C O N T E N T S
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Magazine
VOL. 3 | No. 5 | September - October 2013
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A R T I C L E S
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3 | Calendar Basics
12 | How to Study the Bible
by Randy Folliard
by Alan Mansager
7 | The Beanie Torah or Tradition by the late Donald Mansager
11 | Discovering Faith - Part 2
14 | Revealing the Adversary by Randy Folliard 18 | Questions and Answers 22 | Restoration Study Bible Ad
by Randy Folliard
23 | Letters FRONT COVER: Replica of the Gezer Calendar. Photo by: Ryan Mansager
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Restoration Times expounds the close ties between the Old and New Testaments. We teach the continuity and harmony that extend from Yahweh’s actions anciently down through His present activity in Yahshua the Messiah. This was also the conviction of the early New Testament Assembly. This publication is sent free of charge, made possible through the tithes and offerings of those who desire to see the truth of Scripture restored in our day. © 2013 Yahweh’s Restoration Ministry
Yahweh’s Restoration Ministry PO Box 463 Holts Summit, MO 65043 Telephone: 573-896-1000 Office hours M-F 8am-4pm
www.yrm.org info@yrm.org
Calendar
Basics by Randy Folliard
H
ow does our Father Yahweh track time in His Word? Does He do it through today’s Gregorian calendar or perhaps the modern Jewish calendar? The answer is neither. Yahweh’s calendar supersedes both. As believers, it’s crucial that we understand the calendar our Creator established in the beginning. If not, how will we know when His special days of worship arrive? In this article we review the basics of Yahweh’s prescribed calendar, including how to determine the day, month, and year. Let’s begin by defining the scriptural day. Evening and Morning
Chapter one of Genesis offers the first insight as to how our Father defines the day. It reads, “And Elohim called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day,” verse 5. This is day one in the creation of the heavens and earth. Here we see two definitions for the word day. The first is in the phrase, “And Elohim called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night.” Yahweh draws a distinction between the day and night. From this example, we find that the word day refers to the daylight portion. Another definition for day is in the phrase, “And the evening and morning.” We find our Father in Heaven here describing a 24-hour day. It says evening and then morning. So we find that the evening began the day. Let’s look at the meaning of the word evening. It is from the Hebrew ereb, Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance defines
ereb as, “Dusk.” The Brown Driver & Briggs Hebrew Lexicon states, “Evening, night, sunset.” The primitive root of ereb is arab and literally means, “…to grow dusky at sundown,” Strong’s. The day begins as the sun dips below the horizon. For example, the biblical Sabbath is from Friday sunset through Saturday sunset. So we find two definitions for the word day; one referring to the daylight hours only and the other referring to the 24-hour period, beginning at sunset. Defining “Day”
The word day comes from the Hebrew yom. It appears 2,304 times in the Masoretic text. Strong’s defines yom as, “from an unused root meaning to be hot; a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated term).” Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words says about yom, “Yom has several meanings. The word represents the period of ‘daylight’ as contrasted with nighttime: ‘While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease’ Genesis 8:22. The word denotes a period of twenty-four hours: ‘And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day...’ Genesis 39:10. Yom can also signify a period of time of unspecified duration: ‘And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made’ Genesis 2:3. In this verse, ‘day’ refers to the entire period of God’s resting from creating
this universe.” From these references, we see that yom refers (1) to the daylight portion of a day, (2) to a 24-hour day, from sunset to sunset, and (3) to a figurative space of time. The first two definitions are in Genesis 1:5. Sunset to Sunset
Let’s now consider a few examples in Scripture showing that the day begins at evening or sunset. The first few instances are found in the first chapter of Genesis: “And Elohim called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the second day….And the evening and the morning were the third day….And the evening and the morning were the fourth day….And the evening and the morning were the fifth day….And the evening and the morning were the sixth day,” verses 8, 13, 19, 23, 31. In every instance of Genesis 1 the Bible confirms that the day begins with the evening followed by the morning, which extends and includes the entire day. Interestingly, creation itself follows this same pattern. At the beginning of creation was darkness followed by light. So we find that the day begins with the same pattern as with creation. In Leviticus 11:31-32 our Father Yahweh provides His laws pertaining to diet and hygiene. In this example we find additional evidence for the day beginning at sunset: “These are unclean to you among all that creep: whosoever doth touch them, when they be dead, shall be unclean until the even [Heb. ereb]. And upon whatsoever any of them, when they are dead, doth Restoration Times Magazine September-October 2013
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Did You Know?
T
he Gezer Calendar is an archaeological find dating from the time of King Solomon (925 BCE). Discovered in 1908 by R.A.S. Macalister of the Palestine Exploration Fund, while excavating the ancient Canaanite city of Gezer, 20 miles west of Jerusalem. Written in limestone the calendar could be a schoolboy’s memory exercise, the text of a popular folk song or a children’s song. Another possibility is something designed for the collection of taxes from farmers. This interesting find shows how devoted the ancient Israelites were to agriculture and crop harvest cycles as they relate to the months.
Translation: Two months gathering (September, October) Two months planting (November, December) Two months late sowing (January, February) One month cutting flax (March) One month reaping barley (April) One month reaping and measuring grain (May) Two months pruning (June, July) One month summer fruit (August) Scribed by “Abijah” (written on the stone). The name means “Yah is my father.” fall, it shall be unclean; whether it be any vessel of wood, or raiment, or skin, or sack, whatsoever vessel it be, wherein any work is done, it must be put into water, and it shall be unclean until the even; so it shall be cleansed.” Yahweh says that if we touch a carcase we are unclean until even or sunset. Why? Because evening begins a new day. We find confirmation here that the day begins and ends at sunset, not midnight or sunrise. We also see evidence for the day beginning at sunset with the Day of Atonement, or Yom Kippur. “Also on the tenth day of this seventh month there shall be a day of atonement: it shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire unto Yahweh…It shall be unto you a sabbath of rest, and ye shall afflict your souls: in the ninth day of the month at even, from even unto even, shall ye celebrate your Sabbath,” Leviticus 23:27, 32. Yahweh states here
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that Yom Kippur is on the 10th day of the seventh month. On a side note, Yom Kippur literally means, “day of covering.” It was on this day that Yahweh covered the sins of His people. Notice when this day was observed. It was kept from the ninth day of the month at evening, from evening to evening. In other words, it is to be observed from the end of the 9th day at evening through the end of the tenth day at evening, showing again that the day begins and ends at evening or sunset. Now what would happen if we ignore the timing of the Day of Atonement? The Bible states that the person who does not afflict his soul on the day that our Father appointed will be destroyed or cut off, verse 28-29. Based on this, it’s absolutely imperative that we keep Yom Kippur on the day that Yahweh has specified. This is why it’s important that we understand when these times begin. We find another example from Judges 14:17-18, “And she wept before him the
seven days, while their feast lasted: and it came to pass on the seventh day, that he told her, because she lay sore upon him: and she told the riddle to the children of her people. And the men of the city said unto him on the seventh day before the sun went down, What is sweeter than honey? and what is stronger than a lion? And he said unto them, If ye had not plowed with my heifer, ye had not found out my riddle.” Samson is making a wager with the Philistines. He told them that if they could solve his riddle in seven days he would give them thirty linen garments and thirty changes of clothing. Notice that when they gave Samson the solution to his riddle, the men of the city answered him, “on the seventh day before the sun went down.” These Philistines knew they only had until sunset on that seventh day to answer the riddle, and as we find here they waited until the last moment. So far we’ve seen proof that the day begins at sunset from creation, Yahweh’s commandments, the Day of Atonement, and here with Samson’s riddle. Let’s move on to one other example. Nehemiah 13:19 offers irrefutable evidence for the day beginning at evening, “And it came to pass, that when the gates of Jerusalem began to be dark before the sabbath, I commanded that the gates should be shut, and charged that they should not be opened till after the sabbath: and some of my servants set I at the gates, that there should no burden be brought in on the sabbath day.” To prevent the people of Judah from breaking the Sabbath, Nehemiah commanded that the gates of the city be closed as it began to be dark. Nehemiah even threatened force with those who stayed outside the walls waiting for the Sabbath to end. Recalling that the context here is the beginning of the Sabbath, the key phrase is, “…began to be dark.” The New International Version reads, “When evening shadows fell on the gates…” The Revised
Standard Version reads, “When it began to be dark at the gates...” The New Jerusalem Bible reads, “So when the gates were getting dark ...” We find the same message from all the above versions -- it was getting or becoming dark before the Sabbath. We see here undeniable proof confirming that the day, specifically the Sabbath, begins at sunset, as the sky begins to grow dark. Let’s now move on to the month. Establishing the Month
When does Yahweh’s month begin? Does it correspond with the months of our modern Gregorian calendar? The answer is no. Unlike our calendar, Yahweh’s months are marked by the observation of the crescent new moon. According to the Barnhart Concise Dictionary of Etymology, the word month is derived from the Germanic word maenoth, which means, “moon.” How do we know that the month begins with the crescent moon? Where do we find evidence for this belief? Perhaps the best passage confirming this biblical fact is Deuteronomy 16:1. It reads, “Observe the month of Abib….” Yahweh commands that we “observe the month.” How do we “observe” a month? This word comes from the Hebrew shamar. Strong’s defines this primitive root as, “to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; Generally, to protect, attend to, etc.” Similarly, Brown Driver & Briggs Hebrew Lexicon provides this definition, “To keep, to have charge of; to keep, to guard, to keep watch and ward, to protect, to save life; watch, a watchman (participle); to watch for, to wait for; to watch, to observe; to keep, to retain, to treasure up (in memory); to keep (within bounds), to restrain; to observe, to celebrate, to keep (sabbath or covenant or commands), to perform (a vow); to keep, to preserve, to protect; to keep, to reserve.” Based on the Hebrew, the KJV translates this word in the following: “beware, be circumspect, take heed (to self), keep (-erself,), mark, look narrowly, observe, preserve, regard, reserve, save (self), sure, (that lay) wait (for), watch (-man).” We find here that shamar refers to a type of guard or watchmen. The word “month” here comes from the Hebrew word chodesh and means, “The new moon; by implication, a month,” Strong’s. The primitive root of chodesh is chadash, which means, “To be new; causatively, to rebuild.” Yahweh is commanding that we
watch for the new moon crescent. Some believe that the new moon is the astronomical or dark moon. However, there are at least three problems with this belief: First, the Hebrew word for month, chodesh, comes from the word chadash, which means, “to be new or to rebuild.” The astronomical new moon is neither new nor in the process of rebuilding; it is invisible. Second, while there’s technically one astronomical new moon, also known as the conjunction, in many months the moon can remain invisible up to three days. In this case, which day would you choose – the first, second, or third? Third, Yahweh commands that we watch for the new moon. This poses the most serious problem with the conjunction. How does a person watch for a dark or invisible moon? There’s only once phase of the moon that fits this description and that’s the new moon crescent that’s visible to the eye. From the evidence we find that we’re to begin the month by watching for the new moon crescent. We can also find evidence for this belief historically. For example, according to the International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia, “The Hebrew or Jewish calendar had three stages of development: the preexilic, or Biblical; the postexilic, or Talmudic; and the postTalmudic. The first rested on observation merely, the second on observation coupled with calculation, and the third on calculation only. In the first period the priests determined the beginning of each month by the appearance of the new moon. It’s critical to note here that the original biblical calendar was based on observation only and that calculation was introduced only later. As believers, it should be our goal to return to the original method that our Father Yahweh established. The New Unger’s Bible Dictionary provides the actual method that the Jews used to observe the new moon during the time of Yahshua the Messiah, “As the festivals, according to the Mosaic law, were always to be celebrated on the same day of the month, it was necessary to fix the commencement of the month. This was determined by the appearance of the new
moon; for the new moon was reckoned not by astronomical calculation, but by actual personal observation. On the thirtieth day of the month watchmen were placed on commanding heights around Jerusalem to watch the sky. As soon as each of them detected the moon he hastened to a house in the city kept for this purpose and was there examined by the president of the Sanhedrin. When the evidence of the appearance was deemed satisfactory, the president stood up and formally announced it, uttering the words, ‘It is consecrated.’ The information was immediately sent throughout the land from the Mount of Olives by beacon fires on the tops of the hills. The religious observance of the day of the new moon may plainly be regarded as the consecration of a natural division of time.” From these sources we find that the month was marked by the physical sighting of the new moon crescent and not by astronomical calculations. It’s important to understand that our Father’s calendar is based on two principles: observation and agriculture. Calculation came much later and deviates from what Yahweh inspired. Biblical Evidence for the New Moon
New moon observance has a long history in Scripture. In Exodus 12:2 we find Yahweh
introducing the new moon to Israel while still under Egyptian bondage. “This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you.” Yahweh told Moses and Aaron that this month would be the beginning of months, the first month of the year. The word “month” is the same word found in Deuteronomy 16:1, i.e., chodesh. Yahweh is literally stating, “This new moon shall be unto you the beginning of new moons: it shall be the first new moon of the year to you.” Restoration Times Magazine September-October 2013
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We know that this passage is speaking about the Passover and how on a specific day Israel was to observe this memorial. What would have happened if Moses had ignored Yahweh’s beginning of the month, i.e., new moon? From the biblical narrative, all those who did not observe the Passover lost the lives of their firstborn. For the Israelites this decision meant the difference between life and death for their firstborn. For this example alone it’s absolutely critical that we understand when these times begin. To properly observe our Father’s days of worship, we must understand and observe His time clock. King David understood His calendar. 1Samuel 20:5 reads, “And David said unto Jonathan, Behold, to morrow is the new moon, and I should not fail to sit with the king at meat: but let me go, that I may hide myself in the field unto the third day at even.” We see that David observed the new moon by not only acknowledging its time, but also by having dinner and fellowship with the king. Understand that the new moon was and is a time set apart for fellowship and worship. It’s an important day in Yahweh’s Word. Isaiah 66:23 confirms that this day will even be observed in the millennial Kingdom: “And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith Yahweh.” Notice here that all flesh will be required to worship before Yahweh on the new moons and Sabbaths. This passage is speaking about the Millennium, the 1,000year reign of Yahshua the Messiah. During this time, not only will the Sabbath be a day of observance, but also the new moon. It should be noted that while the new moon is a day of convocation, it’s not a holy day or a day of rest like the Sabbath or Feast days. Nevertheless, we find that it’s an important time that our Father in Heaven has established in His Word. Not only does the new moon crescent begin the month, but it also marks a special time that Yahweh set aside for fellowship. The prophet Ezekiel provides one more example in chapter 46 of his prophecy, “Thus saith my Sovereign Yahweh; The gate of the inner court that looketh toward the east shall be shut the six working days; but on the sabbath it shall be opened, and in the day of the new moon it shall be opened,” verse 1. The context here is again the millennial Kingdom. We find that the new moon is a day of convocation, a day of worship, and a day that will be observed in the coming Kingdom. During the Millennium when the temple is rebuilt, pure
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worship, including the new moon, will be restored. Determining the Year
Up to this point we’ve examined the day and month, but we’re still missing one piece of the puzzle and that is the year. So when does Yahweh’s year begin? For the answer, let’s consider once more Deuteronomy 16:1, “Observe the month of Abib, and keep the passover unto Yahweh thy Elohim: for in the month of Abib Yahweh thy Elohim brought thee forth out of Egypt by night.” We’ve already reviewed this passage, but in this instance we will focus on the word “Abib.” This word is of Hebrew origin and according to Strong’s means, “green, i.e. a young ear of grain.” The Brown Driver & Briggs Hebrew Lexicon defines this word as, “Fresh, young barley ears, barley; month of ear-forming, of greening of crop, of growing green Abib, the month of the Exodus and the Passover (March or April).” These sources verify that the word “Abib” describes a phase of agriculture, i.e., young ears of grain. In the context, to what grain does Abib refer? The answer is barley. How do we know? We find a clue in Exodus 9:31. It reads, “And the flax and the barley was smitten: for the barley was in the ear, and the flax was bolled.” This passage is speaking about the destruction from the seventh plague of Egypt, the plague of hail. We find here a clue as to the beginning of the year; it says that the barley was in the “ear.” The word is from the Hebrew word abib. Scripture confirms here that the barley was in abib, i.e., young or not fully developed. We know that this seventh plague took place just days before Israel would be released from Egyptian slavery and before Yahweh would mark the beginning of the year. Remember that in Exodus 12:2, Yahweh confirmed to Moses and Aaron that the next new moon would mark the start of the biblical year. We find here that prior to the observation of the new moon, Israel had confirmation of the Abib barley. Therefore, based on the biblical evidence, to begin a new year we must confirm that the barley is in the abib stage prior to the visible new moon crescent. In addition to Scripture, we also find an array of evidence from scholarship that the Abib barley began the first biblical year: • “…Abib is not properly a name of a month, but part of a descriptive phrase, ‘the month of young ears of grain.’ This may indicate the Israelitish way of determining the new year (Ex 12:2), the year beginning with the
new moon nearest or next preceding this stage of the growth of the barley,” International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia, PC Study Bible, V3.0, Abib. • “The months began with the new moon, but the first month was fixed (after the Exodus and by the necessities of the Passover) by the ripening of the earliest grain, namely, barley,” The New Unger’s Bible Dictionary, PC Study Bible, V3.0, Abib. • “The original name of the first Hebrew month., mentioned in connection with the Feast of Unleavened Bread or the Passover (Mar./Apr.); after the Exile it was called Nisan (Neh. 2:1; Esth. 3:7). Its designation ‘month of the ear’…’month of young ears of barley’…may point to the new moon nearest to, or proceeding, the growth of barley,” The Errdman’s Bible Dictionary, p. 6, Abib. • “…properly, a head or ear of grain (Lev. ii, 14, ‘green ears;’ Exod. xiii,31, ‘ear’); hence the month of newly-ripe grain (Exod. xiii.4; xxiii, 15; xxxiv, 18; Deut. xvi, 1), the first of the Jewish ecclesiastical year, afterward (Neh. ii, 1) called Nisan,” Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature, p. 15, Abib. • “Abib, or Aviv, is the old name or epithet of the month that falls in March or April. It means, ‘new ears of grain,’ and refers to the fact that this month begins when immature ears of grain have begun to grow on the stalks. Elsewhere in the Torah it is known as the first month. In the books of the postexilic period, when the Jews adopted the Babylonian month names still in use today, it is known as Nisan,” The JPS Torah Commentary, p. 152, note on Deuteronomy 16:1. A question that often arises is: Where should we look for the barley? While the Bible does not offer a definite answer to this question, based on the need to ensure that the year is consistent across the globe and the fact that Israel observed the Abib in Israel, it’s reasonable to deduce that this is where this crop should be confirmed today. In summary, from biblical and historical records we find that the day begins at sunset, the month begins with the new moon crescent, and the year begins with the abib barley in the land of Israel. Yahweh’s days of worship are based on His time clock, the calendar that He established at creation. As believers it’s also incumbent that we have a ready answer for all who might ask, including why we observe the biblical calendar, 1Peter 3:15.
The
Beanie-
Torah or
Tradition? R By the late Donald Mansager
ather paradoxical is how some twist plain Scripture to say just the opposite of what was intended. This is the case with the 11th chapter of Paul’s first letter to the Assembly at Corinth, where female worshipers are told to wear a veil and men are admonished to be bareheaded. Yet, some use this and other passages to say that a man should wear a covering on his head much like Orthodox and Conservative Jews do in synagogues. No one is allowed into the synagogue unless wearing a skullcap known as a yarmulke or kepah (beanie). Today at Israel’s holy places or shrines, including the Wailing Wall, all visiting males must wear coverings on their heads. So pervasive is this practice that attendants will place a small paper cap on any visitor’s uncovered head. Many Scriptures cited as proof that men should wear a covering on their heads simply do not bear up under even a little scrutiny. We will examine the remarks of at least one author and show the error of his conclusions. High Priest’s Headdress and Mourning
Given as an example that King David wore a yarmulke in worship is 2Samuel 15:30: “And David went up by the ascent of Mount Olivet, and wept as he went up, and had his head covered, and he went barefoot; and all the people that was with him covered every man his head, and they went up, weeping as they went up.” This allegedly proves that
he always worshiped Yahweh with his head covered. In the context of the verse, however, we learn that King David is in the midst of an upheaval, with his son Absalom trying to usurp his father’s throne. Note verse 31, “And one told David, ‘Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom.’ And David said, ‘O Yahweh, I pray You, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.’” We continue in verse 32, “And it came to pass that when David was come to the top of the mount, where he worshiped Elohim, behold, Hushai the Archite came to meet him with his coat rent, and earth upon his head.” Hushai is expressing severe contrition by his actions. This corroborates the statement that David was in extreme distress and shame because of Ahithophel’s treachery. Jeremiah 14:4 gives another example of deep contrition leading to wearing a covering, “Because of the ground which is cracked, since there is no rain upon the land, the farmers are ashamed [disconcerted, disappointed], they cover their heads.” Going barefoot is also a sign of mourning. Because David was grieving and in shame he covered his head and went barefoot—not a normal worship practice. The High Priest wore a mitre, and his assistants were also to wear a headdress while doing Yahweh’s service, Exodus 28:39-41. Verses 39-40 instruct the making of the coat of fine linen, the mitre of fine linen, and the girdle of needlework. Aaron’s sons were also to have coats and girdles and bonnets for glory and beauty.
Some scholars say that the anointing of Aaron’s sons was not necessarily to have them officiate at that time but to prepare them to take over whenever Aaron was unable to continue his office as the High Priest. We, however, are not High Priests— Yahshua is. Were He a Levite He might wear the mitre in heaven. His priesthood is of the Melchisedek order as is today’s believers, not of the Levitical, Hebrews 5:6. Proponents of head coverings for men maintain that men were not to remove their covering even for the dead. They cite Leviticus 10:6, where Moses commanded Aaron and the priests not to uncover their heads after Yahweh had destroyed Aaron’s two sons for burning unauthorized fire on the altar. The reason was that these two sons, Nadab and Abihu, were negligent in their duties as priests. Verse 6 reads: “And Moses said unto Aaron, and unto Eleazar and unto Ithamar, his sons, ‘Uncover not your heads, neither rend your clothes; lest you die, and lest wrath come upon all the people: But let your brethren, the whole house of Israel, bewail the burning which Yahweh has kindled.’” Interestingly, the NIV reads, “Do not let your hair become unkept,” instead of “uncover not your heads.” Here is an exclusive event of mourning and disgrace for the Aaronic priesthood. Furthermore, the priestly headgear is not the same as the yarmulke. Wisdom Like a Crown
Proponents have tried to equate the yarmulke Restoration Times Magazine September-October 2013
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m he ce ce to ar er ns
with an ornament of grace in Proverbs 1:9. The pericope must begin at verse 7, “The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of knowledge but fools despise wisdom and instruction. My son hear the instruction of your father and forsake not the law of your mother. For they shall be an ornament of grace unto your head and chains about your neck.” This has nothing to do with the yarmulke being an ornament of grace. Grace here is unmerited kindness from Yahweh that comes with following the instructions of the father and advice of the mother. An ornament of grace adorns the individual who submits to Yahweh. It is not a command to wear the yarmulke or the headdress, neither is it an admonition to wear chains around the neck. Proverbs 4:7-9 is quoted to imply that wisdom is compared to a headdress or yarmulke. “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all your getting, get understanding. Exalt her, and she will promote you: she shall bring you to
honor, when you do embrace her. She shall give to your head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to you.” Again, the meaning and sense of this verse is simply enlightenment, giving us honor like a beautiful crown upon our heads. Verse 10 goes on to say, “My son listen to me and do as I say and you will have a long, good life” (Living Bible). This has nothing to do with the kepah or the yarmulke. It simply shows that a crown of life will be given to those who overcome and keep Yahweh’s words. One writer maintains, “Isaiah likens Zion to the kepah, as a crown of glory and a royal diadem,” and he cites Isaiah 62:3. The meaning, however, is not that wearing a yarmulke will give us a crown of glory, but rather that He will hold us aloft in His hands for all to see as a splendid crown for the King of Kings. It is the reward that Yahshua gets for His people whom He has helped to overcome and who have become kings and priests in the Kingdom. Wearing a yarmulke
- Did You Know?
T
he Jewish tradition of the male kipa or yarmulke derives from a heathen Greek custom of wearing a beanie-like cap in sports competitions (see 2Maccabees 4:10-13). Greek philosophers wore the hat of the pagan god Hermes to show they were educated, a custom still seen in the beanie under the tasseled mortarboard worn at graduation ceremonies. In the Scriptures, the male headcovering was a sign of mourning, as seen in 2Samuel 15:30; 19:4, and Esther 6:12. Had the average man customarily worn headcoverings, the Scriptures would have no need to make special mention of it in these passages.
Hermes 5th century B.C.E.
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has nothing to do with this honor. It is not a badge or uniform. It is poetic language extolling obedience to Yahweh. Of Women’s Attire
“It is called a garment of praise in Isaiah 61:3,” says one writer. “The Hebrew word here translated garment is maateh and means a head covering as used in Isaiah 3:20 and Ezekiel 44:18.” Actually, the word maateh is Strong’s Concordance No. 4594 and is translated, “vestment.” Brown, Driver, Briggs Gesenius translates maateh as, “wrap, mantle.” And in Isaiah 61:3, as a mantle of praise in the figurative sense. It does not mean head covering. The writer, however, maintains, “It means ‘a head covering’ as used in Isaiah 3:20.” Isaiah 3:20 reads: “The bonnet, the ornaments of the legs, and the headbands and the tablets and the earrings.” There are two words to which the writer may have been referring. The word bonnet is No. 6287, peer in Hebrew, “a fancy headdress.” The other is headband, No. 7196, qishur or “girdle.” Just why the author would bring in Isaiah 3:20 is difficult to comprehend. If we merely get the context from verses 16 and 17, we learn that Yahweh is speaking here about the dress of women. It has nothing to do with males wearing head coverings. In seeking any verse that mentions head covering, these yarmulke proponents have seized on verses pertaining to women’s attire and compounded their error. Some yarmulke advocates attempt to gain support from Ezekiel 44: 18, which reads, “They shall have linen bonnets upon their heads and they shall have linen breeches upon their loins. They shall not gird themselves with anything that causes sweat.” Verse 15 shows that this refers to priests, the sons of Zadok. As we have noted before, the priests of the Levitical order were to wear something on their heads when they officiated in worship. One wonders, however, how one can confuse the dress of women in Isaiah 3:20 with the priests in Ezekiel 44: 18, while building a case for the man’s yarmulke. Appeals have also been made to Isaiah 61:10, which reads, “I will greatly rejoice in Yahweh, my soul shall be joyful in my Elohim; for He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a
bridegroom decks himself with ornaments and the bride adorns herself with jewels.” Nothing to Rejoice In
One author says, “Ezekiel was commanded by Yahweh to wear the tire (Hebrew peer) upon his head and to command the children of Israel to do the same.” Ezekiel 24: 17 and 23. It is important that we note verse 16 of Ezekiel 24, which speaks about the death of Ezekiel’s wife. Verse 16 reads, “Son of man, behold, I take away from you the desire of your eyes with a stroke: yet neither shall you mourn nor weep, neither shall your tears run down.” And verse 17 continues, “Forbear to cry, make no mourning for the dead, bind the tire of your head upon you and put your shoes upon your feet, and cover not your lips, and eat not the bread of men.” It is quite obvious here that the man is not to mourn and not take off his “tire” (Hebrew peer, meaning a turban or fancy headdress). Ezekiel is to wear the headdress and not go barefoot as did King David when he was mourning. He was to put shoes upon his feet and he was not to cover his lips nor eat the bread of men. Again this has to do with mourning and nothing to do with worship. Notice verse 23, “And your tires (fancy headdress, turban) shall be upon your heads and your shoes upon your feet: and you shall not mourn nor weep but you shall pine away for your iniquities and mourn one toward another.” Yahweh is telling Israel that He will take away their strength and joy of their glory. The desire of their eyes and the things that they revel in will be removed because judgment is coming. It has nothing to do with wearing a kepah to worship Yahweh. They Went Wearing Street Hats
The writer notes, “King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold and commanded all to bow down and worship it. But there were three Jews in his kingdom who would not worship the image, they worshiped only Yahweh. So the king had them thrown down into a fiery furnace. They went to this fire trusting in Yahweh with their caps on their heads, Daniel 3: 1, 21. And I believe they were praying all the way.” Interestingly, the word “hat” referred to in Daniel 3:21 is from the Hebrew karbela (No. 3737 in Strong’s). It appears only in this verse and is translated, “hat.” It involves casual clothing thrown on like a mantle; the
akkadian cognate is cap. It has nothing to do with worship either in the synagogue or in the temple. It is an article of street clothing, a mantle type of cap or turban, according to the Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament. Covering in the New Testament
One writer asks, “We are told by Paul to pray without ceasing, 1 Thessalonians 5: 17. Suppose a man is working in the oilfields where he has to wear a hardhat and work about 10 hours a day. Would it be a sin to pray while working? The way most people explain 1Corinthians 11, it would be. Let us understand and get back to the old paths, which are the good ways.” The writer answers his own question. If we understand the verse to mean that a man is literally to pray without ceasing, he would not be working out in the oil fields while praying. Correctly understood, Paul tells us we should be in an attitude of prayerful reverence and close communion with Yahweh at all times. It does not mean that men should forever be on their knees praying with a yarmulke on their heads. Next this writer notes, “In 1Corinthians 11, Paul explains the headdress of men and women in praying or prophesying, As this article concerns men, we will not go into the female part of it. ‘But I would have you know, that the head of every man is the Messiah; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of the Messiah is Yahweh,’ 1Corinthians 11:3. We have three heads mentioned here: the head of man (Messiah), the head of woman (man), the head of Messiah (Yahweh). “Let us now take up the next verse. ‘Every man praying or prophesying, having his head (Messiah) covered dishonors his head (Messiah).’ We pray in the Name of our Head, which is the Messiah. If for any reason we do not do this, we are covering our head (Messiah) and dishonoring Him.” Notice how the author makes his own judgments. He says, “Whenever we do not pray in the Name of the Messiah we are covering Him.” The Scripture nowhere says that whenever we do not pray in the Name of Yahshua that we are “covering Him.” It simply is not a scriptural idea. It is a manmade notion from a man-made doctrine. Let us continue, “In Paul’s day there were people who would try to hide the fact that they were believers in Yahshua if they were around Jews who did not believe in
Him. Thus, they covered the fact that they believed in Him, and this dishonored Him, their Head. This is not talking about the head on your shoulders but the head Messiah and we are not to cover that head when we pray. We are to pray in His Name showing all that He is our head,” Obviously the man is trying to build a case by inserting his own thoughts and projecting certain concepts into his private interpretation, making Yahweh’s Word of no effect. He attempts to make us believe that any time we pray to Yahweh and do not petition in the Name of His Son Yahshua the Messiah that we are covering our head, meaning the Messiah. He gives no Scripture to support this assertion that we “cover the Messiah” by not praying in His Name. He goes on, “Now let us look at the next verse. ‘But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head (man) for that is even all one as if she were shaven,’ 1Corinthians 11:5. So, Paul is saying that a man should have a covering on his physical head, the head on his shoulders [as well as] when the woman prays or prophesies or he is causing her to dishonor him (her head).” Covered by Proxy?
Can you just hear the Scriptures twisting? He says that if the woman is praying, then the MAN must have a covering on his head or she is dishonoring the husband! This is not the meaning of the verse at all, but is a gross perversion of Scripture. If the woman prays with nothing on her head, how does the man’s head covering prevent her from dishonoring him? “If a man does not have a physical headcovering, it is the same as if his wife had her head shaved.” Obviously then a man would not have to have on any headcovering if his wife were not in attendance either at the synagogue or at the meeting worshiping Yahweh. So long as the man is alone he would not need a covering of any kind, according to this writer’s reasoning. If the wife is praying (according to this contorted interpretation) and the HUSBAND does not cover his head, then it is as if SHE had shaved her head! Paul says differently. He says that if the woman does not cover her own head (the head on her shoulders) it is as if she were shaven, which the NIV correctly says is a sign of a disgraceful act. The man’s head covering has nothing to do with the woman’s Restoration Times Magazine September-October 2013
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head being shaved. It is her own head that is to be covered. He continues, “And only women caught in adultery had their heads shaved. This has always been a custom among the Jews even today, for women caught in adultery, to shave their heads. Paul also shows this in verse 6 that the woman is to cover her physical head also. Man and woman both are to have a headdress on when they worship Yahweh. This shows that neither one is without each other in Yahweh, 1Corinthians 11: 11-12.” The above conclusion of the writer totally misses the basic thrust of Paul’s letter to the Corinthians. The context of 1Corinthians 11:11-12 simply means that the man is not without the woman because all men are born from women. But woman
was formed from man’s rib. Yet, both man and woman are from Yahweh, Who is the Creator of all life. More Modern Male Covering
From his book, What Is a Jew?, Rabbi Morris N. Kertzer states in the section, “Do All Jews Wear Hats When They Pray?”: “There is a tendency by all faiths to exalt customs into firmly established religious principle.” Leaders in Judaism themselves admit there is nothing in the Bible that teaches men to wear anything on their heads or even wear a prayer shawl. “We know from archeological remains that in ancient days, the people of Israel were often bareheaded. In the British Museum, I saw a bas-relief of the Assyrian king,
Sennacherib, portraying Jews who wore no headgear. The modern Orthodox practice, therefore, of keeping the head covered at all times does not go back to ancient Palestine. However, in the East the privileged classes wore some head ornament as a sign of their status and in time this custom spread to all groups.” (p. 93) Professor Jacob Z. Lauterbach has pointed out, “The custom of praying bareheaded or with covered head is not at all a question of law. It is merely a matter of social propriety and decorum.” This is true as far as the Old Testament is concerned. The Apostle Paul makes it plain that in the New Testament men are to have nothing on their heads in worship.
Become a YRM Outreach Partner Have you ever had a desire to do more for Yahweh, your Heavenly Father, and Yahshua the Messiah in reaching out to others in your community with the Truth? Now you can. Yahweh’s Restoration Ministry is implementing a new outreach program involving our faithful partners and supporters. Participation is easy: simply distribute a selected item chosen by the Ministry. It could be a small card with an important message or a brochure on a specific topic. To have your name listed in the Restoration Times as an Outreach Partner, you must distribute a minimum of 10 pieces and report back to YRM on a monthly basis. We will send a free Restoration Study Bible to the person who distributes the most every three months. If you are interested in becoming an Outreach Partner, please send an email with your address to outreach@yrm.org. For additional information, please see the below QA. Q. What is an Outreach Partner? A. This is a person who commits to assisting Yahweh’s Restoration Ministry with outreach by distributing literature to people or businesses. These can include libraries, doctor’s offices, hospitals, bulletin boards, laundromats, motels, and any other public locations where allowed. Q. Who is eligible? A. Members and non-members, including men and women in good standing with Yahweh’s Restoration Ministry, are eligible to participate. Q. Is there a minimum quantity of items to distribute? A. Outreach Partners must distribute at least 10 pieces per month to remain in good standing. Q. How will Outreach Partners receive items to distribute? A. YRM will mail materials directly to you. Q. Will Outreach Partners have the option of deciding which items they distribute? A. While special requests will be considered, YRM will typically select the item. Because of cost, we may begin with a card or another economically printed piece. Q. Will members be formally recognized? A. Yes, all active Outreach Partners will be listed in our bi-monthly Restoration Times magazine, except for those who wish to remain anonymous. Q. Must members report back to YRM on the number of items distributed? A. Yes, by the 15th of each month, Outreach Partners must report which items and how many they distributed for the previous month’s timespan by phone at (573) 896-1000, mail, or email @ outreach@yrm.org. Those who distribute the most will receive special acknowledgement. The most diligent will receive an RSB. Q. When will the program start? A. As soon as you sign up we will send you a starter kit. The rest will be up to you!
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Discovering
Faith Part 2
by Randy Folliard
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Faith and Obedience
ne of the saddest accounts we see in the church today is the belief that faith removes the requirement for obedience. Abraham was found righteous by faith; but nevertheless, obeyed all the commandments of Almighty Yahweh. What’s amazing is that we find Paul making this same conclusion in Romans 3:31, where he says, “Do we then make void the law through faith? Certainly not: yea, we establish the law.” After Paul says in verse 28 that a man is justified by faith without the Law, we find him asking whether we should make void the law through faith. What was his response? He says, certainly not. Instead of making void, he states that we’re to establish. The word “establish” is derived from the Greek histemi and means, “to cause or make to stand, to place, to put, to set,” Thayer’s Greek Lexicon. Even though a man is justified through faith, Paul understood that obedience was still an obligation that he and all believers had. With such a clear message from the Apostle Paul, it’s astonishing that so many still believe that faith removes the need to obey. Yahweh’s commandments define the nature of sin, Romans 3:20. For example, without the law how would we know that
murder, theft, and adultery were sin? We wouldn’t. There’s no way to measure morality without Yahweh’s commandments. The founders of this nation understood the need for Yahweh’s commandments. For example, our second president, John Adams, said this, “Suppose a nation in some distant Region should take the Bible for their only law Book, and every member should regulate his conduct by the precepts there exhibited! Every member would be obliged in conscience, to temperance, frugality, and industry; to justice, kindness, and charity towards his fellow men; and to piety, love, and reverence... What a Eutopia, what a Paradise would this region be,” Diary and Autobiography of John Adams, Vol. III, p. 9. As our second president and a signer of the Declaration of Independence, this man played a key role in the establishment and history of this great nation and understood the need for biblical law. With this nation’s move to secularism, is there any wonder why this great nation is so quickly eroding? The current policies of this nation are in opposition to the Word of our Father in heaven. Faith Without Works
James also defends to the need for obedience
with Law: “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one Elohim; thou doest well: the devils also believe and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?” James 2:17-20. James declares here that faith without works is dead, i.e., without value or benefit. Why? Faith is shown by action. Abraham obeyed Yahweh’s voice and commandments, even though he was found righteous through faith. The notion that faith eliminates our need to obey is built upon a false premise. It’s like a house of cards; it may look like a solid structure; but it requires only a small gust of wind to reveal the truth. In closing, let’s consider some of faith’s hall of fame: “And what shall I more say for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword : they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (Of whom the world was not worthy:)…” Hebrews 11:32-38. This is the greatest collection of examples of faith in the Word. Throughout time Yahweh’s people have suffered horribly, but through it all they never renounced or surrendered their faith. Some were tortured through imprisonment, sawn in half, stoned, and murdered by the sword. But through it all, these faithful men and woman never gave up. For those who died, they died in faith, knowing that in the end they would be resurrected. May we stand boldly before Yahweh’s throne being fully persuaded in the promises we find within His Word, as our ancient brothers and sisters before us. Restoration Times Magazine September-October 2013
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Study the Bible How to
by Alan Mansager
A
proper and accurate understanding of the Bible is so important that our very salvation hinges on it. Whether we walk in Truth will depend on our correct grasp of that Truth. Paul told Timothy: “Take heed unto yourself, and unto the doctrine [proper teachings]; continue in them: for in doing this you shall save both yourself, and them that hear you,” 1Timothy 4:16. Just reading the Bible is not studying it. That’s why we produced The Restoration Study Bible (see http:// restorationstudybible.org/). For a variety of reasons some passages create difficulty. Doctrinal problems easily result if care is not taken to rightly divide the Word. Most approach the Word in a piecemeal way, yanking verses or parts of verses context with often serious consequences. Bad Study Methods Yield Error
One cannot afford to be careless with the Scriptures. The Word, Paul said, is given for proper doctrine, correction, and instruction in righteous living, 2Timothy 3:16. Paul also told Timothy, “Study to show yourself approved unto Elohim, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth,” 2Timothy 2:15. So how can we study Yahweh’s Word and know that we are understanding it correctly? Five principles of Bible study will help guide us in getting the truth from each verse, while solving most problems presented by the more difficult passages. Take It at Face Value Principle One:
The first principle of proper Bible understanding is to take the passage just as
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it reads. Look first for the literal meaning. Read each word or phrase carefully and concentrate on what it says. A symbolic or deeper sense of the passage will sometimes be evident as well, especially in combination with other related passages and verses. When Yahweh commands, “Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy,” Exodus 20:8, and then explains that we are to work six days and rest the seventh, He means to keep the Sabbath literally by resting from work. He also means that only one day a week is to be kept as a Sabbath, the six others being work days. Read about those who kept the Sabbath in Scripture and note how they did it. Some believe the Sabbath command is kept only in our hearts, without any physical prohibition. Note what others did that was wrong on the Sabbath. Did they violate it just in their hearts, or did they by their actions break the command? The man in Numbers who was put to death for breaking the Sabbath was actually working on the Sabbath, not just violating it in his thoughts (Num. 15:32-36). Those who violated the Sabbath by coming to the temple to buy and sell on the seventh day were reprimanded for their desecrating conduct, Nehemiah 13:15-17. Yahweh’s Word means more than just think spiritual thoughts about the Sabbath or its significance while continuing to work on the seventh day. The Fourth Commandment would be better rendered, “Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy,” which is how a few versions render it. This shows that the command is for a literal ceasing from labor. Such Scriptures are taken at face-value, and it cannot be done any other way.
Read the Passage in Context Principle Two:
When faced with a difficult verse, read what comes immediately before and after the passage. Read all the verses surrounding it. Read the entire chapter, if necessary. Often this will reveal the true meaning. As obvious as this is, even many “experts” and clerics fail to do it and end up twisting a passage or entirely missing its meaning. An example is Romans 14:5, which has been used to support Sunday worship. “One man esteems one day above another: another esteems every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.” By reading the entire chapter, we can plainly see that Paul is addressing fasting and vegetarianism, not the day of rest (see vv. 2-3, 6). If we don’t consider the whole chapter 10 of Acts, we may be led as are others to think Peter’s vision cleansed all food today. It is only when we read down to verse 34 do we find the purpose for the vision, which is that no MAN is to be considered unclean. Let Scripture Explain Itself Principle Three:
The Bible never contradicts itself, Hebrews 6:18. Therefore, we can’t say Paul did away with the law in Galatians 3:13 only to have him upholding it in Romans 7:1, 12. If so, something has to be wrong with our interpretation. In the same way, we cannot read of the Savior’s plain instruction to the young man, “If you will enter into life, keep the Commandments,” Matthew 19:17, and then turn right around and say He abolished the law at His death. That would render His directive to the young man useless and
pointless. When a particular view of a passage does not hold up in light of other Scriptures that say the exact opposite, then something is wrong with our understanding of the passage. The Purpose for the Passage Principle Four:
You sometimes need to know why a passage was written in order to understand it properly; it may also be helpful to know to whom the passage was written and why. For example, it is popular to misinterpret 1Corinthians 16:2 to support worship on the first day of the week. “Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as Yahweh has prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.” “Lay by him in store” is not about putting offerings aside for the offering plate at church next Sunday morning. Rather, Paul is seeking aid for starving brethren during a drought-induced famine in Jerusalem. He asks that the believers in Corinth have their gifts of foodstuffs ready on the first of the week so that he can pick them up when he comes by. “Day” is not in the Greek but is added by translators. No reference to a Sunday worship service is intended or implied. A careful reading of the first four verses reveals the clear truth of the circumstance and will dispel any erroneous conclusions drawn from this passage. Some believe that Paul taught against observing Sabbaths and Feasts in Galatians 4:8-11: “Howbeit then, when you knew not Elohim, you did service unto them which by nature are no [g-ds]. But now, after that you have known Elohim, or rather are known of Elohim, how turn you again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto you desire again to be in bondage? You observe days, and months, and times, and years. I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labor in vain.” If we understand that the Galatians were converts from a pagan place called Gaul (an area of old France from which they derived their name), then it is clear that he is telling them to stop going BACK to their old heathen ways that lead to spiritual bondage. The “days, and months, and times, and years” he is speaking about are not the Sabbath and Feasts commanded at Sinai, but their old false worship that they had just left, which is defined as “weak and beggarly,”
being without substance and truth. Yahweh’s days are never referred to as weak and beggarly, but a big part of His laws that are defined as “holy ... and just, and good,” Romans 7: 12. Probably the biggest mistake of all is a failure to harmonize all the relevant Scriptures, a violation that has led to a myriad of contradictory teachings. A verse will never conflict with any other passage in the Word. Yahweh-inspired Scripture will not contain contradictions. In John 10:35 Yahshua said the Scriptures cannot be broken (“broken” is the Greek luo, meaning, “to loosen or dissolve”). Paul in 2Timothy 3:16 tells us that ALL Scripture is inspired, meaning it is “Yahweh breathed.” Language and Grammar Principle Five:
Anyone who has studied a foreign language knows that nuances of meaning are often lost in translation. By returning to the original languages as closely as possible, one can come much closer to understanding the passage correctly. Lexicons and Hebrew and Greek dictionaries are essential. The common interpretation of Romans 10:4 is that Yahshua did away with the law. “For Messiah is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believes.” The Greek word “end” is telos and means “goal.” Far from being the termination of the law, Yahshua is the very purpose for the law! The law aims at Him. The law transforms us to be like Him when we adhere to it. He said in Matthew 12:50, “For whosoever shall do the will of my father Which is in heaven, the same is My brother, and sister, and mother.” Now we can employ principles three and five and show that “end” does not mean to bring to a close. The same word telos is found in James 5: 11, “ ... you have heard the patience of Job, and have seen the end [telos] of Yahweh, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.” Telos is used in both passages. If telos means “end,” as in the end of the law, then Yahweh has also come to an end! Telos simply means “goal” or “aim” in both verses, not termination. We use the word the same way today when we talk about the end goal or the means to the end. Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance shows all the passages where each word is found and along with its meaning in
the Hebrew or Greek in each of those verses. With it you can do a parallel study of the word in question, just as we have demonstrated here. Another example of the importance of knowing the original meaning of words is in Matthew 25:46, which has been popularly interpreted to say that the wicked go to an ever-burning hell fire to roast in sulfurous agony for eternity. “And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.” Because of traditional teaching, most assume that this punishment means hell fire. The word “punishment” is from the Greek kolasis, and signifies a “lopping off.” It derives from No. 2849 in Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance Greek dictionary and means, “to curtail.” Properly interpreted, the verse tells us that the wicked will be “cut off” forever, their lives ended for all eternity. This understanding agrees with 2Thessalonians 1:9, which reads that the wicked “shall be punished with an everlasting destruction from the presence of Yahweh and from the glory of his power.” “Destruction” in this verse is the Greek olethros and means, “to destroy,” not live forever sizzling in white-hot agony for an eternity of fiery brimstone. Remember the Roots
We cannot understand the New Testament without a working knowledge of the Old Testament. Whenever you want to understand a teaching or concept, go back to the first time it was mentioned. This will offer the right foundation for understanding. There is a reason the Old Testament comes first in the Bible. This is especially true of teachings like the Feasts and Sabbath. How they are observed in the New Testament is based on their fundamentals as introduced in the Old. Many today are afraid of the Bible because they don’t understand it. If they had been encouraged to study it early on, this fear would not exist. Yahweh’s Word is simply His instructions to His people on how to prepare in this life to serve Him for eternity as part of His Family. That means to become as He and His Son are in mind and heart. To conform to their image and not to stay lost and hopeless in our own sinful, human depravity. Bible study and a lot of prayer will help us reach that lofty goal of the Kingdom. Restoration Times Magazine September-October 2013
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Revealing
Adversary the
By Randy Folliard
H
ave you ever wondered about the existence of Satan the devil? There are many who believe that Satan is nothing more than a make-believe figure in the Bible. Even among Bible believers only a fraction strongly believe in Satan’s existence. According to a 2009 survey from the Barna Group on the existence of Satan, “Four out of ten Christians (40%) strongly agreed that Satan ‘is not a living being but is a symbol of evil.’ An additional two out of ten Christians (19%) said they ‘agree somewhat’ with that perspective. A minority of Christians indicated that they believe Satan is real by disagreeing with the statement: one-quarter (26%) disagreed strongly and about one-tenth (9%) disagreed somewhat. The remaining 8% were not sure what they believe about the existence of Satan.” As we see from this survey, only a minority of Christians believe in the actual reality of Satan the devil. Forty percent of all those surveyed strongly agreed with the statement that Satan “is not a living being but is a symbol of evil.” Is it beneficial that we reject the presence of Satan the devil? The answer is no; it’s important that we
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understand that there’s demonic power and influence at work in this world. One of the best ways of overcoming an adversary is to know your enemy. If we reject the existence of that enemy the odds of deception and defeat are much higher. In this article, we’re going to discover the being known as Satan the devil. Many portray Satan as a slender, red being with a pitchfork and horns coming out of his head; the Bible, on the other hand, describes him much differently. The Anointed Cherub
Ezekiel 28 says that in the beginning Satan was perfect in his ways “…Thus saith my Sovereign Yahweh; Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty. Thou hast been in Eden the garden of Elohim; every precious stone was thy covering… Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of Elohim; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee. By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast sinned:
therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of Elohim: and I will destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire. Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness…” verses 11, 14-17. We find here Satan’s characteristics before his fall. He was the seal or whole measure of perfection. He was also full of wisdom and beauty. The Hebrew root for “wisdom” is chakam and means, “to be wise (in mind, word or act),” Strong’s. When Satan was created, he was given great wisdom. The word “beauty” is from the primitive root yaphah and means, “… to be bright, i.e. (by implication) beautiful,” Strong’s. As Ezekiel prophesied, Satan was a being of brightness. Scripture also says that he was placed in Eden, the garden of Elohim. This is likely the same Garden of Eden that we find in Genesis. So when did he rebel? Soon after our Father in heaven established the heavens and earth. In addition to his brilliance, Satan was also an anointed cherub. These are the same angelic beings that sat on the mercy seat that covered the Ark of the Covenant. Scripture
indicates here that Satan was placed in the Garden of Eden as a type of covering. We must not overlook this next point. It says that he was perfect in his ways from the day that he was created, i.e., until iniquity or sin was found in him. His heart became lifted up because of his beauty and corrupted by his wisdom and brightness. As the saying goes, absolute power corrupts absolutely. In the case of Satan the devil it wasn’t his power alone, but his obsession with absolute beauty, wisdom and perfection that corrupted his ways. Satan’s fall from grace is an example for us. As he allowed his pride to take root, which gave way to his rebellion, we too can do the same. Most of our sins and inability to repent is the result of pride. This is why we have so many passages warning against pride. In Proverbs we find seven behaviors that our Father Yahweh abhors, the first is a haughty look or pride. “These six things doth Yahweh hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren,” Proverbs 6:16-19.
• “I will sit upon the mount of congregation…” • “I will ascend above the heights of the clouds…” • “I will make myself like the most high…” He was punished for his pride and arrogance. He desired to usurp Yahweh’s own authority when he boasted that he would make himself like the Most High. No longer was he content subjugating himself to Almighty Yahweh. He wanted more, he wanted to replace or exalt himself above the Creator of this vast universe. As a result, he was cursed. Isaiah prophesied that he would be brought down to the grave (Heb. sheol). Some ask, “How it is possible for Satan, a spirit, to be destroyed?” If our Father in heaven created him, He can certainly destroy him. We will later see biblical evidence for Satan’s destruction by Yahshua the Messiah. Before moving on, there’s a lesson here for us. Many in this world have this same attitude. They refuse to subjugate or humble themselves to Almighty Yahweh. As believers we must always be subservient to Yahweh. We serve Him. If we refuse to recognize this inescapable fact, we will share in the same fate as Satan the devil.
The Great Red Dragon
In Revelation 12:3 John of Patmos describes Satan’s rebellion once more. “And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven…” The red dragon symbolizes Satan. The seven heads and ten horns represent his kingdom, which will be ruled by the Antimessiah and his False Prophet. We discuss all of this in our eye-opening booklet, the Prophecy of the Beast and the Ten Toes. If you have yet to receive a copy, call for, write, or go online for this free booklet. The third part of the stars represents the angels of heaven. When Satan rebelled, he took with him a third of all the angels. Can you imagine the skill and deception that Satan possesses to mislead a third of all the angels? He’s done the same with mankind and religion today. The fact is, many of today’s common beliefs are not supported in the Bible, including the concept that our Father’s commandments are no longer necessary. How can that possibly be when law observance is commanded throughout the New Testament, e.g. Matthew 5:17-20; 19:17; 22:37-20; Mark 10:19; John 14:15;
Lucifer, Son of the Morning
In Isaiah 14:12-15 we find another prophecy about Satan’s rebellion. The prophet states, “How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of El: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Yet thou shalt be brought down to the grave, to the sides of the pit.” Before we explore why Satan fell, let’s see what “Lucifer” means. This word comes from the Latin, meaning, “light bearing.” In Hebrew, this name derives from heylel and means, “…in the sense of brightness; the morning-star,” Strong’s. Satan is described as a being of brightness, i.e., to shine. As in Ezekiel, we find here the reason for his fall: Pride. He said: • “I will ascend to heaven…” • “I will exalt my throne above the stars of El…” Restoration Times Magazine September-October 2013
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Romans 3:31; 7:12; 13:8-10; 1Corinthians 7:19; 1John 2:3; 3:4; 5:3; Revelation 12:17; 14:12; 22:14? War in Heaven
In Revelation 12 we find a prophecy of Satan being removed from heaven. “And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him,” verses 7-9. While there is debate as to whether this passage is past or future, the Bible indicates that this war between Michael the archangel and Satan the devil has already happened. It likely occurred when Satan rebelled and took a third part of all the angels with him. As a result, Satan and his angels were cast out of heaven. Now even though their abode or home is no longer in heaven, they still have access to Yahweh. For example, in Job 1:6-7 we see that Satan appeared before Yahweh. “Now there was a day when the sons of Elohim came to present themselves before Yahweh, and Satan came also among them. And Yahweh said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered Yahweh, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.” Deception in the Garden
In Genesis 3:1-5 we find that after his rebellion he wasted no time using his new craft against mankind. It reads, “Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which Yahweh Elohim had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath Elohim said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, Elohim hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For Elohim doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as mighty ones, knowing good and evil.” Satan is depicted here as a snake. In Ezekiel 28 and Isaiah 14 he was described as a cherub or as a being of brightness. Some
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say that this snake should be described as a being of light. According to Dr. Bullinger in the Companion Bible, Appendix 19, the root word for snake, nachash, means, “…a shining one.” It goes on here to say that he, i.e., Satan, was more subtle than any other beast or creature. The Hebrew word for “subtle” is aruwm and refers to someone that is “… shrewd, crafty, sly, sensible,” Brown Driver and Briggs Hebrew Lexicon. This is yet another description of Satan’s deceptive nature. This is how he deceived a third part of the angels and how he deceived Eve, the mother of all living. After Yahweh commanded Adam and Eve to abstain from the tree of knowledge, we find Satan promising Eve that she would not die. This is the first recorded lie in Scripture; we know that the process of death began by this single sin. Satan tells Eve that she would not die, but that her eyes would be opened; that she would know good and evil. This is a prime example of how the Evil One works. What he said here was partially true; Eve’s eyes were opened. This ability to blend truth with lies is why he is so cunning and deceptive. From the beginning, Satan’s goal has been to destroy what Yahweh established through mankind and from what we see in the world today, he is succeeding. Now this is not to say that he will win the war, but right now he is winning the battle. The Great Tempter
Besides trying to deceive, in Matthew 4 we find that he also tries to tempt or pull us away from the promise of our Father in heaven. “Then was Yahshua led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred. And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of Yahweh, command that these stones be made bread. But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of Yahweh,” verses 1-4. Notice when Satan tempted Yahshua, he waited until He hungered. Satan purposely waited for His weakest moment. He does the same with you and me. He knows our weaknesses and he will do everything in his power to exploit those weaknesses. Satan wants nothing more than to discourage us from the faith. How did the
Messiah respond to Satan’s temptation? He used His Father’s Word. He said, “…it is written, you shall live by every word that proceeds from the month of Yahweh.” There was not a better passage that our Savior could have recited than this one. If we live by every Word that we find in Scripture, we will not be deceived, but like our Savior, we will overcome the Evil One. If we prove what we believe from this Book alone without bias or pretense we will not be led astray by Satan or any other adversary. But even then this walk isn’t always easy. Paul writes in 1Thessalonians 3:4-5, “For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know. For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain.” To begin with, Paul says that we will all suffer from affliction, tribulation, and trials. Contrary to the “prosperity gospel,” the life of a believer is not easy. The nonsense that our Father Yahweh blesses us with only health, wealth, and prosperity is a lie. In some ways this belief is one of Satan’s greatest achievements. He has convinced many believers that all we must do is believe and that in turn our Father Yahweh will bless us with great health, wealth, and prosperity. Yahweh’s promises center on the life to come. The Bible assures us that although we will suffer tribulation, which is often brought on by the Tempter, we know that tribulation builds character, faith, hope, and in the end, eternal life. In 2 Corinthians 11:14, Paul offers another description of Satan the devil, similar to what we saw in Ezekiel and Isaiah. He says, “And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.” The word for light comes from the Greek ‘phos,’ which means, “to shine or make manifest, especially by rays, to be luminousness,” Strong’s. As we found in Ezekiel 28 and Isaiah 14, and perhaps in Genesis 3, Satan is a being of light or brightness. Why do you suppose he transforms himself into an angel of light? This is one of his many tricks to deceive mankind. Sometimes it is aggression as a lion and at other times he may seem harmless as an angel of light. Notwithstanding, his end goal is always the same – he wants to deceive, discourage and pull us away from the faith.
“God” of This World
In 2Corinthians 4:4 we find that he’s called the “god” or theos of this world. “In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious good news of Messiah, who is the image of Elohim, should shine unto them.” We find two important truths in this passage. First, Satan is in control of this world. This is another indicator that the war between Michael the archangel and Satan has already happened. This world is essentially governed by the Evil One, Satan the devil. No wonder we see the continual increase of immorality and sin in the world today, including a disregard for marriage, through homosexual unions, and human life through abortion! Second, we find that Satan has blinded this world with his lies. Again, his primary goal is to cause mankind to turn from Almighty Yahweh. We find that he has blinded this world from seeing the good news so that they will not take part in the redemption of Yahshua the Messiah. This is why we must overcome the Evil One. Satan’s Final Destruction
Someday Satan’s reign and existence will end. Paul confirms this in Romans 16:20.
“And the Elohim of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Master Yahshua Messiah be with you. Amen.” This passage is prophetic of Satan’s destruction. Scripture states that Yahshua will “bruise” Satan under His feet. This word comes from the Greek suntribo and means, “…to crush completely, i.e. to shatter (literally or figuratively),” Strong’s. The Thayer’s Greek Lexicon states, “To break down, to crush, to tear one’s body and to shatter one’s strength.” Satan’s destructive ways will at last come to an end. Yahshua the Messiah, our Savior, will completely crush Satan under His feet, at which time he will no longer exist. In Revelation 20:10 we see that Satan will find his end in the lake that burns with fire. “And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.” At the Messiah’s return, an angel will cast Satan into the abyss where he will remain for the 1,000 years of the Millennium, Revelation 20:1-3. At the end of the 1,000 years, the Bibles states Satan will be loosed for a short time to once more deceive the nations. But as we find
here, after Satan’s final deception, he will be thrown into the lake that burns with fire. It says here that Satan will be tormented day and night forever and forever. This phrase is a metaphor denoting Satan’s complete destruction. Jude 7 says that Sodom and Gomorrah were set forth as an example to suffer the punishment of eternal fire. Today there is no fire still burning at Sodom and Gomorrah, but two cities completely consumed, lying in ash. When Satan is cast into this fire, like Sodom and Gomorrah, he will be utterly consumed. Isn’t it sad that a being who was perfect is his ways, full of wisdom and beauty, allowed that very perfection to corrupt him and seal his eternal destruction? Satan is an example of what we are all capable of doing. We can forsake our Father Yahweh for self. In the future, all who followed in Satan’s ways will be destroyed along with the Adversary. May we not be one of those, but may we stand firm until the end! Yahweh, our Father in heaven, is calling out a treasured people for his own possession. Don’t make the same mistake Satan did, but follow Yahweh always and forever.
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in Scripture
Q
I currently attend a prominent assembly, but from listening to YRM’s teachings I realize that I’m still in Babylon. Where I live there is nowhere else to worship. We do listen to the service in the Sabbath archive from your site and pray. How does Yahweh see us as not travelling to go to the feasts, not assembling on the Sabbath? What do we do?
A
The most frequent request we receive at YRM is for local fellowship. The desire to fellowship locally is great and scriptural; however, fellowship must also be done in truth, John 4:23. The Bible is clear that we cannot compromise our worship. Paul states in 2Corinthians 6:14-15, “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Messiah with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?” For this reason we must be careful who we support for local fellowship. The fact is there are many who profess the truth, but teach error. Depending on the degree of departure, it may be better to worship at home in lieu of supporting worship that doesn’t conform to Scripture. This is the reason we offer our free live broadcast from our Website.
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Regarding the Feasts, since they are less frequent we should be making a greater effort for fellowship, especially for the Feast of Tabernacles, which commands that we stay in booths (temporary dwellings). According to Zechariah 14:16, in the millennial Kingdom, all nations will be required to observe and attend this Feast. As such, believers in Yahshua today should be observing these times now. To assist with this command, Yahweh commanded the second tithe, Deuteronomy 14:22-27. For these reasons, we must make every effort to attend the Feast with a group that is scripturally grounded.
Q A
If the Passover lamb was killed after the sun went down, then why was our Passover Lamb Yahshua slain around 3:00 p.m., the 9th hour? The Passover was a convocation of the Messiah being slain. It was not possible for Yahshua to both observe the Passover, according to the command, and at the same time die for the sins of mankind. For this reason He observed the Passover on the evening (start) of Abib 14 and on the next day was sacrificed for our sins. That is what the law commanded and in obedience that is why He did what He did. Scripture is clear that Yahshua ate the Passover. We must follow His lead. In Matthew 26 He
instructed his disciples, “...Go into the city to such a man, and say unto him, The Master saith, My time is at hand; I will keep the passover at thy house with my disciples. And the disciples did as Yahshua had appointed them; and they made ready the passover,” vv. 18-19. Clearly, Yahshua confirms here that He would eat the Passover that night with His disciples. If not, He would have broken His Father’s laws, sinned, and fallen short as our Savior. Regarding the timing of Passover, we state the following in the Restoration Study Bible, “The timing of the word ‘evening’ has been a matter of debate for millennia. It is derived from the Hebrew phrase ben ha arbayim, which literally means, ‘between the two evenings.’ While rabbinical Judaism and Pharisaic and Talmudic tradition define ben ha arbayim as ‘between noon and sunset,’ it became a period of time that expanded over the centuries. The Sadducees, the Karaites, and the Samaritans define this phrase as between sunset and complete darkness. See Numbers 9:3-5, 11 and Leviticus 23:5. According to The Interpreter’s Bible, the latter definition is the older of the two views: ‘The usage of the time referring to that after sunset and before darkness is the older practice’ (p. 919),” note on Exodus 12:6.
Q
What’s the difference between YRM and Jehovah’s Witnesses? You seem to have a lot in common, other than
A
JHVH and YHWH. While we share a few similarities with the Jehovah’s Witnesses, we also have many differences, including the use of the proper names for the Father and Son, i.e., Yahweh and Yahshua, and the observance of Old Testament Law, including the dietary food laws, seventhday Sabbath and Feasts. Considering what the Bible says about these practices, the differences are significant. For example, the Sabbath is the only sign between us and our Father in heaven, Exodus 31:13. Likewise, the Name of Yahweh is the seal that will offer protection in the Great Tribulation, Revelation 7:3-4; 14:1. Also, only through the proper Names of the Father and Son are we saved, Acts 2:21; 4:12.
Q A
If Satan is a spirit and Yahshua said that angels are spirits and they cannot die, how is it that Satan will be destroyed in the lake of fire? Luke 20:36 states, “Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of Elohim, being the children of the resurrection.” The emphasis here is not that angels cannot be destroyed, but that they are immortal or live forever. To state that our Father Yahweh is unable to destroy His creation, even those immortal, is to state that He is less than omnipotent or all-powerful. In Romans 16:20 Paul verifies that Yahshua will destroy Satan: “And the Elohim of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Master Yahshua Messiah be with you. Amen.” As we explain in the Restoration Study Bible, “The word ‘bruise’ derives from the Greek suntribo meaning, ‘to crush
completely, i.e. to shatter,’ Strong’s Concordance. This word implies the complete destruction of Satan the devil by Yahshua the Messiah,” Isaiah 14 also provides evidence for Satan’s destruction. “How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of El: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Yet thou shalt be brought down to the grave, to the sides of the pit,” (vv. 12-15). The “grave” and “pit” here represent a place of death. Finally, Ezekiel 28:17-18 confirms that Satan will be reduced to ashes, “Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee. Thou hast defiled thy sanctuaries by the multitude of thine iniquities, by the iniquity of thy traffick; therefore will I bring forth a fire from the midst of thee, it shall devour thee, and I will bring thee to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all them that behold thee.” The fact that Ezekiel prophesied that Satan will be reduced to ashes shows he will be utterly destroyed. As we find in Revelation, this will occur at the end of the Millennium, the 1,000-year reign of the Messiah, Revelation 20:7-10. The phrase “...shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever” in Revelation 20:11 is a euphemism for the totality of Yahweh’s destruction. As Sodom and Gomorrah were wholly destroyed through “eternal punishment” (Jude 7), Satan in like manner will suffer the same fate.
Q
Who can baptize for it to be real? If you are baptized in Yahweh’s
Name does that make you eligible to do it or do you have to go through some ordination?
A
Only those ordained in the Faith, and who meet the qualifications of 1Timothy 3 and Titus 1, are eligible to baptize. Matter of fact, Scripture indicates that while deacons can baptize, only elders are able to lay on hands. Acts 8:12-17 states, “But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of Yahweh, and the name of Yahshua Messiah, they were baptized, both men and women. Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done. Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of Elohim, they sent unto them Peter and John: Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit: (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Master Yahshua.) Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.” While Deacon Philip was able to baptize, it took Peter and John to come lay on hands. Baptism has two parts -- the actual baptism (preceded by repentance from sins) followed by the laying on of hands by the elders. This same pattern is found throughout the NT. For this reason, baptism should not be done by a layperson or someone only baptized. We also find evidence for this in the Old Testament. In Deuteronomy 34:9 Joshua was anointed by Moses. As we note in the Restoration Study Bible, “Joshua received the Holy Spirit through the laying on of hands by Moses. Only those directly or indirectly ordained from Yahweh can impart the Holy Spirit through the laying on of hands. This also applies to the ordination of ministers in the Old and New Testaments (1Tim. Restoration Times Magazine September-October 2013
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4:14).” Yahshua Himself went to John the Baptist for baptism, not allowing any of His disciples to perform it.
Q A
I know that Yahshua replaced the old sacrifices with His sacrifice for our sins, but how do I show others that the laws of the sacrifices were done away with without doing away with the rest of Yahweh’s laws? The sacrificial law is distinct from the other laws in that it was added because of transgressions. In other words, the law, proper, was already in effect BEFORE the sacrifices were added. This is clear from Jeremiah 7:2223. Note that Yahweh commanded Israel to obey Him even before the sacrifices were given. Paul explains in Hebrews 10 that sacrifices were fulfilled by Yahshua, and then in Hebrews 10:16 says that He will put His laws in our hearts and minds, which means to obey them, Deuteronomy 30:14. So we see that sacrifices were not part of the original law, which still is mandated and which was even kept by Yahshua, Paul, and the rest of the Apostles.
Q A
Why do you use the Hebrew “Yahweh” and “Yahshua” in the Greek New Testament (in the RSB)?
In the early copies of the Septuagint, which is the Old Testament in the Greek language, the Sacred Name appears in the form of the Tetragrammaton – and not just in common Hebrew letters either but in the ancient or paleo Hebrew. This was done to preserve the proper name and esteem the true Name Yahweh in the text. This was also the practice in the Hebrew Dead Sea Scrolls. It is one
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example showing that names are not language dependent. There is no Greek form of Yahweh’s Name. Titles like “God” and “Lord” are substitutions, not translations. And neither are they Greek. “God” is from the German gott. “Lord” is Old English from the word hlafweard, meaning, “loaf keeper,” a person in charge of the feudal estate under the king. Yahweh IS King, and to address Him by a diminutive title is a dishonor. Because names are not translated, Yahweh’s Name would be the same no matter in which language it appears.
Q A Q A
Should you use a trumpet or Shofar for the Feast of Trumpets?
While Scripture doesn’t specify which trumpet was used, it’s generally assumed by scholars that the shofar or ram’s horn was used. The fact the Bible is silent on which horn was used is a good indicator that other horns would be permissible. Is the Feast of Trumpets a one-day celebration or two days... Why? What is right? Why are we provided a choice?
The Feast of Trumpets is a one-day observance. Nowhere does Scripture permit a two-day observance or provide a choice. Leviticus 23:24 clearly states that it is to be kept on the first day of the seventh month. The observance of two days is of Jewish, not biblical, origin. As we state in our Biblical Calendar booklet, “Postponement rules for Rosh Hashanah are required such that an annual Sabbath is never juxtaposed with a weekly Sabbath (prevents two consecutive non-work days); these rules are not simple – here is one of them: if the molad of a year following a leap year
which begins on Tuesday is later than Monday, 15 hours and 589 chalokim, Rosh Hashanah of the second year is postponed from Monday to Tuesday.” These added rules are not biblical and should be disregarded. The command is simply to watch for the new moon of the seventh month, and when it is confirmed, Trumpets has arrived.
Q A
Should we use the Gregorian calendar, Hebrew calendar or Jewish calendar to determine the Feasts? Which one is correct and is most appropriate for a Gentile and why? We s h o u l d o b s e r v e the Hebrew or biblical calendar, because this is the calendar that our Father in heaven established in the beginning and the calendar that Yahshua observed in the New Testament. Today’s Jewish calendar came after the life of the Messiah, largely the work of Hillel II in the fourth century CE. Regardless whether we’re Jew or gentile, the New Testament makes no distinction, as we are all one in Messiah, Galatians 3:26-29, and are obligated to the same commandments, Matthew 5:17-20.
Q A
How is one to define no work as it pertains to the Feast days? What does that mean specifically and what if I need to work that day or on any of those days? There are two different words for Sabbath in Scripture. One is shabbath and means, “intensive from OT:7673; intermission, i.e (specifically) the Sabbath,” Strong’s Greek Dictionary. This word refers to the weekly Sabbath
and to the Day of the Atonement. The other word is shabbathown and means, “from OT:7676; a sabbatism or special holiday,” Strong’s. Since both words share the same root, shabath,”... to repose, i.e. desist from exertion” (Strong’s), both days prohibit work in general, including from employment. However, from scriptural examples, it appears that the Feasts allow for a minimal level of work so that Feastgoers can keep the Feast. For instance, the Feast of Unleavened Bread allows for meal preparation (Exodus 12:15), while the weekly Sabbath does not (Exodus 16:23).
Q A
Should we obey rabbinic or Biblical Law? Christianity has misinterpreted the Bible and OT Laws. Have not rabbinic literature and laws done just the same? Why entertain or adhere to either one? Both Christian and Jewish traditions should be avoided. We are to adhere only to the Bible. Yahshua and Paul both condemned the traditions and doctrines of men. Writing to the Scribes and Pharisees, the Messiah in the seventh chapter of Mark said, “...Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of Elohim, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do,” verses 6-8. It should be noted that Yahshua is not referring here to biblical commandments, but to rabbinic law as found in the Talmud. Paul also states in Colossians 2:20-23, “Wherefore if ye be dead with Messiah from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye
subject to ordinances, (Touch not; taste not; handle not; Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body: not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.” Any belief or doctrine that doesn’t conform to our Father’s Word must be avoided. This includes much of today’s traditional worship.
Q A
Why God vs. G-d?
Since “god” comes from a word meaning to pour as a molten image, we choose not to apply this to Yahweh and to make a distinction when we must use it. As we state in the RSB on Genesis 1:1: “... Today, Elohim has been falsely replaced with the generic title ‘God,’ which is neither correct, based on the Hebrew, nor honoring to Yahweh, based on its etymological roots. According to one reference, ‘It has been also suggested that the word might mean a “molten image” from the sense of to “pour’’ (Encyclopaedia Britannica, vol. 12, 1911). See Oxford English Dictionary. The abbreviated form ‘El’ is found in many names of Yahweh’s people, including Israel, Ezekiel, Daniel, Eliyah (Elijah), Samuel, and Joel.”
Q A
Yahweh vs. Yehovah, how do we know which is correct?
Based on scholarship and biblical evidence, we believe that “Yahweh” and “Yahshua” are the closest to the original pronunciations for the Father and Son. The form “Yehovah” evolved from the practice of adding the vowel points from
Adonai to the Tetragrammaton, the four letters of Yahweh’s Name (yod-heywaw-hey) and creating a hybrid in order to hide the Name. For more information, see our booklet, Your Father’s Name.
Q A
What difference does it make whether we worship on Saturday or Sunday?
Our Father in heaven established the Sabbath on the seventh-day of the week, at creation when he rested, the seventh day as an example for us. As Yahshua said, the Sabbath was made for man. This is Saturday, not Sunday. Furthermore, the Sabbath was only changed through civil law and church dogma, neither of which had the authority to make any change in worship or in the day that we worship on. As we state in our booklet, Sabbath Keeping – Answering the Arguments, “In his famous edict of 321 CE, Constantine declared, ‘On the Venerable Day of the Sun let the magistrates and people residing in cities rest, and let all workshops be closed. In the country, however, persons engaged in agriculture may freely and lawfully continue their pursuits; because it often happens that another day is not so suitable for grainsowing or for vine-planting; lest by neglecting the proper moment for such operations the bounty of heaven should be lost.’ “Think about this — a sun worshipper changed the day that our Father in heaven established in favor of a day that was being honored and observed to the sun. This edict undeniably verifies the paganism of Sunday worship. There is, again, not a single verse in the New Testament confirming that the day of worship changed from the seventh to the first-day of the week. This change was only through the pen of man, not through the inspiration of Almighty Yahweh, the one with whom we should be concerned. Restoration Times Magazine September-October 2013
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” The Restoration Study Bible - 2nd Edition If you want a Bible that answers the hard questions, then the Restoration Study Bible is for you. This attractive and durable resource offers insight and clarity found nowhere else. It is the result of 150 years of in-depth study spanning three generations of scholarship. The Restoration Study Bible examines the source languages behind the English text to reveal original meanings. In addition to restoring the sacred names Yahweh and Yahshua, this unique Bible has thousands of eye-opening study notes, cross-references, instructional charts, a topical reference, Strong’s numbering and Strong’s Hebrew and Greek dictionaries. It answers such questions as: What is the Father’s Name and its meaning? Are we saved by grace alone? Is the law against the promise of faith? What are the signs of the Messiah’s Second Coming? What do the toes of Daniel’s prophetic image represent and how will they impact this world? You can have your own 2,100-page Restoration Study Bible for a donation of only $25, plus shipping and handling. Orders may be made online at yrm.org/bible or by credit card Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, Central, by dialing 1- 573-896-1000.
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