Author Archives: YRM

the Millennium

Why do you apply Isaiah 53 to the Messiah? This is referring to the Jewish people.

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Q.   Do you have a passage clearly stating that Yahweh would send the Messiah to die for our sins? Isaiah 53 does not confirm this. I agree with Judaism that Isaiah is speaking about Israel, who is Yahweh’s firstborn son (Exodus 4:22). You have to read Isaiah 51-53 to get the whole picture of whom Yahweh is speaking about. After reading several OT scholarly interpretations of ancient biblical Hebrew, it confirms that Isaiah is speaking of Israel as a nation (at least this is the consensus of those who understand biblical Hebrew and the analytical side of the language).

A.   To apply Isaiah 53 to the nation of Israel is nonsensical! This passage is clearly speaking about a single individual that would atone for man’s sins. Below are several excerpts that confirm this passage is speaking about a person and not to a nation or collection of people:

Isaiah 53:2-3: “For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.”

We see here the personal pronoun “he.” While it may be possible to apply this collectedly to a nation, it’s highly improbable that such conditions could be used to describe an entire nation. Although, considering the persecution of the Jewish people through history, especially during the Holocaust, it’s certainly possible to apply this perhaps to the majority, but not to the entirety.

Isaiah 53:5-6: “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and Yahweh hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.”

This passage cannot apply collectively to the Jewish nation. It’s not possible for a nation to be wounded for the transgressions of mankind. This must apply to a single person with the ability to atone for man’s sins.

Isaiah 53:8: “He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.”

We again see the personal pronoun “he,” indicating a single individual. Also, this man was cut off from the land of the living, i.e., he died. If we apply to this the Jewish nation at large, we would need to conclude that the Jewish nation has died off. However, we know this is not the case. In His mercy, Yahweh has preserved the Jewish people and even restored them to their land.

Isaiah 53:9: “…because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.”

While we at this Ministry are slow to criticize the Jewish people and believe that they will always hold a special place with Yahweh, it would be dishonest to claim that the Jewish people have not done violence or are without deceit or sin.

Isaiah 53:11: “He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.”

As we saw earlier, Isaiah prophesies that this person would “bear their iniquity.” How is it possible that a nation bears the iniquity of anyone? This must refer to a single person with the position and moral authority to provide himself as a propitiation for sin.

Based on the above examination, it is far more reasonable to apply Isaiah 53 to a person and not to a nation. And the only person throughout the history of mankind who fits this description is Yahshua the Messiah, the Son of Yahweh.

the Millennium

Does Matthew 27:52 verify that there will be three resurrections?

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Q.   The order given in 1 Corinthians 15 is 1) Messiah, 2) firstfruits, and 3) those at the Messiah’s Coming. Most just read right over this and assume the next group to be taken is “the firstfruits.” They even assume the “firstfruits” are the 144,000. If the “firstfruits” have not been taken already, then we have to assume they will be taken before the Messiah returns. If you believe this is so, I must ask, who then was resurrected in Matthew 27:52? It becomes clear that the next resurrection is #3, those at His Coming. What are your thoughts and beliefs on these Scriptures?

A.   Before addressing Matthew 27:52, it’s important to realize that Paul in 1Corinthians 15:23 connects the “firstfruits” to Yahshua’s resurrection. It reads, “But every man in his own order: Messiah the firstfruits; afterward they that are Messiah’s at his coming.” We see here two resurrections, Yahshua’s resurrection, which was the firstfruits, and those at His coming.

Regarding Matthew 27:52, while the Bible records that many of the saints were resurrected after Yahshua’s resurrection, there is no evidence to confirm that this was a resurrection from flesh to spirit, as we find with Yahshua’s resurrection and promised to those at His Second Coming. Paul in 1Thessalonians 4:16-17 states, “For the Master himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of Elohim: and the dead in Messiah shall rise first. Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Master in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Master.”

The saints who were resurrected immediately after Yahshua’s own resurrection served as a sign of Yahshua’s messiahship. Similar to the darkness and the curtain of the temple being torn, these things were done as a witness to confirm that Yahshua was indeed the promised Messiah and the Son of Yahweh. Since the Scripture does not provide any additional information and does not speak about a resurrection at this time, we assume these saints later died and are waiting for Yahshua’s Second Coming to be resurrected from flesh to Spirit.

the Millennium

What are the main differences between YRM and Jehovah’s Witnesses?

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Q.   What are the main differences between YRM and Jehovah’s Witnesses?

A.  There are several differences between YRM and the Jehovah’s Witnesses. The most notable are the names of Yahweh and Yahshua for the Father and Son along with the Sabbath and Feast days.

The Jehovah Witnesses call upon the name Jehovah. While scholarship may have favored this pronunciation many years ago, today nearly all scholars agree that the name is Yahweh. Even the Jehovah Witnesses acknowledge that Yahweh is favored by Hebrew scholars. They state the following in their Insight on the Scriptures, “‘Jehovah’ is the best known English pronunciation of the divine name, although ‘Yahweh’ is favored by most Hebrew scholars,” vol. 2, pg. 5.

Below are a few additional references on Jehovah:

A Book About the Bible, George Stimpson, pg. 247. “Jehovah in that form was unknown to the ancient Israelites. In fact, Hebrew scholars say that Jehovah would have been impossible according to the strict principles of Hebrew vocalization. The God of Israel was known by a name approximately rendered into English as Yahweh.”

The Journey from Texts to Translations, Paul D. Wegner, pg, 172, 173. “The scribes reasoned that if they did not point the name Yahweh then it could never be treated lightly since his name would not really be known. Initially the real pointing was probably passed along by tradition, but in time it was lost. In Exodus 20:7 the name Lord is written in capital letters according to the convention of signifying the name Yahweh, but the name as it appears in the Hebrew text is hwhy (yehowa), in which appear the consonants from the name Yahweh (hwhy [yhwh]) and the vowels from the word Lord (ynda [‘idonay]). Proof for the fabricated nature of this word are the two vowels which appear on the waw, an impossibility in Hebrew. However, until the revival of the Hebrew language in western Europe scholars read the consonants YHWH (Germans would read them as JHVH) with the vowels of ‘adonay, thereby originating the incorrect form Jehovah. This word was then introduced into English by William Tyndale and was continued by the King James Version.”

Understanding the Old Testament, Bernhard Anderson, “Definition: ‘Jehovah,’ ‘The Lord,’” pg. 61. “The personal divine name YHWH…has had an interesting history. In the Old Testament period the Hebrew language was written only with consonants; vowels were not added until the Common Era, when Hebrew was no longer a living language. On the basis of Greek texts, which of course use both vowels and consonants, it is believed that the original pronunciation of the name was Yahweh. Notice the shortened form of the divine name in the exclamation, ‘Halleluyah’ — ‘Praise Yah.’”

Along with the name Jehovah, another difference is they normally worship on Sunday (although they believe any day is acceptable for worship), while we observe the seventh-day Sabbath, as verified through Scripture. While there are no clear examples of Sunday being observed in the New Testament, the Sabbath is mentioned 60 times. In fact, Yahshua the Messiah and the apostles all observed the Sabbath. In two key passages, we see that it was Paul’s practice to worship and teach on the Sabbath.

“And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures,” Acts 17:2.

“And he [Paul] reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks,” Acts 18:4.

In addition to the New Testament, prophecy shows that the Sabbath will be observed in the coming millennial Kingdom. Consider the following examples:

“And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith Yahweh,” Isaiah 66:23.

“Thus saith my Sovereign Yahweh; The gate of the inner court that looketh toward the east shall be shut the six working days; but on the sabbath it shall be opened, and in the day of the new moon it shall be opened,” Ezekiel 46:1.

We find similar evidence for the biblical Feast days. While many believe these days are no longer obligatory, including the Jehovah Witnesses, the New Testament along with prophecy confirms that the apostles observed these days and that they will be observed in the coming Kingdom. Consider the below examples from the New Testament:

Passover

  • “Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the Passover” (Luke 2:41).
  • “…Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples?” (Luke 22:11).
  • “Now before the feast of the passover, when Yahshua knew that his hour was come…” (John 13:1).
  • “…For even Messiah our passover is sacrificed for us” (1Corinthians 5:7).

Feast of Unleavened Bread

  • “And we sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread…” (Acts 20:6).
  • “Therefore let us keep the feast…” (1Corinthians 5:8).

Feast of Weeks (Pentecost)

  • “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come…” (Acts 2:1).
  • “…for he hasted, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost” (Acts 20:16).
  • “But I will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost” (1Corinthians 16:8).

Day of Atonement

  • “…because the fast [Day of Atonement] was now already past…” (Acts 27:9).

Feast of Tabernacles

  • “Now the Jews’ feast of tabernacles was at hand… In the last day, that great day of the feast, Yahshua stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink” (John 7:2, 37).

While there are other differences beyond the ones noted, these are the most significant. As believers, proper worship is critical to our walk. It’s paramount that we follow the Bible and not man’s tradition. Even though the Jehovah Witnesses have elements of truth, they are missing key aspects of Scripture.

Ministry News for June 1, 2018

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Update on Activities Building

We’ve made considerable progress on the upper level of the activities building. Ryan Mansager, Lucas Cecil, and James Duenow have completed nearly all the framing. Dave Turmenne, who travelled from Maine with his family to be here for Pentecost, donated several days to the ministry providing invaluable assistance. As a master electrician by trade, he ran most of the electric for the upstairs. In addition, this week Pastor Randy Folliard and Levi Mansager installed the insulation in the rooms. The installation of the drywall is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, two weeks ahead of schedule. The immediate need this building will provide is lodging for the upcoming Feast of Tabernacles. It will also be used for other group functions throughout the year. If you would like to assist with this building, we are in need of donations. To learn more, including how to donate, visit our building fund page.

Feast of Tabernacles Invite

We warmly invite you to this year’s Feast of Tabernacles in Holts Summit, Missouri. Along with daily worship services and several Bible workshops, we have many activities planned for young and old, including: roller skating, volleyball, bingo, Hebrew dancing, puppet show, bounce house, and more. As for lodging, we have two remaining dorm rooms in our new activities building and several electric tent sites. If you are interested in a dorm room, we encourage you to register soon. Because these rooms are limited, they are only available to those who plan to observe all eight days of the Feast with YRM. There is also one hotel, America’s Best Value Inn, in Holts Summit, two miles from the Assembly. This Feast promises to be a blessing and a taste of the Kingdom. Don’t delay, register today. For more information, visit https://yrm.org/tabernacles-2018.

Broadcasting Issues

For those who watch our live Sabbath broadcast, we apologize for last week’s outage and technical issues. The problem was caused by a recent software update. We are working to resolve these issues and hope to have everything running as normal tomorrow. For those unfamiliar with this service, we broadcast live our Shabbat service every Saturday at 1:30 pm, Central, from yrm.org/live.

 Recent Q&A’s

Why do you believe that baptism into Yahshua’s name is required for salvation?
Can you provide Old Testament passages confirming the Messiah?
Do you believe that all the evil people who have died will be given the chance to repent during the Last Great Day?
Why do you spell out the word “God”?  Isn’t “God” basically the English rendering of Elohim?
Would a Friday Passover place the wavesheaf before the resurrection?
What is the meaning and significance of Wormwood?

 Prayer List

View prayer list >>

 

TEST YOUR TUTELAGE

As believers, it is our responsibility to judge those outside the assembly.

A. True
B. False

As believers, it is not our obligation to judge those in the world and outside the assembly. In 1Corinthians 5:9-13 Paul states, “I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world. But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? But them that are without Elohim judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.” While we are not to judge those without, Paul states that we are to judge those within the body of Messiah. Judge here is not to condemn, but to discern right from wrong.

 

Correct: B

the Millennium

Why do you believe that baptism into Yahshua’s name is required for salvation?

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Q.   I was baptized into the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in a Charismatic church in 2003. Although I understand about being baptized into the singular name of Yahshua the Messiah, I am perplexed about it being a requisite to salvation. I believe that I am saved now. I am coming to the truth of Torah and growing daily. Does the fact that I haven’t been baptized into Yahshua’s name mean that I am not saved? I am totally committed to having it done, but where I live the only messianic Torah observant assembly rejects the Messiah and the other mainstream local assemblies would not baptize into the singular name of Yahshua. What can I do?

A.   We do not believe that salvation is assured. Even the Apostle Paul realized that it was possible for him to lose his salvation. “But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway,” 1 Corinthians 9:27. Yahshua too taught this belief. He confirmed that only those who endure to the end will be saved, Matthew 24:14. Therefore, we do not believe that we are saved or born again until we are changed at the resurrection, 1 Corinthians 15 and 1 Thessalonians 4.

I believe we agree that baptism into Yahshua’s name is important. The reason we believe this is required for salvation, or more specifically for the first resurrection, is because it is through baptism that we die to the old man and become part of Messiah. This is also the only method for the forgiveness of sins. Paul in Romans 6:3-5 states, “Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Yahshua Messiah were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Messiah was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection.”

Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:23 also confirms that only those in Messiah will share in the first resurrection, “But every man in his own order: Messiah the firstfruits; afterward they that are Messiah’s at his coming.” Since we become part of Messiah through baptism, proper baptism is critical. Scripture also verifies that salvation is found only in Yahshua’s name through baptism, Acts 2:38 and 4:12. I’m not sure where you are located, but I have found that if we desire something enough, Yahweh will make a way for it to occur. For example, we recently had a man fly from Ireland to be baptized into Yahshua’s name.

the Millennium

I found a Torah-observant assembly, but they reject the Messiah. Can you provide Old Testament passages confirming the Messiah?

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Q.   I found a Torah-observant assembly, but they reject the Messiah. Can you provide Old Testament passages confirming the Messiah? They use Isaiah 43:11 and similar passages to prove that Yahweh is our only Savior.

A.   There are many Old Testament passages that speak to Yahshua the Messiah. Possibly the greatest example is the 53rd chapter of Isaiah: “Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of Yahweh revealed? For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of Elohim, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and Yahweh hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. Yet it pleased Yahweh to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of Yahweh shall prosper in his hand. He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.”

While many Jews claim this passage is a reference to the Jewish people collectively, clearly the context is referring to a person who would be rejected and die for the sins of mankind. As the last part of verse 12 states, “…and made intercession for the transgressors.” There are many New Testament passages confirming this prophecy, including: Matthew 8:17; 27:57; Mark 15:28; Luke 22:37; John 1:29; 10:11; Acts 8:32-33; 1 Peter 2:22.

Another passage that clearly confirms Yahshua as the Son of Yahweh is Proverbs 30:4. It states, “Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? who hath gathered the wind in his fists? who hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath established all the ends of the earth? what is his name, and what is his son’s name, if thou canst tell?”

Based on the context, there is no doubt this is referring to Creation. Not only does it ask what the Father’s name is, but also the Son’s name? If Yahweh had no Son, why would it ask for His name? This unquestionably supports the existence of Yahshua the Messiah. It also confirms that He preexisted with the Father at Creation. Yahshua also testifies to His preexistence in John 17:5: “And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.” See also John 1:1-3 and Colossians 1:15-16.

Below are additional prophecies confirming Yahshua as the Messiah:

Deuteronomy 18:15: “Yahweh thy Elohim will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken.”

Acts 7:37: “This is that Moses, which said unto the children of Israel, A prophet shall Yahweh your Elohim raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear.”

Psalm 2:7: “I will declare the decree: Yahweh hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.”

Acts 13:33: “Yahweh hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Yahshua again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.”

Isaiah 7:14: “Therefore Yahweh himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”

Matthew 1:23: “Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, El with us.”

Micah 5:2: “But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.”

Matthew 2:6: “And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.”

Regarding Isaiah 43:11, this cannot be used to write the Messiah out of existence. This passage is simply acknowledging the superiority of Almighty Yahweh. Since all things proceed from Him, including His Son, all credit also returns to Him. It should also be remembered that Yahweh gave His Son as a sacrifice for our sins. “For Yahweh so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life,” John 3:16. In their unique ways, both the Father and Son can be considered a “Savior.”

As believers we must remain committed to the Messiah. If we neglect Yahshua as the Messiah, we jeopardize our salvation. Consider the below warnings:

John 15:1-6: “I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.”

2John 7-10: “For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Yahshua Messiah is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antimessiah. Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Messiah, hath not Elohim. He that abideth in the doctrine of Messiah, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him greeting.”

For additional insight, visit our Q&A page.

the Millennium

I read your article, Final Judgement of the Last Great Day. Are you suggesting that all the evil people who have died will be given the chance to repent during the Last Great Day or final judgment of mankind?

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Q.   I read your article, Final Judgement of the Last Great Day. Are you suggesting that all the evil people who have died will be given the chance to repent during the Last Great Day or final judgment of mankind?

A.   We are not suggesting that all people will be given a chance in the Second Resurrection or judgment, as mentioned in Revelation 22:11-15. The Bible states there that we’ll be judged based on our works, i.e., whether we lived a life of righteousness based on Yahweh’s Word.

In addition to works, we also believe that knowledge plays a role in judgment. Yahshua the Messiah in John 9:41 told the Pharisees, “…If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.” Yahweh, our Heavenly Father, does not judge us when we are genuinely ignorant. However, once we know, we have an obligation to obey and if we openly rebel, we will be judged for it. James 4:17 states, “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.”

Regarding the evil people who have died, depending on their infraction, repentance may not be possible. For example, we do not see much hope for people like Adolph Hitler who ruthlessly slaughtered millions of people. Second Peter 2:12 states, “But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption.”

In short, the Bible confirms that all of mankind will be judged based on their works with consideration of what they understood. For those who may not have misunderstood key biblical truths, but who stilled lived a life of honesty and virtue, we believe they will be given the chance to learn and grow in the Word. However, for the person who lived a deplorable or wicked life in full knowledge, they will be judged accordingly.

For additional insight, visit our Q&A page.

the Millennium

Why do you spell out the word “God”? Isn’t it synonymous with “Elohim”?

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Q.   Why do you spell out the word “God”? You say the word Elohim and isn’t “God” basically the English rendering of Elohim?

A.   Some spell out “God” because of its pagan connection. According to the Britannica, the root of god means, “to pour as a molten image.” Also, according to some scholars, the supreme deity of the Teutonic religion was named and pronounced “God.” To avoid this connection and pronunciation of this word, some will simply spell it out. Below are a few references confirming these associations:

“…and that even where the earlier neuter form is still kept, as in Gothic and Old Norwegian, the construction is masculine…. “God” is a word common to all Teutonic languages. In Gothic it is Guth; Dutch has the same form as English; Danish and Swedish have Gud, German Gott. According to the New English Dictionary, the original may be found in two Aryan roots, both of the form gheu, one of which means ‘to invoke,’ the other ‘to pour’…the last is used of sacrificial offerings. The word would thus mean the object either of religious invocation or of religious worship by sacrifice. It has been also suggested that the word might mean a ‘molten image’ from the sense of ‘pour.” (Encyclopaedia Britannica, Vol. 12, 1911).

“It is much more difficult to trace the Teutonic word, ‘God,’ back to its origin. There is no doubt that the Supreme Being has always been called by this name in all German tongues…. We can only say, therefore, that ‘God’ was probably an old Teutonic word, used long before the introduction of Christianity, to signify either one Supreme Being, or gods in general. Indeed, we find that in the Old Norse, god in the neuter means a grave image, an idol” (Edinburgh Review, vol. XCIV, p. 170).

“In all Teutonic tongues the Supreme Being was always with one consent been called by the general name God…. Some remarkable uses of the word God in our older speech and that of the common people may have a connexion with heathen notions” (Jacob Grimm, Teutonic Mythology, pp. 13, 15, 1882).

the Millennium

Would a Friday Passover place the wavesheaf before the Resurrection?

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Q.   According to Sadduces’ method of starting the count, does this mean that when the 14th falls on a Friday, you would observe the wavesheaf before the anniversary of the Messiah’s resurrection (end of 17th)? Also, didn’t Yahshua say to the Sadduces in Mark 12:24 and elsewhere that “you do not understand the Scriptures or the power of Yahweh”?

A.   Yes, in this scenario the wavesheaf would fall on Sunday, a day before the anniversary of Yahshua’s resurrection (accounting for the three days and three nights the Messiah was in the tomb). Interestingly, in this example, the Sadducees and Pharisees would have observed the wavesheaf on the same day. This is due to the fact that the Pharisees began the count on the day after the first High Sabbath, Abib 16, and the Sadducees began the count on the morrow after the weekly Sabbath, Sunday, during the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Therefore, in this specific example, both methods of counting would produce the same results.

Regarding the Sadducees, it’s true that Yahshua reprimanded them in Mark 12:24 for not correctly understanding the resurrection. That being said, He also reprimanded the Pharisees countless times in the New Testament for their man-made traditions and error. Therefore, Yahshua’s reprimands of these Jewish sects are irrelevant as it pertains to His doctrine. Below are a few examples of His displeasure with the Pharisees:

“Then came to Yahshua scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying, Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread. But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of Elohim by your tradition?” Matthew 15:1-3.

“But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater judgment. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of Gehenna than yourselves,” Matthew 23:13-15.

“And he charged them, saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod,” Mark 8:15.

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the Millennium

What is the meaning of “Wormwood” and Revelation 8:11?

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Q.   I’ve been reading Revelation and I came across the name Wormwood. However, it seems to be both a name and a description. Rev 8:11: “And the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter.” I also found the term wormwood in Deuteronomy as well. Can you possibly shed some light on the meaning of the term as a description (my gut tells me it’s refers to bitterness) and as a name as in the name of the star?

A.   The term “wormwood” actually appears nine times in the Bible, seven times in the Old Testament and twice in Revelation 8:11. The Hebrew word for wormwood is la’anah. Strong’s states, “…from an unused root supposed to mean to curse; wormwood (regarded as poisonous, and therefore accursed).” The Greek, as found in Revelation 8:11, is apsinthos and means, “…wormwood (as a type of bitterness, i.e. [figuratively] calamity.” Interestingly, the Russian word  “Chernobyl” literally means “wormwood.”

Based on the Greek apsinthos, Revelation 8:11 is likely referring to the water being poisoned by a “star.” This word derives from the Greek aster and is defined as, “…probably from the base of NT:4766; a star (as strown over the sky), literally or figuratively,” Strong’s. Since the meaning of star is somewhat ambiguous, there are numerous interpretations. Two common interpretations are either an asteroid or nuclear missile. Considering the cryptic nature of the passage, either interpretation may be correct, along with other explanations. Whatever the star symbolizes, the impact is known, the third part of the waters are poisoned and many people die as a result.