BAPTISMS

 Nev Norona came by for a visit with us on Apr. 18-20th. He was passing through, traveling from Corpus Christi back to his home in Michigan. We had a very good visit, discussing the Scriptures, etc. After much discussion, he decided that he wanted to be baptized in the saving name of Yahshua the Messiah. He was baptized in lake Wright Patman at the Atlanta State Park on Apr. 19th.

   James Hanson is a brother who has been in contact with us for sometime now. He learned of Yahweh and Yahshua and decided to take his lumps because he was a fugitive from justice. He traveled to Colorado where there were warrants for his arrest and turned himself in. He served time in prison there where we were able to help him get on a kosher diet. He was finally released around the time for the Feast of Tabernacles and had intended to travel here to observe the feast with us in Texarkana, but he also had warrants for his arrest in Mississippi. He decided, once again, to take his punishment so he traveled to Mississippi where he turned himself in. He was incarcerated in the jail in Gulfport, Mississippi.

  Due to his changed nature, he quickly became a trustee. He, as well as a good number of others, volunteered to go through several classes in order to improve himself. Some of them were How to Study, Leadership, Economics, etc. The Chaplain informed us that the classroom hours are between 150 and 200 hours with additional outside classroom work to the tune of 400-500 hours.

  We received a letter from the Chaplain who informed us that James had finished his work and was on the docket to graduate on the week-end of Apr. 21. We were invited to attend his graduation. A call was placed to the Chaplain who informed us that the classes that he and the others took were not to be utilized for any special favors, but they were still excellent courses to take. I asked the Chaplain if he could be baptized at the same time as he had requested such, but was informed that they had no facilities for such.

  Yahweh opened the doors, the gates of the jail to James before we left for Mississippi. He was placed on parole.

  James has been utilized effectively by Yahweh to influence several groups in that area, as well as many of the prisoners. We were blessed to be able to fellowship with the River of Life Tabernacle on the Sabbath as well as the Manna From Heaven Tabernacle in an around Gulfport. These are both Messianic groups, but they have been convicted to utilize the true names, etc.

  James was baptized in the saving name of Yahshua the Messiah on Apr. 21st in the Gulf of Mexico at Gulfport, Mississippi.

   Ed and Ellen Schuhardt were recently baptized in the saving name of Yahshua the Messiah. Ellen suffers from MS. Due to the difficulty that would have been involved with baptizing her at the Emory Assembly, Ed baptized her ahead of time in their home. On Sabbath, May 26, they attended the meeting at New Covenant Fellowship in Emory where Ed was baptized by Elders Tony Clawson and Jerry Healan. We subsequently laid hands on both of them for the receiving of the Holy Spirit.

   Brother Jarvis Jerido of Montgomery, Alabama had been in contact with us earlier in the year inquiring concerning Scriptural understandings, etc. He requested to be baptized in the saving name of Yahshua the Messiah. The Healans traveled to Montgomery on August 24th to observe the Sabbath with the brethren there and also to baptize brother Jarvis. Elder Healan taught on the seven steps to the Kingdom of Heaven on the Sabbath. There were about eight in attendance. Later, Brother Jarvis was baptized with a meal and fellowship following. Brother Jarvis has truly been blessed with special Scriptural understanding. We are anxiously awaiting the growth that Yahweh will give that area through this seed that has been planted there.

   The next day (the 26th), the Healans traveled once again to Gulfport, Mississippi to meet with and baptize five additional souls in that area. The seed planted in that area through Brother James Hansen has truly grown and borne fruit. Those baptized were Joey and Linda Davis, Chuck Mitchell, James Ostrander, and James Pilcher.

   We praise Yahweh for the fruit that is evident in these areas and these brethren. Please pray for these new brothers and sisters so that their lives and steps to the kingdom will be completed. HalleluYah!!!

   We have a good number of men in prison, especially the state of Texas, who have requested baptism, but we are having a difficult time either getting the opportunity coordinated, or having difficulty with the chaplains, or the wardens. Please pray that doors will be opened.

PHILIPPINES

  On June 16th Elder George Paña baptized Gina Saldia Dy and her daughter Kristin Zoe Dy in Matunog pool, North Poblacion, Maramag, Bukidnon. Gina is the older sister of Brother Rey Saldia also baptized about a year ago.

  Elder Paña reports that Sister Gina and her daughter are true Bereans because they take notes and research out all Scriptural references.

 THE SPANISH SCRIPTURES

VIDEO PROGRAM

We are continually being asked for the videos and dvd’s that we have been offering on our lists. We are saddened to have to report that our video and dvd program is on hold until we can get our equipment properly hooked up and going. (We may need an electronics expert to do that.) We do expect that this will be soon as Elder Healan will be retiring from his paint contracting business.

  Recently Elder Healan and wife Frances traveled to Rocheport, Missouri where he delivered his message for the Unity Conference entitled “Wonders in the Hebrew.” Deacon Jim Meyer has posted this message on the internet. You can access this message by going to yahweh’sevangelicalassembly.html and then click on Wonders In The Hebrew Video.

  We do intend to get our video and dvd program back up and running, hopefully in the near future. We also hope to be able to post videos on the internet. In the meantime, let’s exercise the virtue of PATIENCE!

WE’LL MISS THEM

Jesse B. Torres

  Our Father Jesse Barron Torres is now in that eternal home he so longed for. He came into the saving knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Yahshua Messiah. He loved the given birth name of our Savior and his heavenly Father, Yahweh.

  Many of us who would go visit him in his later years would find him sitting on an
old wooden chair on his front porch. He was just on a break from his last ministry, that of corresponding with people worldwide to share the gospel as the Spirit gave it to him. Notably, he communicated with Israel's Prime Minister, Monachem Begin. He was proud of the family he knew in old, ancient Thessalonica. He had numerous acquaintances in the United States and loved to check his mailbox everyday. His
numerous attempts to reach Fidel Castro with the Gospel of Yahshua Messiah were
futile, but he tried feverishly.

  In his younger years, he was a volunteer aid to the grassroots political campaign efforts of Lyndon B. Johnson, helping to lay foundations for a future President of the United States.

  Father NEVER boasted of his accomplishments. He was just a simple man sitting on his old wooden chair on his front porch.

  He left his children, grandchildren, and others worldwide with an awesome legacy. He had a great love for the nation of Israel and passed the mantle to his grandson, of fourteen years, who at a tender age demonstrated a sincere, genuine, heart for Israel. Praise be to Yah.

  He lived to be 85 years, as he was a strong proponent of good nutrition, vitamins and minerals.

  A simple man, just sitting on his old wooden chair on his front porch reserved his chair in the presence of almighty Yahweh and His beloved son, Yahshua, in Glorious, Full, Eternal Rest!

  We love you, daddy, brother, uncle, cousin, brother-in-law, father-in-law, grand-father, great-grandfather, friend, but most of all, A TRUE SON OF Elohim
SHALOM.

  By Teresa Torres Johnson. Posted on May 30, 2007

Elsie Margaret Davey

  Feb. 16, 1917 - May 29, 2007

  Elsie Margaret Davey, 90, passed away peacefully at her home in Bisbee, Ariz., on Tuesday, May 29, 2007. Elsie was born in Russelville, Ariz., near Benson, Ariz., on Feb. 16, 1917, to Jesse Wien and Maggie May Shilling Wien. She was raised in Benson, and they were one of the first pioneers of the area.

Elsie attended and graduated from Benson High School. She moved to Bisbee and lived at the YWCA. She worked for Phelps Dodge Mercantile until it burned down and then she went to work for Mountain Bell Telephone Company as an operator. She then went to work for Cochise County Treasurer’s Office until she retired. Elsie was also a longtime volunteer at the Copper Queen Community Hospital. She also wrote several articles for the Bisbee Daily Review.

  Elsie was a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother and homemaker. Her children were her life and her grandchildren were her joy in life. She will be deeply missed and remembered in their hearts.

  Elsie was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Charles Henry Davey on March 17, 2002; her son, Luke Davey on Sept. 17, 1993; her daughter, Karen Davey Jones on April 18, 1986; and five sisters, Bertha, Pat, Charlotte, Lessie and Edith.

  Survivors include her five daughters and sons-in-law, Mary Deford (Don) of Bisbee, Phyllis Gore (Bruce) of Georgia, Donna Krenke-Thompson (Patrick) of Tucson, Ariz., Susan Macias (Arthur) of New Mexico, and Nancy Ruiz (Luis) of Bisbee; a sister, Jessie Meyer of Cottonwood, Ariz.; a son-in-law, Mike Jones; 19 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.

  Funeral services were held on Friday, June 1, 2007, at 11 a.m. at The First Assembly of God Church on Old Douglas Road in Bisbee. Burial followed at Evergreen Cemetery.

 ****

  Per Donna Krenke-Thompson, her daughter. Elsie learned of the Sabbath and Holy Days in 1954 and began keeping them with Radio Church of God (Worldwide Church of God) as well as kosher foods.  During the 70s she learned of the name, left WWC of G, associating with and contributing to Yahweh's name groups.   

****

  Since the late 1980's when Pastor Brad Kissee conducted Sabbath and Holy Day services in Arizona,  Elsie and her husband hosted brethren who were able to travel to their home in Bisbee Arizona for many holy days.  Elsie continued to do so after her husband Charles passed away in 2002. Elsie also helped the Filipino brethren and both were very charitable.

***

  Per Elder Jerry Healan:

  I met Sister Elsie Davey at the Feast of Tabernacles at Camp Keon, Missouri in 1992 (I think it was).

  When I was sent to the Philippines in Jan.-Feb. 1993, she sent me a sum of money to disburse to a worthy widow in the Philippines. I found a Philippine widow on the island of Mandanao to whom I gave the money. Sister Davey truly was a very charitable person.

DOYLE NISBETT

  Doyle Nisbett has died. We are sorry to report that we have lost the date of his death.

  Doyle was preceded in death by his wife Mary. Doyle and Mary held Sabbath services in their home in the Dallas area for years. They were both well known in the Sacred Name movement in this part of the country. We will truly miss them both.

FRANK AMOS

  Frank James Amos, 63, expired at his home in Linden, Texas on July 17. He was born in 1943. He is survived by his wife Sharon. Funeral services were held on July 21, at the First Baptist Church in Linden with Joe York and Russell Shires officiating.

JEREMY BOHANNON

  Jeremy Bohannon, 28, died on Sept. 2, in Columbia, MO. He was a member of the Rocheport Assembly. He is survived by his three children Joseph Ray, age 3, Macayah Salome, age 2 and Kiyanah Lael, age 1.

MISAEL MANANQUIL

  Philippines, Misael Mananquil, leader of the Assembly of Yahshua in Can-ayan, Malaybalay, Bukidnon was shot to death by a gunman. According to Elder George Paña, Misael was an engineer, but loved farming. He and the group were living together in a farming community in a remote village near Malaybalay City.

ANSWERING LETTERS

Shalom Aleichem (peace to you).

About 1 year ago I was on your mailing list and requested to be discontinued as part of your mailing list. The reason I made that request is because I was baptized into the name of Yahshua the Messiah for the remission of my sins by a group back east. I wanted to do their correspondence courses prior to anyone else’s. I am a serious student of the Scriptures and I am asking to be re-added to your mailing list for your magazine “Yahshua’s Witness” and your “Correspondence Course.” If my request is denied, I understand and I apologize for wasting your time.

I know there are groups who claim to be the only true body of Messiah and I am saddened by those groups who push away others who do not agree point for point with them. There is much division among those who believe in the Sacred Names “Yahweh and Yahshua.” I don’t know who the true body is, but I do seek fellowship with those who worship Almighty in Spirit and Truth and who love Yahweh Elohim with their whole being.

I’ve found the major differences among Sacred Name believers are: circumcision versus non-circumcision, tithing to a group versus giving 10% to widows, orphans, poor among us, Passover month (Abib) prior to the vernal equinox versus the first visible sighting of the new moon after the vernal equinox, and the pre-existence of Yahshua doctrine.

I’ve found various teachings among Sacred Name believers: #1 Yahshua is Yahweh in the flesh (oneness), #2 No existence prior to His birth (Unitarian), #3 Yahshua is the first of all creation (duality). Most who believe #3 say Yahshua is Michael the Archangel. Of all the above who is right? Who is wrong? All can’t be right, but all can be wrong. There is a #4, they believe Yahshua never was created therefore He is equal to the Father in every way despite: John 14:28 and 1 Cor. 11:3. Each believer has their argument and shuts down others who do not believe as they do. Of course, two cannot walk together unless they agree and a kingdom divided against itself cannot stand. Look at the Kingdom of Israel after Solomon. Yahweh’s kingdom will be unified. Everyone will be in agreement. There will be a day all will be exposed and I believe this is where 1 Cor. III:11-14 comes into play. Is this teaching about doctrine being built upon the foundation of Yahshua?

Some will endure the fire and others will not. But the person will be saved? Read also Rev. 12:17, Rev. 14:12, Rev. 15:1-3. A true saint is one who keeps the Torah and the faith of Yahshua. What if someone keeps Passover a month late or a month early, but this is how he/she had been taught? Will that person perish? When is the true first month of Yahweh’s year? Prior to the vernal equinox or after the vernal equinox? If prior to the vernal equinox, how did Moses and Noah see the green ears of barley? If it was after the vernal equinox were the green ears still available?

Is circumcision no longer allowed (Read Gen. 1-17)? Is baptism considered our circumcision (Col. 2:11-12, Ro. 2:28-29)?

I ask all of these questions because I want to know. Will you tell me? I’ve read both sides of each argument. Yahweh is not the author of confusion. Today, I prayed and asked Almighty Yahweh to give me someone who knows your truth. I begged Him not to be silent to me because He knows how hard I strive daily to please Him. Not even 1 hour had passed and someone gave me Mar-Apr 2007 Yahshua’s Witness Magazine. I’ve not read it yet, but I will today. Will you please add me to your mailing list, answer my questions, and allow me to do your courses? Will you allow me to study your statement of doctrines if you have any? Thank you.

I love you and I hope to hear from you soon.

In Messiah Yahshua,

Anonymous

P.S. If you decide to publish this letter in whole or in part, please blank ______________ and make the writer anonymous. Thank you.

I’ve a wonderful testimony of the power of Yahweh in my life if ever you’re interested. Testimonies would be a great addition to your magazine because they help encourage others. My testimony has helped others and their testimonies have helped me. YEA is in my prayers.

  ANSWER:

  Shalom and warmest greetings in the awesome, majestic and wondrous names Yahweh and Yahshua. Thank you so much for your letter and your questions. I understand the feelings of exasperation and despair because of the differences between professed believers in Yahweh and Yahshua as well as the Scriptures. It is also frustrating to see those who exalt themselves above all others to the point of exclusivity. What we all should do is examine ourselves in light of the Scriptures and the spirit of the disciples. Yahshua set the example of humility by washing the feet of His own disciples, descending to the office of the lowest servant, because each was seeking to exalt themselves and their own self importance above the others. Yet we have those who demand honor and respect for their own supposed great office and will not dare to condescend to a lower estate for one moment.

  Here is what I have learned in my quest for truth, we all are born into this world looking alike in shape, but we have our own appearance, our own fingerprints, our own DNA, our own name, etc. This also means that we may think somewhat alike, but never exactly. We can see the same thing, read the same thing and hear the same thing, but if we try to describe it, there will be differences. The differences that you have enumerated have only been a few. There are far, far more differences than these. The problem is that we all like to believe that our own understanding is far superior from other’s understanding so we like to make and give our own personal understanding a greater standing, a more exalted position than that of others.

  The Christian world seems to be far more stable than the world of the Yahwists, but take a look at the different Christian organizations. There is the Amish, Roman Catholic Church, Greek Orthodox Church, Russian Orthodox Church, Lutheran Church, Church of England, Baptist, First Baptist, New Baptist, Old Baptist, Seventh Day Baptist, Church of Christ, Church of God, Assembly of God, Methodist Church, Pentecostal, United Pentecostal, Puritans, Quakers, etc., etc. Many of these same churches have waged outright war against others. The Roman Catholic Church, in the spirit of Caesar, has tortured and slain so called heretics, carried out inquisitions, etc. for centuries. Others have tortured and put to death many who do not believe the same way they do. That is why many of our people fled to America in order to obtain their own religious freedom. But then they also persecuted and tortured others different from themselves.

 Read the New Testament alone and see how the people were divided and others were dividing away and disagreeing even with the Apostles before their deaths. Then came Constantine who attempted to gather the New Testament Assembly under his umbrella as Pontifex Maximus over all religion, but Yahweh allowed the Arians to raise up and sow discord and confusion in the assemblies as well as others. Of course, those assemblies of the Middle East and Turkey eventually came under the protective umbrella of Islam, even though they were considered to be second class citizens and were persecuted, tortured and slain by the Moslems also. They did preserve the Aramaic New Testament Scriptures even though the original Hebrew is still lacking.

 If we would all develop the mind of John the Baptist who declared, concerning Yahshua, He must increase, I must decrease, then we would all be able to serve the body much better. If we would develop the mind of a child rather than an arrogant know it all adult, then we would be better off. Yahshua came to the scholars of His day, the Pharisees and Sadducees, but instead of calling those scholars to be His disciples, He called Scripturally ignorant Fishermen, of all things (Acts 4:13). The Biblical scholars had already twisted and corrupted the true understanding of  the Scriptures. Yahshua rejoiced that the Father had hidden the things about Himself from the so-called wise and prudent and revealed it unto babes (Mt. 11:25, 21:15-16; Lk. 10:17-22) This is why we decided to publish Yahshua’s Witness Magazine. The problem seemed to be that the conflicting doctrines of Sabbaths, new moons, commandment keeping, etc., are what are focused upon among Yahweh’s people rather than seeing how they are fulfilled by Yahshua.

  The names of the Father and Son are very important, but how do we receive them, declare them and follow their example? The commandments are important, but how do we understand them in relationship with Yahshua, Who fulfilled them? Do we embrace them as did Israel in order to go about establishing our own righteousness, or do we come to Yahshua Who gives us an earnest of the Spirit at baptism, which is a down payment of the greater glory and ability to come when we will have the incorruptible and immortal body that will have His laws written in the heart? It is too easy to become a spiritual Pharisee in today’s world when we begin to embrace the commandments, but look askance at a world that disbelieves and is full of lawlessness. Paul tried to tell us about our own inability to fulfill the commandments and establish our own righteousness. Yahshua is our righteousness. In this we should rejoice because He never fails.

  Now concerning your points; #1 Yahshua is Yahweh in the flesh (oneness).

  COMMENT: The very name Yahshua declares that He is the Salvation of Yahweh or Yahweh the Savior. (Actually both) Is He at one with the Father? Absolutely (Jn. 10:30). Can we be one with the Father? (Jn. 17:17-23). Yahshua declared that the Father was in Him doing the work. He declared that they were One. But Yahshua can be in us by the same Spirit so that we can be one with Him and also with the Father. Does that make us Yahshua? Does that make us the Father? Let’s look at a molecule of water, since water is a type of the Holy Spirit (Jn. 7:37-39). The chemical formula for water is H20, or H-O-H. Are there not three distinct parts to a molecule of water, yet does it not exist as one molecule? Can a Hydrogen atom exist alone? Yes, absolutely. What does a Hydrogen atom consist of? One electron and one proton. Isn’t that interesting? Even the Hydrogen atom, being one atom consists of two particles. That’s two in one. Hydrogen is the basic building block of all atoms. Yahweh, composed of Father and Son, is the builder of all creation. Oxygen is a type of the Spirit. It is the Spirit/ruach/breath that gives life.

Yes, Yahshua was Yahweh, manifested in the flesh. We understand from John 1 that Yahshua was the Word, was with or beside Elohim, was Elohim (vv. 1-3), the world was made by Him, but didn’t know Him (and still doesn’t), and that He was made or became flesh. John says this same word that they handled with their hands was eternal life (1 Jn. 1:1-2) and that is what they were declaring (v. 3) and also what we must declare.

  #2 No existence prior to His birth (Unitarian).

 COMMENT: Those who generally uphold this doctrine of the non-pre-existence, simply have to discard so much of what is written in both the Old and New Testaments. Yahshua testifies that Moses wrote of Him (Jn. 5:39-47). They, like the Jews of Yahshua’s day simply can’t believe all of the writings, for if they did then when Paul writes that the Israelites were on the same road with the Rock and that Rock was the Messiah (1 Cor. 10:1-4), they would believe what he wrote. John writes that He made the world (Jn. 1:1-14). John proclaims that He is eternal life (1 Jn. 1:1-2). The book of Hebrews proclaims that He made the world (Heb. 1:1-3). He is proclaimed to be the first and last, the beginning and ending, the aleph and tau (Isa. 41:4, 44:6, 48:12; Rev. 1:4, 2:8, 21:6, 22:13).

In that He says that He is the beginning and the ending, the first and the last the Aleph and Tau, don’t the Scriptures proclaim that Yahshua was there in the beginning? Can there be anything before the first or the Aleph and after the last and the Tau?

Prior to His birth, He was Spirit. He could manifest himself as a being that looked similar to flesh, a man, but He had never actually existed as living flesh and blood before. He was the same as the Father Who is Spirit and desires us to worship Him in Spirit and in Truth.

He told the people of His day that he existed before Abraham (Jn. 8:58). They understood what He was implying because they picked up stones in order to stone Him.

The physical carnal mind simply can’t grasp true spiritual concepts. For instance, in the physical world we have lions and lambs, but they won’t co-exist very long because the lion will cause the lamb to be his dinner. But Yahshua exists as both lion and lamb in the Spirit realm. Water, fire and oil do not mix very well in the physical realm. Water quenches fire, fire burns oil and oil and water don’t mix, but in the spiritual realm, the Holy Spirit is likened to all three water, fire and oil.

   #3 Yahshua is the first of creation (duality)

  COMMENT: I have already addressed this in the above comment, but when you write (duality) I must answer with this fact. The Scriptures proclaim, “In the beginning Elohim created the heavens and the earth.” (Gen. 1:1). Interestingly, the Hebrew word Elohim is a uni-plural word. Notice that Yahweh created the man Adam and brought Eve forth from him commanding them to become ONE flesh. There is a play on words that is utilized in Gen. 1:26-28, “And Elohim (plural) said, Let us (plural) make man (singular) in our (plural) image, after our (plural) likeness: and let them (plural) have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So Elohim (plural) created man (singular) in his (singular) own image, in the image of Elohim (plural) created he (singular) him (singular); male and female created he (singular) them (plural). And Elohim (plural) blessed them (plural), and Elohim (plural) said unto them (plural), Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.”

  You say that some believe that Yahshua is Michael the Archangel. I have leaned toward this for years now, but have never studied it out. Recently, I have embarked upon a study of Michael the Archangel and the more I study, the more I tend to prove that such is the case.

  You say, There is a #4, they believe Yahshua never was created therefore He is equal to the Father in every way despite Jn. 14:28 and 1 Cor. 11:1-3. Each believer has their argument and shuts down others who do not believe as they do.

  COMMENT: It is not my intention to put down others, but it certainly is my intention to search out the Scriptures for the truth of any matter of contention that is brought up to me (that is if I have the time to do so). There are those with whom I agree and of course those with whom I disagree. But I only disagree if I can prove them wrong via the Scriptures. There is no real place in the Scriptures where it says that the Father created the Son. Of course, you and I do know that a father and son who are adults are equal, except the very words father and son do give precedence. We can prove that Yahshua did exist beside the Father in the beginning through the very words that are written (Jn. 1:1-3). I know that the book of Proverbs seemingly declares a time when wisdom was brought forth (Prov. 8, esp. vv. 22-31), but what kind of wisdom is being spoken of here? The Scriptures declare that Yahshua is the power and wisdom of Yahweh (1 Cor. 1:24). But has Yahweh ever been without power and wisdom? Yahshua is also the Word of Yahweh, as well as the Beginning (reyshiyth). Has Yahweh ever been without His Word?

Look at Prov. 8:1-31 again. Isn’t the wisdom spoken of here, the wisdom that was brought forth for the creation of the heavens and earth? Absolutely!

  Since Yahweh never changes and He has always had power, wisdom, His Word and has brought all things into existence so that all things have a beginning (reyshiyth), doesn’t that mean that He has always begun all things in Yahshua? Doesn’t that mean that Yahshua has always existed? If Yahshua is the beginning (reyshiyth) of all things, then how did He have a beginning. Who is the beginning? I hope you understand what I mean.

  Once again, I must say that the physical, fleshly, carnal world simply can’t understand the spirit world. We can understand spiritual things that are revealed to us by His Holy Spirit, but even then we look through a glass darkly. We will never totally understand the spirit world as long as we are flesh and blood. But when we are changed from corruptible to incorruptible and from mortal to immortal we will be given the Spirit in its fullness and then we will understand.

  The problem with man is that he postulates about things in the spirit world that he can’t understand, takes a few Scriptures out of context, builds a statement of faith based on those few Scriptures and will cast away and deny other Scriptures that clearly destroy his own thesis. When it comes to Yahshua’s pre-existence, we must search the Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments about this subject for the complete and more clear understanding. After all, the Scriptures are written about Him. He came to reveal the Father to us Who had never been seen nor heard at anytime. How do I understand this? Simple, through the Scriptures (hopefully under the direction of the Holy Spirit). The priesthood and tabernacle were a type, a shadow of the heavenly tabernacle and priesthood. Yahshua has always been the Heavenly High Priest Melchizedek. When He came in the flesh, He came to be the sacrifice. He had to empty Himself of the power and glory that He had, become a man, flesh and blood, in order to offer the ONLY ACCEPTABLE SACRIFICE, which was typified by all sacrifices offered by the Aaronic Priesthood.

  The Aaronic high priest went into the holiest place once a year to offer the atoning sacrifice. He then came back out to declare what he had seen, although he didn’t see much because the ark of the covenant was covered with the cloud of incense. Yahshua came to declare what He had seen with the Father. He came to reveal the Father Who had never been seen nor heard. This was strange to the people of His day because they had never heard anything like this before, nor had they considered it since it had been hidden from their eyes. It is also strange and hard to believe by many in today’s world, even many of those who embrace the true names.

  The greatest preponderance of those to whom the message was delivered rejected it through unbelief just as the ancient Israelites who saw the works of Yahweh in Egypt and also in the wilderness, but were hardened through unbelief. Yahshua had to select those who would believe who He was. He did not select the so-called Bible scholars, because the Bible scholars had become blinded and confused and had surrounded the truths of Yahweh with the traditions of men. He selected those who were ignorant and unlearned so that they wouldn’t be introducing their own traditional mix into His revelations.

  He did later call a Pharisee named Shaul, but He did so because even though Shaul was wreaking havoc upon the New Testament Assembly, he was being pierced in his mind and thoughts at what he was seeing and hearing. When Yahshua did appear to Him on the road to Damascus, he became willing to cast aside all of the Pharisaic teachings and traditions that he had been strictly observing so that he might apprehend the Messiah.

  One of the problems that the New Testament Assembly encountered was the fact that it appeared that many of the priesthood and Pharisees had repented and embraced the way as it is revealed in Yahshua, but we see that Shaul had to withstand their teachings concerning circumcision (Acts 15) as well as other things. Jude warned that evil men had crept into the assembly, “Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, unrighteous men, turning the grace of our Elohim into lasciviousness, and denying the only Sovereign Yahweh, and our Sovereign Yahshua the Messiah. I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that Yahweh, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not,” vv. 3-5. Those evil men were the Pharisees and Sadducees who couldn’t come into the assembly without bringing many of their erroneous traditional teachings with them. They gave Shaul/Paul fits and resisted him at every turn. These evil men would have been the priests and Pharisees who considered themselves to be the learned. When they entered into the assembly they, like Constantine, considered themselves to be the experts in Scriptural and spiritual understanding. They weren’t like Shaul/Paul who was willing to consider what he had as a Pharisee to be dung so that he might win the Messiah (Phil. 3:8).

  The pattern of the beginning of the New Testament Assembly is the same pattern that is found throughout Scripture. The earth is found in chaos, confusion and destruction. Yahweh intervenes, brings order out of chaos, creates Adam and Eve giving them charge over the new pristine creation. But the serpent enters to cause chaos, confusion and destruction to come about once again. Yahweh destroys the earth with a flood and saves one man and his family to establish a new order, but quickly, one of Noah’s own sons is influenced to bring in chaos, confusion and destruction. Yahweh calls Abram out of Ur to raise up a family who will walk in the faith, but the family goes down into Egypt, which is the home of the serpent worshippers. Yahweh destroys Egypt and brings His people Israel out therefrom, but the Israelites quickly rebel against Yahweh. Yahweh destroys that generation and brings a new generation into the land of Canaan to establish a family of faithful Hebrews, but the people, after conquering a portion of the land, fall away into Baal worship. Yahweh eventually destroys them, sends them away in unbelief, yet brings a remnant back to rebuild the temple and Hebrew society. But they quickly begin to take wives of the surrounding non-Hebrew elements. They eventually go into chaos, confusion and had to be destroyed by the Romans. But first, He sends Yahshua to raise up a New Covenant Assembly of believers. But after His ascension, they begin to corrupt.

  The message to the seven assemblies in Asia Minor is a message of corruption in five of the seven assemblies. The message of corruption, chaos and confusion is found in Christianity today. But it is also found in the Yahwist believers. I understand how confusing and frustrating it is to come into contact with all of these different doctrines, but if we are going to overcome that confusion and chaos, then we must look to the Scriptures as they declare Yahshua the Messiah. He is the KEY to understanding the Scriptures. Knowing the name Yahweh is not the key. It is a beginning, maybe, but the true KEY is Yahshua. The KEY is to know Him, Who He is, Was, and Will be. The KEY is to know how the Scriptures declare Him. The KEY is to believe Him, His words, and what is written about Him, both Old and New Testaments. That is one of the reasons that we are publishing Yahshua’s Witness Magazine. He is our Light, our Word, our Way, our Life, our Food, our Drink, our Head, our Salvation, our Redemption, our Sacrifice, our High Priest, our Covering, our Husband, our Sovereign, our Power, our Wisdom, our Righteousness, etc., etc. He is our EVERYTHING!

  You say that this is where 1 Cor. 3:11-14 comes into play and I whole-heartedly agree with you. Our foundation must be Yahshua the Messiah. He is the precious cornerstone that Yahweh has laid. We must build upon that precious stone. If we fail to understand this then either we will stumble over that stone or it will descend upon us and crush us to pieces. It is certainly going to do that to the kingdoms of this world which have introduced their own erroneous brand of the faith coupled with idolatrous paganism.

  Let’s look at this Scripture, “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Yahshua the Messiah. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. Know ye not that ye are the temple of Yahweh, and that the Spirit of Yahweh dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of Yahweh, him shall Yahweh destroy; for the temple of Yahweh is holy, which temple ye are.”

Looking at the materials spoken of here, gold and silver are generally purified by fire. Precious stones will be somewhat charred and lose some of their value, wood is utilized to build frameworks of buildings and other things, but fire reduces it to ashes. Hay is good for animal fodder, but also burns to ashes. Stubble is good for nothing and burns violently being reduced to ashes. All of our works will be tested by the fire at the end of time. Fire purges all dross and purifies so that only that which is pure is left. Remember Daniel’s companions. They were cast into the fire, which destroyed the men that threw them into the furnace, but One like the Son of Man delivered them so that there was not even the smell of fire upon them. That is the faith of our Messiah Yahshua.

  You ask, What if someone keeps Passover a month late or a month early, but this is how he/she has been taught? Will that person perish?

  Ans. Please understand that there is confusion on certain things, but at least that person is seeking to do what is right in Yahweh’s eyes. Yahweh is not a stern, harsh, unbending, Elohim, He is loving, kind, merciful. Yes, He does correct us because of our erroneous ways, but He also winks at our ignorance. He is forgiving and kind. I am a father and I know how frustrated a father can become at his children because of their failures, but I still can’t help loving them. I am also, hopefully, a son of Yahweh’s and I know that I frustrate Him in too many ways myself, but I do love Him and seek His forgiveness (not trying to excuse myself for any wrongdoing, mind you). I know Him, according to His word and what He has done through His Son for us, to be so loving, kind and merciful. I do not cringe in fear believing that He has no power to save not only myself, but each and everyone of us who He has brought forth into the light of this world. He has a most wonderful plan of salvation and the one who is truly powerless is Satan the devil. Though Satan seems to be winning the battle, the whole creation belongs to Yahweh and all of us in it. He knows how to deal with us and to save us in His own time and in His own way. HalleluYah!!! Praise Him, His Name, His Son, His Word, His power and His wisdom!

  You ask; When is the first month of the year? Prior to the vernal equinox or after the vernal equinox? If prior to the vernal equinox, how did Moses and Noah see the green ears of barley? If it was after the vernal equinox were the green ears still available?

  Ans. I have done what I feel like is a very thorough study on the heavenly calendar. The equinox is a marker. But the equinox that is being dictated to us today is not the true equinox. It takes place much earlier. I am including a current newsletter with your mail. You can study my answers to another brother who will only accept the first new moon after the equinox. I hope this will help.

  You ask; Is baptism considered our circumcision? (Col. 2:11-12; Ro. 2:28-29)

  Ans. This is pretty good. You asked the question and then answered it Scripturally. Remember, flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom that is being prepared for us in the spirit realm. What most people can’t understand is that the physical world seems to be reality (because we live in it) while the spirit world is unreal (because we can’t see or feel it). But if you will study Scripture carefully, you will learn that we are just a shadow. We are here one day and gone the next. We are the shadow, that which is really unreal. The world of the Spirit is that which is truly real. Therefore, the circumcision of the Spirit is much more real than that of the flesh. A fleshly, carnal mind looks at the physical, fleshly, carnal, out ward appearance, but the Spirit looks on the heart. The flesh will not endure, but the Spirit always endures, especially when the temporal, detestable things are purged from it.

  I am truly humbled by what you wrote about your request of Yahweh and our magazine being delivered to you within the hour. We have had many people who have requested the same thing of Yahweh, been led into contact with us, making statements very similar to yours and then go their own way anyhow. I remember your own words that you were writing to us over a year ago about our magazine and teachings how you were impressed with them, and then you wrote and discontinued your subscription. I do understand that you were doing what you were being told to do by man. I pray for them because they do believe in Yahweh and teach many good things, but there are examples with both Moses in the book of Numbers and Yahshua in Mark and Luke that I would like to point out not only to you but to those who refuse to acknowledge others. In Numbers 11 Eldad and Medad remained in the camp while Moses, Aaron and the seventy went to personally meet Yahweh. Eldad and Medad began prophesying. Yahshua Ben Nun wanted Moses to forbid them, but He refused. Look it up in Num. 11:26-29.

Then there were the disciples of Yahshua. “And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us. But Yahshua said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me. For he that is not against us is on our part ,” Mk. 9:38-40.

  Also in Luke, “Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest.  And Yahshua, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a child, and set him by him, And said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this child in my name receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me receiveth him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great. And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us. And Yahshua said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us,” 9:46-50.

  Shouldn’t those who consider themselves to be the only true assembly or church take warning from these very Scriptures? There is a man who came out of the Worldwide Church of God who teaches that any who is not a member of his church, any who refuses to place themselves under his yoke will be burnt to ashes in hellfire. Hmmm...Be careful what you judge, because as you judge so shall ye be judged.

  Yes, there are others in the Sacred Names who teach that they are the only representatives of the Sacred Names and declare others who are not members of their congregation to be anathema. Again, we must warn, As you judge, so shall you be judged. All they have to do is look at the instances with Moses and Yahshua. All they have to do is humble themselves, but if they refuse, I fear for them (I don’t mean to be judgmental here, but only to warn out of love). We are not to exalt nor promote ourselves above others. We are to lift up Yahshua for the world to see even though it may still reject Him. We are not to be lifting ourselves up as though we were so great and important. The greatest is to humble himself and the least is to be exalted.

  When you ask if we will allow you to study our statement of doctrines, etc., how can we refuse? You are seeking the truth in Yahweh’s word. We are here to feed the sheep of Yahshua. How can we refuse food for the sheep? We must witness of Yahshua to all who will receive it. Thank you for the opportunity to do so. Don’t worry, your identity is safe with us.

Blessings in Yahshua’s Saving Name, Jerry

P. S. Yes, absolutely! We are interested in as many testimonies as we can receive. You are right, they are very inspiring and encouraging.

 Greetings in the name of Yahshua to you and the assembly. May this letter find you well in mind, body and in spirit. I’m sorry for not writing back sooner to thank you for your magazine and Bible lessons and newsletter. Things around here had gotten a little hectic, but now things are better.

  I am truly thankful for your magazine. It brings such great joy to me to be able to read satisfying spiritual truths of Yahweh and Yahshua. Some of the brothers here at the Max Unit save their magazines for the Sabbath to read, but not me. I’m so starved for the spiritual food that I read your magazine just as soon as I get them and I’m thankful to Yahweh for brothers such as you, so keep up the good work of Yahweh.

  Brother Jerry, I have an important question that I need you to answer for me. Some of the brother’s here at the Max Unit say that there is a certain way for us to pray and it was given to us by Solomon and Daniel in 1 Ki. 8:22, 29-30, 33-34, 38, 42-45, 49-54; Dan. 6:10. These brothers kneel on their knees with the palm of their hands up and facing east. Then they say a few words bowing their head and face to the ground or floor and say a few words. Then repeat the same thing over and over for about 3 or 4 minutes and that’s how they say we are to pray. When I see the Moslems pray they do the same thing.

  Now as for me, I was a Christian before I came to the knowledge of truth in Yahweh and I have prayed almost all my life. When I first wake up in the morning I say good morning to the Father Yahweh and Yahshua. Then I thank Him for blessing me with another day and for protecting me while I sleep and for the many blessings He blesses me with each day. Then I pray for my loved ones and for all my brothers and sisters in Yahweh throughout the world and for all prisoners, guards, for the President and all world leaders, etc. I pray over each meal. I pray while I’m at work and I walk and pray and praise Yahweh and Yahshua for one hour each day, except the Sabbath in which I rest and I kneel on my knees morning and before bedtime.

  So Brother Jerry, what I would like to know is am I praying the wrong way? If there is a certain way to pray then please write me and let me know so I don’t displease my Father Yahweh and Yahshua. So please my brother, answer this question for me.

RB/AR

 Dear RB,

You really have it right. Yahweh wants us to pray from the heart, which in accordance with your words, you are doing. We can pray standing up, kneeling down, laying down. We can pray while we are walking, driving, etc. We can prostrate ourselves and pray. Yahshua gave us the model prayer in Mt. 6:5-13.

As for your friends, I would caution them concerning their proclivity to always pray towards the east. I know that the Jewish people also have this tradition using the excuse that they are praying toward Jerusalem, which they think is presently the city of Elohim. However, the Book of Revelation reveals present day Jerusalem to be spiritually Sodom and Egypt (Rev. 11:8).

Yes, Daniel prayed toward Jerusalem, but at the time that he was praying, Jerusalem was still standing and that is where the temple of Yahweh was located. However, Daniel was in Babylon. Jerusalem was to the west of Babylon. Therefore, Daniel was praying toward the west, not the east.

As for Solomon, 1 Ki. 8:22 says that he stood before the altar that was in the temple compound. The fact of the matter is that the tabernacle and the temple were both built facing eastward. Solomon and any worshipper of Yahweh would have had to face westward, not eastward in order to pray to Yahweh. Solomon lifted his hands to the heaven.

Ezekiel was taken to Jerusalem where he was shown twenty five men with their backs toward the temple of Yahweh, and their faces toward the east, and they worshipped the sun toward the east. (Ez. 8:16) Therefore, facing eastward in prayer is a type of worshipping the sun. The sun rises in the east. Yahweh had both His tabernacle and temple facing eastward so that the holiest place was in the west. A worshipper had to turn or repent of their pagan sun worship, and face the tabernacle or temple of Yahweh in the west.

As for praying toward Jerusalem, Paul reveals that our Jerusalem is above. So it wouldn’t be wrong to raise our hands toward the heaven and our face also. But it still isn’t wrong for us to kneel with our face down in humility. However, I avoid praying toward the east. If I were going to pray toward the Jerusalem of this world, I would face westward anyhow. If you can pray toward Jerusalem facing eastward, then you can also pray toward Jerusalem facing west. Since I know about the tabernacle and the temple, you won’t find me purposely praying toward the east.

 Written by an Australian Dentist....and too good to delete....
To Kill an American