Saturday, August 30, 2008
Thursday, August 28, 2008
L-O-R-D's Day or the Day of Yahweh?
Every Friday the announcer of Alistair Begg’s Truth for Life radio program encourages listeners to be in church on Sunday, the “L-o-r-d’s day.” Is this really Truth for Life? Did Yahshua ever proclaim to be the Master of Sunday? What exactly is the day of the L-O-R-D? This article will answer these questions.
The resounding answer to our first question is no! Yahshua never claimed to be the Master of Sunday. In fact, “Sunday” as a proper name for a day of the week was not even being used during his time on earth. Our scriptures call this day “the first day of the week.” More specifically, standard Bible translation italicized ‘day’ – meaning the translators ADDED this word to make better sense of such passages as:
Matthew 28:1 In the end of the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first [day] of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.
Mark 16:2 And very early in the morning the first [day] of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun.
Luke 24:1 Now upon the first [day] of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain [others] with them.
John 20:1 The first [day] of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre.
The truth is that in the extant manuscripts of the above writings, day is not there! These manuscripts simply read “...the first of the week.” According to Hebrew reckoning, this could be Sunday, Monday, or Tuesday – day one, two, or three of the week. Nothing whatsoever is mentioned of Yahshua being Master of any of these days.
There is a day that Yahshua claims Mastery over. Any guesses as to which day that would be? If you answered “the Sabbath,” you would be absolutely correct.
Matthew 12:8 For the Son of Man is Master of the Sabbath
Luke 6:5 And he said unto them, That the Son of man is Master also of the Sabbath.
What does it mean when the verses say that the Son of Man was “Master of the Sabbath?”
The title is used in Daniel 7:13 with reference to the Messiah. It identifies the humanity of Yahshua Ha Mashiach. He was Son of Yahweh and Son of Man.
Daniel 7:13,14 I saw in the night visions, and, behold, [one] like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion [is] an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom [that] which shall not be destroyed.
The Jews had many traditions with respect to the Sabbath and how it was to be kept. They had many regulations restricting behavior that were not found as prohibitions in the Torah of Moses. They did not allow the lighting of candles on the Sabbath. They made it unlawful to throw more grain to their poultry than could be eaten lest some of it might sprout and grow and therefore they would be guilty of sowing on the Sabbath. They taught that it was unlawful to swat a fly on the Sabbath. Today there are man-made prohibitions against picking one’s nose so that a nose hair is removed on Shabbat; The tearing of toilet paper is also prohibited in some sectors of Judaism.
Yahshua did not think that it was necessary to observe all of the trivial oral regulations that came about through the traditions of men even though it brought criticism of himself and his followers on numerous occasions. Yahshua received more criticism about what he did and did not do on the Sabbath than he got on any other matter. The result of this is recorded for us in Luke’s evangel:
Luke 6:11 And they [the scribes and Pharisees] were filled with madness; and communed one with another what they might do to Yahshua.
Every scriptural reference to Yahshua’s doing good on the Sabbath was met with the ire of the religious leaders. It was against the teaching of traditions that Yahshua showed ownership and mastery. Yahshua’s Sabbath exploits proved the hardness of the scribes and Pharisees hearts. In order to preserve their position(s) within society, they sought ways to kill Yahshua.
Yahshua proved his ultimate Mastery over the Sabbath by being resurrected on a Sabbath. Recall our Matthew 28:1 verse: In the end of the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first [day] of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.Matthew could only mean by "In the end of the Sabbath"– the time late on Saturday afternoon – as the sun was about to set. While the sun is still up it is still the Sabbath, but admittedly very late on the Sabbath, for when the sun sinks below the horizon the next day has begun.
The sun had not set when the two Marys first came, not to anoint but to view the tomb. It was still the Sabbath, and the Redeemer had already risen. His resurrection took place between three o'clock in the afternoon and before the setting sun on the weekly Sabbath. We can be assured that Yahshua is indeed Master of the Sabbath, to the praise of Yahweh!
Next, we turn our attention to our second question (above).
What exactly is the day of the L-O-R-D? We must remember that where ever the title L-O-R-D is written in standard Bible translations it is a “code word” for the Tetragrammaton, to wit, the four letter Revealed Name YHWH [Yahweh]. With this in mind, please know that I will be substituting L-O-R-D for the Revealed Name in the scriptures below to the end that we may better understand the truth of our subject.
The Apostolic Writings several times refers to the “day” of [Messiah] Christ in the context of an impending judgment. In order to understand how this term is used in the Renewed Covenant, it is necessary to look at how a Hebrew precursor of the phrase is used.
The phrase “the day of the L-O-R-D” (TDOL) occurs 26 times in the Hebrew Scriptures, always in the prophetic literature. Six of these occurrences refer to a “day of the L-o-r-d's...” but not all of these refer to a future event. We begin, with Isaiah:
Isaiah 2:12 For the day of YHWH of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty, and upon every one that is lifted up; and he shall be brought low...
The first example of TDOL occurs in the context of an oracle which predicts in the “last” or future days a time when “all nations” will flow to the house of YHWH (2:2) and there will be an end of all war (2:4) and proud men are humbled (2:11-17) or try to hide from the judgment of Elohim (2:19ff). This use clearly indicates a picture of final judgment.
Isaiah 13:6-9 Howl ye; for the day of the YHWH is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty. Therefore shall all hands be faint, and every man's heart shall melt: And they shall be afraid: pangs and sorrows shall take hold of them; they shall be in pain as a woman that travails in child birth: they shall be amazed one at another; their faces shall be as flames. Behold, the day of YHWH comes, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it.
This time, though, TDOL is a judgment directed exclusively against Babylon. Babylon is directly addressed (13:1, 19) and the Medes are said to be the instrument of Babylon's destruction (13:17). For reference, take note as well of how this singular judgment is described:
Isaiah 13:10-13 For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine. And I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible. I will make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir. Therefore I will shake the heavens, and the earth shall remove out of her place, in the wrath of YHWH of hosts, and in the day of his fierce anger.
It is easy to see a parallel to Yahshua’s pronouncements upon Jerusalem. Again, such language is found in Isaiah's last reference:
Isaiah 34:4, 8-10 And all the host of heaven shall be dissolved, and the heavens shall be rolled together as a scroll: and all their host shall fall down, as the leaf falls off from the vine, and as a falling fig from the fig tree...For it is the day of YHWH’s vengeance, and the year of recompenses for the controversy of Zion. And the streams thereof shall be turned into pitch, and the dust thereof into brimstone, and the land thereof shall become burning pitch. It shall not be quenched night nor day; the smoke thereof shall go up for ever: from generation to generation it shall lie waste; none shall pass through it for ever and ever.
Isaiah. 34 is an oracle of judgment against Edom. Note here that the “day” of YHWH is equated with the “year of recompense,” thus indicating that “the day of YHWH” isn't associated with a single 24-hour period. (Stuart notes that the phrase likely originated in the ANE conception of an ideal warrior who could vanquish foes in a day; Hosea-Jonah commentary, 231.)
Jeremiah 46:10 For this is the day of YHWH Elohim of hosts, a day of vengeance, that he may avenge him of his adversaries: and the sword shall devour, and it shall be satiate and made drunk with their blood: for YHWH Elohim of hosts hath a sacrifice in the north country by the river Euphrates. The oracle this time is a warning to Egypt (46:2) and to the Pharaoh of Jeremiah's day.
Jeremiah also used this phrase in Lamentations:
Lamentations 2:22 Thou hast called as in a solemn day my terrors round about, so that in the day of YHWH’s anger none escaped nor remained: those that I have swaddled and brought up hath mine enemy consumed.
In this case, TDOL is used to refer to a past event of judgment, this time upon Jerusalem.
Next up: Ezekiel –
Ezekiel 13:5 Ye have not gone up into the gaps, neither made up the hedge for the house of Israel to stand in the battle in the day of YHWH.
This warning is made to Israel's prophets (13:1) and is an admonition against them for being false prophets (13:6-7). These prophets have predicted peace for Jerusalem (13:16). The reference to TDOL is most likely here to the impending Babylonian attack on Jerusalem.
Ezekiel 30:3 For the day is near, even the day of YHWH is near, a cloudy day; it shall be the time of the heathen.
The oracle this time is against Egypt, and Babylon will be the mechanism of judgment (30:10).
The next five references are from the book of Joel.
Joel 1:15 Alas for the day! for the day of YHWH is at hand, and as a destruction from the Almighty shall it come.
Joel 2:1 Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of YHWH cometh, for it is nigh at hand;
Joel 2:11 And YHWH shall utter his voice before his army: for his camp is very great: for he is strong that executes his word: for the day of YHWH is great and very terrible; and who can abide it?
Joel 2:31 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of YHWH come.
Joel 3:14 Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of YHWH is near in the valley of decision.
Because of the difficulty in knowing when Joel was written, it is not possible to say in all cases who the “enemy” is. It is enough to say for now that at least the first three references are to an impending judgment against the Jews.
The next three references to TDOL are from Amos, who was probably the first of the prophets chronologically to use the phrase.
Amos 5:18-20 Woe unto you that desire the day of YHWH! to what end is it for you? the day of YHWH is darkness, and not light. As if a man did flee from a lion, and a bear met him; or went into the house, and leaned his hand on the wall, and a serpent bit him. Shall not the day of YHWH be darkness, and not light? even very dark, and no brightness in it?
Amos 5-6 is a prophetic oracle against the northern kingdom of Israel.
Minor prophet Obadiah makes the next use of the phrase:
Obadiah 15 For the day of YHWH is near upon all the heathen: as thou hast done, it shall be done unto thee: thy reward shall return upon thine own head.
Obadiah's oracle is upon Edom, and it is clear that Obadiah expects TDOL to affect Edom.
Next, Zephaniah takes his turn:
Zephaniah 1:8 Hold thy peace at the presence of YHWH Elohim: for the day of YHWH is at hand: for YHWH hath prepared a sacrifice, he hath bid his guests. And it shall come to pass in the day of YHWH’s sacrifice, that I will punish the princes, and the king's children, and all such as are clothed with strange apparel.
Zephaniah 1:14 The great day of YHWH is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of YHWH: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly.
Zephaniah 1:18-2:3 Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of YHWH’s wrath; but the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of his jealousy: for he shall make even a speedy riddance of all them that dwell in the land. Gather yourselves together, yea, gather together, O nation not desired; Before the decree bring forth, before the day pass as the chaff, before the fierce anger of YHWH come upon you, before the day of YHWH’s anger come upon you. Seek ye YHWH, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of YHWH’s anger.
These oracles are against Jerusalem and Judah (1:14). Again it is worth noting, for future reference, the symbolism used:
Zephaniah 1:15-17 That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness, A day of the trumpet and alarm against the fenced cities, and against the high towers. And I will bring distress upon men, that they shall walk like blind men, because they have sinned against YHWH: and their blood shall be poured out as dust, and their flesh as the dung.
Now Zechariah has some use for the phrase:
Zechariah 14:1 Behold, the day of YHWH cometh, and thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee.
For the first time since Isaiah, TDOL may here be used as a phrase reflecting final judgment. YHWH is king over all the earth (14:9) and the nations all come to observe the Feast of Tabernacles (14:16). Preterists, though, see this as a reference to 70 CE and believe we are now in a place where YHWH is king over the earth and we observe the feast in the “heavenly Jerusalem.” I disagree with Preterism, the belief that “last days” prophecy has been accomplished since the destruction of the Jerusalem temple by Titus.
My preferred approach to eschatology (the study of last day events) is that of a ‘continuing historicist.' By this I mean that prophetic events occur in a cyclical manner throughout time. Certainly there are passages that speak to both past and future prophecies of similar nature. Daniel 9:27; 12:11 along with Matthew 24:15; Mark 13:14, and Luke 21:20 all speak to the abomination that makes desolate. Daniel’s prophecy was fulfilled by Antiochus Epiphanies during the time of the Maccabean revolt. The synoptic evangels point to a future fulfillment as do Paul’s second letter to the Thessalonians (2:4ff) and John’s revealed apocalypse. (Rev. 13)
Returning to the day of YHWH – Malachi is the final prophet to use the phrase:
Malachi 4:5 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of YHWH...
Christian exegetes see this as a prophecy of John the Immerser. Notwithstanding that interpretation, this oracle to the returned exiles speaks of a day that “cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith YHWH of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch. But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall. And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith YHWH of hosts.” (4:1-3) To what does this TDOL refer? The day of Yahweh here could not refer to the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 CE, but there is enough within the passage to see a future day of judgment and cleansing.
The writers of the Apostolic scriptures use the phrase, “the day of YHWH” in both present tense and future application:
Acts 2:17- 21 [Peter speaking] But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith Elohim, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke: The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of YHWH come: And it shall come to pass, [that] whosoever shall call on the name of YHWH shall be saved. (Joel 2:28,30,32)
Romans 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of YHWH shall be saved. (Joel 2:32)
I Thessalonians 5:2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of YHWH so cometh as a thief in the night. (See above Hebrew scripture refs)
II Peter 3:10 But the day of YHWH will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. (Psalm 102:26; Isaiah 51:6)
Revelation 1:10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet
The day of the week on which this happened to be written – IF it could have been all written within one day – is not important, and that is not what this verse means at all. It does not refer to any day of the week; Sunday or any other, rather to that prophetic period referred to in more than 20 prophecies detailed above as "The great and terrible DAY OF YHWH."
Greek scholar Adolf Deissmann wrote, the grammar and connection both favor the view "according to which ‘the day of the Lord’ here stands for the day of Yahweh: the day of Judgment" (Encyclopedia Biblica, article "Lord's Day"). Renewed Testament and textual scholar F.J.A. Hort agrees that this meaning fits "best with the context" and "gives the key to the book" (The Apocalypse, pp. 15-16).
The "Day of YHWH" is described by the Prophet Joel (See above) as a time when Yahweh will send destruction upon the unrighteous and sinning nations of earth. It is described by Zephaniah as the day of YHWH’s anger/wrath. It is described all through the Revelation as the time when Yahweh Almighty will step in and supernaturally intervene in this world’s strife and friction and destruction among men, and send plagues upon the sinners of the earth! It is the time which comes after the Great Tribulation, and leads up to and climaxes with the glorious second coming of Messiah Yahshua
The late John Ogwyn wrote:
"Most commentators completely misunderstand Revelation 1:10. As a result, they do not understand the perspective from which the entire book was written. When John declared that he was in the Spirit in the Lord’s Day (Note that, elsewhere in the New Testament, the Greek word en is almost always translated "in," though many wrongly render it here as "on"), he was not talking about the day of the week on which he received the prophecy. Rather, he was describing the future prophetic time that he saw in vision—a time when God [Yahweh] will intervene powerfully in end-time world affairs. John’s perspective in writing Revelation was this vision of the future" (Ogywn J., Revelation The Mystery Unveiled!, 2006, p. 6).
Therefore, it appears that many believe that the proper way to understand the expression ‘L-o- r-d’s Day’ in Revelation 1:10, is that it is not referring to any day of the week, but is referring to the Day of Yahweh as a particular period of time as detailed throughout this article.
Conclusion: "The day of YHWH" is a general phrase of judgment that can and does describe the final eschatological judgment of the world, but more often the phrase describes any forthcoming day of judgment. What "day" is in mind is determined by context, not merely by the phrase itself. Neither is the phrase exclusive to what we call Sunday through Saturday; nor is it indicative of any 24 hour period of time. Furthermore, the Apostolic writings all draw upon Hebraic scriptures to inform us that the L-O-R-D being referred to is none other than Yahweh. And this despite what translators have erroneously substituted as a title in place of the Revealed NAME!
The resounding answer to our first question is no! Yahshua never claimed to be the Master of Sunday. In fact, “Sunday” as a proper name for a day of the week was not even being used during his time on earth. Our scriptures call this day “the first day of the week.” More specifically, standard Bible translation italicized ‘day’ – meaning the translators ADDED this word to make better sense of such passages as:
Matthew 28:1 In the end of the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first [day] of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.
Mark 16:2 And very early in the morning the first [day] of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun.
Luke 24:1 Now upon the first [day] of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain [others] with them.
John 20:1 The first [day] of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre.
The truth is that in the extant manuscripts of the above writings, day is not there! These manuscripts simply read “...the first of the week.” According to Hebrew reckoning, this could be Sunday, Monday, or Tuesday – day one, two, or three of the week. Nothing whatsoever is mentioned of Yahshua being Master of any of these days.
There is a day that Yahshua claims Mastery over. Any guesses as to which day that would be? If you answered “the Sabbath,” you would be absolutely correct.
Matthew 12:8 For the Son of Man is Master of the Sabbath
Luke 6:5 And he said unto them, That the Son of man is Master also of the Sabbath.
What does it mean when the verses say that the Son of Man was “Master of the Sabbath?”
The title is used in Daniel 7:13 with reference to the Messiah. It identifies the humanity of Yahshua Ha Mashiach. He was Son of Yahweh and Son of Man.
Daniel 7:13,14 I saw in the night visions, and, behold, [one] like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion [is] an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom [that] which shall not be destroyed.
The Jews had many traditions with respect to the Sabbath and how it was to be kept. They had many regulations restricting behavior that were not found as prohibitions in the Torah of Moses. They did not allow the lighting of candles on the Sabbath. They made it unlawful to throw more grain to their poultry than could be eaten lest some of it might sprout and grow and therefore they would be guilty of sowing on the Sabbath. They taught that it was unlawful to swat a fly on the Sabbath. Today there are man-made prohibitions against picking one’s nose so that a nose hair is removed on Shabbat; The tearing of toilet paper is also prohibited in some sectors of Judaism.
Yahshua did not think that it was necessary to observe all of the trivial oral regulations that came about through the traditions of men even though it brought criticism of himself and his followers on numerous occasions. Yahshua received more criticism about what he did and did not do on the Sabbath than he got on any other matter. The result of this is recorded for us in Luke’s evangel:
Luke 6:11 And they [the scribes and Pharisees] were filled with madness; and communed one with another what they might do to Yahshua.
Every scriptural reference to Yahshua’s doing good on the Sabbath was met with the ire of the religious leaders. It was against the teaching of traditions that Yahshua showed ownership and mastery. Yahshua’s Sabbath exploits proved the hardness of the scribes and Pharisees hearts. In order to preserve their position(s) within society, they sought ways to kill Yahshua.
Yahshua proved his ultimate Mastery over the Sabbath by being resurrected on a Sabbath. Recall our Matthew 28:1 verse: In the end of the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first [day] of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.Matthew could only mean by "In the end of the Sabbath"– the time late on Saturday afternoon – as the sun was about to set. While the sun is still up it is still the Sabbath, but admittedly very late on the Sabbath, for when the sun sinks below the horizon the next day has begun.
The sun had not set when the two Marys first came, not to anoint but to view the tomb. It was still the Sabbath, and the Redeemer had already risen. His resurrection took place between three o'clock in the afternoon and before the setting sun on the weekly Sabbath. We can be assured that Yahshua is indeed Master of the Sabbath, to the praise of Yahweh!
Next, we turn our attention to our second question (above).
What exactly is the day of the L-O-R-D? We must remember that where ever the title L-O-R-D is written in standard Bible translations it is a “code word” for the Tetragrammaton, to wit, the four letter Revealed Name YHWH [Yahweh]. With this in mind, please know that I will be substituting L-O-R-D for the Revealed Name in the scriptures below to the end that we may better understand the truth of our subject.
The Apostolic Writings several times refers to the “day” of [Messiah] Christ in the context of an impending judgment. In order to understand how this term is used in the Renewed Covenant, it is necessary to look at how a Hebrew precursor of the phrase is used.
The phrase “the day of the L-O-R-D” (TDOL) occurs 26 times in the Hebrew Scriptures, always in the prophetic literature. Six of these occurrences refer to a “day of the L-o-r-d's...” but not all of these refer to a future event. We begin, with Isaiah:
Isaiah 2:12 For the day of YHWH of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty, and upon every one that is lifted up; and he shall be brought low...
The first example of TDOL occurs in the context of an oracle which predicts in the “last” or future days a time when “all nations” will flow to the house of YHWH (2:2) and there will be an end of all war (2:4) and proud men are humbled (2:11-17) or try to hide from the judgment of Elohim (2:19ff). This use clearly indicates a picture of final judgment.
Isaiah 13:6-9 Howl ye; for the day of the YHWH is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty. Therefore shall all hands be faint, and every man's heart shall melt: And they shall be afraid: pangs and sorrows shall take hold of them; they shall be in pain as a woman that travails in child birth: they shall be amazed one at another; their faces shall be as flames. Behold, the day of YHWH comes, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it.
This time, though, TDOL is a judgment directed exclusively against Babylon. Babylon is directly addressed (13:1, 19) and the Medes are said to be the instrument of Babylon's destruction (13:17). For reference, take note as well of how this singular judgment is described:
Isaiah 13:10-13 For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine. And I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible. I will make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir. Therefore I will shake the heavens, and the earth shall remove out of her place, in the wrath of YHWH of hosts, and in the day of his fierce anger.
It is easy to see a parallel to Yahshua’s pronouncements upon Jerusalem. Again, such language is found in Isaiah's last reference:
Isaiah 34:4, 8-10 And all the host of heaven shall be dissolved, and the heavens shall be rolled together as a scroll: and all their host shall fall down, as the leaf falls off from the vine, and as a falling fig from the fig tree...For it is the day of YHWH’s vengeance, and the year of recompenses for the controversy of Zion. And the streams thereof shall be turned into pitch, and the dust thereof into brimstone, and the land thereof shall become burning pitch. It shall not be quenched night nor day; the smoke thereof shall go up for ever: from generation to generation it shall lie waste; none shall pass through it for ever and ever.
Isaiah. 34 is an oracle of judgment against Edom. Note here that the “day” of YHWH is equated with the “year of recompense,” thus indicating that “the day of YHWH” isn't associated with a single 24-hour period. (Stuart notes that the phrase likely originated in the ANE conception of an ideal warrior who could vanquish foes in a day; Hosea-Jonah commentary, 231.)
Jeremiah 46:10 For this is the day of YHWH Elohim of hosts, a day of vengeance, that he may avenge him of his adversaries: and the sword shall devour, and it shall be satiate and made drunk with their blood: for YHWH Elohim of hosts hath a sacrifice in the north country by the river Euphrates. The oracle this time is a warning to Egypt (46:2) and to the Pharaoh of Jeremiah's day.
Jeremiah also used this phrase in Lamentations:
Lamentations 2:22 Thou hast called as in a solemn day my terrors round about, so that in the day of YHWH’s anger none escaped nor remained: those that I have swaddled and brought up hath mine enemy consumed.
In this case, TDOL is used to refer to a past event of judgment, this time upon Jerusalem.
Next up: Ezekiel –
Ezekiel 13:5 Ye have not gone up into the gaps, neither made up the hedge for the house of Israel to stand in the battle in the day of YHWH.
This warning is made to Israel's prophets (13:1) and is an admonition against them for being false prophets (13:6-7). These prophets have predicted peace for Jerusalem (13:16). The reference to TDOL is most likely here to the impending Babylonian attack on Jerusalem.
Ezekiel 30:3 For the day is near, even the day of YHWH is near, a cloudy day; it shall be the time of the heathen.
The oracle this time is against Egypt, and Babylon will be the mechanism of judgment (30:10).
The next five references are from the book of Joel.
Joel 1:15 Alas for the day! for the day of YHWH is at hand, and as a destruction from the Almighty shall it come.
Joel 2:1 Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of YHWH cometh, for it is nigh at hand;
Joel 2:11 And YHWH shall utter his voice before his army: for his camp is very great: for he is strong that executes his word: for the day of YHWH is great and very terrible; and who can abide it?
Joel 2:31 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of YHWH come.
Joel 3:14 Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of YHWH is near in the valley of decision.
Because of the difficulty in knowing when Joel was written, it is not possible to say in all cases who the “enemy” is. It is enough to say for now that at least the first three references are to an impending judgment against the Jews.
The next three references to TDOL are from Amos, who was probably the first of the prophets chronologically to use the phrase.
Amos 5:18-20 Woe unto you that desire the day of YHWH! to what end is it for you? the day of YHWH is darkness, and not light. As if a man did flee from a lion, and a bear met him; or went into the house, and leaned his hand on the wall, and a serpent bit him. Shall not the day of YHWH be darkness, and not light? even very dark, and no brightness in it?
Amos 5-6 is a prophetic oracle against the northern kingdom of Israel.
Minor prophet Obadiah makes the next use of the phrase:
Obadiah 15 For the day of YHWH is near upon all the heathen: as thou hast done, it shall be done unto thee: thy reward shall return upon thine own head.
Obadiah's oracle is upon Edom, and it is clear that Obadiah expects TDOL to affect Edom.
Next, Zephaniah takes his turn:
Zephaniah 1:8 Hold thy peace at the presence of YHWH Elohim: for the day of YHWH is at hand: for YHWH hath prepared a sacrifice, he hath bid his guests. And it shall come to pass in the day of YHWH’s sacrifice, that I will punish the princes, and the king's children, and all such as are clothed with strange apparel.
Zephaniah 1:14 The great day of YHWH is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of YHWH: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly.
Zephaniah 1:18-2:3 Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of YHWH’s wrath; but the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of his jealousy: for he shall make even a speedy riddance of all them that dwell in the land. Gather yourselves together, yea, gather together, O nation not desired; Before the decree bring forth, before the day pass as the chaff, before the fierce anger of YHWH come upon you, before the day of YHWH’s anger come upon you. Seek ye YHWH, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of YHWH’s anger.
These oracles are against Jerusalem and Judah (1:14). Again it is worth noting, for future reference, the symbolism used:
Zephaniah 1:15-17 That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness, A day of the trumpet and alarm against the fenced cities, and against the high towers. And I will bring distress upon men, that they shall walk like blind men, because they have sinned against YHWH: and their blood shall be poured out as dust, and their flesh as the dung.
Now Zechariah has some use for the phrase:
Zechariah 14:1 Behold, the day of YHWH cometh, and thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee.
For the first time since Isaiah, TDOL may here be used as a phrase reflecting final judgment. YHWH is king over all the earth (14:9) and the nations all come to observe the Feast of Tabernacles (14:16). Preterists, though, see this as a reference to 70 CE and believe we are now in a place where YHWH is king over the earth and we observe the feast in the “heavenly Jerusalem.” I disagree with Preterism, the belief that “last days” prophecy has been accomplished since the destruction of the Jerusalem temple by Titus.
My preferred approach to eschatology (the study of last day events) is that of a ‘continuing historicist.' By this I mean that prophetic events occur in a cyclical manner throughout time. Certainly there are passages that speak to both past and future prophecies of similar nature. Daniel 9:27; 12:11 along with Matthew 24:15; Mark 13:14, and Luke 21:20 all speak to the abomination that makes desolate. Daniel’s prophecy was fulfilled by Antiochus Epiphanies during the time of the Maccabean revolt. The synoptic evangels point to a future fulfillment as do Paul’s second letter to the Thessalonians (2:4ff) and John’s revealed apocalypse. (Rev. 13)
Returning to the day of YHWH – Malachi is the final prophet to use the phrase:
Malachi 4:5 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of YHWH...
Christian exegetes see this as a prophecy of John the Immerser. Notwithstanding that interpretation, this oracle to the returned exiles speaks of a day that “cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith YHWH of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch. But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall. And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith YHWH of hosts.” (4:1-3) To what does this TDOL refer? The day of Yahweh here could not refer to the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 CE, but there is enough within the passage to see a future day of judgment and cleansing.
The writers of the Apostolic scriptures use the phrase, “the day of YHWH” in both present tense and future application:
Acts 2:17- 21 [Peter speaking] But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith Elohim, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke: The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of YHWH come: And it shall come to pass, [that] whosoever shall call on the name of YHWH shall be saved. (Joel 2:28,30,32)
Romans 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of YHWH shall be saved. (Joel 2:32)
I Thessalonians 5:2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of YHWH so cometh as a thief in the night. (See above Hebrew scripture refs)
II Peter 3:10 But the day of YHWH will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. (Psalm 102:26; Isaiah 51:6)
Revelation 1:10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet
The day of the week on which this happened to be written – IF it could have been all written within one day – is not important, and that is not what this verse means at all. It does not refer to any day of the week; Sunday or any other, rather to that prophetic period referred to in more than 20 prophecies detailed above as "The great and terrible DAY OF YHWH."
Greek scholar Adolf Deissmann wrote, the grammar and connection both favor the view "according to which ‘the day of the Lord’ here stands for the day of Yahweh: the day of Judgment" (Encyclopedia Biblica, article "Lord's Day"). Renewed Testament and textual scholar F.J.A. Hort agrees that this meaning fits "best with the context" and "gives the key to the book" (The Apocalypse, pp. 15-16).
The "Day of YHWH" is described by the Prophet Joel (See above) as a time when Yahweh will send destruction upon the unrighteous and sinning nations of earth. It is described by Zephaniah as the day of YHWH’s anger/wrath. It is described all through the Revelation as the time when Yahweh Almighty will step in and supernaturally intervene in this world’s strife and friction and destruction among men, and send plagues upon the sinners of the earth! It is the time which comes after the Great Tribulation, and leads up to and climaxes with the glorious second coming of Messiah Yahshua
The late John Ogwyn wrote:
"Most commentators completely misunderstand Revelation 1:10. As a result, they do not understand the perspective from which the entire book was written. When John declared that he was in the Spirit in the Lord’s Day (Note that, elsewhere in the New Testament, the Greek word en is almost always translated "in," though many wrongly render it here as "on"), he was not talking about the day of the week on which he received the prophecy. Rather, he was describing the future prophetic time that he saw in vision—a time when God [Yahweh] will intervene powerfully in end-time world affairs. John’s perspective in writing Revelation was this vision of the future" (Ogywn J., Revelation The Mystery Unveiled!, 2006, p. 6).
Therefore, it appears that many believe that the proper way to understand the expression ‘L-o- r-d’s Day’ in Revelation 1:10, is that it is not referring to any day of the week, but is referring to the Day of Yahweh as a particular period of time as detailed throughout this article.
Conclusion: "The day of YHWH" is a general phrase of judgment that can and does describe the final eschatological judgment of the world, but more often the phrase describes any forthcoming day of judgment. What "day" is in mind is determined by context, not merely by the phrase itself. Neither is the phrase exclusive to what we call Sunday through Saturday; nor is it indicative of any 24 hour period of time. Furthermore, the Apostolic writings all draw upon Hebraic scriptures to inform us that the L-O-R-D being referred to is none other than Yahweh. And this despite what translators have erroneously substituted as a title in place of the Revealed NAME!
Sunday, August 24, 2008
The Plagues and Exodus of Egypt Part 1
From Simcha Jacobovici's documentary "Exodus Decoded"
This interesting documentary gives a geological and scientific explanation to the Plagues of Egypt and the Exodus of the Jews.
Even if there is a scientific explanation to the Plagues, this should not weaken, but strengthen our faith. Scientific discoveries strengthen our faith because science and religion are not at odds with each other. After all, GOD is certainly the Grand Scientist.
GOD warned Moses in advance what would happen, and Moses in turn gave Clear Warning. In no way could Moses, or the people of the time, understand what was happening. To be forewarned was miraculous in itself.
And of course, God uses nature in His Divine Judgements...such as He did in the Flood of Noah's Day.
Peace to all of you,
Sister Becca
_________________
Thank you very much sister Becca for making these videos available. If there was ever such a time to make Yahweh's provision of Shemot known; it is for such a time as this.
Recognizing that Yahweh is the Elohim of order, we can be certain of His working within scientific boundaries. Boundaries that He created to be observed.
If it was a volcano that precipitated the events of the book of Exodus, so be it. Although I must admit that the 10th plague is a 'hard-sell' I am willing to suspend my disbelief in a purely natural explanation.
Does this make me a fundamentalist? I pray not. At least not in the way that has become associated with north American evangelical Constantinian Christianity!
My faith allows me to accept the natural outworking of Yahweh's plan of salvation. That this could be accomplished via natural disasters does not weaken my faith but only serves to strengthen it.
By this I mean to say, The One who created heaven(s) and earth is certainly able to control His creation -by whatever means necessary- to bring about His desire.
My sincere hope is that those who watch these videos will appreciate the almighty foresight that brought these events (so described) together.
The Plagues and Exodus of Egypt Part 2
Genesis 41
37And the thing was good in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of all his servants.
38And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of EL is?
39And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as EL hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art:
40Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou.
41And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt.
42And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph's hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck;
43And he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried before him, Bow the knee: and he made him ruler over all the land of Egypt.
The Plagues and Exodus of Egypt Part 7
Exodus 15
1Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto Yahweh, and spake, saying, I will sing unto Yahweh, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.
2Yahweh is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my Elohim, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father's Elohim, and I will exalt him.
3Yahweh is a man of war: Yahweh is his name.
4Pharaoh's chariots and his host hath he cast into the sea: his chosen captains also are drowned in the Red sea.
5The depths have covered them: they sank into the bottom as a stone.
6Thy right hand, O Yahweh, is become glorious in power: thy right hand, O Yahweh, hath dashed in pieces the enemy.
7And in the greatness of thine excellency thou hast overthrown them that rose up against thee: thou sentest forth thy wrath, which consumed them as stubble.
8And with the blast of thy nostrils the waters were gathered together, the floods stood upright as an heap, and the depths were congealed in the heart of the sea.
9The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; my lust shall be satisfied upon them; I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them.
10Thou didst blow with thy wind, the sea covered them: they sank as lead in the mighty waters.
11Who is like unto thee, O Yahweh, among the gods [those that call themselves elohim]? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?
12Thou stretchedst out thy right hand, the earth swallowed them.
13Thou in thy mercy hast led forth the people which thou hast redeemed: thou hast guided them in thy strength unto thy holy habitation.
Origins of Amen
Indeed, the original poster of this video has done the homework regarding the origins of the word, name, and/or title of 'Amen.'
Truly I find nothing to fault except the equally 'pagan' titles of G-o-d and the error laden nomative, "Jehovah."
The true, revealed and memorial Name of YHWH (Yahweh)is being and should be restored for all people; Jews, Christians, Muslims, goyim, heathen, and those who Apostolic writings call "g-o-d fearers."
May this video be a blessing to you who have not heard the truth. May it lead you to a quest of correct knowledge resulting in faith given to the only source of eternal life. This is my prayer.
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Olympic terms in the New Testament
History tells us that the Olympic Games began in the 7th century BCE (Before Common Era) in Olympia Greece, and that they were held every fourth year, almost continually, for 1,200 years. During that time period, the Greeks even marked their calendars in four-year periods called Olympiads.
In 393 CE (Common Era) , the Roman Emperor Theodosius declared the Games corrupt and ended them. Olympia and the Temple of Zeus were eventually buried by centuries of earthquakes and floods, and remained buried until 1870 when German excavations unearthed the site of the ancient Greek Games.
In 393 CE (Common Era) , the Roman Emperor Theodosius declared the Games corrupt and ended them. Olympia and the Temple of Zeus were eventually buried by centuries of earthquakes and floods, and remained buried until 1870 when German excavations unearthed the site of the ancient Greek Games.
In the third century BCE, the Grecian Emperor, Alexander the Great, began to conquer the known world, and as he conquered a region , he required every person to speak his Greek language, in addition to their own. This universal Greek language came to be known as "Koine" (coin-a), meaning "common" Greek, and was one of the most explicit and unambiguous languages the world has ever known.
During the 1st century BCE, after the death of Alexander the Great, the Romans took over the Land of Israel, but the Koine Greek language continued to be spoken, in the land of Israel, and all over the known world.
So, during the lifetime of Yahshua, in the 1st century CE, he and the apostles likely spoke Koine Greek as a secondary language, the New Testament was translated then written in Koine Greek, and the ancient Games in Olympia Greece were in full swing.
The New Testament Koine Greek contains many words and phrases concerning the Olympic games of Biblical times, because they were familiar household terms that powerfully communicated Yahweh’s truths by comparing the known and familiar terms of the Olympic Games to the spiritual truths of our Father’s Word.
In this Olympic year of 2008, it is most appropriate to at least sample the Olympic Games terminology found in the New Testament.
1 Cor. 9:24-27 Has more Olympic terminology than any other one passage:
"24 Know ye not that they which run in a "race" run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 25 And every man that "striveth for the mastery" is "temperate" in all things. Now they [do it] to obtain a corruptible "crown"; but we an incorruptible. 26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so "fight" I, not as "one that beateth the air": 27 But I keep under my body, and bring [it] into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a "castaway"."
"STADIA" ( KJV "race") - In verse 24, Running the "track", or "race course" event. The KJV word "race" in 1 Cor. 9:24 is the Greek word "stadia". "Stadia" was used for the "stadium", in which the foot race events were held, and also as a unit of measure, for about 220 yards, the length of the track in the "stadium". Every time you see the word "furlong" in the KJV, is the Greek word "stadia", meaning 220 yards. There is even a modern line of athletic clothing named "Stadia".
"AGONIZOMOS" (KJV "striveth for the mastery") - In verse 25, "agonizomos" means "training for the Olympic games". In 1 Tim 6:12 we find "agonizomos" again. "Fighting the good fight" here literally means "to be a success" at the Olympic games. We get our English verb "to agonize" from this word.
"EGKRATEIA" (KJV "temperate") - In verse 25, means the "self control" required for an athlete to become "world class". In Gal. 5:23 the KJV word "temperance" is "egkrateia" also, speaking of the "self control" that is available to Yahweh’s children to become "world class" followers of Yahshua.
"STEPHANOS" (KJV "crown") - In verse 25, the KJV word "crown" is the Greek word "stephanos", which meant the awards, medals, and wreaths that the athletes won in the Olympic Games. Our "crowns", throughout the New Testament, are always the Greek word "stephanos". The Greek word "diadem" is the word for a "kings crown", and only Yahshua wears a "diadem". Our "crowns", or rewards for service are stated 9 times, and are always "stephanos", relating directly to the athletic awards of the Olympic Games.
"PUKTEUO" (KJV "fight") - In verse 26, Paul "fights", "pukteuo", the Greek word for "boxing", from which we get our English words "pugnacious" and “pugilism.”. Paul is saying that our "fight" or "boxing match" is not as one who "shadow boxes", but our "boxing match" is real. Again, a Greek Olympic training phrase, used to state that our enemy is spiritual and very real!
"ADOKIMOS"-- In verse 27, the KJV word "castaway" is the Greek word "adokimos", which in this context means "disqualified" from receiving rewards (stephanos) for not following the rules. Yahweh’s Word contains the "rules" for our "race".
Other Olympic terms and phrases in the New Testament:
"BEMA" (KJV "judgement seat"):
The final judgement is described in 2 Cor 5:10 and in Rom 14:10, and the "judgement seat" of Messiah is a "bema". The "bema" in New Testament times was a raised platform at the Olympic Games, where the chief of the games stood and placed awards (stephanos) around the neck and on the heads of all the winners! The "Great White throne" in Rev 20:11, where El sits to judge all the unbelievers is a "THRONAS", or King's throne, but the believer’s judgement at the Judgement Seat of Yahshua is a "BEMA", where all the Olympic "winners" filed by to receive their awards, or "stephanos". What a wonderful picture of Messiah – the First Place finisher, placing our "awards" on our heads and around our necks at our judgement!
"APOTHEMENOI" Heb 12:1:
The Greek here describes "Stripping down to competition weight" and "running an Olympic foot race with endurance". Notice here that the event we are to compete in IS PLACED IN FRONT OF US. We do not choose our "event" or "race" in this life, but Yhweh, in His infinite wisdom, chooses our "event" for each of us, and He knows the beginning to the end and has a PURPOSE in all things.
Philippians 3:14:
Paul uses the athletic phrase "struggling toward the goal" here, another Olympic Games phrase, to describe the Christian life.
"ATHLEO" (KJV "strive for masteries"):
In 2 Tim 2:5, "Striving for the mastery", is the Greek word "athleo", from which we get the English word "athlete". Freely translated, this verse states that "if anyone competes in the games, he cannot receive medals or awards (stephanos) unless he obeys the rules."
"GUMNASIA" (KJV "exercise"):
In 1 Tim 4:7&8 Paul uses the Greek word "gumnasia", our English word for "gymnasium". "Gumnasia" means "strenuous exercise", the kind an athlete uses to strive to be world class calibre. Paul uses this phrase to communicate to his Greek speaking listeners how we should use the same diligence to train ourselves to please Yahweh. In verse 8, Paul uses the Greek "present tense" and "indicative mood" verb, to compare a well known physical reality to the truth he is trying to communicate. Freely translated, Paul is stating: "You all know the benefit of rigorous bodily exercise, well, pleasing Yah is even more profitable, and benefits us in every way, in this life and in the life that is to come."
"NIKE" (KJV "conquerors"):
Rom 8:37 states that every Christian is more than a "conqueror", or "winner" through Him who loved us. The Greek word translated "conquerers" in Rom 8:37 is "NIKE", the Greek word that one of our most popular modern athletic shoe companies borrowed for a corporate name! Amazing.
As we read these passages, and as we watch the Olympic Games this year in Beijing, China, remember that these Olympic terms in the New Testament urge us to use the same diligence as an Olympic athlete to be what Yahweh would have us to be, as we run our "race" to the finish line.
Pastor Bowie : Kenneth Copeland says His Name is YHWH
YES! Protestants know that the Creator's name is not "GOD" or "the LORD" - Wake up friends! Get back what belongs to you; the name of our maker is Yahweh and His son's name is not "Jesus." It is Yahshua (Yah saves)!!!!!
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
And Yahweh Elohim formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul - Genesis 2:7
And upon your belly you shall go and dust you shall eat all the days of your life
- Genesis 3:14
Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, who am but dust and ashes
- Genesis 18:27
Salvation in No Other Name
Our Heavenly Father clearly wants his people to use his name. Here is one of the first statements from Yahweh about using his name:
Exodus 3:15 "And said also {The Mighty One} to Moshe, 'say to the children of Yisra'el, YAHWEH, {Mighty One} of your fathers, {Mighty One} of Avraham, {Mighty One} of Yitshaq, and {Mighty One} of Ya' aqov has sent me to you; THIS IS MY NAME FOREVER, the name by which I am to be remembered from generation to generation."
We are also told in Psalms to use his name:
Psalms 68:4 Sing unto Elohim, sing praises to his name; extol him that rideth upon the heavens BY HIS NAME YAH (poetically used for Yahweh in the Hebrew), and rejoice before him.
Psalms 105:1 Oh give thanks unto YAHWEH, CALL UPON HIS NAME; make known among the peoples his doings.
The name of Messiah, the son, is Yahshua, which means "Yahweh is salvation" or "Yahweh saves". When we use this name we are honoring Yahweh, because we are actually saying "Yahweh is salvation".
Yahshua always directed the focus toward his father. And we now see, even in his name, he directs the focus toward his father.
HIS WORDS WERE HIS FATHER'S: John 14:10 "...the words that I say unto you I speak not from myself: but the Father abiding in me doeth his works."
THE POWER WAS HIS FATHER'S: John 14:28 "...I go unto the Father : for my Father is greater than I."
HE INSTRUCTED US TO PRAY TO HIS FATHER (not to him): Luke 11:2 "...When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name."
Names are not normally translated from one language to another, but transliterated; spelled in the second language so it is pronounced as in the original language. We would call Jose, Jose and Angelo, Angelo; the same is done with Gorbachev, Yeltsin, and Saddam Hussein. From what we have seen explained about the names of the Almighty Father and his Son, these names should be given honor and pronounced as in the original language; especially "Yahweh", since he said this was his name forever. So many names have been transliterated in the Bible; the Prophets, the Patriarchs and even Satan! Why then was the name "Yahweh," which is more important than all of these, substituted with "The LORD" or "God" in direct defiance to the first three scriptures at the beginning of this post?
Salvation in no other name: Yo'el 2:31 (ASV) The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and terrible day of Yahweh cometh. 32 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of Yahweh shall be delivered; for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be those that escape, as Yahweh hath said, and among the remnant those whom Yahweh doth call. [Verse 31 is clearly an "end time" statement.]
NOTE: The footnotes in most translations for Romans 10:13 and Acts 2:21, refer to Joel 2:31,32 above. Sha'ul/Paul and Kepha/Peter were quoting Yo'el/Joel, using Yahweh, not "Lord":
Romans 10:13 (KJV) For whosoever shall call upon the name of {Yahweh} shall be saved.
Acts 2:21 (KJV) And it shall come to pass, [that] whosoever shall call on the name of {Yahweh} shall be saved.
Acts 4:10 (KJV) Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Yisra'el, that by the name of Yahshua the Messiah of Nazareth, whom ye impaled, whom Yahweh raised from the dead, [even] by him doth this man stand here before you whole. 11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. 12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. [Since the name "Yahshua" means "Yahweh is salvation", saying "Yahshua" still calls upon (evokes) the name of Yahweh.]
AS ONE SHOULD NOW SEE, USING THESE NAMES, AND NOT SUBSTITUTES, IS VERY IMPORTANT!
Monday, August 18, 2008
Of Sacrifices and Feasts
There is a time in everyone’s search for truth, when they must decide what to do with the following verses:Matt 5:17 (KJV) Think not that I am come to destroy the law [Torah], or the prophets [what the prophets taught]: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill [bring to perfection].
Matt 5:18 (KJV) For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle [small detail] shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled [brought to perfection].
There are many arguments about whether the Law (Torah) is "done away with" in the Bible believing community. It is not my intent to review that issue here. Rather, I address this writing to those who believe that Yahweh’s Torah (guidance, direction, and teaching) is still to be followed; but wonder how to do it in light of the New Covenant in Messiah’s blood which supersedes the animal sacrifices of Torah.
NO TEMPLE
Many of us believe that Yahweh has prevented the rebuilding of his temple on the mount in Jerusalem for over 2000 years now. A temple with its priests and animal sacrifices would be a rejection of and an insult to the atoning sacrifice of Messiah Yahshua. If the temple and the animal sacrifices in the temple were necessary for worship to Yahweh, would he have prevented all proper worship of him for 2000 years? I really do not think so. This, more than anything else, should convince people that Yahshua is the true Messiah. Only Yahshua’s sacrifice is acceptable for atonement now; and Yahweh desires our faith in that atonement and obedience to his commandments. And, not because we have to, but because we want to; the motivation of a pure heart to serve Yahweh, our Creator.
A BETTER COVENANT
Superseding the animal sacrifices and the priestly system that performed and offered those sacrifices, also places the rituals and the ritual objects into disuse. The Law (Torah) requires a sacrifice for atonement; and indeed, a sacrifice for atonement is available that is now better than having to kill animals and bring them to priests who had to bring them to the altar of the temple. That covenant through animal blood is now overridden by what the Messiah called "The New Covenant in My Blood" (NIV - Luke 22:20; Heb.12:24). This is in fact the current New Covenant, not the one in Jeremiah 31, which is yet to happen. A covenant with no animals, no priestly system, no temple and temple utensils to be used; but direct communication with Yahweh in the name of Yahshua. This is the better covenant as explained in Hebrews 10:19.
THE QUESTION
The question still remains: how do we follow the commandments in the Bible concerning the keeping of the appointed times (Leviticus 23), and leave out the animal sacrifices? What is it that we actually do today?
Before answering the question, let us review Feasts or High Days.
HIGH DAYS
FEAST / Appointed time: as used in Leviticus 23:2
"Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, [Concerning] the feasts of Yahweh, which ye shall proclaim [to be] holy{set apart} convocations…" (KJV)
"Feasts" here is from the Hebrew "moed" () 4150 - appointed time.
Appointed time:
An appointed time is a specific date, series of days, or counted day which Yahweh requires to be set apart from the ordinary.
Convocation:
As used in Leviticus 23:2 (see above).
The Hebrew word is "miqra" () - an assembly to read, call-out, proclaim.
FEAST / Festival: as used in Exodus 23:14
"Three times thou shalt keep a feast unto me in the year."
"Feast" here is from the Hebrew "chag" () 2282 - a festival.
Festival:
Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary definition of a festival:
A festival is a time of celebration marked by special observances.
Note: "chag" () is from the Hebrew word "chagag" () 2287 which means to move, march, a procession (also people moving as in a pilgrimage).
THEREFORE:
The children of Israel were to have festivals (chag) which included some appointed times (moed) marked by special observances; one of which was an assembly (miqra) to read, call-out, and proclaim the word of Yahweh.
WHAT DAYS ARE SET-APART?
Leviticus 23 describes Appointed Times with set-apart assemblies. The Weekly Sabbath on the seventh day is stated first. Others are within the three festivals a year (Exodus 23:14), and all are to be "days of ceasing," (no gainful working, occupation).
WEEKLY SABBATH (an Appointed time "Moed") seventh day of each week (Leviticus 23:3)
FESTIVAL ("chag") OF UNLEAVENED BREAD - seven days (Exodus 23:15)
1.) First day,15th Abib (an Appointed time - "Moed")
2.) Last day, 21st Abib (an Appointed time - "Moed")
FESTIVAL ("chag") OF HARVEST (Exodus 23:16) Also called "Weeks" due to the counting.
3.) 50th day (an Appointed time - "Moed") after the first fruits wave sheaf grain offering (Lev. 23: 9-14). Taken to be spring grain, because of Joshua 3:15.
NON-PILGRIMAGE DAYS
4.) 1st day of seventh month, Ethanim (an Appointed time - "Moed") - TRUMPETS (Yom Teruah - day of sounding: of shofar, voices, etc.)
5.) 10th day of seventh month, Ethanim (an Appointed time - "Moed") - DAY OF ATONEMENT
FESTIVAL ("chag") OF INGATHERING (Exodus 23:16)
TABERNACLES or Booths - seven days
6.) First day of Tabernacles, 15th day of the seventh month, Ethanim (an Appointed time - "Moed")
LAST GREAT DAY - also called "Closing Assembly"(NIV); "Solemn Assembly" (Hebrew translation).
7.) 22nd day of the seventh month, Ethanim (an Appointed time - "Moed")
Therefore, there are seven "High Days" (Annual Sabbaths - "days of ceasing") in addition to the Weekly seventh day Sabbaths.
THE QUESTION ANSWERED
Finally, an answer to what to do on these days.
The Sacred Assembly (Lev. 23: 3, 4, 7, 8, 21, 23, 27, 35, 36)
Each of the appointed times, which includes the weekly Sabbath, has a required set-apart assembly. An assembly is two or more people gathered together for a purpose. Set-apart means special, not common or average. To most, this means an assembly of "Saints" (pure ones - from the Hebrew and Greek). The purpose is to come before Yahweh in worship; to praise him, honor him, ask for forgiveness, and thank him. Also, to study and receive from him through his Ruach HaKodesh (literally: set-apart breath; figuratively: Spirit).
a) Praise - Praise in an assembly was through prayer which is responsive (in Hebrew culture). Typically a leader prays and at times the assembly responds or prays with him at specified times. Praise can be unique to the group or culture, but should always be with honor.
b.) Honor - Honor and respect are the guides for the formal part of the service; and each assembly should have at least a small opening portion of the service that is formal, and perhaps a small formal closing. Blowing a shofar is a good way to get everyone’s attention, get them to quiet down, and be silent and respectful to the formal opening part of the service, no matter how small that formal part may be. Even in a small family-type assembly, a written guide should be created for the formal part of the service. That way everyone knows what to do or respond, if responsive prayer is used.
c.) Ask for forgiveness - This was done with the sacrificial offerings, but today is from our lips, with a humble heart. This can be prayed for by the leader.
d.) Thanking Yahweh - This also was done with sacrificial offerings, but today is from our lips, with a humble heart. This can also be prayed by the leader.
e.) Study - Scripture reading and study should be appropriate to the day on a Festival day; reviewing the meaning of that day, past and future. On weekly Sabbaths, it could be progressive reading through Scripture with teaching and discussion.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Hosea 6:6 For I desire mercy (kindness), not sacrifice, and acknowledgment (obedience) of [Elohim] rather than burnt offerings.
Psalms 51:16 You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. 17 The sacrifices of [Elohim] are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart
Hosea 14:2 Take with you words, and turn to {Yahweh}: say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive [us] graciously: so will we render the calves [offerings] of our lips.
We know that Yahshua’s perfect sacrifice has superseded the need for animal sacrifices, (one proof being the absence of the temple). We should study each of these sacrifices (below), so that our prayers, that are now the offerings "of our lips," incorporate the meaning and purpose of those sacrifices.
1.) SIN OFFERING - Was required for atonement of sin. A bull for high priest and congregation; male goat for a leader; female lamb or goat for common person; pigeon or dove for poor; tenth of ephah of fine flour for very poor.
2.) GUILT OFFERING - Was necessary for atonement of sin requiring restitution or cleansing from defilement. Animal was a ram or lamb.
3.) BURNT OFFERING - For atonement, worship, devotion, commitment. All sin offerings, including those of flour, were burnt offerings. They were to have no defect and were burned completely.
4.) FELLOWSHIP OFFERING - A voluntary offering for worship, thanksgiving, and fellowship with Yahweh. The only offering where part was eaten by the offerer. The priest also ate some in fellowship with the offerer and Yahweh. Animal or breads offered.
5.) GRAIN OFFERING - A voluntary offering of worship and devotion; recognized Yahweh’s goodness and provision. Often made with the fellowship offering and burnt offering. Grain, flour, oil, baked breads, no yeast or honey. Drink offering made with it. Grain offerings were split up, some burned and the priests ate the rest. The grain offering of a priest had to be completely burned.
As we think of our prayers replacing these offerings: first, deal with sin (sin offering, guilt offering - confession, restitution); second, commit ourselves to Yahweh (burnt offering, grain offering - devotion); and third, fellowship and commune with Yahweh (fellowship offering).
Sunday, August 17, 2008
"Unlocking the NT Sabbath" - YRM
Unlock the Truth of the Sabbath. Find out why it was changed and who changed it. This video uses the name of God- "Yahweh." and the Savior's proper name "Yahshua." Presented by deacon Randy Folliard
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Friday, August 15, 2008
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
The Tetragrammaton in the Epistle to the Hebrews
During our Sabbath meeting at Shalom Assembly of Yahweh (Aug 9th) ; brother R. Castillo read and commented on the letter to the Hebrews. It was a wonderful presention. Hopefully, elder Hector will upload it to the messages page shortly. Please check this link to see if it has been added. If not, please email the assembly for a free cd copy.Of all the Renewed Covenant scriptures, if any would contain the tetragrammaton; Hebrews should. But does it? Given the manuscript evidence, I believe that it does.
The Tetragrammaton means the four letters standing for the Name of G-o-d in the Hebrew Bible transliterated into English YHWH. The Tetragrammaton is translated Yahweh, Yehowah, or Jehovah depending on the rendering one uses. [NJB, RHM, ASV, NCMM] The Jews of the 1st Century CE did not pronounce the noma sagrada out of fear of violating the Third Commandment, "You shall not profane the Name of YHWH." [Exodus 20:7]
The 1st Century Jewish historian Josephus confirms this Jewish custom in the days of Yahshua and Paul. Though these Jews did not utter the Divine Name they did not remove it from their sacred Scriptures as later non-Jewish Christians did. There is strong proof that the original Jewish Greek Bible of the 3rd Century BCE, the Septuagint, contained the Name of G-o-d in the Hebrew form YHWH.It is likely this is so because the Greek language was not capable of converting the Hebrew characters into Greek, for the Hellenist tongue did not use these four consonants. Thus, the Bible, whether Hebrew or Greek, used by the inspired writers of the Christian Bible, contained YHWH though it would not be pronounced. Rather ELOHIM or ADONAY were used in its place. However, would, say, Paul, when quoting from these Hebrew Scriptures write out YHWH in his quotation? There seems some evidence this may have been the case. How do we know? Consider the word "Lord" as used in English translations of Paul’s epistle to the Hebrews.
In Hebrews 8:8-12 Paul quotes Jeremiah 31:31-35 -"‘Behold! Days are coming,’ L-O-R-D says, ‘and I will conclude with the House of Israel and with the House of Judah a New Covenant unlike the covenant which I made with their forefathers in that day when I took hold of their hand and led them out of Egypt. Because they did not remain in My covenant and so I showed no concern for them,’ says L-O-R-D. ‘Because this is the [new] covenant which I will covenant with the House of Israel after those days,’ says L-O-R-D, ‘giving my laws into their understanding minds. And upon their hearts I will write [My laws]. Then I will be a G-o-d unto them, and they will be a people unto Me. They will never teach each other’s fellow-citizen, nor each other’s brother by saying: "Know the L-O-R-D." Because they will all know Me from the smallest to the greatest. For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins I will never remember.’" [Jeremiah 31:31-34] [Hebrews 8:8-12 21st Century Version of the Christian Scriptures - NCMM]
Note the four occurrences of the word "LORD" in the NCMM rendering above. [Nazarene Commentary 2000©] Though virtually all translations add the article "the" before the word "Lord" the Greek lacks the article in the first three examples. Thus, it reads literally as presented above. The lack of the article argues that the original of Hebrews would have contained the Hebrew name — YHWH. The fourth "Lord" above reads in Greek GNOTHI TON KYRION, or "Know the L-O-R-D." This is a rare exception where the article appears before "Lord" in Old Testament quotations by Paul. The Hebrew Text of Jeremiah 31:34 has YHWH thus reading, "Know Yahweh." This seems to indicate that Paul has deliberately omitted the article "the" before many occurrences of the Greek KYRIOS [Lord]. The only way this quotation reads with any proper sense is to assume YHWH may have been in the original copy of Hebrews.
The same thing happens when comparing quotations Yahshua made of the Hebrew Bible. For example, at Matthew 22:44 the Nazarene quotes Psalm 110:1. This reads according to the Hebrew Text, "Yahweh [YHWH] says to my Lord ..." In the Greek of Matthew this reads "EIPEN KYRIOS TO KYRIO MOU" - or literally, "Said L-o-r-d to the l-o-r-d of me." Most translators add the article "the" and so render the phrase, "[The] L-o-r-d said to my l-o-r-d." This absence of the article before the first "L-o-r-d" suggests the original contained YHWH here.
Notice also how the first "L-o-r-d" is capitalized and the second isn’t. Capitalization and punctuation marks help us better understand the flow of language BUT these were not part of the original writings. Hebrew and Koinine (Common) Greek had neither capital letters or punctuation. The point being that it was the translators who added these conveniences and often capitalized words and titles that they thought referred to deity. In view of the above, there seems reasonable authority to render some cases of KYRIOS without the article as YHWH in quotations and leave it to the reader to either pronounce YAHWEH or L-O-R-D as so moved.
Erring on the side of caution, it is recommended to use "Yahweh" in most cases unless the context dictates the rendering be "L-O-R-D" and this may also be read as "Sovereign" or "Master." I am not a big fan of the word L-O-R-D. It is the modern equivalent of Ba’al, the false elohim of pagans. Sovereign, meaning king has a more accurate association to us as members of Yahweh’s kingdom ruled by Yahshua. Master, as it relates to our being bond-servants of Yahshua, also is more in keeping with Renewed Covenant usage than l-o-r-d.
_________
adapted from an article by Mark Heber Miller
Monday, August 11, 2008
Hallowed be Thy Name -- Iron Maiden
I'm waiting in my cold cell when the bell begins to chime
Reflecting on my past life and it doesnt have much time
Cos at 5 oclock they take me to the gallows pole
The sands of time for me are running low
When the priest comes to read me the last rites
I take a look through the bars at the last sights
Of a world that has gone very wrong for me
Can it be theres some sort of error
Hard to stop the surmounting terror
Is it really the end not some crazy dream
Somebody please tell me that I'm dreaming
Its not so easy to stop from screaming
But words escape me when I try to speak
Tears they flow but why am I crying
After all I am not afraid of dying
Dont believe that there is never an end
As the guards march me out to the courtyard
Someone calls from a cell God be with you
If theres a God then why has he let me die?
As I walk all my life drifts before me
And though the end is near Im not sorry
Catch my soul cos its willing to fly away
Mark my words please believe my soul lives on
Please dont worry now that I have gone
Ive gone beyond to see the truth
When you know that your time is close at hand
Maybe then youll begin to understand
Life down there is just a strange illusion.
_____________
"Hallowed be thy name" is one of those phrases that's most strange to us, isn't it? But I want to see it against the background of the Hebrew Scripture's idea that the name of Yahweh is something in itself immensely beautiful and powerful. The name of Yahweh is His word; Yahweh's presence.
And to ask that Yahweh's name be hallowed, that Yah's name be looked upon as seperate, is to ask that in the world people will understand the presence of Yahweh among them with awe and reverence, and will not use the name or the idea of Elohim as a kind of weapon to put other people down, or as a sort of magic to make themselves feel safe. But rather approach the idea of Almighty Elohim, the name of Yahweh, the word of Yahweh, with the veneration and humility that's demanded.
One of the prime misconceptions of this song is that it promotes an "immortal soul" teaching. While this may seem right in the Constantinian understanding of Greek philosophy, the truth of Hebrew Scripture refutes such non-sense as pagan to the core. We as modern day disciples should be constantly aware of such invasions into our faith.
In the Jewish texts of Yahshua's own day, the commandment about not taking Yahweh's name in vain, from the Ten Words / Commandments, is often understood as uniting the name of Elohim with a curse - using the name of the Tetragrammaton as a kind of magic word - and that's to trivialise the revealed Name, it's to bring it down to our level, to try and make Yahweh a tool for our purposes.
Therefore, "Hallowed be thy name" means: understand what you're talking about when you're talking about Yahweh, this is serious, this is the most wonderful and frightening reality that we could imagine, more wonderful and frightening than we can imagine.
All the more extraordinary is that we should be able to approach Him as Father. This is something unheard of before Yahshua's sermons. Gentiles and Jews alike called out by faith and by personal response to be children of ELohim! How outstanding! How unheard of!
Yet, how true within the province of Yahshua our Messiah!
Savatage- Not what you see
Faith is the evidence of things hoped for, the evidence of things unseen.
Without faith, it is impossible to please Yahweh...
Show me your faith without works; I will show you my faith by my works!
Savatage - Somewhere In Time - Alone You Breathe
HEBREWS chapter 6...
4For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
5And have tasted the good word of Yahweh, and the powers of the world to come,
6If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of Yahweh afresh, and put him to an open shame.
SAVATAGE -- HANDFUL OF RAIN
A foundation, as its name implies, is the basis, or base, upon which something is founded, or established. As a man who spent His working life as a builder [teckton], Yahshua Ha Mashiach knew the importance of a solid foundation in a home, and as the Son of Yahweh, He warned of its symbolic importance to salvation:
"Thus you will know them by their fruits. Not every one who says to Me, 'Master, Master,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father Who is in heaven. On that day many will say to Me, 'Master, Master, did we not prophesy in Your Name, and cast out demons in Your Name, and do many mighty works in Your Name?' [see I Did It My Way...] And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you evildoers.' Every one then who hears these words of Mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house upon the rock; and the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat upon that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And every one who hears these words of Mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house upon the sand; and the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell; and great was the fall of it." (Matthew 7:20-27 RSV - Revealed Name supplied)
One Child -- Savatage
"But Yahshua said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto Me: for of such is the Kingdom of Heaven." -Matthew 19:14
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Spiritual Growth - Introduction by Scott Bitterman
Brother Scott has hit upon many important truths with this message. Foremost is his acknowledgment of the "works of the flesh" being equivalent with "satan." (He does this at the 17 minute mark) Indeed, the word satan is merely a transliteration of the word from Hebrew meaning, adversary.
Is it true that Yahweh uses spirit beings to bring about his will on earth? Yes!
Is it true that Yahweh created us to be "like Him?" Again, yes. The early chapters of Genesis confirm this truth; being like Yahweh is to know "good" from "evil."
The miracle -- to my way of thinking -- is not that Yahweh made a mistake in that He gave humanity choice(s) -- rather that He knew beforehand how our original progenitors would respond to those choices (eating from the tree of knowledge of good and evil), and therefore made provision in His plan of salvation.
Yahshua was that provision. Not as a Plan B but as the Original Plan that would prove Yahweh's grace through time. Truly, within the Hebraic / Renewed Covenant mindset there is NOTHING that would preclude a "new creation." It is this renewal that shows itself throughout our Scriptures; we have the assurance that this will come to pass from Genesis 3:15 through Revelation 22:2
That verse in Revelation 22 speaks again to the Tree of Life from which the healing of the nations would result. There are NO OTHER writings of faith extant upon earth which speak to such a complete and total restoration of creation to Yahweh.
Our faith, hope and love rests upon these promises. We can be assured of the fulfilment of these promises based upon the historical fulfilment of over 1000 other prophecies that have come to pass. Without a doubt, any sincere seeker of truth will find solace in the pages of Hebrew and Apostolic Scriptures.
Maranatha -- Even so, come quickly, Yahshua our Messiah!
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Haftorah - Tisha B'Av - Jeremiah 8:13-9:23
Tisha B'Av Haftorah - Jeremiah 8:13-9:23
13 I will utterly consume them, saith Yahweh: there shall be no grapes on the vine, nor figs on the fig-tree, and the leaf shall fade; and the things that I have given them shall pass away from them.
14 Why do we sit still? assemble yourselves, and let us enter into the fortified cities, and let us be silent there; for Yahweh our Elohim hath put us to silence, and given us water of gall to drink, because we have sinned against Yahweh.
15 We looked for peace, but no good came; and for a time of healing, and, behold, dismay!
16 The snorting of his horses is heard from Dan: at the sound of the neighing of his strong ones the whole land trembleth; for they are come, and have devoured the land and all that is in it; the city and those that dwell therein.
17 For, behold, I will send serpents, adders, among you, which will not be charmed; and they shall bite you, saith Yahweh.
18 Oh that I could comfort myself against sorrow! my heart is faint within me.
19 Behold, the voice of the cry of the daughter of my people from a land that is very far off: is not Yahweh in Zion? is not her King in her? Why have they provoked me to anger with their graven images, and with foreign vanities?
20 The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.
21 For the hurt of the daughter of my people am I hurt: I mourn; dismay hath taken hold on me. 22 Is there no balm in Gilead? is there no physician there? why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered?
14 Why do we sit still? assemble yourselves, and let us enter into the fortified cities, and let us be silent there; for Yahweh our Elohim hath put us to silence, and given us water of gall to drink, because we have sinned against Yahweh.
15 We looked for peace, but no good came; and for a time of healing, and, behold, dismay!
16 The snorting of his horses is heard from Dan: at the sound of the neighing of his strong ones the whole land trembleth; for they are come, and have devoured the land and all that is in it; the city and those that dwell therein.
17 For, behold, I will send serpents, adders, among you, which will not be charmed; and they shall bite you, saith Yahweh.
18 Oh that I could comfort myself against sorrow! my heart is faint within me.
19 Behold, the voice of the cry of the daughter of my people from a land that is very far off: is not Yahweh in Zion? is not her King in her? Why have they provoked me to anger with their graven images, and with foreign vanities?
20 The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.
21 For the hurt of the daughter of my people am I hurt: I mourn; dismay hath taken hold on me. 22 Is there no balm in Gilead? is there no physician there? why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered?
Jeremiah 9
1 Oh that my head were waters, and mine eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people!
2 Oh that I had in the wilderness a lodging-place of wayfaring men; that I might leave my people, and go from them! for they are all adulterers, an assembly of treacherous men.
3 And they bend their tongue, as it were their bow, for falsehood; and they are grown strong in the land, but not for truth: for they proceed from evil to evil, and they know not me, saith Yahweh.
4 Take ye heed every one of his neighbor, and trust ye not in any brother; for every brother will utterly supplant, and every neighbor will go about with slanders.
5 And they will deceive every one his neighbor, and will not speak the truth: they have taught their tongue to speak lies; they weary themselves to commit iniquity.
6 Thy habitation is in the midst of deceit; through deceit they refuse to know me, saith Yahweh. 7 Therefore thus saith Jehovah of hosts, Behold, I will melt them, and try them; for how else should I do, because of the daughter of my people?
8 Their tongue is a deadly arrow; it speaketh deceit: one speaketh peaceably to his neighbor with his mouth, but in his heart he layeth wait for him.
9 Shall I not visit them for these things? saith Yahweh; shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this?
10 For the mountains will I take up a weeping and wailing, and for the pastures of the wilderness a lamentation, because they are burned up, so that none passeth through; neither can men hear the voice of the cattle; both the birds of the heavens and the beasts are fled, they are gone.
11 And I will make Jerusalem heaps, a dwelling-place of jackals; and I will make the cities of Judah a desolation, without inhabitant.
12 Who is the wise man, that may understand this? and who is he to whom the mouth of Yahweh hath spoken, that he may declare it? wherefore is the land perished and burned up like a wilderness, so that none passeth through?
13 And Yahweh saith, Because they have forsaken my law which I set before them, and have not obeyed my voice, neither walked therein,
14 but have walked after the stubbornness of their own heart, and after the Baalim, which their fathers taught them;
15 therefore thus saith Yahweh of hosts, the Elohim of Israel, Behold, I will feed them, even this people, with wormwood, and give them water of gall to drink.
16 I will scatter them also among the nations, whom neither they nor their fathers have known; and I will send the sword after them, till I have consumed them.
17 Thus saith Yahweh of hosts, Consider ye, and call for the mourning women, that they may come; and send for the skilful women, that they may come:
18 and let them make haste, and take up a wailing for us, that our eyes may run down with tears, and our eyelids gush out with waters.
19 For a voice of wailing is heard out of Zion, How are we ruined! we are greatly confounded, because we have forsaken the land, because they have cast down our dwellings.
20 Yet hear the word of Yahweh, O ye women, and let your ear receive the word of his mouth; and teach your daughters wailing, and every one her neighbor lamentation.
21 For death is come up into our windows, it is entered into our palaces; to cut off the children from without, and the young men from the streets.
22 Speak, Thus saith Jehovah, The dead bodies of men shall fall as dung upon the open field, and as the handful after the harvestman; and none shall gather them.
23 Thus saith Yahweh, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches
2 Oh that I had in the wilderness a lodging-place of wayfaring men; that I might leave my people, and go from them! for they are all adulterers, an assembly of treacherous men.
3 And they bend their tongue, as it were their bow, for falsehood; and they are grown strong in the land, but not for truth: for they proceed from evil to evil, and they know not me, saith Yahweh.
4 Take ye heed every one of his neighbor, and trust ye not in any brother; for every brother will utterly supplant, and every neighbor will go about with slanders.
5 And they will deceive every one his neighbor, and will not speak the truth: they have taught their tongue to speak lies; they weary themselves to commit iniquity.
6 Thy habitation is in the midst of deceit; through deceit they refuse to know me, saith Yahweh. 7 Therefore thus saith Jehovah of hosts, Behold, I will melt them, and try them; for how else should I do, because of the daughter of my people?
8 Their tongue is a deadly arrow; it speaketh deceit: one speaketh peaceably to his neighbor with his mouth, but in his heart he layeth wait for him.
9 Shall I not visit them for these things? saith Yahweh; shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this?
10 For the mountains will I take up a weeping and wailing, and for the pastures of the wilderness a lamentation, because they are burned up, so that none passeth through; neither can men hear the voice of the cattle; both the birds of the heavens and the beasts are fled, they are gone.
11 And I will make Jerusalem heaps, a dwelling-place of jackals; and I will make the cities of Judah a desolation, without inhabitant.
12 Who is the wise man, that may understand this? and who is he to whom the mouth of Yahweh hath spoken, that he may declare it? wherefore is the land perished and burned up like a wilderness, so that none passeth through?
13 And Yahweh saith, Because they have forsaken my law which I set before them, and have not obeyed my voice, neither walked therein,
14 but have walked after the stubbornness of their own heart, and after the Baalim, which their fathers taught them;
15 therefore thus saith Yahweh of hosts, the Elohim of Israel, Behold, I will feed them, even this people, with wormwood, and give them water of gall to drink.
16 I will scatter them also among the nations, whom neither they nor their fathers have known; and I will send the sword after them, till I have consumed them.
17 Thus saith Yahweh of hosts, Consider ye, and call for the mourning women, that they may come; and send for the skilful women, that they may come:
18 and let them make haste, and take up a wailing for us, that our eyes may run down with tears, and our eyelids gush out with waters.
19 For a voice of wailing is heard out of Zion, How are we ruined! we are greatly confounded, because we have forsaken the land, because they have cast down our dwellings.
20 Yet hear the word of Yahweh, O ye women, and let your ear receive the word of his mouth; and teach your daughters wailing, and every one her neighbor lamentation.
21 For death is come up into our windows, it is entered into our palaces; to cut off the children from without, and the young men from the streets.
22 Speak, Thus saith Jehovah, The dead bodies of men shall fall as dung upon the open field, and as the handful after the harvestman; and none shall gather them.
23 Thus saith Yahweh, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches
Tisha B'Av - Torah Reading - Deut 4:25-40
Deuteronomy / D'varim 4:25-40
25 When thou shalt beget children, and children's children, and ye shall have been long in the land, and shall corrupt yourselves, and make a graven image in the form of anything, and shall do that which is evil in the sight of Yahweh thy Elohim, to provoke him to anger;
26 I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that ye shall soon utterly perish from off the land whereunto ye go over the Jordan to possess it; ye shall not prolong your days upon it, but shall utterly be destroyed.
27 And Yahweh will scatter you among the peoples, and ye shall be left few in number among the nations, whither Yahweh shall lead you away.
28 And there ye shall serve those that call themselves 'gods' but are not; the work of men's hands, wood and stone, which neither see, nor hear, nor eat, nor smell.
29 But from thence ye shall seek Yahweh thy Elohim, and thou shalt find him, when thou searchest after him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.
30 When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, in the latter days thou shalt return to Yahweh thy Elohim, and hearken unto his voice:
31 for Yahweh thy Elohim is a merciful El; he will not fail thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them.
32 For ask now of the days that are past, which were before thee, since the day that Yahweh Elohim created man upon the earth, and from the one end of heaven unto the other, whether there hath been any such thing as this great thing is, or hath been heard like it?
33 Did ever a people hear the voice of Yahweh speaking out of the midst of the fire, as thou hast heard, and live?
34 Or hath Yahweh assayed to go and take him a nation from the midst of another nation, by trials, by signs, and by wonders, and by war, and by a mighty hand, and by an outstretched arm, and by great terrors, according to all that Yahweh your Elohim did for you in Egypt before your eyes?
35 Unto thee it was showed, that thou mightest know that Yahweh he is El; there is none else besides him.
36 Out of heaven he made thee to hear his voice, that he might instruct thee: and upon earth he made thee to see his great fire; and thou heardest his words out of the midst of the fire.
37 And because he loved thy fathers, therefore he chose their seed after them, and brought thee out with his presence, with his great power, out of Egypt;
38 to drive out nations from before thee greater and mightier than thou, to bring thee in, to give thee their land for an inheritance, as at this day.
39 Know therefore this day, and lay it to thy heart, that Yahweh he is Elohim in heaven above and upon the earth beneath; there is none else.
40 And thou shalt keep his statutes, and his commandments, which I command thee this day, that it may go well with thee, and with thy children after thee, and that thou mayest prolong thy days in the land, which Yahweh thy Elohim giveth thee, for ever.
26 I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that ye shall soon utterly perish from off the land whereunto ye go over the Jordan to possess it; ye shall not prolong your days upon it, but shall utterly be destroyed.
27 And Yahweh will scatter you among the peoples, and ye shall be left few in number among the nations, whither Yahweh shall lead you away.
28 And there ye shall serve those that call themselves 'gods' but are not; the work of men's hands, wood and stone, which neither see, nor hear, nor eat, nor smell.
29 But from thence ye shall seek Yahweh thy Elohim, and thou shalt find him, when thou searchest after him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.
30 When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, in the latter days thou shalt return to Yahweh thy Elohim, and hearken unto his voice:
31 for Yahweh thy Elohim is a merciful El; he will not fail thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them.
32 For ask now of the days that are past, which were before thee, since the day that Yahweh Elohim created man upon the earth, and from the one end of heaven unto the other, whether there hath been any such thing as this great thing is, or hath been heard like it?
33 Did ever a people hear the voice of Yahweh speaking out of the midst of the fire, as thou hast heard, and live?
34 Or hath Yahweh assayed to go and take him a nation from the midst of another nation, by trials, by signs, and by wonders, and by war, and by a mighty hand, and by an outstretched arm, and by great terrors, according to all that Yahweh your Elohim did for you in Egypt before your eyes?
35 Unto thee it was showed, that thou mightest know that Yahweh he is El; there is none else besides him.
36 Out of heaven he made thee to hear his voice, that he might instruct thee: and upon earth he made thee to see his great fire; and thou heardest his words out of the midst of the fire.
37 And because he loved thy fathers, therefore he chose their seed after them, and brought thee out with his presence, with his great power, out of Egypt;
38 to drive out nations from before thee greater and mightier than thou, to bring thee in, to give thee their land for an inheritance, as at this day.
39 Know therefore this day, and lay it to thy heart, that Yahweh he is Elohim in heaven above and upon the earth beneath; there is none else.
40 And thou shalt keep his statutes, and his commandments, which I command thee this day, that it may go well with thee, and with thy children after thee, and that thou mayest prolong thy days in the land, which Yahweh thy Elohim giveth thee, for ever.
Tisha B'Av - Day of Mourning
I realize that the fast about to be described is not a Scripturally mandated fast, such as the Day of Atonement. However, given that we are called to pray for the peace of Jerusalem; and that it is declared that those who bless Israel will be blessed I thought it only proper to offer to my grafted-in brethren information pertaining to this 25 hour day of mourning. May we stand in solidarity with our Yuhidim family and "mourn with those who mourn."
We also "rejoice with those that rejoice" in that through Yahweh's provision of Yahshua Ha Mashiach, we know that we who have come to this faith are the temple of Yah. By Yahshua's sacrifice as the Lamb of Yahweh, we have access to the throne of heaven as we continue to walk in the halachka of our Rabboni, Yahshua.
It is with this above in mind that we, the grafted-in members of Abraham's family stand with our firmly rooted brothers and sisters while all of us await that day when Messiah is revealed on earth and Yahweh's will is fully accomplished in the tikkun olam! (the restoring of the world)
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Five misfortunes befell our fathers ... on the ninth of Av. ...On the ninth of Av it was decreed that our fathers should not enter the [Promised] Land, the Temple was destroyed the first and second time, Bethar was captured and the city [Jerusalem] was ploughed up. -Mishnah Ta'anit 4:6
...Should I weep in the fifth month [Av], separating myself, as I have done these so many years? -Zechariah 7:3
In the fifth month, on the seventh day of the month ...came Nebuzaradan ... and he burnt the house of Yahweh... -II Kings 25:8-9
In the fifth month, on the tenth day of the month... came Nebuzaradan ... and he burnt the house of Yahweh... - Jeremiah 52:12-13
How then are these dates to be reconciled? On the seventh the heathens entered the Temple and ate therein and desecrated it throughout the seventh and eighth and towards dusk of the ninth they set fire to it and it continued to burn the whole of that day. ... How will the Rabbis then [explain the choice of the 9th as the date]? The beginning of any misfortune [when the fire was set] is of greater moment. -Talmud Ta'anit 29a
Tisha B'Av, the Fast of the Ninth of Av, is a day of mourning to commemorate the many tragedies that have befallen the Jewish people, many of which coincidentally have occurred on the ninth of Av.
Tisha B'Av means "the ninth (day) of Av." It usually occurs during August. The date for 2008 is 9 August beginning at sunset through 10 August ending one hour after sunset.
Tisha B'Av primarily commemorates the destruction of the first and second Temples, both of which were destroyed on the ninth of Av (the first by the Babylonians in 586 B.C.E.; the second by the Romans in 70 C.E.).
Although this holiday is primarily meant to commemorate the destruction of the Temple, it is appropriate to consider on this day the many other tragedies of the Jewish people, many of which occurred on this day, most notably the expulsion of the Jews from Spain in 1492. [1]
Tisha B'Av is the culmination of a three week period of increasing mourning, beginning with the fast of the 17th of Tammuz, which commemorates the first breach in the walls of Jerusalem, before the First Temple was destroyed. During this three week period, weddings and other parties are not permitted, and people refrain from cutting their hair. From the first to the ninth of Av, it is customary to refrain from eating meat or drinking wine (except on the Shabbat) and from wearing new clothing.
The restrictions on Tisha B'Av are similar to those on Yom Kippur: to refrain from eating and drinking (even water); washing, bathing, shaving or wearing cosmetics; wearing leather shoes; engaging in sexual relations; and studying Torah. Work in the ordinary sense of the word [rather than the Shabbat sense] is also restricted. People who are ill need not fast on this day. Many of the traditional mourning practices are observed: people refrain from smiles, laughter and idle conversation, and sit on low stools.
In synagogue, the book of Lamentations is read and mourning prayers are recited. The ark (cabinet where the Torah is kept) is draped in black.
List of Dates
Tisha B'Av will occur on the following days of the Gregorian calendar:
Jewish Year 5768: sunset August 9, 2008 - nightfall August 10, 2008
Jewish Year 5769: sunset July 29, 2009 - nightfall July 30, 2009
Jewish Year 5770: sunset July 19, 2010 - nightfall July 20, 2010
Jewish Year 5771: sunset August 8, 2011 - nightfall August 9, 2011
Jewish Year 5772: sunset July 27, 2012 - nightfall July 28, 2012
For additional holiday dates, see Links to Jewish Calendars.
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[1.] The Alhambra Decree, issued March 31, 1492, ordered all Jews to leave Spain by the end of July 1492. July 31, 1492 was Tisha B'Av. Note that if you use a Jewish calendar converter to check this, it may show July 31 as the 27th of Tammuz. If so, the converter has failed to take into account the Gregorian Reformation, which skipped 11 days on the calendar. If you add the 11 missing days and convert August 11 instead of July 31, you will see that "August 11" 1492 is 9 Av.
courtesy: Tracey R Rich
Chris LeDoux -This Cowboys hat
If there was ever A song / poem that told the story of separation and reconciliation between divergent groups of people - THIS SONG IS IT!
Almost Home - Craig Morgan
And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me
-Matthew 25:40
David Allan Coe "Will you remember me?" LIVE!
This one reminds me of the malefactor who was impaled next to Yahshua...
"Master, remember me when you come into your kingdom."
"Truly, I tell you today, you will be with me in paradise."
Here Comes That Rainbow Again
A song written by Kris Kristofferson but performed by a fan who does more than justice to it! The morality tale is told without prejudice. Listen to this modern day parable and be encouraged.
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WMW
Kris Kristofferson - The Pilgrim Chapter 33
Truth be told this song started me on my way to Yahweh twenty years ago. It was 1988 and I was ready to join the United States Air Force - Same as Johnny Cash, Same as K.K.'s dad, same as Adrian Cronauer. Adrian was my original inspiration for signing my life away to an unforeseen world of discipline and structure. I wanted to prove myself as a rebel dj. Little did I know that Yahweh had other plans. I wound up serving as a Mental Health Tech on 4 Charlie at Lackland AFB. Not at all a bad duty station; only that it was during the years of Operation Just "be" Cause and later, Desert Storm/Shield. The running joke was, "Who are we going to invade next Christmas. After pulling mangled bodies off a flight line in San Antonio, I knew war was not my business.
I left military service with a new appreciation for freedom and the politics that deny it; all the while promoting Marxism / Communism under the guise of a "Free Republic." Of course, anyone with an inkling of common sense knows the hypocrisy of that sentiment!!!
As a vet and civillian, I pray that something on this blog strikes a chord within my readers. Often music has touched my soul when nothing else would; perhaps this holds true with you? Restoration Herald offers many music and instructional videos that are designed to open hearts and renew minds regarding the purposes of Yahweh.
It is my heartfelt prayer that PILGRIM CHAPTER 33 shows forth that desire.
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WMW
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