself for the
wondrous marriage that will take place at His second appearing. Elder/Evangelist Jerry Healan
At
the end of each Gregorian Calendar year, the world celebrates a holiday in honor
of the Savior’s birth. Pageants, programs and scenes depict three wise men at
a manger scene with a great shining star, a mother and father with a child in a
manger. Sadly, what the world has been led to do is to lump the accounts of
Matthew, chapters 1 and 2 with Luke chapters 1 through 3 which has a tendency to
mislead and confuse rather than portray the truth. The timing of this observance
also has a tendency to mislead and confuse because it can be proven that the
Savior was not born at this time of the year. Some who understand that Mat. 1-2
and Lk. 1-3 are not contemporary have been led to deny that Matthew chapters 1
and 2 are even a viable part of Scripture, but were added at a later date in
order to lead believers into the idolatry of Mithras worship. It
is not the purpose of this article to address the Christmas scene nor to
specifically address the situation of those who deny Mat. 1-2. That will be done
in other articles. The purpose of this article is to show you that the very
names utilized in Luke and Matthew tell a story in and of themselves. Hopefully
it will be a tremendous eye-opener for the readers. ANNOUNCING
JOHN’S BIRTH Luke
is inspired to begin his evangel account with a priest named Zechariah (Lk.
1:5). He is of the course of Abia and the lot had fallen on him to burn incense,
“And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest's office before Elohim
in the order of his course, according to the custom of the priest's office, his
lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of Yahweh. And the whole
multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense,” vv.
8-10. The
angel Gabriel appeared to him announcing that his wife, who had been barren, was
to conceive and bear a son whom they were to name John (vv. 11-20). Zechariah
found this announcement rather hard to believe since both he and his wife were
well stricken in years (v. 18), so he was stricken with dumbness for his
unbelief until the day that his son would be born (v. 20). When
Zechariah’s wife delivered their neighbors and relatives called him Zechariah
after his father, but the mother would have none of it, she said that his name
would be called John (vv. 57-69). They turned to Zechariah seeking his help in
solving the dispute. He asked for a writing table and wrote that his name would
be John (vv. 62-63). Immediately
Zechariah’s mouth was opened and he began to speak praising Elohim (v. 64). The
interesting thing concerning the name Zechariah is that it is a combination of
two Hebrew words zakar and Yah or Yahu. Zakar means to mark, remember or
mention. Yah or Yahu comes from the first two or three letters contained in
Yahweh’s name. Thus, Zechariah means “Yah’s remembrance”, “Yah’s
memorial”, “Yah has remembered”, etc. What
did Zechariah say? “Blessed be
Yahweh Elohim of Israel;
for he hath visited and redeemed his people, and hath raised up an horn of
salvation for us in the house of his servant David; as He spake by the mouth of
His holy prophets, which have been since the world began: that we should be
saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us; to perform the
mercy promised
to our fathers, and to
remember his holy covenant,”
Lk. 1:69-72. Is
there a coincidence here or has Yahweh deliberately utilized a man whose name
means “Yah has remembered” in order to announce the beginning of the
fulfillment of the new covenant? Yahweh does things in an ordered way and at an
ordered time. The time had come for Yahweh to bring His covenant of remembrance
to fulfillment. ELIZABETH Zechariah’s
wife was named Elizabeth (Lk. 1:5). Elizabeth is a combination of two Hebrew
words “Eli” and “shebet.” “Eli” means “My El.” “Shebet” is
related to two Hebrew words that are very closely interrelated. Those words are
“shaba” and “sheba.” They are numbers 7650 and 7651 in Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance. #7650, “shaba” is defined as; a primitive root; properly to be
complete, but used only as a denominative from 7651; to seven
oneself, i.e. swear
(as if by repeating a declaration seven times) #7651
“sheba” is defined as; from 7650; a primitive cardinal number; seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week;
by extension, an indefinite
number. If
we hearken back to Genesis chapter 21, we find that Abimelech, and Phichol asked
Abraham to “swear” (shaba, #7650) that he wouldn’t deal falsely with them
because they knew that Elohim was with him (vv. 22-24). They entered into a
covenant agreement whereupon Abraham introduced seven (sheba, #7651) ewe lambs
as a testimony that he had dug the well. “Wherefore he called that place Beer-sheba;
because there they sware both of them.” Being named “Beer-sheba” meant
that the well would not only carry the distinction of the “well of seven”
but also the “well of oath.” Isaac
had a similar confrontation with the people of the land as recorded in Gen. 26.
Abimelech and Phichol also came to him desiring to make a covenant between them
for they recognized that Yahweh was also with Isaac. After the ceremony of the
covenant and the departure of Abimelech’s entourage, Isaac’s servants dug a
well which Isaac called “Sheba.” The city that eventually was built around
this well was named “Beer-sheba” or “Well of the oath.” Elizabeth’s
name corresponds with these principles. Her name has to do with the El of seven
or the Oath of El. THE MEMORIALS Another
interesting thing about the word “zakar” is that the word “memorial”
(zikrown) stems from it. There were three most important memorials given in the
Torah. They were (1) the Memorial Name Yahweh (Ex. 3:15), (2) the Passover
Memorial (Ex. 12) and (3) the Sabbath day (Ex. 16, 20:8-11). Zechariah
means Yahweh’s Memorial or Yahweh’s Remembrance. Elizabeth means the oath of
El or the El of seven. In
Ex. 2:24 we read, “And Elohim heard their groaning, and Elohim remembered
(zakar) His covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob.” Isaiah
is inspired to write, “Look unto Me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the
earth: for I am El, and there is none else. I have sworn (shaba) by Myself, the
word is gone out of My mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, that unto
Me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear (shaba). ‘Surely,’ shall
one say, ‘in Yahweh have I righteousness and strength:’ EVEN TO Him shall
men come: and all that are incensed against Him shall be ashamed. In Yahweh
shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and shall glory,” Isa. 45:22-25. Who
is He speaking to? ALL ENDS OF THE EARTH as well as ISRAEL! This wasn’t
possible under the first covenant. Yahweh, in the book of Luke and other New
Testament Scriptures was declaring the beginning of the New Covenant that He had
promised to Jeremiah, “Behold, the days come, saith Yahweh, that I will make a
new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:
not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day
that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which My
covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith Yahweh: but this
shalt be the covenant that I will make with he house of Israel; after those
days, saith Yahweh, I will put My law in their inward parts, and write it in
their hearts; and will be their Elohim, and they shall be My people. And they
shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying,
‘Know Yahweh:’ for they shall all know Me, from the least of them unto the
greatest of them, saith Yahweh: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will
remember their sin no more,” Jer. 31:31-34. The
mighty Elohim Yahweh had remembered (zakar) His covenant with Abraham, Isaac and
Jacob to bring their descendants into the land of Canaan. He gave Moses His
Memorial (zakar) Name. He gave Israel the Passover Memorial (zakar) which
delivered them out of slavery. He then confirmed His oath (shaba) by giving them
manna, bread from heaven, in order to lead them to His seventh day Sabbath. Note
that the number seven (sheba) is involved here. Of course, they were to gather
the manna for six days and rest on the Sabbath. The Sabbath memorial (zakar) was
a day of rest wherein no man could work. In other words, the Sabbath belonged to
Yahweh. It was His signature and oath that meant that their ultimate deliverance
would rest on His shoulders not on their promises. In
utilizing Zechariah (Yahweh’s Memorial) and Elizabeth (El of the oath), Yahweh
is beginning to announce that He has remembered His promise to Abraham, Isaac,
Jacob, Israel, Judah and the rest of the world in order to begin to lay the
foundation for their deliverance which He swore by Himself or His own great
name. JOHN
THE BAPTIST The
angel Gabriel announced to Zechariah that his wife was going to bear a son and
that he was to name him “John.” The original Hebrew name for John is “Yehowchanan.”
Yehowchanan is a combination of two Hebrew words, “Yehow” and “chanan.”
“Yehow” is another form for the name “Yahweh.” “Chanan” is defined
as; a primitive root (compare 2583); properly, to bend or stoop in
kindness to an inferior; to favor, bestow;
causatively to implore
(i.e. move to favor by petition). “Chanan”
is the primitive root word from whence the Hebrew word for “grace” (chen) is
derived. Thus, the name John was an announcement that Yahweh, the Superior One,
was going to bend, or stoop in kindness to an inferior. It
is interesting that when John the Baptist was told to begin his ministry that he
came into all the country about Jordan preaching the baptism of repentance for
the remission of sins. It is interesting because when Yahweh remembered His
promise under the first covenant, He called Moses to be instrumental in
delivering the children of Israel. Moses means “drawing out (of the water),
i.e. rescued.” John was drawing the people out in order to immerse them in
water because of their sins. This was in preparation for them to receive the
True Messiah Yahshua when He would begin His ministry. Now
we can expand the meaning of the names Zechariah, Elizabeth and John for the
fullness of clarification. The El Yahweh has remembered the oath that He swore
by Himself to have mercy, grace, favor on His people. MARY/MIRIAM In
the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, the Angel Gabriel was sent to a
virgin Miriam in order to announce to her that she was to conceive in her womb
and bring forth a male child named Yahshua. “Miriam” is a combination of two
Hebrew words. The first is “meriy” which is defined as; from 4784;
bitterness, i.e. (figuratively) rebellion; concretely, bitter, or rebellious.
The last letter of Miriam’s name “m” comes from the Hebrew letter
“mem” and has to do with water or spirit. Miriam’s
name has to do with the condition of the children of Israel at the time of
John’s and Yahshua’s entrance into the world. The people had rebelled
against Yahweh and His covenant and were suffering under the subjection,
harshness and oppression of the fourth world ruling kingdom prophesied by the
Prophet Daniel in chapter 2 which also was the fourth beast kingdom of Daniel 7. Rome
was a city which had expanded into a city state, and then a conquering republic,
but under the hand of Julius Caesar, Rome had undergone a change in nature from
republic to dictatorship. Julius
Caesar’s life was cut short, but His nephew Octavian took his place declaring
that a comet that appeared in the heavens at that time was the resurrected
Julius Caesar ascending into the heavens as a god. Octavian declared himself to
be the adopted son of Julius Caesar and therefore was the son of god. His name
was changed to Augustus which means to venerate, reverence or worship. Augustus
had placed his cousin Herod the great as king over Judaea. Herod means
“heroic” or “a hero.” His descent was from a combination of Esau and
Ishmael. He was not a true king of Israel from the lineage of David. While
Herod supposedly practiced the faith of the Jews, he built the city of Caesarea
wherein was a shrine dedicated to the worship of Caesar. Thus, his faith was
feigned. While
he embarked on many great works and even restored the temple of Yahweh, the fact
of the matter is that he was a very harsh, oppressive ruler. This caused the
people to cry out in bitterness and oppression. Miriam’s
name had to do with the situation of bitterness that the people found themselves
in because of their rebellion. JOSEPH Miriam
was espoused (engaged) to a carpenter named Joseph. The name Joseph means
“Yahweh shall add” (Gen. 30:24). Joseph
was the namesake of a son of Jacob by his wife Rachel. He was sold into slavery
by his brothers, but ended up as a savior and deliverer of the family because of
his rise to power in Egypt. Jacob/Israel adopted or added Joseph’s two sons
Manasseh and Ephraim as his own making the number of sons thirteen. Thus, it was
through Joseph that salvation or deliverance was added to Israel as well as
additional sons or children. Joseph,
the espoused of Miriam, was a carpenter. A carpenter is a builder. Yahshua
became known as the carpenter’s son (Mat. 13:55). Yahshua, as the
carpenter’s son, came to rebuild the temple (Jn. 2:19, Mk. 14:58, Acts 7:48, 2
Cor. 5:1, Heb. 9:11, 4). The
name Joseph testifies to the fact that Yahweh was going to add salvation to the
children of Israel as He had promised in spite of their rebellion against Him.
He would also provide a new body which would no longer be subject to sin,
corruption and death. YAHSHUA The
name Yahshua means “The Salvation of Yahweh,” “Yahweh’s salvation,” or
“Yahweh the Savior.” It
is through Yahshua that grace is able to be administered for the purpose of
salvation of the children of Israel, Judah and the Gentiles as John wrote,
“And of His fulness have all we received, and grace for grace (inexhaustible
grace). For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Yahshua the
Messiah,” Jn. 1:16-17. This
grace was spoken of by the Prophet Zechariah (Yahweh’s Memorial/Yahweh’s
Remembrance), “Who art thou, O great mountain? Before Zerubabel thou shalt
become a plain: and he
shall bring forth the headstone
thereof with shoutings crying, ‘Grace, grace unto it,” Zech. 4:7. Yahshua
is the stone spoken of here. Yahshua is the precious corner stone or head stone
that Yahweh was bringing forth in order to bring forth that wondrous grace,
“Wherefore also it is contained in the Scripture, ‘Behold, I lay in Zion a
chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on Him shall not be
confounded.’ Unto you therefore which believe He is precious: but unto then
which be disobedient, the Stone Which the builders disallowed, the same is made
the head of the corner. And a Stone of stumbling, and a Rock of offence, even to
them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were
appointed,” 1 Pet. 2:6-8. Thus,
we find that through the names Miriam, Joseph and Yahshua, Yahweh was going to
add His salvation to the people who were in bitterness because of their
rebellion. BETHLEHEM Yahshua
was born in Bethlehem Judah. Bethlehem is a combination of two Hebrew words
“bayith” and “lechem.” “Bayith” simply means house or temple.
“Lechem” is the Hebrew word for bread. Therefore, Bethlehem means “house
or temple of bread.” This
is a fitting name for the birthplace of Yahshua because He declared that He was
the true bread from heaven, “Then said they unto Him, ‘What shall we do that
we might work the works of Elohim?’ Yahshua answered and said unto them,
‘This is the work of Elohim, that ye believe on Him Whom He hath sent.’ They
said therefore unto Him, ‘What sign shewest Thou then, that we may see, and
believe Thee? What dost Thou work? Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; and
as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’ Then Yahshua said
unto them, ‘Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from
heaven. For the
bread of Elohim is He Which cometh down from heaven and giveth life unto the world,” Jn. 6:26-33. Remember
the meaning of the name John? Doesn’t it have to do with a Superior One who
stoops or bends down to an inferior? This is the point that Yahweh was making
through the name of John. It was the point that Yahshua is making here and it is
also the point that Paul was making in Phil. 2:5-8, “Let this mind be in you
which was also in the Messiah Yahshua: Who being in the form of Elohim, thought
it not robbery to be equal with Elohim: but made Himself of no reputation, and
took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and
being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto
death, even the death of the cross.” Returning
to John 6, Yahshua told the people that He was the true bread from heaven and
that He came down from heaven (vv. 35-38). He told them that He is the bread of
life (v. 48) and the living bread that came down from heaven (v. 51). He went on
to tell them that if anyone is to have eternal life he must eat His flesh and
drink His blood (vv. 53-58). It
is important to point out that Yahshua, the true bread from heaven, having been
born in Bethlehem, the house or temple of bread, was placed in a manger (Lk.
2:7). A manger is a crib for fodder. Yahweh’s
people understand that they are His sheep (Psa. 79:13). His people are called
His sheep in Ez. 34:6, 11, 12, etc. Yahshua calls those who hear and follow Him
His sheep (Jn. 10). Yahshua, the true bread from heaven, was born in Bethlehem,
the house or temple of bread, and was placed in a manger or crib which holds
fodder or food for sheep and other domesticated animals. Isn’t
it amazing how Yahweh has utilized names in order to substantiate His word and
plan? NAZARETH Joseph
and Miriam dwelt in Nazareth and after Yahshua was born, that is where they went
to live. While they did have to flee to Egypt until the death of Herod, when
they were called back into the land, they returned to Nazareth (Mt. 2:22-23).
Nazareth was Yahshua’s abode when He was called to begin His ministry. Nazareth
is a combination of two Hebrew words “na” and “zarach.” “Na” means
to entreat, ask, pray. When the priest Zechariah was burning the incense on the
altar, the people were outside praying. Of course, the prayers would have been
for many things, but one of the prayers had to have been for the salvation of
Israel. “Zarach”
means to irradiate, shoot forth beams, to rise (as the sun), to appear (Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance,
Hebrew Lexicon, #2224). When
John was born, his father Zechariah declared, “Blessed be Yahweh Elohim of
Israel; for He hath visited and redeemed His People, and hath raised up an horn
of salvation for us in the house of His servant David; as He spake by the mouth
of His holy prophets, which have been since the world began: that we should be saved
from our enemies, and the hand of all that hate us; to perform the mercy promised
to our fathers, and to remember
His holy covenant; the oath
which He sware
to our father Abraham, that He would grant unto us, that we being delivered out
of the hand of our enemies might serve Him without fear, in holiness and
righteousness before Him, all the days of our life. And thou, child, shalt be
called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of Yahweh
to prepare His ways; and to give knowledge of salvation unto His
People by the remission of their sins, through the tender mercy
of our Elohim; whereby the dayspring
from on high hath visited us, to
give light to them that
sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of
peace,” Lk. 1:68-79. Notice
that most of the highlighted words are words associated with the names that we
have been discussing. Notice also that the word “dayspring” is employed.
“Dayspring” is translated from the Greek word “anatole” which means “a
rising of light.” The
light is Yahshua. Yahshua is living in Nazareth which means to rise as the sun.
John’s ministry had to precede Yahshua’s by a time designated by Yahweh.
John’s ministry was established to prepare the way for Yahshua’s. The
earliest beams of the true dawn, the true light were beginning to irradiate
forth. Nazareth has to do with asking, praying, entreating for the rising of
that light. When
Joseph and Miriam brought Yahshua to the temple to present Him to Yahweh, a man
named GALILEE Luke
2:39 records, “And when they had performed all things according to the law of
Yahweh, they returned into Galilee,
to their own city Nazareth.” Also,
Matthew records that after the visit of the wise men from the east, Joseph and
Miriam had to flee into Egypt until the death of Herod. When they returned from
Egypt they returned to Nazareth of Galilee (Mat. Chapter
2). “Galilee”
comes from the Hebrew word “Galiyl” which is defined as; a circle, a valve
of a folding door (as turning); also a ring (as round). The
name Galilee speaks of several things. We usually say, What goes around, comes
around. Or we can speak of things coming back “full circle” Yahweh’s
plan in Yahshua is to ransom or redeem His people Israel and Judah and also the
Gentiles. Therefore, we read such statements in Scriptures as, “And the ransomed of Yahweh shall return,
and come to Zion with songs, and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall
obtain joy and gladness and sorrow and sighing shall flee away,” Isa. 35:10. “Remember
these O Jacob and Israel; for thou art My servant: I have formed thee; thou art
My servant: O Israel, thou shalt not be forgotten of Me. I have blotted out, as
a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and as a cloud, thy sins: return unto Me; for I have redeemed thee,”
Isa. 44:21-22. “Therefore
the
redeemed of Yahweh shall return,
and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head:
they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away,”
Isa. 51:11. Time
and time again Scripture speaks of Israel’s and Judah’s dispersal because of
their evil works, their iniquitous and sinful ways, but Yahweh also promises
that He is their Redeemer and will ransom them from their ways of evil so that
they can return to Him and He will bring them back to the land. This is the
message of Galilee. Another
SOLID PROMISE
from Yahweh is found in Isa. 55:11, “So shall My word be that goeth forth out
of My mouth: it
shall not return unto Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and
it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” The
Apostle John reveals that Yahshua is Yahweh’s Word! “In the beginning was
the Word, and the Word was with Elohim and the Word was Elohim. The same was in
the beginning with Elohim. All things were made by Him; and without Him was not
any thing made that was made. In Him was life; and the life was the light of
men….And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory,
the glory as the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth,” Jn.
1:1-4, 14. Yahshua,
came from heaven. He came from the Father. He was His Word. The Father sent the
Word forth to accomplish His task and to return. Yahshua performed the job that
He was given to do because He was the faithful Word of Yahweh. When He had
accomplished His task, He had made the way possible for Yahweh’s children to
be able to return to Him and He returned to the Father having accomplished as
prophesied! The circle (galyil) was in the process of being completed. THE
DOOR Another
meaning for the word Galilee is a valve of a folding door as turning. If the
valve is turning, then the door is moving which means that it is either opening
or closing. In this case, the door of eternal grace and salvation had been shut,
but in Yahshua, the door was opening. Yahshua
proclaimed that He was the door of the sheep and entrance to the sheepfold was
only by and through Him, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not
by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a
thief and a robber. But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the
sheep. To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth
his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. And when he putteth forth his own
sheep he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.
And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him, for they know not
the voice of strangers. (This parable spake Yahshua unto them: but they
understood not what things they were which He spake unto them.) Then said
Yahshua unto them again, ‘Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the
sheep,” Jn. 10:1-7. The
question that should be on everyone’s mind is, Am I a sheep of Yahshua? Am I a
sheep of the true Shepherd, or have I been kidnapped by the thieves and rob THE
DOORS OF HEAVEN John
10 is a parable which can only be revealed in Yahshua. Psalm 78 is also a
similar parable, “Give ear, O my people, to my law: incline your ears to the
words of my mouth. I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings
of old,” vv. 1-2. It is a parable of Israel’s sins and disbelief even though
Yahweh performed great miracles to provide for and sustain them. We
read, “Though He had commanded the clouds from above, and opened the doors of heaven, and had rained down manna upon them to eat, and had
given them of the grain of heaven. Man did eat the bread of the mighty: He sent
them meat to the full, (vv. 23-25). Yahweh
opened the doors of heaven in order to rain manna down upon the people! The
manna was the grain of heaven, the bread of the Mighty! But
that manna, that bread from heaven was only a type of Yahshua Who is the true
bread from heaven! We have already addressed this concept, but the fact of the
matter is that if the doors of heaven were opened (the valves turned/galiyl) to
rain down the manna, then the doors of heaven were opened in a much more
powerful manner when Yahshua came down from heaven! (As He said and the
Scriptures verify.) This
is what the name and word “Galilee” is declaring to those who will listen,
to those who will hear and believe! CAPERNAUM When
Yahshua was baptized by John, the Holy Spirit descended upon Him in the form of
a dove. The interesting thing here is that Yahshua was conceived in Miriam’s
womb by the power of the Holy Spirit, therefore, He already had the Holy Spirit
as a possession, but now the Father was pouring an unlimited amount of the Holy
Spirit upon Him. It was given to Him without measure, “He That cometh from
above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the
earth: He That cometh from heaven is above all. And what He hath seen and heard,
that He testifieth; and no man receiveth His testimony. He that hath received
His testimony hath set to his seal that Elohim is true. For He Whom Elohim hath
sent speaketh the words of Elohim: for Elohim giveth not the Spirit by measure unto Him,”
Jn. 3:31-34. After
Yahshua had been given this immeasurable power of the Holy Spirit, He was led
into the wilderness in order to confront the great rebel, prince of the power of
the air and god of this world, Satan the devil. Having overcome him in the
greatest battle of all wars and also hearing of John’s death, Yahshua returned
to Nazareth (a rising of light), “And He came to Nazareth, where he had been
brought up: and, as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath
day, and stood up for to read. And there was delivered unto Him the book of the
prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was
written, ‘The Spirit of Yahweh is upon Me, because He hath anointed Me to
preach the evangel to the poor; He hath sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to
preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set
a liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of Yahweh.’ And
He closed the book, and He gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the
eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on Him. And He began
to say unto them, ‘This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears’,”
Lk. 4:16-21. Matthew
reveals, “And leaving Nazareth, He came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim:
that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying,
‘The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea,
beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles; the people which sat in darkness say
great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is
sprung up.’ From that time Yahshua began to preach, and say, ‘Repent; for
the kingdom of heaven is at hand’,” Mat. 4:13-17. “Capernaum”
is another combination of two Hebrew words “kaphar” and “nahum.”
“Kaphar” means to cover (specifically with bitumen); figuratively, to expiate
or condone, to placate or cancel. Kaphar
has to do with covering, or atoning, an atonement. “Nahum”
is defined as, a primitive root; properly, to sigh, i.e. breathe strongly; by
implication, to be sorry, i.e. (in a favorable sense) to pity, console or
(reflexively) rue; or (unfavorably) to avenge (oneself). In
one sense it has to do with repentance. In another sense it has to do with
comfort or comforting. Yahshua
told His disciples, “If ye love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the
Father, and He shall give you another Comforter,
that He may abide with you for ever; even the Spirit of truth; Whom the world
cannot receive, because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him: but ye know Him;
for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you….But the Comforter, Which is the Holy Spirit,
Whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things, and bring
all things to your remembrance,
whatsoever I have said unto you,” Jn. 14:15-18, 26. Yahshua,
the LIGHT, had risen and begun His wondrous ministry. He had to leave Nazareth
(a rising of light) because His work would now consist of preparing His people
to receive the Holy Spirit, the Comforter
and also through His shed blood, have their sins atoned for, covered. Capernaum,
the city that carries the name of the Covering Spirit, the Atoning Spirit, is
the name of the city that became the base of His operation. It
is the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, that brings Yahshua’s words back to
remembrance (zakar)! DELIVERANCE
BEGUN How
magnificent is the mighty and powerful Word of Yahweh! He is able to utilize so
many ways in which to declare His word, His truth, His plan, His purpose. He
even utilizes the name of people and places in order to provide a hidden
message, which when discovered powerfully confirms His message! His message is
written in the Scriptures openly and it is also hidden in the Scriptures for us
to search out. It is written in the heavens and also in the earth if we have the
Spirit and wisdom to be able to search it out, which also comes from Him so that
no man can claim superiority. When
Yahweh turned His hand to deliver His people from Egypt, He called a man named
Moses which means drawn from water. He began to utilize John the Baptist in
order to draw people to Yahshua and His ministry through the waters of baptism. He
gave His Memorial name Yahweh to Moses so that the people would know Him.
Yahshua came in His father’s name and has that name as a possession. “I am
come in My Father’s name, and ye receive Me not: if another shall come in his
own name, him ye will receive,” Jn. 5:43. He
delivered the people from Egypt through the memorial of the Passover sacrifice.
Yahshua is our Passover sacrificed for us, “Purge out therefore the old
leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even the Messiah
our Passover is sacrificed for us,” 1 Cor. 5:7. It
was through the giving of the manna, bread from heaven, that the people were led
to know when the seventh day Sabbath occurred. Yahshua is the true bread from
heaven Who will lead us to the true rest which is the millennium. We know that
Yahweh did His work of restoring, recreating the earth in six days, setting
aside the seventh day of creation for rest. Peter declares that one day with
Yahweh is as a thousand years and a thousand years as one day (2 Pet. 3:8). It
is Yahshua, the true bread from heaven, Who will bring that rest into reality. Thus,
the three primary memorials (zakar/zkrown/Zekariah = Yahweh’s
memorial/remembrance) given to Israel were speaking of and directing us to
Yahshua. Do
names have meaning? When Yahweh gives them and incorporates them into His word,
emphatically YES!!! It
is the purpose of this work to declare the honor and majesty of our Savior
Yahshua. We truly hope that the truths found in this article have helped to open
your eyes to that honor and majesty. If you are able to read and understand it,
HalleluYah!!! If not, please continue to read and pray for more understanding of
His honor and majesty. May Yahweh bless you all as you behold the Father through
His Son. ....... WHY
WE SHOULD OBSERVE THE FEASTS OF YAHWEH Are Yahweh’s feast days important to be observed in this
day and age or were they simply Old Testament and done away? The
overall majority of the world observes the Roman calendar devised by Julius and
Augustus Caesar with some renovations by the Roman Catholic popes, especially
Pope Gregory.
The United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan recently wrote an article
stating that the Caesaro-Romano-Gregorian calendar was no longer considered to
be primarily the calendar of the Western Christian world, but that it is being
adopted by almost all nations of the world.
Of course, the Caesaro-Romano-Gregorian calendar focuses on Sunday, the
first day of the week, being the religious rest day. Its primary annual feasts
are Jan. 1 (New Year), a floating holiday called Easter Sunday (the supposed
resurrection of the Savior) and Dec. 25th (the supposed birth of the Savior).
Even though these holidays are considered to be religious observances,
there is no command in Yahweh’s word, the Holy Bible, to do such. Yahweh’s
word sanctifies the seventh day Sabbath as the true rest day (order our free
articles “Should A New Testament Believer Observe The Sabbath
Day?” and “Just
Who Was It That Sanctified Sunday Worship?”), and annual festivals predicated on observance of the new moon.
Yahweh’s new year’s day was to occur on the new moon day closest to the
vernal equinox.
Yahweh’s commands were to observe the weekly Sabbath and annual Holy
days which were called, singular, a moed and plural, moedim in Hebrew.
The Caesaro-Romano-Gregorian calendar is broken down into days, weeks,
months, etc. Yahweh’s calendar is also broken down into days, weeks, months,
etc.
The Caesaro-Romano-Gregorian calender has a seven day week. Yahweh’s
holy calendar has a seven day week. As stated, the Caesaro-Romano-Gregorian
calendar sets aside the first day of the week for rest and religious
congregating. Yahweh’s holy calendar sets aside the seventh day of the week
for rest and religious congregating.
The Caesaro-Romano-Gregorian calendar is also broken down into periods of
time called months. Yahweh’s calendar is also broken down into periods of time
called months. But where does this word month, English, Hebrew, or otherwise,
come from? A quick look at Webster’s
New World Dictionary reveals
that the word month is etymologically derived from the word moon!
One of the definitions given for month is: the period of a complete
revolution of the moon with reference to some fixed point (in full, lunar
month); esp. the period from one new moon to the next (in full, synodic month);
equivalent to 29 days, 12 hours, 44 minutes, and 2.7 + seconds.
A quick look at Strong’s
Exhaustive Concordance
reveals that the same Hebrew word for moon is also used for month.
Since Webster’s gives the definition of the word month as a period of
revolution for the moon, which is Yahweh’s commanded way of determining a
month, why is it that our months are not predicated on such? Shouldn’t this
alert us that something is drastically wrong with the Caesaro-Romano-Gregorian
calendar?
In the beginning, Yahweh created the sun, moon and stars to be for signs
(Heb. = Owth) and seasons (moedim) and for days and years (Gen. 1:14). Yahweh
gave the sun to rule the day (Psa. 136:8) and the moon and stars to rule the
night (Psa. 136:9).
Furthermore, Psa. 104:19 says, “He appointed the moon for seasons
(moedim): the sun knoweth his going down.”
It is the lunar revolutions and phases which determine the time to
observe Yahweh’s feasts days, but the Caesaro-Romano-Gregorian calendar
overthrows this knowledge.
The Psalmist cries out, “Thine enemies roar in the midst of thy
congregations; they set up their ensigns
for
signs.
A man was famous according as he had lifted up axes upon the
thick trees. But now they break down the carved work thereof at once with axes
and hammers. They have cast fire into thy sanctuary, they have defiled by
casting down the dwelling
place of thy name to the ground. They said in their hearts, ‘Let us destroy
them together:’ they have burned up all the synagogues of Elohim
in the land. We see not our signs: there
is no more any prophet:
neither is there among us any
that knoweth how long,” Psa. 74:4-9.
This Psalm is significant because it speaks of the enemy coming into the
land, overthrowing the temple where Yahweh’s great name dwelt and then setting
up their own signs. The final peoples to do such a thing were the Romans! They
cast down the dwelling place of Yahweh’s name to the earth. They then began to
introduce their own signs in place of Yahweh’s.
The interesting thing about the word signs is that it comes from the
Hebrew word owth (toAa). Remember that in Gen. 1:14 we read that Yahweh put the
sun, moon and stars to be for signs (owth/toAa) and seasons (moedim). In Ex. 31:13 Yahweh stated that we
are to keep His sabbaths because it is a sign (owth/toAa)
between Him and His people. His sabbaths, of course, not only refer to the
seventh day sabbath, but also the annual appointments (moedim) or feast days
which are determined by the very items that He put in the heavens, to wit, the
sun, moon and stars.
Thus, we can easily begin to see that the Romans with their Cesaro-Romano-Gregorian
calendar are the real enemies of Yahweh.
Again, when Psa. 74 states that they have burned up all the synagogues in the
land, the word “synagogue” is translated from the Hebrew word moedim
(appointments, feasts, meeting place, assembly, etc., etc.).
The Romans did more than destroy the synagogues. They destroyed the
meeting times (also called moedim) along with everything else. Here is the
psalmist lamenting that these things are no longer being observed because of the
introduction of the meeting places and times of the enemy. It is our purpose to
restore as much of that which has been overthrown as we possibly can. We are
seeking to return to the things that Yahweh commanded.
But there is even more reason to observe Yahweh’s sabbath and holy
days. In Lev. 23 Yahweh commands, “Speak unto the children of Israel, and say
unto them, Concerning the feasts (moedim) of Yahweh, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations
(miqra-qodesh), even
these are my feasts (moedim). Six days shall work be done: but the seventh day is
the sabbath of rest, an holy
convocation (miqra-qodesh);
ye shall do no work therein:
it is the sabbath of Yahweh in all your dwellings. These are
the feasts (moedim) of Yahweh, even holy convocations
(miqra-qodesh), which ye shall
proclaim in their seasons (the rest of the annual feast (moedim) days are given
in verses 5-38),” Lev. 23:2-4.
There is a greater significance to the words feasts (moedim) and holy
convocation (miqra-qodesh) than is actually realized by most.
Yahweh’s feasts, which include the weekly Sabbath and the annual holy
days, are called holy convocations (miqra-qodesh). The Hebrew word “miqra”
is defined as something called out, i.e. a public meeting (the act, the persons, or the place); also a rehearsal.
(Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance)
Notice that the word has to do with the act, the persons,
or the place. In the New Testament, the assembly is called the “ekklesia.”
The word “ekklesia” is defined as from a comp. of 1537 and a der. Of 2564; a calling out, i.e. (concr.) a popular meeting, espec. A religious congregation (Jewish synagogue, or Chr.
Community of members on earth or saints in heaven or both). [IBID]
The words miqra and ekklesia are both speaking of the same thing. They
have to do with being called out specifically for a holy purpose. The Hebrew
word “qodesh” simply means “holy.”
The Apostle Paul writes, “Who hath saved us, and called
us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own
purpose and grace, which was given us in the Messiah Yahshua before the world
began,” 2 Tim. 1:9.
The Greek word for “called” is the Greek word “kaleo.” It is #2564 of Strong’s and is
defined as “to call.” Notice that ekklesia is a derivative of this word. The
word “calling” in the above Scripture is #2821
in the Greek Lexicon of Strong’s.
It is the Greek word “klesis” and is defined as from a shorter form of 2564;
an invitation
(fig.).
The Hebrew word “miqra” comes from the Hebrew word “qara” which
means to call. Thus Paul’s writing could be be interpreted as, “Who hath
saved us, and called (qara) us with an holy
calling (miqra qodesh).
With these definitions, we can determine that the Sabbaths and annual
feasts are holy callings (miqra-qodesh), but called to what? Let’s explore the
meaning of the word feasts (moed/moedim) just to see what they are for.
The Hebrew word for feast is moed. Moed is #4150 in Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance and is defined as from 3259; prop. an appointment, i.e. a fixed time or season; spec. a festival;
conventionally a year; by implication,
an assembly
(as convened for a definite purpose); technically the congregation; by
extension, the place of meeting; also
a signal (as appointed
beforehand).
We can already see how important this word is by its definition. By
putting this word with the previous words (miqra-qodesh), we can see that they
all are even more important and that the Sabbaths and annual holy days that they
apply to are certainly very important.
But now, let’s look at this root word #3259 from whence moed (#4150) is
derived. It is the Hebrew word “ya‘ad” which is defined as a prim. root;
to fix upon (by agreement or appointment); by impl. to meet
(at a stated time), to summon
(to trial), to direct
(in a certain quarter or position), to engage (for
marriage).
Notice it closely! To ENGAGE FOR MARRIAGE!!! Remember that one of the
meanings for “miqra” is A REHEARSAL! Therefore, the Sabbaths and annual holy
days are a calling out, or appointments made beforehand for us by Yahweh so that
we may rehearse for the wedding since we are engaged to Yahshua.
The Apostle Paul wrote, “Would to Elohim ye could bear with me a little
in my folly: and indeed bear with me. For I am jealous over you
with pious jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you
as a
chaste virgin to the Messiah,” 2 Cor. 11:1-2.
When we are called out of this world, repent, baptized and receive the
Holy Spirit of promise, we are then set aside as a chaste virgin to be married
to the Messiah. Yahweh has given us certain specific times to rehearse
for the wedding! Those times are revealed in the Scriptures to be the weekly
Sabbaths and annual holy days.
In Mat. 22 Yahshua gives a parable concerning a king who made a marriage
for his son and invited guests to the wedding. The King, of course, is the
heavenly Father Yahweh, the Son is Yahshua.
In the parable, the invited (called) guests were too busy to come to the
wedding and made light of the invitation. They also treated the servants that
were sent shamefully and slew some of them. Those who were invited (called)
revealed that they were not worthy. The parable reveals that the King sent his
armies and destroyed the invited guests.
In Mat. 25 there is the parable of the 10 virgins. Five were wise and
took oil in and with their lamps, but five were foolish and did not prepare by
taking oil in their lamps.
The Greek word for “foolish” is “moros.” Besides meaning
“foolish,” it also means to be “dull, stupid, HEEDLESS, blockhead and
absurd.
Notice it! It means to be “heedless.” To be heedless means to NOT pay
close attention to, to NOT take careful notice of, to be unmindful and even
FORGETFUL.
In Col. 2:16-17 we find that the Sabbath and Holy Days are
shadows of THINGS TO COME! They remind us of Yahweh’s coming kingdom. They
remind us of His plan in bringing that plan about. When we observe them, we are
not only reminded, but we are practicing, rehearsing for the ultimate
fulfillment of those things to come. We are, in effect, putting oil in our lamps
and also building reserves.
If we are unmindful of the Sabbaths and Holy Days, then we will have a
tendency to forget about Yahweh’s kingdom and His plan. We will not be putting
oil in our lamps, neither will we be practicing or rehearsing for the marriage
of the Lamb.
If we are not practicing or rehearsing for the marriage, then we will be
as the foolish virgins. They were shut out from the wedding and told that
Yahshua didn’t even know them.
We have an opportunity to accept the invitation and prepare for the
wedding. We are called out for this purpose. Therefore, let us not only observe
the weekly Sabbath days, but the annual festivals as well, and prepare for the
wedding!!!
When we turn to the Caesaro-Romano-Gregorian calendar to observe those
days, we have a tendency to neglect and forget Yahweh’s commanded days and
seasons. Actually, we must choose which we had rather observe.
Which will it be for you? Do you still desire to revel in the days and
ways of this world and its pagan Roman calendar which have replaced Yahweh’s
commanded days in most people’s lives? Or will you prepare for the opportunity
to attend the wedding of the Lamb of Elohim? SHOULD A NEW TESTAMENT BELIEVER
BE CIRCUMCISED? A
controversy is raging in and out of the assemblies. It is an age old controversy
that was dealt with among the early believers. However, there are still many who
seek to trouble the believers
bringing them in bondage to the law of Moses. That controversy is the question
of circumcision. What is the truth concerning circumcision? We must search the
Scriptures in order to come to the true understanding. By Jerry Healan Should
a New Testament believer be circumcised? This question plagued the assembly
fairly early on with the entrance of Gentile (non-Jewish) converts into the
ranks of the assembly.
At first, the newly founded congregation consisted only of Jewish
(circumcised) converts. These early believers had the concept that the promise
of the kingdom and salvation belonged only to the descendants of Israel. This
concept is evidenced by the situation between Peter and Cornelius.
Cornelius was a centurion of the Italians (Acts 10). He was a devout man,
fearing Yahweh with all of His house, giving many alms to the people and praying
to Elohim always (v. 2).
He witnessed a vision while he was praying at about the ninth hour of the
day when an angel of Yahweh appeared to him (v. 3). The angel told him that his
prayers had been heard and that he should send to Joppa for Simon Peter who was
lodging with one Simon a Tanner by the seaside (vv. 4-6).
Cornelius obediently did as commanded sending two of his household
servants and a devout soldier to fetch Peter (v. 7-8).
The next day, Peter went up on the housetop to pray and while there
became very hungry and would have gone to eat, but before he could do so, he
fell into a trance (v. 9-10).
Heaven was opened to him and he saw what looked like a great sheet knit
at the four corners which was being let down to the earth. The sheet contained
all kinds of beasts, wild beasts and creeping things. Then a voice came which
said, “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.” Peter refused saying that he had never
eaten any thing common or unclean. However, the vision was persistent. It was
done three times and then received back into heaven (vv. 11-16).
While Peter was wondering what was going on concerning this vision, the three
men arrived from
Cornelius. The vision had occurred three times, one time for each man that had
been sent. The Spirit informed Peter of their arrival and he was told to go down
and to go with them doubting nothing for they had been sent by Yahweh (vv.
17-20). |
