Misnomers

We do not believe in the rapture as is commonly taught. Scripture confirms that Yahshua's coming will occur at the end of the Great Tribulation (Matt. 24:29-31), at which time we will meet Him in the clouds (1Thess. 4:17) as He returns to the Mount of Olives (Zech. 14:4). Once Yahshua returns His saints will dwell on earth (Rev. 5:10, 20:6).

The pre-tribulation rapture idea was first introduced by John Nelson Darby in 1827 and popularized by the Scofield Reference Bible (1909). Until that time the teaching of a rapture preceding the Second Coming of the Messiah was largely unknown.

One passage often used to support a rapture is Matthew 24, where the Messiah stated:

"But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left" (Matt 24:37-41).

This passage is not referring to a pre-tribulation rapture, but to the destruction that will follow the return of Yahshua the Messiah, the same kind of ultimate destruction that occurred in the days of Noah.

For an in-depth study on the rapture read our booklet: Is There a Coming Rapture?

Genesis 6 has given rise to many false doctrines that bear on such notions as people from outer space or Satanic beings having relations with women.

It reads in verses 1-2, "1: And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them, that the sons of Elohim saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose."

"Sons of Elohim" is a euphemism in the Hebrew Scriptures for the righteous men of Yahweh. It is used in other places to mean those who worshiped Yahweh in truth. The erroneous idea that these are angelic beings comes from the Apocryphal book of Enoch. "Daughters of men" simply refers to carnal women who were the daughters of the unregenerate masses.

In this passage, Yahweh was disturbed that those who were of a righteous bloodline founded on the Covenant were marrying unconverted, sinful women. So in verse 3 He gives a judgment and shortens their promised life on earth.

"Giants" in verse 4 is the Hebrew nephilim and means mighty ones, meaning those who have fallen. It is the same word used in Numbers 13:33. The children born to this unrighteous union became men of renown ("giants" in man's esteem), which Bullinger's Companion Bible says were the heroes of Greek mythology. "Mighty men" is from the Hebrew gibbor and means the heroes of ancient cultures. They became men of "renown," or men of a name, who got a name for themselves because of their unrighteousness.

Whoever they were, they were not produced by a union of Satan and women or his fallen angels and women. Angels do not procreate, Matthew 22:30.

See article: Sons of Elohim for a more in depth study on this subject

The Old Testament is silent on the wearing of the kippah or skull cap. It is also nowhere found in the New Testament. "Wearing of a head covering (yarmulka, skullcaps, kippah [pl. kippot]) for men was only instituted in Talmudic times (approximately the second century CE)." The Jewish Virtual Library So if the kippah is absent from the Bible, how was it adopted? The tradition likely goes back to Greek culture. Antiochus Epiphanes, the Seleucid emperor, made it his personal goal to force the Greek culture upon all of his empire, including the Jewish people. This is what motivated the Maccabean revolt and the rise of the Hasmonean Empire. In the year 175 BCE, Jason, of the Oniad family, was appointed high priest. As recoded in 2 Maccabees 4:7-17, he favored the Greek culture and vigorously sought to incorporate Antiochus' policy of assimilation:

"When Seleucus died and Antiochus, who was called Epiphanes, succeeded to the kingdom, Jason the brother of Onias obtained the high priesthood by corruption, promising the king at an interview three hundred sixty talents of silver, and from another source of revenue eighty talents. In addition to this he promised to pay one hundred fifty more if permission were given to establish by his authority a gymnasium and a body of youth for it, and to enroll the people of Jerusalem as citizens of Antioch. When the king assented and Jason came to office, he at once shifted his compatriots over to the Greek way of life.

"He set aside the existing royal concessions to the Jews, secured through John the father of Eupolemus, who went on the mission to establish friendship and alliance with the Romans; and he destroyed the lawful ways of living and introduced new customs contrary to the law. He took delight in establishing a gymnasium right under the citadel, and he induced the noblest of the young men to wear the Greek hat. There was such an extreme of Hellenization and increase in the adoption of foreign ways because of the surpassing wickedness of Jason, who was unholy and no true high priest, that the priests were no longer intent upon their service at the altar. Despising the sanctuary and neglecting the sacrifices, they hurried to take part in the unlawful proceedings in the wrestling arena after the signal for the discus-throwing, disdaining the honors prized by their ancestors and putting the highest value upon Greek forms of prestige. For this reason heavy disaster overtook them, and those whose ways of living they admired and wished to imitate completely became their enemies and punished them. It is no light thing to show irreverence to the divine laws-a fact that later events will make clear."

As seen from the above excerpt, Jason made several radical reforms to the Jewish culture in an attempt to promote Antiochus' policies of integration into the Greek culture. In his fervor to adopt the Hellenistic culture, he even changed his own name from Yahshua (possibly, Yeshua) to the more Grecized "Jason" (Josephus, Jewish Antiquities, book 12, chapter 5, p. 239).

In addition to neglecting the sacrificial offerings and establishing a gymnasium, he also introduced the "Greek hat." There is general agreement that this hat refers to the hat of Hermes (a.k.a. Roman deity Mercury). Ancient depictions of the hat of Hermes are very similar to the modern kippah. The only notable difference was that the hat of Hermes often had wings on each side.

Whether this was the exact time that the Jews adopted the wearing of the kippah, there is little doubt that the kippah or skull cap arose through the adoption of the Hellenistic culture. Except for the High Priest's turban, there is no command in the Old Testament to wear a skull cap. The only possible connection between the kippah and Old Testament is where Yahweh commanded Israel not to round the corners of the head in Leviticus 19:27.

In reference to this command, Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary states, "It seems probable that this fashion had been learned by the Israelites in Egypt, for the ancient Egyptians had their dark locks cropped short or shaved with great nicety, so that what remained on the crown appeared in the form of a circle surrounding the head." Interestingly, most kippahs are designed with this same circle design.

Besides its absence in the Torah, nothing is said about men's headcoverings in the New Testament, except for Paul's statement in 1Corinthians 11:7, "For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of Elohim." If Yahweh commanded that men wear a kippah, why does Paul specifically command the opposite? The reason is obvious, the kippah is not rooted in Scripture, but in Greek culture.

As believers we must avoid wearing kippahs or following any man-made, heathen practice not ordained in Scripture. Our Heavenly Father has a disdain for synchronizing with pagan beliefs. Writing to Israel in Deuteronomy 12:30-31, He says, "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."

For more info on the Kippah and its origins please check out our article: The Beanie: Torah or Tradition?

Please help, I can now see clearly that we are to keep the 7th day Sabbath, blessed and set apart by Yahweh at creation and throughout scripture. The calendar was numbered. There is no way to confuse which day it is, Saturday. My husband relented and finally contacted a Rabbi in Louisville, KY. The Rabbi told him that according to Romans 14:5, we can now choose any day. However, Romans 14:5 is about food and fasting. Merging Jewish culture and traditions with gentiles. I cannot find anywhere in scripture that changes Yahweh's command. Please help. I so appreciate any help or advice you can offer. Thank you and blessings to you.

You are right, the Sabbath has never changed and should be observed from Friday sunset to Saturday sunset. Romans 14:5 is not speaking about the Sabbath but to days of fasting, which were not obligatory, but done on a voluntary basis. This is why Paul says it doesn't matter which day we choose. Fasting is a personal choice and is not limited to any specific day. However, this is not true for the Sabbath. Yahweh hallowed the seventh day and scripturally this has never changed. Yahshua the Messiah and the apostles observed the Sabbath in the New Testament (e.g. Mark 2:23; Acts 15:21; 16:13; 17:2; 18:4) and everyone will observe it in the Millennial Kingdom, Isaiah 66:23. Sunday is not biblical but was adopted by the Roman church. For additional information, please see the below booklets:

https://yrm.org/sabbath-keeping-answering-arguments

https://yrm.org/honor-sabbath-day

These two terms are critically important to rightly comprehend the Bible and our relationship with Yahweh. Justification derives from the Greek dikaiosis. Strong's defines it as an acquittal, i.e., an exoneration or release from sin. Sanctification derives from the Greek hagiasmos and means, "…purification, i.e. (the state) purity; concretely (by Hebraism) a purifier."

In essence, justification is when we are redeemed or cleansed of our sins and sanctification is a living a life set apart to our Heavenly Father according to His standards, which implies obedience to His commandments.

It's important to understand that justification is not earned or received on one's own merits. Paul explains that justification is not of deeds or works. "Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law," Romans 3:28.

"What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before Elohim. For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed Elohim, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the wicked, his faith is counted for righteousness," Romans 4:1-5.

In these examples, Paul confirms that a man is justified through faith apart from debt or good works. Therefore, Scripture is clear that justification or redemption is something we do not earn by obedience. It is an expression of Yahweh's grace or unmerited favor. As Paul verifies in the fourth chapter of Romans, even Abraham was found righteous or justified, through his faith.

However, once a person is justified they have an obligation to live a sanctified life by obeying the commandments, which is the standard of Yahweh's righteousness. Even though Abraham was justified or found righteous through faith, he later obeyed and followed the commandments: "And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and will give unto thy seed all these countries; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws," Genesis 26:4-5.

Even though Abraham was justified by faith, this passage confirms that he and his seed were blessed because he obeyed the commandments. As a side note, this also verifies that the law was known before Moses.

Also, as we see in the tenth chapter of Hebrews, once we come to the Truth we must not willfully transgress: "For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye shall he be thought worthy who hath trodden under foot the Son of Elohim, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?" verses 26-29.

It's important here to understand sin. According to 1John 3:4, sin is the transgression of the law or commandments. Therefore, once we are justified and come to the knowledge of Truth, we must live a sanctified life by obeying the commandments. Since Yahweh's law reflects His own ethics and morals, it's essential that we comply with the commandments after being justified and enlightened with His Word.

The New Testament provides many examples that the commandments are still obligatory for believers today. Consider the following:

"Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven," Matthew 5:17-19.

"And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, Elohim: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments," Matthew 19:17.

"If ye love me, keep my commandments," John 14:15.

"Do we then make void the law through faith? Certainly not: yea, we establish the law," Romans 3:31.

"Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth? …Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good," Romans 7:1, 12.

"And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of Yahweh, and have the testimony of Yahshua Messiah," Revelation 12:17.

"Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of Yahweh, and the faith of Yahshua," Revelation 14:12.

"Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city," Revelation 22:14.

Based on the above New Testament passages, there should be no debate whether obedience and the keeping of the commandments are required for believers today. Yahshua in the fifth chapter of Matthew confirmed that it was not His intent to destroy or abolish the commandments.

In summary, justification is the act of being washed or redeemed from one's sins, while sanctification is living a set-apart or righteous life by obeying the commandments. While we do not earn salvation through good works, we can lose it by living a life of sin or transgressing Yahweh's commandments

The biblical Feast days are not dependent upon physical Israel or Levitical priests. Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread were observed by Israel prior to the Levitical priesthood, Exodus 12. The Feasts were also observed in the New Testament by more than Israel. This also included the Sabbath. Consider the following examples:

"And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place," Acts 2:1.

In this above example, it's important to realize that many nations were present. Verses 9-11 mentions Parthians, Medes, Elamites, dwellers in Mesopotamia, Judaea, Cappadocia, Pontus, Asia, Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, parts of Libya, Cyrene, strangers of Rome, Jews, proselytes, Cretes, and Arabians. These were not all Israelites or Jews. Many were gentiles. This confirms that more than Israel observed the Feasts in the New Testament.

Acts 18:4 also shows that Paul preached to both Jews and gentiles on the Sabbath: "And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks." If the Sabbath and Feasts were only for Israel, why then were Greeks or gentiles present in the synagogue on the Sabbath?

In addition to these examples, there are other New Testament passages confirming Feast observance, e.g. Matthew 26, Mark 14; John 7; Acts 20:6, 20; 1Corinthians 5:7-8.

Another consideration is that Scripture confirms that Sabbath and Feasts will be observed in the millennial Kingdom:

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

"In the first month, in the fourteenth day of the month, ye shall have the passover, a feast of seven days; unleavened bread shall be eaten…. In the seventh month, in the fifteenth day of the month, shall he do the like in the feast of the seven days, according to the sin offering, according to the burnt offering, and according to the meat offering, and according to the oil," Ezekiel 45:21, 25.

"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.

"And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, Yahweh of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles. And it shall be, that whoso will not come up of all the families of the earth unto Jerusalem to worship the King, Yahweh of hosts, even upon them shall be no rain. And if the family of Egypt go not up, and come not, that have no rain; there shall be the plague, wherewith Yahweh will smite the heathen that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles. This shall be the punishment of Egypt, and the punishment of all nations that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles," Zechariah 14:16-19.

Isaiah confirms that all of mankind will observe the weekly Sabbath in the future Kingdom. Also, Zechariah prophesies that all nations will keep the Feast of Tabernacles, along with the other Feasts, in the Kingdom. Those who refuse will receive the plague of no rain. Therefore, the Sabbath and Feasts will be a requirement for all in the Kingdom. Knowing that the Sabbath and Feasts were observed in the Old and New testaments and will be kept in the coming millennial Kingdom, it doesn't make sense to say they are not valid today.

Today's refusal to observe these days is not scriptural, but is based on 2,000 years of Church tradition. As most Christian scholars acknowledge, the roots of the Church grew out of Judaism. However, as the Church grew so did the pagan and Hellenistic influence within it. As this happened, the Church departed from its Hebraic foundation to a more Greco-Roman philosophy. This change included a departure from the Feasts and Sabbath. Again, the Sabbath and Feast days are not dependent upon Israel or the Levitical system, but are days established by Yahweh for all those who will accept His covenant.