Why do you use the barley to determine the start of the year?

Posted on May 10, 2022May 10, 2022 by YRM

Why do you use the barley to determine the start of the year? To begin the month, do you use the crescent or full moon? Also, what about the lunar Sabbath belief?

Support for the barley can be found in the meaning of the word Abib, the name of the first biblical month, and in biblical scholarship.

A reference to the first biblical month is in Deuteronomy 16:1. “Observe the month of Abib….” The word “Abib” refers to young ears of grain: “…from an unused root (meaning to be tender); green, i.e. a young ear of grain; hence, the name of the month Abib or Nisan,” Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance.

“Month of ear-forming, of greening of crop, of growing green Abib, the month of the Exodus and the Passover (March or April),” Brown Driver Briggs Hebrew Lexicon.

“…barley that is already ripe, but still soft, the grains of which are eaten either rubbed or roasted,” The Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament.

“The name of the month, so called because corn [grain] was then forming in the ear, a few weeks before harvest; falling somewhere about March or April; afterwards called Nisan, the first month of the Hebrew year,” Wilson’s Old Testament Word Studies.

Strictly speaking, the first month, Abib, describes the stage of barley that is in the dough stage or later. The minimum allowance for Abib was a wave sheaf used in bundling or about two dry quarts. Also, since the Bible confirms that the barley precedes the new moon crescent (Exodus 9:31 and 12:2), you must have barley that meets the minimum stage of Abib by the time of the new moon crescent. We reject the idea of projecting the barley in anticipation of the wave sheaf offering.

Because Israel observed the barley from the Holy Land and there is a need for a unified year throughout the globe, we observe the barley in Israel.

Scholarship also supports the use of barley to commence the first biblical month: “…Abib is not properly a name of a month, but part of a descriptive phrase, ‘the month of young ears of grain.’ This may indicate the Israelitish way of determining the new year (Ex 12:2), the year beginning with the new moon nearest or next preceding this stage of the growth of the barley,” International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia. See also New Unger’s Bible Dictionary.

Scripture and scholarship confirm the new moon for the start of the month. The word month, as seen in Exodus 12:2 and Deuteronomy 16:1, comes from the Hebrew chodesh and is defined as “…from OT:2318; the new moon; by implication, a month: -month (-ly), new moon.” OT:2318, chadash, is “a primitive root; to be new; causatively, to rebuild.” Strong’s Hebrew Dictionary used in both definitions.

“The Hebrew or Jewish calendar had three stages of development: the preexilic, or Biblical; the postexilic, or Talmudic; and the post-Talmudic. The first rested solely on observation, the second on observation coupled with calculation, and the third on calculation only. In the first period the priests determined the beginning of each month by the appearance of the new moon,” International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia.

“Originally, the New Moon was not fixed by astronomical calculation, but was solemnly proclaimed after witnesses had testified to the reappearance of the crescent of the moon… By the middle of the fourth century, the sages had established a permanent calendar and the public proclamation of the New Moon was discontinued,” Encyclopaedia Judaica, Vol. 12, p. 1039.

Reckoning the start of the week and Sabbath by the moon is nowhere in the Bible, The week was already in its fourth day of creation before the moon was established to divide day and night, Genesis 1:14-18. Starting a week by the moon results in a partial week at the end of the month. Lunar Sabbaths don’t work in counting out the Feast days. For additional information see our booklet: The Lunar Sabbath Illusion. We show that this belief is nowhere found in the Word and is totally untenable.

How do you know which church is the right church to attend? Also I am interested in learning more and getting baptized but am nervous as to keeping Sabbaths and feasts.

Posted on June 14, 2021June 14, 2021 by YRM

How do you know which church is the right church to attend? Also I am interested in learning more and getting baptized but am nervous as to keeping Sabbaths and feasts.

The only way you know if the “church” is right is by measuring what they believe against the Word. Below are a few questions you need to ask yourself:
• Are they using and honoring the Names of Yahweh and Yahshua?
• Are they worshiping on the Sabbath (Saturday) and keeping it holy?
• Are they observing the biblical Feast days as we see in the New Testament?
• Are they eating kosher based on Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14?
• Are they applying Yahshua’s living example in their own walk?
Nothing is more necessary than baptism into Yahshua’s Name and the subsequent receiving of the Holy Spirit. As Acts 4:12 states, there is only one name under heaven whereby we find salvation, i.e., Yahshua. Baptism is the only way we become part of Messiah and receive the Holy Spirit, which is necessary for the first resurrection. While it’s normal to be nervous about baptism, that should not stop you. However, before baptism make sure you understand the commitment involved and repent for a life-change.

Is Feast Keeping Only Symbolic?

Posted on January 30, 2020January 30, 2020 by YRM

I know a group who believe in the weekly Sabbath but teach that Zechariah 14:16-17 says that only the Feast of Tabernacles will be observed in the Millennium. Furthermore, they state that these things were fulfilled in the Messiah and therefore all feast keeping is symbolic, for He was offered as the “final sacrifice.”

Zechariah 14:16-17 does teach that Tabernacles will be kept in the Millennium. Isaiah 66:23 also says of the Millennium, “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, says Yahweh.”

Notice, this passage speaks of not only the new moons, but also includes more than the weekly Sabbath, because the Hebrew for Sabbath is in the plural. The other annual Sabbaths will be observed in the Millennium as well as Tabernacles.

Leviticus 23 lists the seven annual Holy Days and we read that these “shall be a statute forever throughout your generations in all your dwellings” (verses 14, 21, 31, 41).

If as some wrongly assume, the Feasts were given only to Jews, then the Jews were misled by His assumed abolishing of them because Yahshua’s death and the New Covenant He instituted apply to Jews as well, Galatians 3:28.

If these days were abolished or set aside by Yahshua, then why did Paul say in 1Corinthians 5:7-8, “For even Messiah our passover is sacrificed for us: Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth”?

Here Paul was also addressing Gentiles. The Corinthians were not Jews. Yet he plainly described the Savior as “our” Passover sacrifice, adding that we should keep the Feast of Unleavened Bread! Obviously, the Corinthians had been taught about Passover and the seven days of Unleavened Bread that follow.

All this was after the death and resurrection of the Savior, and Paul was still teaching the annual Holy Days! Why? Because the Bible calls them “Yahweh’s Feasts,” not Jewish Feasts.

In writing the history of the early assembly Luke specifically mentions that he and others sailed away from Philippi after the days of Unleavened Bread, Acts 20:6. Note that Luke establishes time according to the annual holy days, which would be irrelevant if those days were no longer in effect.

Paul was determined to spend Pentecost at Jerusalem (Acts 20:16), and Acts 24:11 reveals that he went there to worship, not just to address a crowd of people. This was 25 years after the impalement and resurrection of the Messiah Yahshua.

In Acts 18:21 we learn that Paul observed the Feast of Tabernacles. In Acts 27:9 Luke establishes the time according to the fast on the Day of Atonement commanded in Leviticus 23:27-29 (about 61 C.E.).

The sacrifices ordained in the Old Testament are set in abeyance for us today since the death and resurrection of the Messiah. But the sacrifices were only an aspect of the ceremony carried out at the Feasts.

Just because the sacrificial ceremony changed does not mean the Feasts themselves went into disuse as well. If we are Abraham’s seed and take hold of the Covenant offered us, we will become a part of the body of Messiah. Afterwards those not called now will be given their opportunity, but the sacrifices will be reinstituted, as we see in Ezekiel 40-44.

The weekly and annual Sabbaths were given anciently to Cain and Abel (Gen. 4:1-5). They were kept by Abraham (Gen. 26:5) and written down for Israel when they were redeemed from Egypt, Exodus 23:10-11, 24:3. These were observed by ancient Israel. They were observed by the Messiah and His disciples. Paul kept them as shown. They will be kept in the Kingdom. Why then do some teach that these Sabbaths and annual Holy Days are set aside now?

To assume Colossians 2:14-16 states that the annual Feast Days are done away is perverting Scripture. This is not what these verses teach. Neither do they do away with or set aside the weekly Sabbath as some Sunday keepers teach.

How can we be a teacher and a priest in the Kingdom (Rev. 1:6; 5:10) unless we can show others what to do and when to observe these commanded days? Even in our secular world one has to be very knowledgeable about the law and even be a practicing lawyer before one becomes a judge.

How can we be a judge in the Kingdom when we never kept the annual Sabbaths a day in our life? How can we bring judgment upon someone for not observing Tabernacles (Zech. 14:16-18) when we ourselves never observed it?

The walk in truth is a continuum. It begins in this life and carries on into the next life in the Kingdom.

How do you explain those passages, along with early Church Fathers, confirming that Sunday was observed in the New Testament?

Posted on June 21, 2018June 21, 2018 by YRM

Q. You’re being dishonest and twisting Acts 17, while avoiding passages which show a Sunday resurrection. In Acts 17, Paul went to the synagogue to preach Christ for salvation. You purposefully left out verses 3-4: “Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ. And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few.”

You claim there is no evidence that the church met on Sunday in the Bible, that’s baloney.

Acts 20:7: “And upon the first day of the week when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.”

This passage verifies that church was held on the first day of the week. They broke bread (had the Lord’s Supper) and Paul preached.

1 Corinthians 16:2: “Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.”

Collection was taken on the first day of the week, showing that the church met on Sunday.

Mark 16:9: “Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils.”

Firstfruits was not on the Sabbath but after the Sabbath. Lev 23:10 states, “Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye be come into the land which I give unto you, and shall reap the harvest thereof, then ye shall bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest unto the priest: 11 And he shall wave the sheaf before the Lord, to be accepted for you: on the morrow after the sabbath the priest shall wave it.”

1 Corinthians15:23 also states, “But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.”

The Bible confirms that it is the first day of the week that Jesus rose from the dead; it was the first day of the week the Lord’s Supper was to be taken; it was the first day of the week collection was taken; and the firstfruits was on the day after the Sabbath which is Sunday, and Jesus is the firstfruits

Also, in A.D. 140 Justin Martyr stated: “But Sunday is the day which we all hold our common assembly, because Jesus Christ, our Saviour, on the same day rose from the dead.” Apology, Chapter LXVII.

A. We respectfully disagree with your conclusions. While Paul certainly went to the synagogue to witness Yahshua the Messiah, it was also his custom or manner, Acts 17:2. The word “manner” comes from the Greek ethos and means, “…a usage (prescribed by habit or law),” Strong’s. Based on the Greek ethos, clearly it was Paul religious practice and conviction to worship on the Sabbath.

Regarding your other claims, below is a point-by-point reply:

Acts 20:7 is not referring to Sunday or to the “Lord’s Supper.” Instead, it refers to the first week to the count to Pentecost. The phrase “first day of the week” would be better read, “…the first of the Sabbaths” The word “day” is absent in the Greek and the word “week” derives from the Greek sabbaton and refers to the Sabbath. Strong’s defines sabbaton as, “…the Sabbath (i.e. Shabbath), or day of weekly repose from secular avocations (also the observance or institution itself); by extension, a se’nnight, i.e. the interval between two Sabbaths.” In addition, the word bread comes from the Greek klao and refers to bread in general. Interestingly, verse 6 references the Feast of Unleavened Bread and verse 20 references Pentecost. This further verifies that verse 7 refers to the count to Pentecost.

1 Corinthians 16:2 is not referring to Sunday as a day of worship. First, the word “day” is absent in the Greek. In the Greek it simply states, “Upon the first of the week.” There is no evidence that this was Sunday. It simply states that it was the first part of the week. In this passage Paul is instructing the brethren in Corinth to gather supplies for their brethren in Judea. Acts 11:27-30 confirms that Judea at this time was suffering from a severe famine.

While Mark 16:9 appears to state that Yahshua arose on the first day of the week, this passage can also be understood by readjusting the comma. The passage would be better read, “Now when Yahshua was risen, early the first day of the week he appeared first to Mary Magdalene out of whom he had cast seven devils.” By moving the comma after the phrase, “Now when Yahshua was risen,” this passage confirms that after Yahshua had risen the women had come to the tomb on the first day of the week. At this point, Yahshua had already risen from the grave. According to Matthew 12:40, He would be in the grave for three days and three nights, making the traditional time between Friday afternoon and Sunday morning impossible. The biblical record shows that He was in the grave from late Wednesday through late Saturday.

As a side note, even if Yahshua rose on Sunday, nowhere in the Bible does it state that the Messiah’s resurrection day is to be observed as a Sabbath. Some tie this phrase into the “Lord’s Day,” but this is not referring to Sunday, but to Yahshua’s return. Like so many of the teachings within Christianity, Sunday is built upon the precepts of man and solidified through 2,000 years of church tradition.

Regarding Yahshua fulfilling the firstfruits offering, we agree that this occurred on Sunday. However, it’s important to note that Yahshua fulfilled this after being resurrected. We believe this occurred when Mary saw Him in the garden perceiving Him at first to be the gardener, John 20:15: “Yahshua saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.”

Concerning your reference to Justin Martyr, Sunday worship, along with many other Church traditions, was already established by the second century CE.

For additional information, what our video: SABBATH – Sunday or Saturday?

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

Posted on June 5, 2018June 6, 2018 by YRM

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.

Whether you refer to it as Easter Sunday or Resurrection Sunday, it does not matter, as long as we worship our Lord who paid for our sins. As far as observing feast days or Sabbaths, we are not to allow others to judge us in such matters.

Posted on March 29, 2018November 4, 2020 by YRM

Q. Whether you refer to it as Easter Sunday or Resurrection Sunday, it does not matter, as long as we worship our Lord who paid for our sins. As far as observing feast days or Sabbaths, we are not to allow others to judge us in such matters. Colossians 2:16-17 states, “Therefore let no one judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a festival, a New Moon, or a Sabbath. These are a shadow of the things to come, but the body that casts it belongs to Christ.”

A. The belief that it doesn’t matter how we worship as long as our intentions are right could not be further from the truth. The Bible is extremely clear that we’re to worship Yahweh, our Heavenly Father, as He directs in His Word. We see many examples confirming what happens when we willfully stray from His commandments.

One of the most notable examples is found with the first king of Israel after the split between Southern and Northern Israel. Instead of worshiping Yahweh on the time He appointed, Jeroboam modified the date from the seventh to eighth month. He also set up golden calves and made priests of the lowest of the people, 1Kings 12:25-33. Because of this act of defiance, Jeroboam was cursed, 2Kings 13:1-10, and Israel never recovered.

There are similar examples of this type of rebellion by Israel. Elijah withstood Ahab and Jezebel and the prophets of Baal for a similar reason.

The Torah also provides many warnings against practicing the worship of other nations. Consider the following:

Leviticus 18:3: “After the doings of the land of Egypt, wherein ye dwelt, shall ye not do: and after the doings of the land of Canaan, whither I bring you, shall ye not do: neither shall ye walk in their ordinances.”
Leviticus 20:23: “And ye shall not walk in the manners of the nation, which I cast out before you: for they committed all these things, and therefore I abhorred them.”
Deuteronomy 12:30-31: “Take heed to thyself that thou be not snared by following them, after that they be destroyed from before thee; and that thou enquire not after their mighty ones, saying, How did these nations serve their mighty ones? even so will I do likewise. Thou shalt not do so unto Yahweh thy Elohim: for every abomination to Yahweh, which he hateth, have they done unto their mighty ones; for even their sons and their daughters they have burnt in the fire to their mighty ones.”

In addition to the Law, we find this warning from Jeremiah 10:2:

Jeremiah 10:2: “Thus saith Yahweh, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them.”

Clearly, Easter Sunday has two strikes against it. Number one, the Easter celebration is undeniably pagan and number two, the Messiah was not resurrected Sunday morning. Based on the biblical narrative, He was resurrected late on Saturday prior to sunset. Also, we are never commanded to remember His resurrection, only His death.

Here are a few sources confirming the paganism of Easter Sunday:

“The English word comes from the Anglo-Saxon Eastre or Estera, a Teutonic goddess to whom sacrifice was offered in April, so the name was transferred to the paschal feast. The word does not properly occur in Scripture, although the King James Version has it in Acts 12:4 where it stands for Passover … There is no trace of Easter celebration in the New Testament,” International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia, Easter.

“Easter was originally a pagan festival honoring Eostre, a Teutonic (Germanic) goddess of light and spring. At the time of the vernal equinox (the day in the spring when the sun crosses the equator and day and night are of equal length), sacrifices were offered in her honor. As early as the eighth century, the name was used to designate the annual Christian celebration of the resurrection of Christ,” Nelson’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Easter.

Regarding your reference to Colossians 2:16, Paul there is not disavowing the Sabbath and Feasts, as often taught by mainstream theologians. Paul’s message is quite the opposite. He is warning those in the assembly not to allow the world to judge them on their obedience to Yahweh’s Word.

The biblical record is clear, the Sabbath and Feasts were observed by the Messiah and His disciples. In some cases, years/decades after Yahshua’s resurrection. Below are several examples:

Luke 2:41: “Now his [Yahshua’s] parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the Passover.”
Luke 22:11 “…Where is the guestchamber, where I [Yahshua] shall eat the passover with my disciples?”
1Corinthians 5:7-8: “Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Messiah our passover is sacrificed for us. Therefore let us keep the feast….”
Acts 20:6: “And we [Paul and company] sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread….”
Acts 2:1: “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they [apostles / disciples] were all with one accord in one place.”
Acts 20:16: “…for he [Paul] hasted, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost.”
1Corinthians 16:8: “But I [Paul] will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost.”
Acts 27:9: “…because the fast [Day of Atonement] was now already past….”
John 7:2, 37: “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.”

I read your article regarding the SDA accepting the Feasts. As a Seventh Day Adventist, I believe the ceremonial laws that pointed to the redeemer were done away with at the cross. To keep these days means you are not accepting the Messiah as the one true sacrifice. Why do you continue to observe these days and deny the Lamb of G-d?

Posted on March 28, 2018March 28, 2018 by YRM

Q. I read your article regarding the SDA accepting the Feasts. As a Seventh Day Adventist (SDA), I believe the ceremonial laws that pointed to the redeemer were done away with at the cross. To keep these days means you are not accepting the Messiah as the one true sacrifice. Why do you continue to observe these days and deny the Lamb of G-d?

A. Besides the fact that the Feasts are prophetic and will be observed in the millennial Kingdom by all nations (Ezekiel 45-46; Zechariah 14:16), the Feasts were also observed in the New Testament by the Messiah and His disciples. Below are several examples:

Luke 2:41: “Now his [Yahshua’s] parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the Passover.”
Luke 22:11 “…Where is the guestchamber, where I [Yahshua] shall eat the passover with my disciples?”
1Corinthians 5:7-8: “Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Messiah our passover is sacrificed for us. Therefore let us keep the feast….”
Acts 20:6: “And we [Paul and company] sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread….”
Acts 2:1: “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they [apostles / disciples] were all with one accord in one place.”
Acts 20:16: “…for he [Paul] hasted, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost.”
1Corinthians 16:8: “But I [Paul] will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost.”
Acts 27:9: “…because the fast [Day of Atonement] was now already past….”
John 7:2, 37: “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.”

Many of these examples occurred years/decades after the Messiah’s death and resurrection. If the Feasts were tied to the sacrificial system and no longer required after Yahshua’s death, why then did the apostles continue to observe these days in the New Testament?

Also, the notion that these days are no longer required because of the sacrificial system would also apply to the Sabbath. As Numbers 28:9-10 verifies, there were also sacrifices on the Sabbath: “And on the sabbath day two lambs of the first year without spot, and two tenth deals of flour for a meat offering, mingled with oil, and the drink offering thereof: This is the burnt offering of every sabbath, beside the continual burnt offering, and his drink offering.”

Those who refuse to honor the Feasts due to sacrifices being offered on these days in the Old Testament must also apply this same reasoning to the Sabbath. Clearly, sacrifices were offered on both the weekly Sabbath and annual Feasts.

In addition, Yahweh lists the weekly Sabbath and annual Feasts together in Leviticus 23: “Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, Concerning the feasts of Yahweh, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations, even these are my feasts. Six days shall work be done: but the seventh day is the sabbath of rest, an holy convocation; ye shall do no work therein: it is the sabbath of Yahweh in all your dwellings. These are the feasts of Yahweh, even holy convocations, which ye shall proclaim in their seasons. In the fourteenth day of the first month at even is Yahweh’s Passover,” verses 2-5.

This passage confirms a continuity between the weekly Sabbath and Feasts. Try as a person might, you cannot observe the weekly Sabbath and dismiss the annual Feasts. To do this is contrary to Scripture and nonsensical.

Are physical exercise and sports permitted on the Sabbath?

Posted on January 30, 2018January 30, 2018 by YRM

Are physical exercise and sports permitted on the Sabbath?

We do not believe that exercise and sports are permitted on the Sabbath.

The Sabbath is first and foremost a day of rest The word “Sabbath” comes from the Hebrew primitive root shabath and means, “..to repose, i.e. desist from exertion.” Since exercise and sports causes a person to exert themselves physically, this activity would violate the Sabbath command.

We find a secondary reason from Isaiah 58:13: “If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of Yahweh, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words:” We believe doing our own pleasure prohibits activities such as exercise and sports, in addition to other worldly and personal activities that don’t focus on the Word. The Sabbath is a day not to focus on the mundane or the world, but on Yahweh’s Word.

For the above reasons we would caution against any activity that causes exertion or may be seen as our own pleasure apart from Yahweh’s Word.

Why is it that some people cannot accept the Truth of Scripture?

Posted on September 18, 2017September 19, 2017 by YRM

Why is it that some cannot accept the Truth? Also, please help me understand what laws are required/not required. Also, do you have any articles defending the Sabbath and the use of Yahweh’s Name?

Why people don’t accept the truth is a great question, but one not easy to answer. There are many reasons for this. Probably the biggest reason is tradition. It’s really hard to accept that what you and your family believe is not true. Another related reason is pride. It takes a person of humility to admit the possibility of being wrong and the ability to unbiasedly reconsider their belief system. Another reason is peer-pressure, as you have already experienced. The closer you get to the truth, the further you get from the world. The feeling of isolation and being alone is more than many can take.

Another reason for this, it’s not meant for all to hear and understand the truth now. This was the reason Yahshua said He spoke in parables: “He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted and I should heal them,” Matthew 13:11-15.

Regarding what is required today, while we cannot provide an all-encompassing list of commandments, we believe that the Ten Commandments, all moral laws, and all laws of worship, including the Sabbaths and Feast days, are required today. Regarding laws that would not be required for believers, this would include certain civil laws, judicial laws, and sacrificial laws. For example, the Bible commands that we place a railing around our roof. Since Israel used their roofs as an extension of their living space, this made sense. However, this would not be practical for most modern homes.

If you have not already, I might suggest reviewing the below booklets. These would equip you with many answers to some of today’s arguments with the Sabbath and Name.

https://yrm.org/sabbath-observers-not-neglect-third-commandment
https://yrm.org/challenges-sacred-name-answered
https://yrm.org/sabbath-keeping-answering-arguments

Are police officers (and other emergency workers) allowed to work on the Sabbath?

Posted on May 31, 2017June 2, 2017 by YRM

I am a Police Officer and I’m required to work Friday and Saturdays. I try to spend my downtime reading scripture and being mindful of Yahweh. But I understand it’s not exactly the way we are supposed to honor the Sabbath. What does one do in a situation like this where I don’t have the option of being off on the Sabbath?

While we certainly respect our law enforcement, believers should not be working on the Sabbath. The same would also apply to those in the medical field. The only option is to receive a waiver or look for a position that would allow you to correctly observe the Sabbath.

It’s important to realize that the Sabbath is a sign between us and our Heavenly Father. In two places we find this confirmed:

“Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my Sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am Yahweh that doth sanctify you” (Exodus 31:13).

“I am Yahweh your Elohim; walk in my statutes, and keep my judgments, and do them; and hallow my Sabbaths; and they shall be a sign between me and you, that ye may know that I am Yahweh your Elohim” (Ezekiel 20:19-20).

The Sabbath is not only a sign solidifying our relationship with Yahweh, but it’s the only sign of this kind. In other words, no other command is called a “sign.” This honor is given only to the Sabbath. Therefore, when we work on the Sabbath we are not only breaking an important commandment but diminishing the relationship between us and Yahweh.

When it comes to work on the Sabbath, Yahweh is incredibly strict. Below are two examples:

“And while the children of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man that gathered sticks upon the Sabbath day. And they that found him gathering sticks brought him unto Moses and Aaron, and unto all the congregation. And they put him in ward, because it was not declared what should be done to him. And Yahweh said unto Moses, The man shall be surely put to death: all the congregation shall stone him with stones without the camp. And all the congregation brought him without the camp, and stoned him with stones, and he died; as Yahweh commanded Moses” (Numbers 15:32-36)

“Six days ye shall gather it; but on the seventh day, which is the Sabbath, in it there shall be none. And it came to pass, that there went out some of the people on the seventh day for to gather, and they found none. And Yahweh said unto Moses, How long refuse ye to keep my commandments and my laws? See, for that Yahweh hath given you the sabbath, therefore he giveth you on the sixth day the bread of two days; abide ye every man in his place, let no man go out of his place on the seventh day” (Exodus 16:26-29).

In the above examples, Israel was punished for the breaking of the Sabbath. In the example of the man picking up sticks, based on the Hebrew, it’s possible the word “sticks” refers to lumber and referred to construction work. Regardless, both accounts show the seriousness of breaking the Sabbath.

It should also be remembered that the Sabbath is a day of rest, worship, and convocation (coming together), Exodus 20:8-11 and Leviticus 23:3. It’s also a day that we’re not to spend focused on our hobbies or pleasures outside of the Word. Isaiah 58:13 reads, “If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath and from doing as you please on my holy day, if you call the Sabbath a delight and Yahweh’s holy day honorable, and if you honor it by not going your own way and not doing as you please or speaking idle words.”

Some might question Yahshua the Messiah’s actions in the New Testament. The fact that He healed and said that it was okay to do good on the Sabbath, does this give those in critical, life-saving positions, the grace to break the Sabbath. While Yahshua certainly showed that it was permissible to do good on the Sabbath, these actions were not part of His employment and were done only when absolutely required. As believers, we should not be purposely pushing our “ox in a ditch.”

Even though law enforcement and medical staff serve important functions in society, this does not give believers a free pass to ignore the Sabbath, especially when there are many non-believers willing and able to do the work. This latter point is critically important to remember. The bottom line, Yahweh established the Sabbath in the beginning (Genesis 2:3) and it serves as a sign between Him and us.

We pray that you found this Q&A helpful, For more answers to common questions please visit the Q&A page.

For more information on the topic discussed here please check out our free Booklet on the issue.