YAIY Beacon • May - June 2007 1 · YAIY Beacon • May - June 2007 5 edition), under “Pentecost,” page 123, reads in part: “Hebrews numeration always included the day which

YAIY Beacon • May - June 2007 1

2 YAIY Beacon • May - June 2007

3 Our Mission and purpose is to reachpeople around the world with themessage of the revealed personalNames of Yahweh and His SonYahshua the Messiah, as well asteaching the salvation truths thathave been neglected for centuries.

This magazine, YAIY Beacon, ispublished bi-monthly by Yahweh’sAssembly in Yahshua, 2963 Co. Rd.233, Kingdom City, MO 65262.

This magazine is sent free ofcharge, made possible through thetithes and offerings of those who de-sire to see the light of truth shine inour day.© 2007 Yahweh's Assembly in Yahshua

Mail: Y AIY 2963 Co. Rd. 233 Kingdom City, MO 65262

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Cover: a field of wheat is ready to beharvested - the second harvest.

MISSIONSTATEMENT

TABLE OF CONTENTSVolume 1 Number 3

Pentecost-Feast of Weeks-Feast of Firstfruits 3Whatever the name is, it is one of seven all important Sabbathswe are commanded to keep. by Elder Donald R. Mansager

Pentecost - Yahweh’s Way 7What is the meaning of Pentecost? by Elder David Brett

Our Duty 10As proclaimed followers of Yahshua, what is our duty? by Elder Lionel Gets

Words 12A picture is said to be worth a thousand words. But, how impor-tant are the words we speak? by Elder Roger G. Meyer

The Land of Canaan 16After the exodus who were, and who were not, allowed toenter into the land promised to the Israelites? by Elder Roger G. Meyer

What Should We Do? 18When confronted with what is false doctrine, what must onedo? by Elder Donald R. Mansager

In the Likeness of Elohim 21Let the fundamental truth (Yahweh’s Word - the Bible) speak out. by Elder John Fisher


As most know, the Holy Spirit was given in the NewTestament - at Pentecost. But few understand the OldTestament importance of this day and the great significanceit gives to Pentecost in the New Testament. Yahweh’s annual observances represent a covenantbetween Him and His people. Perhaps of all commandedmemorials none characterizes the covenant relationshipbetter than Pentecost. This observance—also called theFeast of Weeks—is one of three during which we arecommanded to assemble. (The two others are the Feast ofUnleavened Bread and the Feast of Tabernacles.) The covenant between Yahweh and Israel was ratifiedon Pentecost. At this time the law was given to Moses onMt. Sinai (Exodus 20) and expounded, chapters 21-23.Israel had agreed to observe it as Yahweh’s chosen, 19:5,8. But Israel soon broke the covenant at Sinai and Yahwehpromised to make a new covenant with man. About 1500years later the new covenant was put into effect again atPentecost, Acts 2:1-4. The New Testament (covenant)assembly of Yahweh’s chosen was born that day, whenthe Holy Spirit was given. The physical sacrifices andceremonies surrounding the old covenant law keeping hadbeen abolished by Yahshua and the Holy Spirit was givento enable man to better keep the covenant law. In Hebrews 10:15-17, Yahweh explains the nature ofthe law under the new covenant: Whereof the Holy Spirit also is a witness to us; for afterthat He has said before, “This is the covenant that I willmake with them after those days, saith Yahweh; I will putMy laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.” How do we know when Pentecost occurs? Let’s go backto Leviticus 23 where the holy days are mentioned in detail.

PentecostFeast ofWeeksFeast ofFirstfruits

Mount Sinai - where the law was given Lev. 23:4 instructs us, “These are the feasts of Yahweh,even holy convocations, which ye shall proclaim in theirseasons.” It should be noted here first of all that these areYahweh’s feasts, not Moses’ feasts or Jewish feast days.Verse 11 reads, “And he shall wave the sheaf before Yahweh,to be accepted for you: on the morrow after the sabbath thepriest shall wave it.” Here we find that the morrow after thesabbath is the wave sheaf to be offered to Yahweh, and it isalso the day that we begin our count to Pentecost or theFeast of Weeks (Ex. 34:22). Verse 15 instructs, “And yeshall count unto you from the morrow after the sabbath fromthe day that ye brought the sheaf of the wave offering; sevensabbaths shall be complete.”

Which Sabbath Starts The Count?Now the Jews and some others contend that the sabbathday referred to is the first day of the Feast of UnleavenedBread, which is Abib 15—the first holy day of the year (Lev.23:6-7). If this were true, would not Yahweh have given anexact date for Pentecost, as He does for Passover, Feastof Trumpets, Day of Atonement, and Feast of Tabernacles?If the sabbath is the holy day starting the Feast ofUnleavened Bread, your count for Pentecost would alwaysend up on the 6th day of the third month, according to theJewish calendar. Why give detailed instructions on how tocalculate Pentecost when all you need do is to wait untilthe 3rd month and sixth day? Verse 16 of Leviticus 23 goes on to say, “even unto themorrow after the seventh sabbath shall ye number fifty days.”It is obvious that in having to count fifty days, Pentecostwill vary within the third month. By giving us this method ofcalculating, Yahweh tells us that although the morrow afterthe weekly Sabbath (within the Days of Unleavened Bread)


may be a different date within Abib,we are always to observe Pentecost50 days from that day. Even though man does not alwaysunderstand, Yahweh’s Word has apurpose. Yahweh does not try tocomplicate or confuse those trulyseeking to obey His commandments(1 Cor. 14:33).

It Is As Simple As 1-2-3Clearly, we count from the day afterthe weekly Sabbath, or Sunday, sevensabbaths to the day after the seventhsabbath, which would be the first dayof the week. When we tell our childrento count from l to 10, do they begin

with number 1 or do they skip 1 andstart with the number 2? Obviously, thenumber 1 is included. The same is truewhen we measure someone from headto toe. We measure both the head andthe toe to get the correct height of thatindividual. So the word “from” includesthe starting day. If we were to begin the count theday after the high sabbath, rather thanafter the weekly sabbath during thefeast, the 5Oth day could fall anywherebetween the 2nd and the 7th day, andnot on the first day of the week or the“morrow after the seventh Sabbath” asScripture prescribes. The word translated “morrow” is theHebrew “mochorath”, No. 4283 inStrong’s Exhaustive ConcordanceHebrew Dictionary, and is translatedin 25 other places as morrow, “dayafter.” In the 15th verse we read, “andye shall count unto you from themorrow after the sabbath, from the daythat ye brought the sheaf of the waveoffering; seven sabbaths shall becomplete.” In Hebrew reckoning—or trueScriptural reckoning—a week iscomplete as the Sabbath ends. Thefirst day of the week, therefore, is the“morrow after the sabbath.” Verse 15also says that seven weeks or sevensabbaths of weeks shall be complete.Scripturally, the morrow after theweekly sabbath (“sabbath” is No. 7676in Strong’s which is the weeklysabbath, not No. 7677, shab-bathown,which is a special holiday or holy day)shows that we must count from thebeginning of the first day through theseventh day for one full week. Seven full weeks brings us to the49th day, the seventh sabbath, andthus we arrive at Pentecost: “even untothe morrow after the seventh sabbathshall ye number fifty days; and ye shalloffer a new meat [meal] offering untoYahweh.” Numbers 28:26 reads, “Also in theday of the firstfruits, when ye bring anew meal offering unto Yahweh, afteryour weeks be out, ye shall have anholy convocation; ye shall do no servilework.” The word “out” means “on theeve of your weeks,” which is anotherway of saying sunset, as the Sabbath

ends and the first day of the weekbegins. Compare Deuteronomy 16:9.In this manner of counting toPentecost, one could not have arrivedat any other day to offer the wave sheafexcept on the first day of the week. The Pharisees contended that theSabbath mentioned here is the 15thor the first day of Unleavened Bread.Others, including the Karaites and theSadducees, contended that it is theweekly Sabbath and that the rabbischanged the count. We find that the Jews are in errorin the day that they observe the Feastof Weeks even though they do use theScriptural method of counting days.The Encyclopaedia Britannica (1911

After Moses received the Law on twotablets of stone written by the fingerof Yahweh on Mount Sinai, he be-came distraught when he saw theIsraelites worshipping the golden calf.

To obtain a printout of the followingmini-study go to page 23


edition), under “Pentecost,” page 123,reads in part: “Hebrews numerationalways included the day which is theterminus a quo [starting point] as wellas that which is the terminus ad quem[ending point].” The Jewish calendar has Passoveron the wrong day (though the Sederservice is on the fourteenth) in additionto not keeping Pentecost on thecorrect day. By missing them, theJews do not receive the blessings andbenefit of these days. They haverejected the Messiah as the Redeemerof Israel. Neither do they receive thespiritual enlightenment ofPentecost. Therefore, theyare not aware of the spiritualintent and meaning ofYahweh’s plan of salvationembodied in His feast days. The Sadducees werepriests and before they weresupplanted by the Phariseesthey were the priestly house.Because the offices wereinherited, the Sadduceesrepresent an older, morebiblical heritage. The JewishEncyclopedia article on theSadducees reads: “They[Sadducees] contend that theseven weeks from the barleysheaf offering to Pentecostshould, according to Lev.23:15-16, be counted from theday after the sabbath, andconsequently that Pentecostshould always be celebratedon the first day of the week.” In thisthey obviously followed the old biblicalview.

New Testament andPentecostWhat does the New Testament sayabout the counting of Pentecost? It ispossible to prove from the NewTestament that the counting beginswith the day after the weekly Sabbath. In John 20 Yahshua was speakingto Mary Magdalene after He rose fromthe grave. Take special note of verse17, “Yahshua saith unto her, ‘Touch Menot, but go to My brethren, before Iascend to My Father: and say unto

them, I shall ascend unto My Father,and your Father; and to My El, andyour El.’ “ From John 20:1 we see that it wasdark and it was the first day of theweek. The count toward Pentecosthad begun. It was what we callSaturday night. Now notice thatYahshua had told Mary not to touchHim because He had not yet ascendedto His Father. As we move to the 28th chapter ofMatthew, harmonizing the Evangelaccounts, verse one tells us that it wasstill the Sabbath as Mary Magdalene

and the other Mary came to look atthe sepulchre. Beginning with verse 5we learn that the Savior has risen, andthat He would see them in Galilee.Verse 9 relates that they hurried to thedisciples and were met by the SaviorHimself. They took hold of His feet andworshipped Him. In John’s account, Mary is told notto touch Him. Yet Matthew reveals thatlater the same night (our Saturdaynight) they were allowed to touch Him.Obviously, the Savior had ascended tothe Father on the beginning of the firstday of the week to be accepted by Him.He was the Firstfruits, the waveoffering.

Notice the following Scripture: “Butnow is Messiah risen from the dead,and become the FIRST-FRUITS ofthem that slept. For since by mancame death, by man came also theresurrection of the dead. For as inAdam all die, even so in Messiah shallall be made alive. But every man in hisown order: MESSIAH THEFIRST-FRUITS; afterward they that areMessiah’s at His coming” (1 Cor. 15:2023). “ . . . that He might be theFIRSTBORN among many brethren”(Romans 8:29). “And He is the Headof the body, the Assembly: Who is the

beginning, THE FIRSTBORNfrom the dead” (Colossians1:18). His sacrifice fulfilled thesymbolism of the wave sheaf.

Yahshua the First ofthe FirstfruitsFollowing His resurrection,Yahshua had to appear beforethe Heavenly Father to beaccepted. In the same way theOld Testament high priest hadto wave the sheaf of barley tobe accepted of Yahweh beforethe Spring harvest couldcommence. As the wave sheaf of grainwas offered on the first day ofthe week, so was Messiah, ourWave Sheaf, offered to Yahwehon the first day of the week.After His ascension thedisciples were permitted totouch Him:

Then saith He to Thomas, “Reachhither thy finger, and behold my hands;and reach hither thy hand and thrust itinto my side; and be not faithless, butbelieving,” John 20:27. As the Firstfruit, Yahshua portraysthe first one ever to be born into theElohim family of Yahweh by aresurrection from the dead.

Old Testament aForeshadowLeviticus 23:10-12 tells of the wavesheaf offered to Yahweh to be acceptedfor us. Yahshua ascended to beaccepted by the Father and was right


in His Holy presence, typified by theHigh Priest going into the Holy ofHolies on the Day of Atonement withthe offering for himself. Upon Hisacceptance on the first day of theweek, the Savior then could return toearth to be seen and touched by manypeople, 1 Cor. 15:5-7. Now He is in the heavensinterceding for us: But every man in his own order; theMessiah the firstfruits; afterwards theythat are the Messiah’s at His coming,1 Corinthians 15:23. The offering of the wave sheaf wasto begin the count toward Pentecostand was waved “on the morrow afterthe Sabbath,” Leviticus 23:11. Yahshuafulfilled this prophecy and ascendedthe day (morrow) atter the weeklySabbath. He could not have ascendedto the Father the day after the highsabbath (which is the first day ofUnleavened Bread) because He wasin the tomb that day. He had to be in the tomb three fulldays and three full nights, Matthew12:40. The Hebrew idiom of daymeaning any part of a day does notapply when the number of nights isincluded. When evening and morning,or day and night, are used together, a24 hour period is denoted. (CompanionBible appendix 144). Counting from the first day of theweek (which is the morrow after theonly Sabbath Yahshua could havefulfilled—the weekly Sabbath) bringsus to another first day of the week 50days later. Pentecost (or Firstfruits)always falls on the first day of theweek, Sunday. It should be clear that the harmonyof the Scriptures teach that the morrowafter the weekly Sabbath is the day tobegin our count. To claim thatPentecost should not fall on the firstday of the week because of paganworship ties to that day should notaffect our observance of this day inkeeping with True Worship. After all,Sunday is no worse than Monday orany other. Yahweh set all the sabbathdays according to His plan, not man’s.If we allow this to keep us trom TrueWorship, we cannot be an effectivewitness against false worship.

The sabbath mentioned in Leviticus23 is the weekly Sabbath. Yahshua,having risen at the end of the Sabbath,would not let anyone touch Him untilHe had ascended to Yahweh. LaterSaturday night, on the first day of theweek, He allowed His followers to touchHim. Following the Jews’ teachings iserroneous because they rejected theMessiah and His example. Some commentaries note that thePharisees made the sabbath fall onAbib 15 so that they could partake ofthe new harvest earlier instead ofwaiting a few more days until theweekly Sabbath to present the wavesheaf. Lev. 23:14 says, And you shall eat neither bread,nor parched corn, nor green ears. untilthe selfsame day that you have broughtan offering unto your Elohim: it shallbe a statute forever throughout yourgenerations in all your dwellings. The mention of bread, parchedcorn, and green ears refers to the factthat they were not to eat of any of thenew grain harvest until after they hadmade the offering to Yahweh. Theywould, of course, have bread of the old

harvest to use for Passover and thefirst high day because we arecommanded to eat unleavened breadbeginning with Abib 15. To say it hasto be the sabbath of Abib 15 so thatthere could be bread for the first dayof Unleavened Bread is incorrect. If youwait until the new harvest, you will havenothing for the first high day and willbreak the command to eat unleavenedbread seven days. They had to usetheir old grain at least until “the morrowalter the sabbath.”

Count Can’t Begin Abib 16Joshua 5:10-11 has been a problem tosome who would like to force aninterpretation that Abib 16 was the dayto begin the count toward the Feast ofWeeks (Pentecost), And the children of Israelencamped in Gilgal, and kept thePassover on the fourteenth day of themonth at even in the plains of Jericho.And they did eat of the old corn of theland on the morrow after the Passover,unleavened cakes, and parched cornin the selfsame day. Because the Israelites ate of theold corn of the land on the morrow afterPassover, some teach that this wasthe day of the wave sheaf offeringcommanded in Leviticus 23: 10-12.Supposedly, the Israelites could noteat of the new crop until the wave sheafwas offered. This wave sheaf was tobe offered “on the morrow after theSabbath.” Closer scrutiny of these verses inJoshua reveals that they ate of the oldcorn. It does not say the Israelites ateof the NEW produce of the land.Obviously, they were able to obtain theold grain that was stored by theCanaanites and abandoned when theIsraelites invaded the land. It isapparent Israel’s crossing over of thedry Jordan terrorized the Canaanites,for instead of being on guard afterinvading enemy territory, Joshuacircumcised the people—whoobviously required time for recovery,Joshua 5:8. Joshua 5:10 relates that Israel keptthe Passover on the 14th day of the

To obtain a printout of the followingbooklet go to page 23.

<Pentecost see page 20>


Pentecost meansto count 50

Pentecost

Yahweh’sWay

One of the most significant days in history is sorelyremembered nor is observed by most. Ask anyone on thestreet and they generally won’t even recognize what theFeast of Weeks is or what is more popularly known in theGreek vernacular as Pentecost. They may have heard about it. But they really don’tknow what it is. The fact is, we should be traveling to attendthis holy day of Yahweh as was done in both the Old andNew Testament times by Yahweh’s people.

What Pentecost MeansPentecost is the Greek word for the number fifty. It is fiftydays counted from the day after the weekly Sabbath thatfalls within the Days of Unleavened Bread. From a Sundayseven weeks forward to another Sunday. Seven completeweeks or Sabbaths are to be counted: You shall also count for yourselves from the day afterthe sabbath, from the day when you brought in the sheaf ofthe wave offering; there shall be seven complete sabbaths.You shall count fifty days to the day after the seventhsabbath; then you shall present new grain offering to Yahweh,Lev 23:15-16 NASU. The wave sheaf offering or firstfruit offering (the first partof the harvest) of barley was given by the priest to Yahweh. On the day after the Sabbath, the priest will lift it upbefore Yahweh so it may be accepted on your behalf, Lev23:11 NLT. The significance here is that we see the connectionbetween the offering being made on behalf of the people aspointing toward our Savior, Yahshua the Messiah, beingoffered on our behalf. Yahshua gave His life and allowed HisBlood to be poured out as an offering. He was the Firstfruit

offered up to Yahweh on our behalf. He is the First of thefirstfruits, But every man in his own order: Messiah the firstfruits;afterward they that are Messiah’s at his coming, 1 Cor 15:23.

New Testament TimesIt was after Yahshua ascended on the day of the wave sheafoffering that He kept His promise to send the Spirit of Yahweh(Holy Spirit) to abide in the people who obey the laws ofYahweh and keep their faith in Him. The account is given inActs chapter 2. Some of the marvelous acts of Yahweh’s Spirit at work,such as speaking in different coherent languages, aren’tseen today. The question is why? The answer may surprise you. Look for the YAIY Mini-Study called “Tongues: Past, Present, and Future” availableonline in the “Biblical Explanations” section under “FreeLiterature.” The Apostle Peter, who was himself obedient to the lawof Yahweh, preached strongly in Yahshua’s name,proclaiming remission of sins through His name and thatthe Holy Spirit is available to those who are submissive toYahweh: We are witnesses of these things, and so is the HolySpirit, whom Elohim has given to those who obey him, Acts5:32 NIV. The Messiah was a propitiation (offering) for our sinsthat we might be forgiven of the death penalty which sin (1John 3:4) ultimately brings upon a person. We are all guiltyof sin whether we know what the law says or not: People who do not have the law and who are sinners willbe lost, although they do not have the law. And, in the


same way, those who have the law andare sinners will be judged by thelaw. Hearing the law does not makepeople right with Elohim. It is thosewho obey the law who will be right withhim, Rom 2:12-13 NCV. We can be justified by the deathand shed blood of a sinless sacrifice,which Yahshua, the Anointed One ofYahweh, was. That is, if we get in stepwith what Yahweh says to do, andbelieve that His Son does have savingpower within His Name, Neither is there salvation in anyother: for there is none other nameunder heaven given among men,whereby we must be saved, Acts 4:12.

Sign of the TimesIf this all seems like a lot of informationto digest or to try to explain to

someone, you may be right. It isdifficult for many to understand due tonot being brought up to regularly studythe Bible, which regrettably happensto be the case with most people today. There are also false teachings thathave crept in and degraded everythingfrom what Passover is and should becalled, to what the true names of theFather and the Son are. Many claim to be religious, but failto study or read the Bible. Christianity,in general, has many adherents whoattend services on a regular basis. Ifsome do go out and purchasecommentaries or other study aids, withstudying the Bible in mind, they maypick up a liberal or minimalist’swritings (writings which question thevalidity of historical accounts writtenin Scripture), which just confusesmatters and can cause the little faithof some to evaporate completely. There is much anti-Bible rhetoricin both Bible commentaries written andthe so-called documentaries producedfor cable or television that put aquestion mark on many of the historicalaccounts. “Did King David reallyexist?” “Was the Apostle Paul a realperson?” “Did Moses actually write thefirst five books?” “How could there be2 million during the exodus out ofEgypt?” “Were there even anyIsraelites?” “Did a Messiah actuallyraise the dead?” “Could He have reallysweat blood?” And many other questions that areproposed of which the Bible,archeology, and even science time andtime again keep answering in theaffirmative, proving the Bible is a trueand accurate account of both OldTestament and New Testament timesof peoples and events. The schools of modern theology dohave professors who take theconservative view of literalinterpretation and show from the Bibleand many times from archeologicalfinds and science, that indeed the Bibleis true, reliable, and thereforetrustworthy. However, there are just asmany today, if not more, who take theliberal and negative viewpoint. Forthem there should be a warning on theirdoor saying, “Student Beware.”

Read and ObeyThere are few people today thatactually keep the day of Pentecost inreverence according to Scripture.Speaking of Feast of Weeks/Pentecost, we are told by Yahweh, On that same day you are toproclaim a sacred assembly and dono regular work. This is to be a lastingordinance for the generations to come,wherever you live, Lev 23:21 NIV. The Apostle Paul read and obeyedScripture. He tells us, “Be ye followersof me, even as I also am of Messiah,”1 Cor 11:1. He, like the Messiah, keptthe day in reverence according toScripture, “…for he hasted, if it werepossible for him, to be at Jerusalemthe day of Pentecost,” Acts 20:16. We know Yahshua kept the day ofPentecost holy since he was withoutsin (Heb 4:15) and also taught that we




are to obey His Father’s laws, and ifwe don’t there will be consequences: …It is written, Man shall not live bybread alone, but by every word thatproceedeth out of the mouth ofYahweh…Whosoever therefore shallbreak one of these leastcommandments, and shall teach menso, shall be called least in the kingdomof heaven: but whosoever shall do andteach them, he shall be called greatin the kingdom of heaven, Matt 4:4;5:19 ASV.

Traveling to PentecostPaul traveled to Jerusalem to be withothers on the day of Pentecost.Remember, it is a “holy convocation,”(Lev 23:21) that is, a gathering withothers of like faith (Acts 2:1) in

obedience to the Heavenly Father. Allmales are commanded to come beforeHim on this and at two other Feasts,but ideally the whole family shouldattend: Three times thou shalt keep a feastunto me in the year. Thou shalt keepthe feast of unleavened bread: (thoushalt eat unleavened bread sevendays, as I commanded thee, in the timeappointed of the month Abib; for in itthou camest out from Egypt: and noneshall appear before me empty:) Andthe feast of harvest, the firstfruits ofthy labours, which thou hast sown inthe field: and the feast of ingathering,which is in the end of the year, whenthou hast gathered in thy labours outof the field. Three times in the year allthy males shall appear before YahwehElohim, Ex 23:14-17. The word “times” in verse 14 istranslated from the Hebrew word “regel”(#7272) and holds the meaning of“foot,” “leg or journey.” The word “times” in verse 17 is adifferent word, but holds a similarmeaning, even clarifying further theother term in verse 14. It’s the Hebrewword “pa’am” (#6471) and means,“footstep,” “hoof beat,” “strokes orsteps.” In America there is the phrase orterm called “hoofing it,” which bringsto attention that one is walkingsomewhere. These three Feast daysare commanded sojourning Feasts.They are different from the other HolyDays of Yahweh in that you must travelto these if at all possible. Paul’s example, as previouslymentioned, made an effort to travel tothe Feast. He did travel to Jerusalemfor the Feast(s), and some may saythat is where we should go today, buttoday there is no Temple to meet at inJerusalem.

Distinction MadeIt is noteworthy that Yahweh seemsto have clearly made a distinction ofthose being obedient and having faithin Yahshua, compared to those whomay have only kept the law, such asthe Pharisees, for example, worshipingat the Temple.

Those gathered together forPentecost with Apostles Peter, Johnand others (Acts 1:13) had no doubtbeen planning to go to the Temple later(Acts 3:1), but received the Spiritoutside of being in the Temple beforethey had the opportunity to enter. There are some that think we stillneed to go by Jerusalem time, Templeor not, since that is Yahweh’s Holyland. Listen in on the conversationbetween the woman at the well andYahshua who explained in detail oursituation today: “Our fathers worshiped on thismountain, but you say that inJerusalem is the place where peopleought to worship.” Yahshua said toher, “Woman, believe me, the hour is



<Fifty see page 20>


In general, people feel safe and secure belonging to a groupor institution which thinks and does what they believe iscorrect and proper. This is mainly a result of their basiceducation, whether it be Jewish, Christian, Muslim,Communism, Socialism or any other religion, or order ofhuman structure, of society, of which there are manyhundreds in the world. This form of “conditioning” creates aset pattern in the minds of the people, tribe or nation,namely their traditions, or “way of life,” which we could calla “preconceived idea.” The trouble amongst us humans isthat it automatically gives us a table to “judge” others whodo not belong to our way of thinking. That “table” becomesthe preconceived “set of judgments,” and many will neverbudge from it! As Father’s Word states, all this will end indeath, For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of Yahweh iseternal life through Yahshua Messiah our Master, Rom 6:23. The outcome is very apparent when we look around andsee the history of man. Need I go into the statistics of itsresults, from petty crime to all-out international wars? Man does not know the way to peace nor ever will, aslong as he is without the Almighty Father’s Spirit. Their feet run to do evil, and they make haste to shedinnocent blood: their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity;wasting and destruction is in their path. The way of peacethey know not, and there is no judgment in their goings,they have made themselves crooked paths: whoever followstherein shall not know peace, Isaiah 59:7-8. And the way of peace they have not known, Romans3:17. Read also Ezekiel 13:16, and Matthew 10:34. Many of these groups which I have mentioned professto have one guiding “line” or “table of conduct.” They evenhave it resting on a shelf besides them, or even set uponthe altar of their place of worship. Yet, when they read this“Table of Conduct” they seem to find many contradictions,and that could be because of their basic teachings, or“preconceived ideas.” I am referring to one of the most

OurDuty

publicized, and the most translated set of Writings in theworld, the Sacred Scriptures, the BIBLE! I have no doubtanyone reading this possesses a copy of the Bible, maybethey have two or three translations of it in their own home. With all this in mind, a question arises. How can somany have so many different answers, or come to so manydifferent conclusions, when they say they are applyingScripture, and what is the duty of the individual to overcomethis predicament? The answer to the first part of the question is thatScripture is Spiritually discerned, and it is not being revealedto the human mind without the mind being opened to thatunderstanding by our Creator’s Spirit, But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spiritof Yahweh: for they are foolishness unto him: neither canhe know them, because they are spiritually discerned, 1Cor 2:14. He only reveals His Spirit to whom He, The AlmightyFather, calls, No man can come to me, except the Father which hathsent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day,John 6:44. When the worldly read His Word, they, with their naturalhuman character, tend to either read words into, or out of,the text to suit a particular thought or doctrine they have inmind. Even though there are contradictions to that doctrinein Scripture, man will cling to it as long as his mind is notopen to the Almighty Father’s Spirit, therefore breaking alaw which is written in Deuteronomy 4:2, in Jeremiah 26:2and is repeated in the last book of the Bible in Revelation22:19, which also places a condemnation on those who dosuch a thing. Secondly, our first duty is to seek, be after, follow, gogunning for, go in pursuit (quest) of, hunt, inquire after, lookfor, search for, aim for, aspire to, endeavor, strive towards,try, entreat, or request the Kingdom of Yahweh. Andeverything else which is of far less importance will be grantedunto you in the Almighty’s time,


But seek ye first the kingdom ofYahweh, and his righteousness; andall these things shall be added untoyou, Matt 6:33. Our only physical tool at this agefor seeking the Kingdom is by readingthe Words which have been preservedby the power of Yahweh within thepages of the Bible, with a mind ofmeekness and a willingness to change(repent) when we obtain correctionthrough His Word. Very fewunderstand the Biblical meaning ofbeing meek, and it is far from beingfragile, coward like or a doormat, oreven a weakling. No! It means to beeasily guided into knowledge of theTruth, an ability to receive instructionon how to worship and pray to theAlmighty, and have a willing mind tolearn in humility and patience. Did you not know Moses wasmeek, and he was far from being aweak character? (Numbers 12:3,Psalm 22:6, 25:9, 37:11, 76:9, 147:6,149:4, Isaiah 11:4, 29:19 and 61:1) Matthew 11:29 says, Take myyoke upon you and learn of me…. Matthew 21:5 says Messiah wasregarded as meek, being submissiveto law. 1 Corinthians 2:16 tells us, For whoknows the will of Yahweh, that he maybe instructed? But we have the mindof Messiah. We gain this through the study ofHis Word. By the reading of His Word welearn to know His law; by applying theWord, we know His promises to Hispeople shall always stand firm; and bydoing so we will begin to know Him.But those who say they know Him,and do not apply His law, the Scripturepoints out that they are liars, and theTruth of Yahweh is not in them. Read1st John 2:4 and Matthew 28:18-20. Messiah’s instruction to us is thatwe are to speak out to all nations ofthe world and teach them to observeall things which He has commandedus, including news of the kingdomwhich Yahweh shall set up, and tobaptize those who come forward inrepentance under the authority of theSon’s Name.

There is nothing wrong forYahweh’s people to have goals in life.After all, He encourages us to striveto obtain that which He has set beforeus, claiming all the wonderful promisesHe offers His people. Beloved, I wish above all thingsthat you may prosper and be in goodhealth, even as you prosper in life, 3John 2. But we dare not approach Histhrone unless we go to Him in a truerepentant attitude, applying Hiscommandments as carefully as wecan, constantly improving as “NewTruth” is revealed to us. This truth is“New Truth” because it is only “new”to us as we get rid of our preconceived,or deeply ingrained ideas, and receiveYahweh’s Truth into our minds andhearts. That Truth, The Sacred

Scriptures, has always been there!Keeping in mind Messiah’s Words inMatthew 5:18, For truly I say to you. Till heavenand earth pass away, not one jot orone tittle shall pass from the law, tillall be fulfilled. Note: the earth and the heavensare still in existence, are they not? Nowhere in Scripture does itcommand you, or I, to join a church,or organization. But we, as His people,who are like minded, are instructed toassemble together at His appointedFeasts. And let us consider one another toprovoke unto love and good works: Notforsaking the assembling of ourselvestogether, as is the manner of some,but exhorting one another, and so doingmuch more, as you see the dayapproaching. For if we sin willfully afterwe have received the knowledge of theTruth, there remains no more sacrificefor sins, But a certain fearful lookingfor judgment and fiery indignation,which shall devour the adversaries. Hethat despised Moses’ law died withoutmercy under two or three witnesses.How much sorer punishment do yousuppose you shall receive by treadingupon the sacrifice of the blood of thecovenant offered by the Son ofYahweh, by which he cleanses us, andthen you consider It with disdain andhave ignored the Spirit of grace (freepardon) which was given to you?(Hebrews 10:24-29) This includes the Sabbath day,especially as we see the Dayapproaching. Read Leviticus 23. Finally, I shall use the words of aking whom Yahweh inspired to be thewisest ruler ever to govern over Hispeople of Israel, David’s son, Solomon. Let us hear the conclusion of thewhole matter: Fear Yahweh, and keepHis commandments: For this is thewhole DUTY of man. For Yahweh shallbring every work into judgment, withevery secret thing, whether it be goodor whether it be evil, Ecclesiastes 12:13-14.


Elder Lionel Gets


What’s in a word? Words are used in sentences to conveythoughts to others verbally or in written form. Yahweh is my shepherd; I shall not want, Ps 23:1. The word “shepherd” is translated from the Hebrew ra`ah (raw-aw’); a primitive root; to tend a flock; i.e. pasture it;intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively); generally torule; by extension, to associate with (as a friend).(Biblesoft’s New Exhaustive Strong’s Numbers andConcordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary.Copyright (c) 1994, Biblesoft and International BibleTranslators, Inc.) Before we leave to attend the Feast of Tabernacles inthe fall, we lived in the world. And this world contains trialsand temptations for us which can be instigated throughevents or in our contact with those who do not think andbelieve as we do. Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves:be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to thecouncils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues;And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for mysake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles. Butwhen they deliver you up, take no thought how or what yeshall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour whatye shall speak, Matt 10:16-19. We must be on guard against such wolves which canappear as sheep. Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’sclothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves, Matt 7:15. Barne’s Notes explain this verse as: “[Who come in sheep’s clothing] The sheep is anemblem of innocence, sincerity, and harmlessness. Tocome in sheep’s clothing is to assume the appearance ofsanctity and innocence, when the heart is evil. “[Ravening wolves] Applied to the false teachers, it meansthat they assumed the appearance of holiness in order thatthey might the more readily get the property of the people.They were full of extortion and excess.” (from Barnes’ Notes,Electronic Database. Copyright (c) 1997 by Biblesoft) What property are they trying to obtain – our lives. Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, youhypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but

Wordsinside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. BlindPharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, andthen the outside also will be clean, Matt 23:25-26 NIV. And when I was present with you, and wanted, I waschargeable to no man: for that which was lacking to me thebrethren which came from Macedonia supplied: and in allthings I have kept myself from being burdensome untoyou, and so will I keep myself. As the truth of the Messiahis in me, no man shall stop me of this boasting in theregions of Achaia. Wherefore? because I love you not?Yahweh knoweth. But what I do, that I will do, that I may cutoff occasion from them which desire occasion; that whereinthey glory, they may be found even as we. For such arefalse apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselvesinto the apostles of the Messiah. And no marvel; for Satanhimself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it isno great thing if his ministers also be transformed as theministers of righteousness; whose end shall be accordingto their works, 2 Cor 11:9-15. As 2 Tim 2:12-15 says, If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him,he also will deny us: If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful:he cannot deny himself. Of these things put them inremembrance, charging them before Yahweh that they strivenot about words to no profit, but to the subverting of thehearers. Study to shew thyself approved unto Elohim, aworkman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividingthe word of truth. Yes, we must be able to discern truth from falsehood.We have to be careful of the words we choose to speak.Maybe some of us are not as eloquent speakers as othersas we may not have been given such a gift. This was trueof Moses, as we read in Ex. 4:10-15. And Moses said unto Yahweh, O my Sovereign, I amnot eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spokenunto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slowtongue. And Yahweh said unto him, Who hath made man’smouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, orthe blind? have not I Yahweh? Now therefore go, and I willbe with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say. Andhe said, O my Sovereign, send, I pray thee, by the hand ofhim whom thou wilt send. And the anger of Yahweh was


kindled against Moses, and he said,Is not Aaron the Levite thy brother? Iknow that he can speak well. And also,behold, he cometh forth to meet thee:and when he seeth thee, he will be gladin his heart. And thou shalt speak untohim, and put words in his mouth: and Iwill be with thy mouth, and with hismouth, and will teach you what ye shalldo. Thus, Yahweh will speak untoMoses, who was to speak the samewords to Aaron, who was, then, tospeak to the people. Just as it was for Moses, who saidhe was not an eloquent speaker, so itis for us if we feel the same way. Whatremedy do we have? Behold, I send you forth as sheepin the midst of wolves: be ye thereforewise as serpents, and harmless asdoves. But beware of men: for theywill deliver you up to the councils, andthey will scourge you in theirsynagogues; And ye shall bebrought before governors andkings for my sake, for atestimony against them andthe Gentiles. But when theydeliver you up, take nothought how or what ye shallspeak: for it shall be givenyou in that same hour whatye shall speak. For it is notye that speak, but the Spiritof your Father whichspeaketh in you, Matt 10:16-20. But when they shall leadyou, and deliver you up, takeno thought beforehand whatye shall speak, neither do yepremeditate: but whatsoevershall be given you in that hour,that speak ye: for it is not yethat speak, but the HolySpirit, Mark 13:11. As part of a verse of asong we sing “WHENTROUBLES SURROUNDYOU,” one should rememberthese words that Yahweh’sSpirit will guide us. But Yahweh hath revealedthem unto us by his Spirit:for the Spirit searcheth allthings, yea, the deep things

of Yahweh. For what man knoweth thethings of a man, save the spirit of manwhich is in him? even so the things ofYahweh knoweth no man, but theSpirit of Yahweh. Now we havereceived, not the spirit of the world,but the spirit which is of Yahweh; thatwe might know the things that are freelygiven to us of Yahweh. Which thingsalso we speak, not in the words whichman’s wisdom teacheth, but which theHoly Spirit teacheth; comparingspiritual things with spiritual. But thenatural man receiveth not the thingsof the Spirit of Yahweh: for they arefoolishness unto him: neither can heknow them, because they arespiritually discerned, 1 Cor 2:10-14. Discerned comes from the Greek# 350 in Strong’s anakrino (an-ak-ree’-no), which means properly, toscrutinize (Biblesoft’s New ExhaustiveStrong’s Numbers and Concordancewith Expanded Greek-Hebrew

Dictionary. Copyright (c) 1994,Biblesoft and International BibleTranslators, Inc.) When we speak we must speak tobe understood as 1 Cor 14:9 says, So likewise ye, except ye utter bythe tongue words easy to beunderstood, how shall it be known whatis spoken? for ye shall speak into theair. Here it seems that if one speakswords above the intelligence of anotherthan those words will float away in thebreeze. And this I pray, that your love mayabound yet more and more inknowledge and in all judgment; Thatye may approve things that areexcellent; that ye may be sincere andwithout offence till the day of Messiah;Being fil led with the fruits ofrighteousness, which are by YahshuaMessiah, unto the glory and praise ofYahweh. But I would ye should

understand, brethren, that thethings which happened untome have fallen out rather untothe furtherance of the evangel;So that my bonds in Messiahare manifest in all the palace,and in all other places; Andmany of the brethren in theMaster, waxing confident bymy bonds, are much more boldto speak the word without fear,Phil 1:9-14. For which I am anambassador in bonds: thattherein I may speak boldly, asI ought to speak, Eph 6:20. Even if we feel moreconfident in speaking we muststill discern or scrutinize ourthoughts before we say things. Wherefore, my belovedbrethren, let every man be swiftto hear, slow to speak, slow towrath: For the wrath of manworketh not the righteousnessof Yahweh, James 1:19-20. Swift comes from Strong’s#5036 tachus (takh-oos’);figuratively meaning to beready. (Biblesoft’s NewExhaustive Strong’s Numbersand Concordance withExpanded Greek-Hebrew

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Dictionary. Copyright (c) 1994,Biblesoft and International BibleTranslators, Inc.) A good man out of the goodtreasure of his heart bringeth forth thatwhich is good; and an evil man out ofthe evil treasure of his heart bringethforth that which is evil: for of theabundance of the heart his mouthspeaketh, Luke 6:45. A matching verse is Matt. 12:34-37, O generation of vipers, how can ye,being evil, speak good things? for outof the abundance of the heart themouth speaketh. A good man out ofthe good treasure of the heart bringethforth good things: and an evil man outof the evil treasure bringeth forth evilthings. But I say unto you, That everyidle word that men shall speak, theyshall give account thereof in the dayof judgment. For by thy words thoushalt be justified, and by thy words thoushalt be condemned. We are responsible for everythingwe say and do. Eccl. 12:13-14 tellsus just that. Let us hear the conclusionof the whole matter: FearYahweh, and keep hiscommandments: for this is thewhole duty of man, For Yahwehshall bring every work intojudgment, with every secretthing, whether it be good, orwhether it be evil. So, we will be heldresponsible for everything wesay and do. But those things whichproceed out of the mouthcome forth from the heart; andthey defile the man. For out ofthe heart proceed evilthoughts, murders, adulteries,fornications, thefts, falsewitness, blasphemies, Matt15:18-19. As the mouth speaks ofthe feelings of the heart, so theparts of the mouth used inspeech are also important.The major parts are the teeth,the lips, the tongue and the roofof the mouth.

TeethArise, O Yahweh; save me, O myElohim: for thou hast smitten all mineenemies upon the cheek bone; thouhast broken the teeth of theunrighteous, Ps 3:7. Teeth are important. Barnes’ Notesspeaks of the phrase [Thou hast brokenthe teeth of the unrighteous] to renderthem harmless. (from Barnes’ Notes,Electronic Database. Copyright (c)1997 by Biblesoft) There is a generation, whose teethare as swords, and their jaw teeth asknives, to devour the poor from off theearth, and the needy from among men,Prov 30:14. Hear my voice, O Yahweh, in myprayer: preserve my life from fear ofthe enemy. Hide me from the secretcounsel of the wicked; from theinsurrection of the workers of iniquity:Who whet their tongue like a sword,and bend their bows to shoot theirarrows, even bitter words, Ps 64:1-3.

The tongue is related here to theteeth – each can be as sharp as asword.

LipsLips can have a bad connection whenthey infer lying. Let the lying lips be put to silence;which speak grievous things proudlyand contemptuously against therighteous, Ps 31:18. Yahweh does not like lips that lie.Take heed of the following Scriptures: Lying lips are abomination to theYAHWEH: but they that deal truly arehis delight, Prov. 12:22. Let the lying lips be put to silence;which speak grievous things proudlyand contemptuously against therighteous, Ps 31:18. An unrighteous man diggeth upevil: and in his lips there is as a burningfire, Prov 16:27. Yet, lips can also be associatedwith good meanings. The lips of the righteous feed many,Prov 10:21.

The word feed comes fromthe Hebrew ra‘ ah (raw-aw’)(Strong’s #7462); a primitiveroot; to tend a flock; byextension, to associate with (asa friend). (Biblesoft’s NewExhaustive Strong’s Numbersand Concordance withExpanded Greek-HebrewDictionary. Copyright (c) 1994,Biblesoft and International BibleTranslators, Inc.) The last part of Prov. 14:3says “the lips of the wise shallpreserve them.” Preserve comefrom the Hebrew shamar (shaw-mar’)(Strong’s #8104) generallymeaning to protect, attend to,etc. (Biblesoft’s NewExhaustive Strong’s Numbersand Concordance withExpanded Greek-HebrewDictionary. Copyright (c) 1994,Biblesoft and International BibleTranslators, Inc.)

TongueDeath and life are in the powerof the tongue: and they that love

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it shall eat the fruit thereof, Prov 18:21. In this Scripture we find out howpowerful the tongue is. Secular sayingshave been made about the tonguewhich indirectly has its basis theScriptures: - The tongue is, at the same time,

the best part of man, and theworst.

- Give not thy tongue too greatliberty, lest it take thee prisoner.

- A wound from the tongue is worsethan a wound from a sword; forthe latter affects only the body,while the former the spirit.

- A fool’s heart is in his tongue; buta wise man’s tongue is in hisheart.

- We can not control the eviltongues of others; but a good lifeenables us to disregard them.

Scriptures give us someadmonitions concerning our speechpatterns: Keep thy tongue from evil, and thylips from speaking guile, Ps 34:13. Some examples of how the Hebrewword ra‘ (translated here as evil) istranslated are adversity, affliction,calamity, displeasure, distress,misery, evil. (Biblesoft’s NewExhaustive Strong’s Numbers andConcordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright (c) 1994,Biblesoft and International BibleTranslators, Inc.) Some examples of how the Hebrewword mirmah (meer-maw’)(heretranslated guile) are deceitfully,fraudulently, falsely, treacherly.(Biblesoft’s New Exhaustive Strong’sNumbers and Concordance withExpanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary.Copyright (c) 1994, Biblesoft andInternational Bible Translators, Inc.) Be not thou envious against evilmen, neither desire to be with them.For their heart studieth destruction,and their lips talk of mischief, Prov24:1-2.

Roof of MouthGenerally, using the roof of the mouthis to make reference to the act ofremaining silent. As I was in the days of my youth,when the secret of Elohim was uponmy tabernacle; When the Almightywas yet with me, when my children wereabout me; When I washed my stepswith butter, and the rock poured meout rivers of oil; When I went out tothe gate through the city, when Iprepared my seat in the street! Theyoung men saw me, and hidthemselves: and the aged arose, andstood up. The princes refrained talking,and laid their hand on their mouth. Thenobles held their peace, and theirtongue cleaved to the roof of theirmouth, Job 29:4-10 Then I arose, and went forth intothe plain: and, behold, the glory ofYahweh stood there, as the glory whichI saw by the river of Chebar: and I fellon my face. Then the spirit enteredinto me, and set me upon my feet, andspake with me, and said unto me, Go,

shut thyself within thine house. Butthou, O son of man, behold, they shallput bands upon thee, and shall bindthee with them, and thou shalt not goout among them: And I will make thytongue cleave to the roof of thy mouth,that thou shalt be dumb, and shalt notbe to them a reprover: for they are arebellious house, Ezek 3:23-26.

ConclusionSaying: If wisdom’s ways you widelyseek, five things observe with care: ofwhom you speak, to whom you speak,and how, and when, and where. One must also remember thatwords, once spoken, can never berecalled.



Elder Roger G. Meyer


TheLand

ofCanaanJust before the end of Israel’s 40-year wandering throughthe wilderness of Zin we read in Num. 20:1-13 that, becauseof a shortage of water, Yahweh told Moses, in the presenceof Aaron, to speak to the rock in front of the congregation,and they would get all the water that was needed. But Mosessmote the rock with his rod. Because of his smoting therock, and not just speaking to it, water was still given to theIsraelites, but both Moses and Aaron lost their privilege ofentering into the promised land.

Historical PerspectiveIn Genesis, chapter 12, we find that Canaan was the landpromised to Abram and his seed. When Abram entered intoCanaan it was the first time the people of Yahweh enteredinto the promised land. With the passage of time there was famine in the landand Abram, his wife, Sarai, and his brother, Lot, took alltheir belongings and traveled into Egypt. This is the firsttime Yahweh’s people enter into the land of Egypt, whichtypifies sin. Fearing for his life, Abram told the pharaoh that Saraiwas his sister, thus giving the pharaoh the illusion that hecould take her as his wife if he desired. Yahweh intervenes with plagues so that the pharaoh tellsAbram to leave Egypt and go home. This is the firstoccurrence of plagues being used to release Yahweh’speople and the second occurrence of Yahweh’s peopleentering into the land promised to Abram and his seed.

The Time of JosephIn the ensuing chapters of Genesis we remember how thepromise given to Abram(Abraham) was passed unto Isaacand Jacob, along with the story of Joseph, being sold intoslavery and going to Egypt. While Joseph was in Egypt, the pharaoh had a dream of7 fat cows and 7 lean cows, where the 7 lean cows did eat

up the 7 fat cows. His dream continued where 7 fat ears ofcorn were followed by 7 thin ears of corn and the 7 thinears devoured the 7 fat ears of corn. This dream wasinterpreted by Joseph to mean 7 years of plenty to befollowed by 7 years of famine. This famine also includedthe land of Canaan, where Jacob lived. Because of the interpretation of the dream, Egyptprepared for this famine with Joseph being set in charge ofstoring grain during the seven years of plenty and fordispensing the grain during the seven years of famine. When the seven years of famine began Jacob sent 10of his remaining sons to Egypt for corn, leaving theyoungest, Benjamin, at home, for Jacob didn’t wantanything to happen to him, which would cause his lineageto be broken. When Joseph’s brethren arrived in Egypt, Josephrecognized his brothers but his brothers did not recognizeJoseph. Desirous to see his youngest brother, Benjamin,Joseph accused his brothers of being spies. Because ofthis he placed them in jail, telling them to select one toreturn to Jacob and bring back Benjamin. After three days in jail Joseph released all but Simeon,telling the other nine to return to Jacob and bring backBenjamin. Returning home the nine brothers told Jacobeverything and when they opened their sacks of corn theyalso found the money they had taken to buy the corn.This made all of them afraid. When the second year of the famine began in Canaanand they had consumed the corn they brought back fromEgypt, Jacob agreed to allow Benjamin to accompany hisother nine sons back to Egypt to buy more food. Hereluctantly did this even though he not only feared forBenjamin’s life but also he remembered that the moneyused to buy the corn on the previous trip had been restoredand he didn’t know what might happen upon their return toEgypt. To help relieve Jacob’s mind, Judah promised Jacobthat he would be a surety for Benjamin.


Upon arriving in Egypt, Joseph hadhis men fill their sacks with corn whileinstructing them to restore the moneyand to place the wine-serving cup intoBenjamin’s sack. After this wascompleted Joseph’s eleven brothersbegan their journey back to the landof Canaan. Shortly after leaving Egypt theywere overtaken by Joseph’s men insearch of the wine-serving cup. When the cup was found inBenjamin’s sack Joseph’s brotherswere forced to return to Egypt. When Joseph confronted hisbrothers he told them that Benjaminwill have to remain in Egypt becausethe cup was found in his sack. Judahpleaded with Joseph to allow him toremain in Egypt and allow Benjaminto return to Jacob because Judah hadpromised Jacob that he would be asurety for Benjamin. Joseph could not retain himselfabout his true identity and heprofessed to his brothers who he was.He told his brothers to return to Jacobtheir father in the land of Canaan andtell him not only that Joseph was alivein Egypt but that Joseph wantedJacob, along with his family, to returnto Egypt because there was yet 5years of famine ahead.

Isreal Returns to Egypt

In Gen. 46 we read that Jacob isinstructed by Yahweh to go to Egypt,along with all of his descendants.While there Yahweh promises to makea great nation and to bring them outagain. Jacob, along with his household,which totaled 66 people, travels toEgypt to live in the land of Goshen.This was the second occurrence thatYahweh’s people went into Egyptbecause of famine in the land ofCanaan. In the last 4 chapters of Genesiswe read that Israel grows in numberand possessions, Gen 47:27. Jacobdies in Egypt, Gen 49:33, and Josephtakes his father’s body back to the landof Canaan to be buried with hisforefathers, Gen 50:13. Israel

continues to grow, even till the timewhen Joseph died, Gen. 50:26.

The ExodusExodus 1 tells us of the time when anew pharaoh reigns in Egypt who didnot know of Joseph and who placedthe Israelites in great subjection. We should remember in Exodusthat Yahweh sent plagues upon theEgyptians in order that Yahweh’speople could be released from the holdthe Egyptians had on them. This isthe 2nd time that Yahweh usedplagues to cause His people to bereleased. This brings us back to thebeginning where Moses would not beallowed to enter Canaan because hesmote the rock with his rod. What isthe significance of this rock from whichcame water to quench the thirst of theIsraelites and their animals? I Cor. 10:4says that Yahshua was that rock fromwhich the Israelites drank the spiritualdrink. In the remaining chapters ofNumbers and all of Deuteronomy weread of the travelings of the Israelitesbefore they finally came to rest by theriver Jordan, in the land of Moab, nearJericho. Knowing that the inheritance of thefaithful shall be the entire earth, thewandering of the Israelites before theycrossed over the river Jordan can beequated to the wandering people doon this earth now before they comeunto the knowledge of the truth.

Entering into CanaanIn Deut. 34:1-7 Yahweh shows Mosesthe land of Canaan but will not allowMoses to enter because he smote therock with his rod. Under Joshua’s leadershipYahweh’s people now enter the landof Canaan, physically, for the thirdtime. Joshua 1:1, 2 and 11.Acceptance of the truth and beingimmersed into the Name of Yahshuais an illustration of the Israelitescrossing the river Jordan and enteringinto the physical land promised toAbraham and his seed.

Overcoming the LandUpon entering the land of Canaan, theIsraelites encountered warlike peoplewho resisted them at every corner. TheIsraelites, under Yahweh’s guidanceand protection, first conquered thecentral region, Joshua 6 - 9. Chapter10 tells us of Israel’s conquest of thesouthern region and chapter 11 tellsus that the northern region of Canaanis overcome. In Joshua 11:23 we read how Israelfinally overcame the entire land ofCanaan: “So Joshua took the wholeland, according to all that Yahweh saidunto Moses; and Joshua gave it for aninheritance unto Israel according totheir divisions by their tribes.” Just as the Israelites had toovercome and endure the hardships theland and the people dwelling there gavethem, we, also, have to overcome thehardships that life presents us with andendure until the end. See I John 5:4,5.

Occupying the LandThe last half of Joshua tells us of theIsraelites occupying the physical landpromised to the Israelites. Theoccupation of the earth as it is meantto be occupied is yet to come for thosewho are chosen to reign with Yahshua. The book of Revelation is full ofinstances where plagues will be usedduring the end times against the evilforces of mankind. This is the thirdtime plagues will be used to freeYahweh’s people from the influencesof satan and his followers. To the Israelites, Canaan, the landpromised to Abraham and his seed,represented three things: a rest fromover 40 years of wandering; a place ofplenty where they would not have toworry about their needs; and a placeof triumph over the evil forces of theinhabitants of the land. To us, Canaan represents theearthly inheritance promised toAbraham and his seed. But we shouldlook at Canaan on a global scale,representing the entire earth, for the

<Canaan see page 20>


WhatShould

WeDo?

Standing in a crowded line awaiting the next elevator cargoing up to the hospital ward fourth floor, I noted the calmnessand sobriety each visitor exhibits. They apparently awaitthe reports of the earlier morning surgery. Suddenly thegroup shifts as one to the open elevator door now with ablinking signal light. Fourteen hospital visitors crowd into the elevator carand the self-appointed operator calls out, “Are we ready?”“Not yet,” is the reply. “We will go ahead and try to closethe door,” says the last boarder,” and he adds, “Hah, I amthe last one in; but I’ll be the first one out. The last shall befirst and the first last. I read about that somewhere,” hesaid as he hurried off. He soon was lost in the crowd andmy opportunity for a discussion vanished. Obviously the man was referring to the words of ourSavior Who is quoted in Matthew, Mark and Luke as Heand the disciples were going to Jerusalem for the Passoverand the days of Unleavened Bread. A study of the followingchapters wherein the enigmatic words of the Savior that“the first will be last and the last first,” reveals the Saviorwas speaking of the coming heavenly kingdom and whowill be in that kingdom. Yahshua was reaching back in time to the calling ofAbram [exalted father] beginning in Genesis 12 where welearn he was called to leave his clan, relatives and neighborsand go to a new land. The entire book of Genesis thencenters on the chosen progeny of Abraham, and the twelve-tribe people of Israel. Abraham [now father of a multitude] was the first one tobe called out of the world as Yahweh’s witness and wasobedient to the point of being willing to offer up his son,Isaac, as a sacrifice (Genesis chapter 22). The Scripturesreveal others who are also called to be a witness such asMoses, David, Joseph, along with many others in the OldTestament. These are a special class of people Yahwehhas called to be the firstfruits or overcomers (also the elect),who have answered the call and, like Abraham, are willingto do whatever they can to qualify as a child of the King.Their station in the kingdom was the topic the discipleswere discussing as they walked toward Jerusalem, notrealizing the Savior would lose his life in a few hours.

The following verses taken from Matthew, Mark and Luke(KJV) reassure us they hold an involved truth about theevents surrounding the resurrection to teach us more aboutthe return of Yahshua and help clarify this puzzling situation: But many who are first will be last, and many who arelast will be first, Mat 19:30. But many that are first shall be last; and the last first.

Mark 10:31. And behold, there are last which shall be first, and

there are first which shall be last, Luke 13:30.

Some Untrue TeachingsChristianity in general teaches that upon the Messiah’sreturn, there will be a resurrection of all the dead who haveever lived and will come to life and go to either heaven orhell. The teaching is that upon death one will go immediatelyeither to heaven and live a glorious life of ease, or they willgo to the fires of hell and burn forever. The Catholics usuallyinclude the concept of a purgatory, a cleansing state bywhich one can get to heaven. This nonsense is not foundanywhere in the Holy Scriptures! Yahweh’s Word says nothing about a death meaningthat one’s soul lives on. It says the opposite, the soul thatsins it shall die (Ezek 18:4, 20). Soul is from the Greeknephesh which means “life.” News articles often report aboating accident in which a number of “souls” were lost,meaning simply human beings died.

More Than One Resurrection?The New Testament teaches there is more than oneresurrection, and the first resurrection is the goal all truebelievers should seek after, for it opens to the Spirit Realm.That is, those who are made alive or changed when Yahshuareturns will be made spirit beings, no longer flesh and bone,but will have spirit energy flowing through their veins andthus will be immortal. Blessed and holy is he that has part in the firstresurrection: on such the second death has no power, butthey shall be priests of Elohim and of Messiah, and theyshall reign with Him a thousand years, Rev 20:6.


At the return of the Savior, the firstresurrection takes place. A thousandyears later follows the secondresurrection. This second is aresurrection to the physical world. Arewe being told it will take those alreadymade spirit working a thousand yearsto get the world back in shape as whenfirst created? This seems to be whatthe Scripture says a thousand yearslater: there comes the generalresurrection and Satan is allowed tohave power returned to him. How does the following passage fitin this scheme of things? Yahwehdoes the calling of those who will begiven opportunities to become thefirstfruits of this first resurrection group

and become spirit beings, which is tosay be made immortal! So the last will be first, and thefirst will be last; for many be called,but few chosen, Mat 20:16. Yahweh’s Word reveals that sinceAbraham’s time Yahweh has continuedto call people out of this worldpromising a wonderful world to cometo those who will diligently follow in thefootsteps of His Son and be baptizedinto the name Yahshua. Yahweh doesthe calling of this special group, andHe determines the tasks and thestation each of us will have in theKingdom. You may well have a feelingYahweh is calling you as you considerthis truth.

Walking Down the SamePathJust as the Jews were eager to rebuildthe Temple in Jerusalem, after an exileof 70 years, our group feels the sameway. We of Yahweh’s Assembly InYahshua feel a sense of urgency inour desire to make up for the time lostin successfully resisting attempts toforce us to agree with false doctrine.We are thankful many patiently waitedand thankfully some continued theirsupport with funds during this tryingtime. We know Yahweh is in chargeand we continually seek His guidance It does seem a bit strange that ithas been over 56 years since Israelwas made a nation in May of 1948 andthere still is no Temple today for theJews to worship. Prophecy buffs areconvinced there must be a Temple ofsome kind in Jerusalem to fulfillprophesies in the book of Revelation.Might it be that Yahweh is giving theJews more time to turn to Yahshua?

Where is the Temple?Without a temple there is no specialplace where the Jewish priest mightbe found to call for Yahweh’s help. TheNew Testament book of Acts tells ofthe coming of the Holy Separated Spiriton the day of Pentecost to the believersgathered there. Since then the Spiritremains on earth and resides in thosewho have been baptized into Yahshua’ssaving name. Take note:

Don’t you know that you yourselvesare Elohim’s Temple and that Elohim’sSpirit lives in you? (1Cor 3:16 NIV) Do you not know that your body isa temple of the Holy Spirit who is inyou whom you have received fromElohim? You are not your own, 1 Cor6:19 NIV. The Scriptures show us that notall who respond to Yahweh’s call willremain dedicated to their calling, andmany will drift away. That is the constant theme of theBible, once you have put your hand tothe plow, don’t look back but keep yourmind and thoughts on things above. So the last will be first, and thefirst will be last; for many be called,but few chosen, Mat 20:16.




What is likely meant by the term“first” is those who initially answeredthe call (like Abraham) to be followersof Yahweh, obeying Him in all things.The problem is they will not yet bemade immortal. Not until Yahshua diedfor our sins at Calvary could the HolySpirit remain on earth as revealed forus in the book of Acts chapter twotelling of happenings on the day ofPentecost. Those who are alive at the Savior’sreturn or have died this side of Calvaryare the last to be chosen as firstfruits,but will be the first to be made immortalat Yahshua’s return. We have theadvantages given us on Pentecostbeing made immortal and Satan willbe bound for a thousand years! Thenext resurrection following Yahshua’sreturn will be a thousand years fromhence. May we all be faithful stewards ofwhatever Yahweh has given us.

Elder Donald R. Mansager

month. Verse eleven says they ate ofthe “old corn” on the morrow AFTERthe Passover. That is, they ate of theproduce of the land on the 15th, whichis a high Sabbath: the first of the Daysof Unleavened Bread. If we try to say that it wasnecessary to have a wave offeringbefore the old corn could be eaten, thenthey could not have partaken of theproduce of the land on the HighSabbath, because the wave sheaf wasoffered AFTER the Sab-bath.Proponents who begin the counttoward the Feast of Weeks with the16th of Abib will have to admit thisimpossibility. The manna ceased once they hadeaten of the old grain of Canaan. Theywere no longer in the wilderness. Theywere now in the land promised to them,the land “flowing with milk and honey.”There is nothing that says Israel wasto enjoy the Days of Unleavened Breadwith the new harvest. They had to usethe old grain to make the unleavenedbread for the 15th of Abib, because inthe wilderness there was no apparentsowing and reaping of crops.

<Pentecost from page 6>

We are told in John 5:39 to searchthe Scriptures and in I Thessalonians5:21 to prove all things; hold fast thatwhich is good. We cannot follow thecalendar and dates established incontradiction to Yahweh’s laws.

Elder Donald R. Mansager

coming when neither on this mountainnor in Jerusalem will you worship theFather. You worship what you do notknow; we worship what we know, forsalvation is from the Jews. But thehour is coming, and is now here, whenthe true worshipers will worship theFather in spirit and truth, for the Fatheris seeking such people to worship him.Elohim is spirit, and those whoworship him must worship in spirit andtruth,” John 20-24 ESV. Based on Scripture, just as we findwe don’t need to worship in Jerusalemtoday, we also don’t find a need toobserve Jerusalem time to distinguishhow the Feasts are to be kept. For further study of this importantsubject please refer to “New Moonsand Jerusalem Time,” a YAIY Mini-Study available online in the “BiblicalWorship” section under “FreeLiterature.”

Making a ChoiceYahweh places His name where Hislaws are upheld along with the faith inHis Son. One has to decide who iskeeping His laws accurately, and whois not, according to Scripture.Otherwise one may find himself orherself unwittingly committing sin bymeans of false worship. It is becoming more and moreserious for the Bible student of todayto discern the whole truth since thereare more and more Assemblies beingformed that hold foundational truthsfrom Scripture, but miss the mark incertain areas, some even setting datesfor Yahshua’s return which we are toldno man knows, Matt 24:36; 25:8; Acts1:7. Remember Yahshua’s admonitionin Matt 5:19; 7:21-23 and make the

<Fifty from page 9>

decision to follow Yahweh’s word bytraveling to an Assembly that keepsand teaches the whole counsel ofElohim. In the strength of the Spirit theApostle Peter spoke boldly and plainly,saying, “Repent, and let every one of yoube baptized in the name of YahshuaMessiah for the remission of sins; andyou shall receive the gift of the HolySpirit. For the promise is to you andto your children, and to all who are afaroff, as many as Yahweh our Elohimwill call.” And with many other wordshe testified and exhorted them, saying,“Be saved from this perversegeneration,” Acts 2:38-40 NKJV. We need to draw close to ourHeavenly Father through Yahshua. Weneed to walk according to the truth andthe Spirit. We need to travel to theFeasts of which one is the day ofPentecost.

Elder David Brett

earth will be the inheritance of mankindwhen Yahweh’s kingdom isestablished. Until we accepted Yahshua’s shedblood we most certainly did wander.Now we must rely on Yahweh ElShaddai as the one who will supply allof our needs today, includingprotection from satan’s influence. When the time comes when deathand the grave are cast into the lake offire it will surely be a time of rest, atime when there are no more tears, nomore pain, no more sorrow - for thesethings will have passed away. It willalso be a time when Yahweh willprovide us with all of our needs. It willalso be a time when Yahweh’s peoplewill live in freedom, knowing thatYahweh has prevailed and triumphedover satan and released us from thecurse placed upon mankind when manwas first placed on this earth anddecided not to follow Yahweh’sinstructions.

<Canaan from page 17>

Elder Roger G. Meyer


Note the following Scripture: Then Elohim said, “Let us make man in our image, inour likeness, and let them rule [#7287, which means “totread down” or “subjugate”] over the fish of the sea and thebirds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, andover all the creatures that move along the ground.” SoElohim created man in his own image, in the image of Elohimhe created him; male and female he created them. Elohimblessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase innumber; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish ofthe sea and the birds of the air and over every living creaturethat moves on the ground,” Genesis 1:26-28. The phrase “own image” is the translation of the Hebrewtselem (tseh’-lem); meaning to shade; a phantom, i.e.(figuratively) illusion [an impression, appearance],resemblance [similarity, having a relationship]; hence, arepresentative figure [an envoy, delegate or agent],especially an idol [an icon, statue]. The word “likeness” is the translation of the Hebrewdemuwth (dem-ooth’); from OT:1819; meaning resemblance;concretely, model, shape; adverbially, like. While the HebrewOT:1819 damah (daw-maw’); means to compare; byimplication, to resemble, liken, consider. Now, I find it interesting that Elohim created mankind inHis image, but He commanded us that we should not makean image of Him – or anything in Heaven, or upon the Earthor under the sea, You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form ofanything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in thewaters below, Ex 20:4-5 NIV. And especially, we should not worship any image. Itseems that there are a lot of character traits that wedemonstrate that are just like the Father’s. However, someof those character traits are forbidden for us to express. One of the characteristics of both Yahweh and man isjealousy. You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, Yahwehyour Elohim, am a JEALOUS El, visiting the iniquity of thefathers on the children, on the third and the fourthgenerations of those who hate Me, Exodus 20:5; For you shall not worship any other el, for Yahweh, whosename [whose character] is JEALOUS, is a JEALOUS El,Exodus 34:14. What IS jealousy? Synonymously, it is envy,covetousness [greed, acquisitiveness, avarice, selfish,meanness, miserliness], resentment, protectiveness,suspicion, distrust. In the Old Testament jealously is the translation ofqanna’, to be zealous, i.e. (in a bad sense) JEALOUS,envious or angry. In the New Testament jealous is the translation of zelo’o;to have warmth of feeling for or against, heat, “zeal” (in afavorable sense, ardor; in an unfavorable one, JEALOUSY,

In The Likeness Of Elohimas of a husband [figuratively, of Elohim], or an enemy,malice); to be hot, i.e. (figuratively) be fervid (earnest). Let me paint a picture of jealousy that may be closer tohome so we can understand some of the dynamics of thisemotion. You remember when you were a teenager?Remember the first person you fell in love with? How youshared your deepest – and most cherished thoughts – withthem? How you bore your soul to them about things thatwere important to you? How you fantasized about marryingthis person? About devoting your whole life to this person?About raising a family. About all the plans to go to college,get a good job, play with your kids? Did you ever do that?What excitement we felt! Just thinking of our “one and only”brought a warm feeling. Remember when you saw your “one and only” flirtingwith someone else? Remember being turned down for adate because he or she was … “busy”? Remember gettingthat “Dear John” letter? Remember that warm feeling thatpreceded those dangerous thoughts? THAT’s jealousy. But,what exactly was going on in your mind? Were you notimagining that you were losing someone very valuable toyou? Was it not a catastrophe for you? When we imagineany catastrophe, what do we FEEL? I remember seeing the images on the TV on September11, 2001. What a catastrophe! Seriously, I began to packmy belongings to head for the hills. I felt afraid. Does Yahwehever feel afraid? Are we valuable to Him? Would it be acatastrophe for Him to lose us? Isn’t jealousy the fear oflosing someone you love? Why should it be any differentfor the One who created us in His image? Now therefore, if you will obey my voice indeed, andkeep my covenant, then you shall be a peculiar treasureunto me [a treasured possession] above all people: for allthe earth is mine, Exodus 19:5. For Yahweh’s portion is His people; Jacob is theallotment of His inheritance, Deuteronomy 32:9 NASU. Blessed is the nation whose Elohim is Yahweh, Thepeople whom He has chosen for His own inheritance, Psalm33:12 NASU. Israel is the tribe of His inheritance; Yahweh of hosts isHis name, Jeremiah 10:16 NASU. Many nations will join themselves to Yahweh in that dayand will become My people. Then I will dwell in your midst,and you will know that Yahweh of hosts has sent Me to you.Yahweh will possess Judah as His portion in the holy land,and will again choose Jerusalem, Zechariah 2:11-12 NASU. He also delivered His people to the sword, and was filledwith wrath at His inheritance, Psalm 78:62. For Yahweh thy Elohim is a consuming fire, even ajealous Elohim, Deuteronomy 4:24. Thou shalt fear Yahweh thy Elohim, and serve him, andshalt swear by his name. Ye shall not go after other elohim,of the elohim of the people which are round about you; (For


Yahweh your Elohim is a jealous Elohimamong you) lest the anger of Yahwehyour Elohim be kindled against thee,and destroy thee from off the face ofthe earth, Deuteronomy 6:13-15. When Yahweh chose His Peoplefor His own BRIDE, and they vowed tohonor Him, to keep His covenant, tobe FAITHFUL to Him; and then theyflirted with other peoples and madecovenants with them and took up theirways; and they abandoned their firstlove and broke His covenants, wasYahweh angry? Now, was He JUSTangry? Or, did He imagine LOSING Hisinheritance? Was He catastrophizing?Did He feel betrayed? Discounted? Isit reasonable to believe that YahwehFEELS? Afraid? Powerless? …Yahweh? Remember when YOU felt afraid,powerless, discounted and putdown …and even ashamed – when the one youloved said, “Good-bye, I no longer loveyou, my heart belongs to another”? I remember a couple who came infor marriage counseling. They came

in together; she sat next to him; shehad bruises on her arms, neck andface; a split, swollen lip. I knew whathappened, nevertheless I asked themthe obvious and inevitable question,“What happened?” I knew what hadhappened, which they proceeded toexplain; but I knew something that theydidn’t know - the answer to which theirvery presence in my office wasbegging, “Why did this happen?” Ithappened for the same reason thatYahweh brought down destruction ontoHis own People. Why? Because HeLOVED them! How similar we are toour Creator! “I AM! … angry with you, My Bride,because I LOVE you, because I CAREabout you; if you weren’t SO importantto me, if you weren’t My treasure, Iwouldn’t be so upset! But, when youpromised to love Me, when you saidwith your mouth that you will obey Me;and then you abandoned Me andrejected Me, I felt disconnected fromyou, and alone. When you disobeyedMe, I felt powerless. When you left mefor another and committed adultery,when you had union with another whopretended to care for you, it looked toMe like I was not important to you andthat you were not in My LIFE, and Ifelt worthless and ashamed. It lookedto me like I didn’t MATTER to you, andI felt discounted. And, when I thoughtthat you would never be in My life again,I felt afraid to think that I am losingyou forever. And, I’m still angry! But,I’m not angry to push you out of Mylife. LISTEN! I’m angry at you so youknow how important you ARE to Me,so you will come back to Me, so youwill once again set your heart to obeyMe and honor the vows you made toMe, so we can be One, again; and liveforever in the home which I haveprepared for Us. And, I’m acting outMy anger so that My anger will cometo an end – so that I do not destroyyou completely; so that, when youfinally have nowhere to go but to returnto Me, you will embrace Me. Only thenwill I feel hope for the intimacy I longfor. Then, I will feel hope to be honoredand found worthy in your sight. Thenwill there be hope for peace betweenus. Then will I want you with Me.”

When I spoke these words to thecouple sitting in front of me, as thehusband to the wife, they realizedWHY the husband had done thishorrible thing to his wife. … And theycried for a while, understanding thatthey did love each other. They beganto feel a sense of hope – to RENEWtheir vows and RESPECT each other.I cried, too, knowing the task now setbefore me. For, I knew that there wouldbe set-backs. I knew they had a lot tolearn about themselves, who theywere, what a relationship requires, howto express anger so that therelationship is not destroyed but raisedup. Now, did they live happily everafter? No. Did they continue to workon their relationship, discovering waysthey could express their anger, openlyand honestly, out of mutual respect,accepting the other’s right to think andfeel according to their own process?Yes, they did. They came to realizethat love is not an idealized sense ofhappiness and not a sense ofinfatuation that exists in the beginning




Are YouReady? By BuelHallpike

This most important question is aimed straight atYOU personally who profess to be a believer andclaim to have some advantage over the ‘sinner’. It isa question which demands an answer of YOU. It isnot asking about your parentage, upbringing, thegood things you do, or the position you hold inyour local assembly or elsewhere. It is not askingwhether or not you help the poor, the destitute andinfirm, or how much you donate to charity. Inaddressing this question it matters not whether youare a bishop, vicar, archbishop, elder, deacon,pastor, evangelist or what other office you may hold.This question is not concerned about the esteem inwhich you are held or the assembly to which youbelong. It is so easy to develop the smug complacencyof club membership and forget that when the trumpetsounds at Yahshua’s return the ‘clubs’ will have becomeextinct, and will have no control over those who arecaught up to meet Him and those who are not. Brushingaside therefore all delusions ofgrandeur, the unavoidable question is‘Are you ready for Yahshua’sreturn?’ O that the penetrating light ofYahweh’s word would focus sharplyupon every crevice of your heart andmind, till it reveals to you before it istoo late your true condition asYahweh sees it.

Why the Bother?Some may ask why should believerswho have been baptised and whoare busily working for Yahweh be soconcerned about this question? Theanswer is simply this: Yahshua said itmatters. In Matthew 7: 22-23 Hesaid “Many will say to me in thatday, Rabbi, Rabbi, have we not

Are YouReady? By BuelHallpike

This most important question is aimed straight atYOU personally who profess to be a believer andclaim to have some advantage over the ‘sinner’. It isa question which demands an answer of YOU. It isnot asking about your parentage, upbringing, thegood things you do, or the position you hold inyour local assembly or elsewhere. It is not askingwhether or not you help the poor, the destitute andinfirm, or how much you donate to charity. Inaddressing this question it matters not whether youare a bishop, vicar, archbishop, elder, deacon,pastor, evangelist or what other office you may hold.This question is not concerned about the esteem inwhich you are held or the assembly to which youbelong. It is so easy to develop the smug complacencyof club membership and forget that when the trumpetsounds at Yahshua’s return the ‘clubs’ will have becomeextinct, and will have no control over those who arecaught up to meet Him and those who are not. Brushingaside therefore all delusions ofgrandeur, the unavoidable question is‘Are you ready for Yahshua’sreturn?’ O that the penetrating light ofYahweh’s word would focus sharplyupon every crevice of your heart andmind, till it reveals to you before it istoo late your true condition asYahweh sees it.

Why the Bother?Some may ask why should believerswho have been baptised and whoare busily working for Yahweh be soconcerned about this question? Theanswer is simply this: Yahshua said itmatters. In Matthew 7: 22-23 Hesaid “Many will say to me in thatday, Rabbi, Rabbi, have we not

others, I myself should be a castaway” 1 Cor 9:27.

No PreferencesThe Bible has repeatedly shown that our concept of ourstanding with Yahweh means nothing, if our lives are notpleasing to Him. In Hosea 8:3 Yahweh says through Hisprophet, “Israel shall cry unto me, My El, we knowthee”. In the next verse however is written “Israelhath cast off the thing that is good: the enemy shallpursue him”. Israel thought that because they wereYahweh’s people, they automatically knew Yahweh.Here they were clearly wrong, and their punishmentwas on its way. Those who claim to be Yahweh’speople get no preferential treatment when they dis-please Him. In fact they seem to incur His addedpunishment, for “unto whomsoever much is given, ofhim shall be much required”. Luke 12:48. We are notsaved by our perceived relationship with Yahweh or ourconspicuous association with those we regard asYahweh’s people.

Salvation is not through membership of some ‘elite’group or assembly which believes itself to be the onlyright one, or that it is blessed by some divine selection.As John the baptizer said to the Pharisees andSadducees: “think not to say within yourselves, Wehave Abraham to our father: for I say unto you,that Yahweh is able of these stones to raise upchildren unto Abraham.” Matthew3:9. Membership of an assembly isno guarantee of one’s salvation. Inspite of our place of worship we stillhave the responsibility to makeourselves ready for Yahshua’scoming. Each of the ten virgins hadthis Such adherents believe that ifthey rigidly practise certain Biblicalprinciples they will make it intoYahweh’s Kingdom. They overlookthe Scriptures which say that “thereis none righteous, no not one”, and“All our righteousness are as filthyrags”. We are dealing with Yahwehwho is absolutely spotless, andcannot look upon sin. Judged by Hisperfect standards, in spite of all weall we do, we will always appear

AreYouReady? ByBuel Hallpike

This mostimportantquestion isaimed straight atYOU personallywho profess tobe a believer andclaim to havesome advantageover the ‘sin-ner’. It is aquestion whichdemands ananswer of YOU.It is not askingabout yourparentage,upbringing, the


This mostimportantquestion is


This mostimportantquestion is ‘Are

you ready forYahshua’sreturn?’ O thatthe penetratinglight ofYahweh’s wordwould focussharply uponevery crevice ofyour heart andmind, till itreveals to youbefore it is toolate your truecondition as and

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cometh.” Matthew 25:13.He repeated this command onmany other occasions, toemphasise the importance ofvigilance. To borrow aShakespearean expression, it was acommand to “make assurancedoubly sure”. We cannot afford tobe overconfident that we shall riseto meet Him or that our final placein the kingdom is assured. Yahshuatold His hearers to “Strive to enterin at the strait gate: for many, Isay unto you, will seek to enterin, and shall not be able.” Luke13:24. There will be vast numbersof disappointed persons atYahshua’s return. He said “thereshall be wailing and gnashing ofteeth.” Matt 13:42. The solemnquestion is ‘Are you ready?’

If repentance and baptism guaran-teed eternal life there would havebeen no need for Yahshua toemphasise vigilance as well. Thefact that He was so insistent on theneed to be watchful is telling us thatwe must take nothing for granted.There is no rest till the journey’send. Repentance and baptism donot cover future sins. We mustconfess and repent of any subse-quent sins, and practise the doc-trines and principles of the Bible,constantly measuring our lives byYahweh’s word. Vigilance must beour motto. Paul worked untiringlyfor Yahweh and was a shiningexample of how believers shouldconduct themselves, yet he tooknothing for granted. He said. “Ikeep under my body, and bring itinto subjection: lest that by anymeans, when I have preached to

of new relationships. Love is to act insuch a way that one’s partner feelssafe and secure, satisfied, innocent,worthy, empowered, courageous andbonded. These are the feelings of love. The keys to the creation of thesefeelings are HONESTY andACCEPTENCE. Honesty requires anunderstanding of how we create ourfeelings, especially our anger – to theextent that we simply cannot blameothers or hold others responsible forit. Honesty is the process of describingto others how we are creating our angerat them. Acceptance of another personcomes from understanding ourselves.Once we know that others don’t makeus angry, we come to understand thatwe don’t upset others, either. Ifsomeone is angry with me, it isinvariably something going on for them.Now, does that mean we can be asmean as we want to others and therebyavoid any responsibility for their pain?Yahweh forbid! We are commanded tosacrifice for others. Then Yahshua said to Hisdisciples, “If anyone desires to comeafter Me, let him deny himself, andtake up his stake [or, figuratively,‘expose himself to death’], and followMe. For whoever desires to save hislife will lose it, but whoever loses hislife for My sake will find it. For whatprofit is it to a man if he gains thewhole world, and loses his own soul?Or what will a man give in exchangefor his soul? For the Son of Man willcome in the glory of His Father withHis angels, and then He will rewardeach according to his works,” Matthew16:24-27 NKJV. Honesty and acceptance are thetwo rules or qualities of goodcommunication. Bad communication,contrarily, is filled with dishonesty andrejection; lies and judgment; threatsand discounts; and pride and silence.Honesty is manifested when we candisplay our anger without that fleshlyNEED to cause the other to feel afraid,guilty, ashamed, disappointed,powerless, disconnected or guilty. Inother words, honesty must be devoidof blaming, threatening, judging,shaming, commanding, demanding –

or removing the right for another tothink, feel and act according to theirown desires. Acceptance is manifested when wecan listen to another, no matter howjudgmental, threatening, blaming,sarcastic or demanding they may beacting – and NOT take it personally. Iknow. That’s asking a lot. But, is thisnot the ultimate respect we can payto someone? It’s interesting to me that we werecreated in the image of Yahweh. I seethat we have all the same feelings andcharacter of our Creator. His characterwas manifested in His Son, Yahshua,and we are commanded to love othersto the degree that He loved us. I mean,He died for us! What on earth could beso important that we find ourselvesmaking the lives of others miserableso that we can have OUR way? Whenwe fight to have our ways, are we notsaying that “Getting what *I* want ismore important than eternal life”? Inmy professional opinion, that’s crazy! He that loves his life shall lose it;and he that hates his life in this worldshall keep it unto life eternal, John12:25. In addition to the prohibition ofmaking anything in the image ofanything in heaven or on earth, thereis another characteristic of Yahweh

that we have been given, but areforbidden to display. And, thatcharacteristic is Judgment, in the formof condemnation or, if you will,vengeance. For we know Him who said,“Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” saysYahweh. And again, “Yahweh will judgeHis people.” (Hebrews 10:30-31 NKJV) And, here we are, mankind puffedup with the leaven of jealousy, pride,envy, anger and fury, standing beforeYahweh, set-apart as His inheritance.Tell me! Just how merciful andlongsuffering is our Elohim? After all the destruction He bringsupon us, His people, there is yet hope. Therefore thus saith the AlmightyYahweh; Now will I bring again thecaptivity of Jacob, and have mercyupon the whole House of Israel, andwill be JEALOUS for my holy name,Ezekiel 39:25. Then will Yahweh be JEALOUS forhis land, and pity his people, Joel 2:18. Elohim is JEALOUS, and Yahwehrevengeth; Yahweh revengeth, and isfurious; Yahweh will take vengeanceon his adversaries, and He reservethwrath for his enemies, Nahum 1:2. For I am JEALOUS over you withElohim-like JEALOUSY: for I haveespoused you to one husband, that Imay present you as a chaste virgin tothe Messiah, 2 Corinthians 11:2 [Paulspeaking to Believers]. Beloved, let us love one another:for love is of Yahweh; and every onethat loves is born of Yahweh, andknows Yahweh. He that loves notknows not Yahweh; for Yahweh is love.In this was manifested the love ofYahweh toward us, because Yahwehsent His only begotten Son into theworld, that we might live through Him.Herein is love, not that we lovedYahweh, but that He loved us, and sentHis Son to be the propitiation for oursins. Beloved, if Yahweh so loved us,we ought also to love one another, 1John 4:7-11. Praise Yahweh. In the name of HisMessiah, Yahshua, HalleluYah!

Elder John Fisher


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YAIY Beacon • May - June 2007 1 · YAIY Beacon • May - June 2007 5 edition), under “Pentecost,” page 123, reads in part: “Hebrews numeration always included the day which