Do miracles determine a belief system to be true?

There are many many people who follow the Christian faith, and will not consider any other belief, because they have witnessed a “miracle” performed by a Christian minister or missionary or evangelist etc. at one time or another. Some have even witnessed many “miracles.” But do miracles prove a certain belief system to be the true faith of the Almighty?

The Christian Church of today, especially the “super” churches, are all about performing miracles in order to con their followers to throw their hard earned money at the church. There are even super rich Christian television networks, like TBN, that preach to the public in every single show or sermon, that they should give their money to them, even if it is their last cent. Then they claim that if they do, then a “wonderful” miracle will happen and that the people who give money to them, will be financially blessed or healed of a physical ailment. This all is a load of rubbish as these people take the last little bit of money from old ladies and drive around in the most expensive cars and live in the most expensive houses, and even own multiple houses, and some even have their own private jets too, like Kennith and Gloria Copeland and still continue to fool the poor people into supporting their wealthy lifestyle. What do these faithful followers of theirs get in return? Absolutely nothing, not even a miracle.

There are however some genuine miracles that have been performed by Christian leaders. Does this, however, prove that Christianity is the true faith of the Almighty? In order to answer this, we need to see if the Christian faith is based upon the Word of the Almighty. The litmus test to see if anyone is in the true faith of the Messiah, is to see if that person walks as the Messiah walked. “For this is favour, if because of conscience toward Elohim anyone bears up under grief, suffering unrighteously. For what credit is there in enduring a beating when you sin? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure, this finds favour with Elohim. For to this you were called, because Messiah also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps” (1 Peter 2:19-21). Also read here, “The one who says he stays in Him ought himself also to walk, even as He walked” (1 John 2:6).

Are the Christians following in the footsteps of the Messiah? Let us have a look at a few examples of what the Messiah did, and then compare them to the Christians and see if they are the same.

1) The Messiah - wore tzitzit (tassels)

“and begged Him to let them only touch the tzitzit of His garment. And as many as touched it were completely healed” (Mat 14:36)

“came from behind and touched the tzitzit of His garment. And immediately her flow of blood stopped” (Luke 8:44)

1) The Christian – Does not wear tzitzit

In fact, whenever I see one of my old Christian friends, and they see my tzitzit, they always ask me, “what is that for?” This is because they have never been taught the true Messiah. If the Messiah came and walked into a church, they would not recognize him, and would actually say that He is one of those Jews, who’s Torah does not apply to them at all.

2) The Messiah – Kept the 7^th day Sabbath

“At that time יהושע (Yehoshua) went through the grain fields on THE Sabbath. And His taught ones were hungry, and began to pluck heads of grain, to eat” (Mat 12:1).

“And pray that your flight does not take place in winter or on the Sabbath” (Mat 24:20). Here the Messiah is speaking of the end times, which has not happened yet, that he is saying that THE Sabbath is still in effect. That when the time comes that the believers in the Messiah have to flee, that we should pray that it not be on THE Sabbath.

“And they went into Kephar Naḥum, and immediately on the Sabbath He went into the congregation and taught” (Mark 1:21)

“And Sabbath having come, He began to teach in the congregation. And many who heard Him were astonished, saying, “Where did He get all this? And what wisdom is this which is given to Him, that such miracles are done through His hands?” (Mark 6:2). It is very clear that the Messiah kept the Sabbath day.

2) The Christian – Does not keep the Sabbath

In fact, the Christian teaches that the Sabbath does not apply to them any more and that they have been set free from it. WHAT??? They have been set free from rest? Is not the Sabbath a delight? I would hate to be set free from a delightful rest.

The Church admits that they have changed the day of rest from the 7^th day to the 1^st day of the week in commemoration of the worship of the Sun (Sun-Day) and also to show the Churches authority above the Scriptures. They do not even hide this fact and have arrogantly published this and even brag about this.

Would you rather follow the sun-worship 1^st day, or the day that the Almighty has established and that the Messiah Himself kept and taught us to keep?

3) The Messiah – ate only clean (kosher) food.

We all know that the Messiah never committed any sin. This means that he kept His Fathers Torah (Instruction) perfectly. We read in Lev 11 about what foods are clean and which ones are not clean. The Messiah never ate anything animal that is unclean.

We can know this as we have a record of one of His followers (disciples) that walked with Him daily, that tells us that he has never eaten anything unclean. “But Kĕpha said, “Not at all, Master! Because I have never eaten whatever is common or unclean.”” (Act 10:14). Here Peter is saying that he never ate anything unkosher (unclean). This is even the time that he walk with the Messiah. All the followers of the Messiah will never eat anything that is unclean according to the Word of the Almighty, Leviticus 11.

3) The Christian – Eats unclean (unkosher) food.

The Christian learns by his church that we do not have to follow the Instruction of the Almighty anymore. They do however have to follow the instruction of the church. Shouldn’t this alone raise suspicion?

The church teaches that only “God” can change His Laws and that He gave Peter the permission to eat unclean foods, that are detrimental to our health and cause many deceases like cancer. They quote Acts 10, but then fail to read further where it gives the description of the vision given to Peter. It was never intended for him to eat unclean meat. Read more about that here.

4) The Messiah – Prayed using the Name of His Father YHWH

The Messiah came to make known the Name of His Father. The Jewish practice of those days, and still today, is to keep the true Name of the Almighty secret out of fear of using it in vain. The Messiah never subscribed to Jewish traditions, but rather kept His Fathers Word where it is written, “And Elohim said further to Mosheh, “Thus you are to say to the children of Yisraĕl, ‘יהוה (YHWH) Elohim of your fathers, the Elohim of Aḇraham, the Elohim of Yitsḥaq, and the Elohim of Ya’aqoḇ, has sent me to you. This is My Name forever, and this is My remembrance to all generations.” (Exodus 3:15).

4) The Christian – Does not know the Name of the Almighty, prays to pagan idols.

The Christians place their trust and faith in the name of pagan idols every time they pray in the name of “God” or in the name of “Jesus”. Both these names are of the names of pagan idols (click on the names highlighted to see where they come from).

The Name of the Messiah is “Yehoshua.” The name “Jesus” is not a translation of Yehoshua, but comes from the Greek Iesous, which originates from the Egyptian Sun-deity called “Isis”

The name “God” is of just as bad a origin as the name “Jesus”

The reason for the Christian not knowing the Name of the Almighty and His Son the Messiah is because all the English Bibles have substituted the Name of the Almighty and His Son the Messiah and many other names and words with those of pagan idols.

English is a very young language and only came to be after the joining of the true faith and paganism from the time of Constantine in the year 321 AD. He started to create Christianity as we know it to be today and hid the truth from the people. (Also read about thefounders of the all gentile church here).

“And there is no deliverance in anyone else, for there is no other Name under the heaven given among men by which we need to be saved.” (Act 4:12). Here we can see that we cannot be saved by the name of “Jesus”, but only by the true Name of the Almighty.

5) The Messiah – Kept all the moedim (appointed times and feasts)

“And the festival of the Yehuḏim was near, the Festival of Booths” (John 7:2). Here we can see that the Messiah did attend the feast of Sukkot.

Like we have seen from above, the Messiah never sinned once. This means he kept all the moedim that the Almighty teaches us that we must do (Leviticus 23). We cannot know or understand salvation if we do not keep all the appointed times of the Almighty.

Also notice that sin is described by breaking the Torah of the Almighty. Is it not taught by the Messiah that we must go and “sin no more?”

5) The Christian – Keeps all the pagan feasts and none of the moedim of the Almighty

The Christian does not keep any of the moedim of the Almighty. In fact, the Christian rather keeps all the pagan feasts and celebrations. Many do not even know this, but blindly follow the Church into their own destruction.

Christmas, Easter, Valentines Day, New years day, Birthday celebrations. All these are pagan celebrations and are an abomination to the Almighty. All of them originate from Sun-worship, which is forbidden by the Word of the Almighty.

Now I can go on and on about the many teachings and practices and traditions that the Christians follow to prove that Christianity is not the faith of the Messiah as they do not do as the Messiah did. The Messiah never came and died for us so that we may continue in sin. What was an abomination to the Almighty before, is still an abomination to Him now.

So now we can see that the Christian faith does not follow the teachings of the Messiah. But what about the miracles that happen within the church? Let us read what the Word of YHWH says about this, “When there arises among you a prophet or a dreamer of dreams, and he shall give you a sign or a wonder, and the sign or the wonder shall come true, of which he has spoken to you, saying, ‘Let us go after other mighty ones – which you have not known – and serve them” (Deut 13:1-2). Here we see that even false prophets and dreamers of dreams (those who receive “divine” visions) can perform miracles too. Does that make them righteous? Let us carry on and see what the Almighty says, do not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams, for יהוה (YHWH) your Elohim is trying you to know whether you love יהוה (YHWH) your Elohim with all your heart and with all your being” (Deut 13:3). Okay, now we can see that that person who is performing those miracles that does not follow the Messiah should not be listened to. It is also a test for those who do follow the Word of the Almighty, that they know His Word and can see when someone is not teaching them truth, even though he performs miracles. It is to see whether they love the Almighty to do and follow His Word, or will they fall for and follow other doctrines that are not taught by the Almighty or His Messiah.

So what then are those, who desire to do the Will of the Almighty, to do? Walk after יהוה (YHWH) your Elohim and fear Him, and guard His commands and obey His voice, and serve Him and cling to Him” (Deut 13:4). Here we clearly see that we need to fear the Almighty and guard to obey all His Commandments and obey His voice.

What then should be done of that false prophet that teaches us to follow the ways of Sun-worship? And that prophet or that dreamer of dreams is put to death, because he has spoken apostasy against יהוה (YHWH) your Elohim – who brought you out of the land of Mitsrayim and redeemed you from the house of bondage – to make you stray from the way in which יהוה (YHWH) your Elohim commanded you to walk. Thus you shall purge the evil from your midst” (Deut 13:5). The Almighty hates the people who teaches others to turn away from His Instructions. He says that they are evil and need to be put to death. Now we cannot go around and put every Christian preacher to death, as that would land us in jail. However, they will stand in front of the Almighty one day and will have to try and explain why they turned so many people away from Him, and to their destruction.

We should not fellowship with such evil people nor should we stand for or follow anything that they teach, as it will be turning us away from obeying the Word of the Almighty.

Now many will say that this only applied to the “Old Testament” times and does not apply to them any more. Is it not written that the Almighty is the same yesterday, today and forever? But let us also read what is written in the “New Testament” for those who ignorantly throw the Word of the Almighty (Old Testament) out the window, “For false messiahs and false prophets shall arise, and they shall show great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the chosen ones” (Mat 24:24). This does apply to today.

Let me leave you with a piece out of the “New Testament” that perfectly describes the Christian Church of today and of the English Bible too. “But there also came to be false prophets among the people, as also among you there shall be false teachers, who shall secretly bring in destructive heresies, and deny the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction on themselves. And many shall follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of” (2 Peter 2:1-2). The Christians speak evil of those who are keeping and obeying the Word of the Almighty. They even say that the Torah, which is the Word of the Almighty, is a curse. Is this not speaking evil of the Almighty Himself?

Also realize that the person who wrote the above verse also kept the Torah of the Almighty, as did Shaul (Paul), who wrote the majority of the “New Testament,” as did all the disciples and followers of the Messiah. Those who do not keep the Torah of the Almighty are those who are teaching a different doctrine to the Messiah and are the evil prophets spoken of above.

Another thing, if we are to have a relationship with the Almighty and His Son, that also means that we need to love Him. What are we taught about loving the Almighty? “He who possesses My commands and guards them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me shall be loved by My Father, and I shall love him and manifest Myself to him.” (John 14:21). So only those who guard to keep the Commands love the Almighty and are loved by Him.

Birthday Celebration, Innocent or Evil?

Okay, now most of us have learned that Christmas and Easter and Valentines day and Halloween are all pagan ceremonies and are not acceptable for those who truly follow the faith of the Almighty YHWH. But what about the equally evil rituals that most, self proclaimed, believers still keep? About 95% of all the people I have met who claim to be believers are still celebrating pagan festivals like birthday celebrations. Some of these believers do these things only because they were unaware of its roots. Others don’t care and they are the ones who are not believers at all. We are to be obedient to the Almighty, and not push the evidence aside and justify it as being innocent traditions. Let us see where birthday celebrations originate from and what the meanings of the rituals really are.

Early Believers did not celebrate their birthdays. Birthdays have a strong connection with pagan religions and magic. There is no record of birthday celebrations by the Jews in the Scriptures. Not even Y’hoshua’s birthday is recorded or celebrated in the Scriptures. There are only two accounts of birthdays mentioned in the Scriptures, both celebrated by Pagan or non Believing individuals, both ending in a devastating result. Let us have a quick look at these two instances in the Scriptures.

Scriptural reference for birthday celebrations:

“And on the third day, Pharaoh’s birthday, it came to be that he made a feast for all his servants. And he lifted up the head of the chief cupbearer and of the chief baker among his servants, and he restored the chief cupbearer to his post of cupbearer again, and he placed the cup in Pharaoh’s hand, but he hanged the chief baker, as Yosĕph had interpreted to them” (Gen 40:20-22)

Here we see that Pharaoh, who was not at all a follower of the Almighty, had one of his chiefs executed. You must now start to think, “is this what YHWH wants from us?”

Now the second instance.

“But as Herodes’ birthday was being held, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herodes, so he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked. And she, being urged on by her mother, said, “Give me here the head of Yohanan the Immerser on a dish.” And the sovereign was sad, but because of the oaths and the guests he commanded it to be given, and sent and beheaded Yoḥanan in prison. And his head was brought on a dish and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother” (Matthew 14:6-11) (you can find this in Mark chapter 6 as well)

Here we can see the death of a righteous person, in fact, the cousin of the Messiah himself who is also referred to as Elijah. Again, we must ask ourselves… Is this what the Almighty desires?

Origin of birthday celebrations

Thousands of years ago, when pagan men looked up into the night sky and charted the stars, they invented calendars and calculated the birth dates, to the very hour, of kings, rulers and their successors. These ancient pagan astrologers meticulously examined horoscopes and birthday omens because they believed that the fate of the rich and powerful might affect an entire society. Even to this day, men have been putting their trust in horoscopes instead of the Creator of the universe.

In ancient Egypt, the pharaohs ordered businesses to close on their birthdays and gave enormous feasts for hundreds of servants. In ancient Greece, wealthy males joined birthday clubs composed exclusively of men who shared their birth date. Once a month, the club celebrated with a feast. When a member died, he left money to help pay for future parties. In Persia, noblemen observed their birthdays by barbecuing an ox, a camel and a donkey and serving hundreds of small cakes to the celebrants.

In ancient Rome, the emperor gave huge parties in honor of his own birthday, which included parades, circuses, and gladiatorial combat. The celebration of days was so important to the average Roman citizen that the Roman calendar designated a majority of days for some form of celebration—including many birthdays of gods and famous men.

The Roman calendar, with its emphasis on continual celebration, has had great influence on modern society. Consider the following quote about the origin of the Roman calendar:

“Our [Roman] calendar is not Christian in origin. It descends directly from the Egyptians, who originated the 12 month solar year, 365 day system.”

A pagan Egyptian scientist, Sosigenes, suggested this plan to the pagan Emperor Julius Caesar, who directed that it go into effect throughout the Roman Empire in 45 B.C. As adopted it indicated its pagan origin by the names of the months—called after Janus, Maia, Juno, etc. The days were not named but numbered on a complicated system involving Ides, Nones, and Calends. It was not until 321 A.D. that the seven-day week feature was added, when the Emperor Constantine (supposedly) adopted Christianity. Oddly enough for his weekdays he chose pagan names which are still used.” (Journal of Calendar Reform, Sept. 1953, p. 128.)

Birthdays have its origin in astrology.

“Thus said יהוה (YHWH), “Do not learn the way of the gentiles, and do not be awed by the signs of the heavens, for the gentiles (pagans) are awed by them” (Jer 10:2)

Origin of birthday cakes

Modern birthday parties and celebrations by children take their form mainly from Germany, where the birthday child received gifts, chose a menu and received a candle-ringed butter or jam cake.

Birthday cakes are related to the Greek goddess Artemis, whose birthday was celebrated with moon-shaped honey cakes topped with candles. The candles with special magic to grant wishes.

Origin of birthday parties and birthday gifts

It was feared that evil spirits were particularly attracted to people on their birthdays. To protect them from harm, friends and family would come to be with the birthday person and bring good thoughts and wishes. Giving gifts brought even more good cheer to ward off the evil spirits. This is how birthday parties began.

Saying “happy birthday” to friends and loved ones was society’s superstitious way of protecting them from evil spirits. Birthday thumps, bumps, pinches, etc., were said to bring luck and send away evil spirits. Party snappers, horns and other noisemakers were also intended to scare off bad-luck spirits

A closer look at the birth of the Messiah

Let’s briefly examine the subject of the “wise men” who gave gifts to Messiah. The scripture that describes this is in Matthew 2:1, 11: “Now when Yehoshua was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men (Magi) from the east to Jerusalem, saying, Where is He that is born King of the Yehudim?…And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto Him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.”

It is commonly supposed that these were birthday presents for “baby Yehoshua.” But is this what the Scripture actually says? Absolutely not! Also, they arrived well after his “birthday.” Notice that it refers to the Messiah as a “young child” rather than a baby. This is one more reason that the gifts brought to Him could not have been “birthday presents.”

A long-standing, ancient custom of the East was to present gifts when one came into the presence of a king. These men understood that they were in the presence of the “King of the Jews.” The Scriptures have many examples of people sending gifts to kings or presenting them upon arrival into the king’s presence. This custom is common today when ambassadors or others come into the presence of a world leader.

Finally, notice what the Adam Clarke Commentary, Vol. 5, page 46, states about what really happened on this occasion: Verse 11. “They presented unto him gifts. The people of the east never approach the presence of kings and great personages, without a present in their hands. This custom is often noticed in the Old Testament, and still prevails in the east, and in some of the newly discovered South Seas Islands.” Gifts were customarily presented to kings.” The real intent behind this example should now be clear.

What did the other Characters think of their day of birth?

Like Job, Jeremiah also cursed the day of his own birth: “Cursed be the day wherein I was born: let not the day wherein my mother bare me be blessed…Wherefore came I forth out of the womb to see labor and sorrow, that my days should be consumed with shame?” (Jeremiah 20:14, 18).

Yet, Solomon was inspired to write, “A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one’s birth” (Ecclesiastes 7:1).

The various customs with which people today celebrate their birthdays have a long history. Their origins lie in the realm of magic and pagan religion. The customs of offering congratulations, presenting gifts and celebrating—complete with lighted candles—in ancient times were meant to protect the birthday celebrant from the demons and to ensure his security for the coming year. . . . Down to the fourth century, even Christianity rejected the birthday celebration as a pagan custom."

Birthdays have an ancient origin stemming from magic and paganism, similar to the origins of Christmas and Halloween. This belief in spirits is the reason for many, if not all, of the traditional birthday customs that are practiced today

So now that we know that birthday celebrations are pagan of origin. And that it is based on astrology (the worship of the sun moon and stars), Can we ignore the Scriptures when they say, “Thus said יהוה (YHWH), “Do not learn the way of the gentiles, and do not be awed by the signs of the heavens, for the gentiles (pagans) are awed by them” (Jeremiah 10:2) or when it says, “and lest you lift up your eyes to the heavens, and shall see the sun, and the moon, and the stars – all the host of the heavens – and you be drawn away into bowing down to them and serving them, which יהוה (YHWH) your Elohim has allotted to all the peoples under all the heavens” (Deut 4:19).

You see, The Almighty forbade His followers from learning the traditions and celebrations of the pagan nations. This is because He hates those traditions and celebrations, “When you come into the land which יהוה (YHWH) your Elohim is giving you, do not learn to do according to the abominations of those gentiles” (Deut 18:9)

Did the Law of YHWH change since the coming of the Messiah? “So this I say, and witness in the Master, that you should no longer walk as the gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind” (Eph 4:17). It clearly did not. YHWH still hates the same practices of the pagans that are practiced today. Celebrating Christmas and Easter and Halloween and New Years Day and even Birthdays are all pagan practices and are hated by the Creator and Master of the Universe who is YHWH.

Some more instances of what YHWH taught His followers, “‘Do not do as they do in the land of Mitsrayim (Egypt), where you dwelt. And do not do as they do in the land of Kena’an, where I am bringing you, and do not walk in their laws’” (Lev 18:3). He also taught them the following, “When יהוה (YHWH) your Elohim does cut off from before you the nations which you go to dispossess, and you dispossess them and dwell in their land, guard yourself that you are not ensnared to follow them, after they are destroyed from before you, and that you do not inquire about their mighty ones, saying, ‘How did these nations serve their mighty ones? And let me do so too” (Deut 12:29-30)

Finaly, let us see what the Almighty says should happen to those who celebrate such things as those celebrated by the pagan nations, “When there is found in your midst, in any of your cities which יהוה your Elohim is giving you, a man or a woman who does what is evil in the eyes of יהוה your Elohim, in transgressing His covenant, and has gone and served other mighty ones and bowed down to them, or to the sun or to the moon or to any of the host of the heavens, which I have not commanded, and it has been made known to you and you have heard, and has searched diligently. Then see, if true: the matter is confirmed that such an abomination has been done in Yisra’ĕl, then you shall bring out to your gates that man or woman who has done this evil matter, and you shall stone to death that man or woman with stones” (Deut 17:2-5)

So as you can see, this is a very serious matter in the eyes of the one who has the power to totally destroy your soul. To those who say that it is just some innocent fun, are those who do not have any regard for the Word of the Almighty and will be held accountable for those actions.

Those who love the Creator will cease from any such evil celebrations and rather walk in all the Commands of YHWH. Those who claim that it is innocent fun, or that the “kids will not understand” etc, are those who do not have a love for the Word of YHWH and are not His followers.

Chag Shavuot proves that the Lunar Sabbath is false

I have been debating many of the people who follow the Lunar Sabbath theory and have not gotten one piece of evidence from them to even consider the Lunar Sabbath to be true. The best argument I have seen from them so far is that of the counting of the “Omer” to the Feast of Weeks or “Chag Shavuot”. Let me explain to you how they see it, and then I will show you why their theory is totally incorrect.

The Lunar Sabbatarians count to Shavuot

They claim that in order to work out when Shavuot is, you need to observe 7 complete Sabbaths, and then the day after the 7^th Sabbath, then you start counting 50 days. (and yes, they really do believe this). The only reason these people come to such a conclusion is because their false doctrine of the moon phase determining the Sabbath, does not work out according to the Scriptural requirements, so they have to create their own requirements in order to believe the lie. (which is not found in the Torah at all)


To justify this false doctrine, they even go as far as to say that Shavuot was when Mosheh came down from the mountain with the tablets where the Ten Commandments were written on by Elohim Himself. They also say this is when Aaron declared a festival on that day. All this falls in the 4^th moon (or month). Keep this in mind as I will be explaining the truth about this further down in this article.

Please also note that this is one of the many views within the lunar sabbath community. There is certainly no cosistancy in this false doctrine as none of them can agree on many points, they are all trying to defend their belief without any facts. That is why they all have very different oppinions. 

As soon as you accept the true Scriptural calendar, then there are no inconsistancies or disagreements among its followers as it is very plain and easy to understand.

Now let us see what the real count to Shavuot is

To get a good idea of what and when Shavuot is, we need to look at the Hebrew meaning of the word, and also learn what Shavuot is all about. When we put these ‘clues’ together, you will see that the Lunar Sabbath is so silly and the people who follow it do not follow what the Torah of YHWH teaches, but are disobedient to the Word of YHWH.

Let us have a look at what Shavuot represents. We need to go to the Scriptures to learn about this as the Scriptures are the ultimate authority as it is the Word of the Almighty.

“And from the morrow after the Sabbath (That falls within the feast of unleavened bread Matzot), from the day that you brought the sheaf of the wave offering, you shall count for yourselves: seven completed Sabbaths. Until the morrow after the seventh Sabbath you count fifty days, then you shall bring a new grain offering to יהוה (YHWH)” (Lev 23:15-16)

Here we can see exactly when Shavuot is. As it clearly states that the count of fifty days will be completed at the day after the seventh Sabbath, we have to read this with a Hebrew mindset and not an English mindset, a native Hebrew will always read it this way as it is a Hebrew idiomatic phrase. We can even see this from the actual word Shavuot (Z«R§A¡[). This word is a plural word for shavua, which means “week”. It also comes from the root word “sheva” which means “seven” and “oath”. So here we can see that Shavuot comes from the word “seven” and “week” meaning that the count to Shavuot is a count of 7 weeks of 7 days each which is an oath given to us from YHWH Himself, just like the Scriptures teach us. Then the Torah goes on to teach us that Shavuot is on the day after the seventh Sabbath which MUST be the total of a 50 day count. (This is common Hebrew thought and understanding).

But let us do the maths quickly

7 days x 7 weeks = 49 days + the day after the 7^th Sabbath = 50 days.

Hey, this works out 100% according to how the Torah teaches us to work out when Shavuot is, EVERY SINGLE TIME.  Now the maths for the lunar Sabbath will never work out this way.

Let us do the maths for the lunar Sabbath.

7 days x 7 weeks = 49 days + day after 7^th sabbath + new moon day + conjunction day = 52 days + another 50 days = 102 days. (Even if you do not add the extra 50 days, it still does not add up to 50 days)

This just does not work out according to the requirement of the Torah. (This alone should be proof that the lunar Sabbath is totally false)

Let us look at another point of view, “In the third month after the children of Yisraĕl had come out of the land of Mitsrayim, on this day they came to the Wilderness of Sinai” (Exodus 19:1). Here we can see, if we read further, that the Ten Words (Commandments) were given during this month. Notice here that it was in the third month, that the ‘Torah’ was given to the Israelites. Here the Ten Commandments were spoken the men of Yisra’el directly from YHWH Himself. All the men of Yisra’el heard the voice of YHWH as he spoke these words to them.

Now I have had one of the lunar Sabbath followers ask me where it is written that the giving of the Torah is connected to Shavuot? Really? No wonder these people follow such silly false teachings, because they do not have any knowledge of the Torah whatsoever.

If Shavuot is not about the giving of the Torah (Ten Words) to the Israelites, then what is it about? What Jewish sect, or Torah followers do not read Exodus 19-20 on Shavuot? Even the other lunar Sabbath guys proclaim this (There is no unity within this false teaching as it is one big confusing mess).

Well, it is just a few ignorant people within the lunar Sabbath sect that believe this. The rest believe that Shavuot is calculated as 7 complete Sabbaths plus an extra 50 days. They say that Shavuot must fall in the 4^th moon (or month) as that is when Mosheh came down from the mountain with the Tablets where the Ten Commandments were written on. They also say this is when Aaron declared a festival for the people of Yisra’el. But let us examine this in a little more detail.

What really happened on that day when Mosheh came down from the mountain with the Tablets of stone in his hands? And what feast did Aaron declare at that time? Once we learn these things, we can see exactly who the lunar Sabbath people are following and what feasts they keep.

We can find al these things in Sh’mot (Exodus) 32, let us read together, “And when the people saw that Mosheh was so long in coming down from the mountain, the people gathered together to Aaron, and said to him, “Arise, make us mighty ones who go before us. For this Mosheh, the man who brought us up out of the land of Mitsrayim, we do not know what has become of him.” And Aaron said to them, “Take off the golden earrings which are in the ears of your wives, your sons, and your daughters, and bring them to me.”

 “And all the people took off the golden earrings which were in their ears, and brought them to Aaron. And he took this from their hand, and he formed it with an engraving tool, and made a moulded calf. And they said, “This is your mighty one, O Yisra’ĕl, that brought you out of the land of Mitsrayim!” (Exodus 32:1-4)

Here we can see that Aaron made a golden calf for the nation of Yisra’el to worship. Let us read further, “And Aaron saw and built an altar before it. And Aaron called out and said, “Tomorrow is a festival to יהוה (YHWH).” And they rose early on the next day, and offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings. And the people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play” (Exodus 32:5-6)

Aaron went as far as to call the golden calf by the Name of YHWH, and declared a festival in honor of the golden calf. What do you think YHWH thought of this what the people had done? Let us see, “And יהוה (YHWH) said to Mosheh, “Go, get down! For your people whom you brought out of the land of Mitsrayim (Egypt) have corrupted themselves. “They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them. They have made themselves a moulded calf, and have bowed themselves to it and slaughtered to it, and said, ‘This is your mighty one, O Yisra’ĕl, who brought you out of the land of Mitsrayim (Egypt)!” (Exodus 32:7-8)

So the people who were feasting were those that corrupted themselves and followed after things that the Almighty specifically told them not to do. YHWH even wanted to destroy them completely, but Mosheh convinced Him not to do so (Exodus 32:10-14).

Now when Mosheh came down from the mountain with the two Tablets of stone, where the Ten Commandments were written, did he give them to Yisra’el, did Yisra’el receive the Torah on this day, as the lunar Sabbath people claim? Let us see what the Torah teaches us about that, “And Mosheh turned and went down from the mountain, and in his hand were the two tablets of the Witness, tablets written on both their sides, written on the one and on the other. And the tablets were the work of Elohim, and the writing was the writing of Elohim engraved on the tablets” (Exodus 32:15-16). So Mosheh did have the Tablets of the Commandments with him. Let us read further.

“And it came to be, as soon as he came near the camp, that he saw the calf and the dancing. And Mosheh’s displeasure burned, and he threw the tablets out of his hands and broke them at the foot of the mountain” (Exodus 32:19). So as you can see, Mosheh was furious with the people and threw down the Tablets and broke them. So did Yisra’el receive the Torah or the Ten Commandments on this 4^th month festival? Definitely not, and did this festival honor YHWH, the true Elohim? Definitely not, it was in honor of a pagan golden calf.

If you read on, you will see that Mosheh destroyed the golden calf, ground it up, threw it into the water and made the people drink the water. He also commanded the death of about three thousand men that day.

Now we know that Shavuot is in the 3^rd month (moon), and NOT in the 4^th month, so let us do the maths again. Let us say that the start of the count is from the middle of chag Matzot (the Feast of unleaven bread) the 18 Aviv (first month).

(click here to see when the start of the count to Shavuot begins)

18^th of the first month + 30 days = 18^th of second month + 20 days = 7^th or 8^th of the THIRD MONTH. (30 +20 = 50)

Hey look…. Once again, we have a perfect calculation according to the requirements of the Torah for when Shavuot is. Can we get to this Torah requirement by using the lunar Sabbath calculation? Well let us do the maths and see where we land up.

18^th of the first month + 30 days = 18^th of second month + 22 days = 9^th or 10^th of the third month + 50 more days = 28^th or 29^th of the Fourth month or the 1^st of the Fifth month (and could even be later if the conditions allow)

Oops, once again, this does not meet the Torah’s requirement at all. How can anyone who claims to follow the Torah, continue to follow the false lunar Sabbath that does not meet any of the Torah’s requirements? Only those who do not have a love for the truth will follow the lunar Sabbath.

So how is the Sabbath worked out?

The week is a continual cycle of 7 days without any interruptions like “new moon days” we can know this just by the Hebrew word for week, which is “shavua”, and its root word is “sheva” which just happens to be seven. The root word for Shabbat is also “sheva” proclaiming the 7^th day of the week to be the Sabbath. “Sheva” also has the meaning of “oath” proclaiming the Sabbath to be an oath between YHWH and those who keep His 7^th day Sabbath.

Now for another nail in the coffin for the lunar Sabbath

We read in Exodus 23:10-12 that the Sabbath of the land is a continual cycle of 7 years where there are 6 years of sowing and gathering the produce of the land and the 7^th year is the Sabbatical (Sabbath year) where the land rests. This is the exact same model given to us for the weekly Sabbath. Now it is clear that the Sabbatical year is not governed by any moon cycle, but is governed by 1 day representing 1 year.

So if there is no new moon “year” or conjunction “year” then how is it possible that there is one for the weekly Sabbath? YHWH is constant and keeps to the same models and instruction as a remembrance of His work of Creation.

Now the Jubilee year is calculated with the same model as used for Shavuot. The day after the 7^th Sabbatical year is the Jubilee which occurs every 50 years 7 x 7 years = 49 years +1 year = 50 years. Wow… The Almighty gave us such absolute evidence and cycles using the same models as the other created cycles to show us what the absolute truth is.

Let us look at some Historical Data 

Historical information can be helpful if we are trying to discern the truth of something that doesn't seem very clear to us from scripture. Although I believe the scriptures speak clearly about the seventh day Sabbath always occurring every seventh day, referencing historical works may be helpful for some who are not yet convinced. 

Lunar Sabbath keepers love to quote from a few Encyclopedic references which say that the week was originally tied to the lunar cycle. If we rely on such Encyclopedias to tell us about historical data, we might indeed wonder if the moon had something to do with setting the weeks. 

When researching this topic historically, we don't need to go any further in history than the time period that Yehoshua the Messiah was born into. We do know that He kept the Sabbath day and we know that He kept it on the same day as the rest of the Jews in His day. For example: 

“So He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read” (Luke 4:16)

The first century disciples also did the same:

“Then Paul, as his custom was, went in to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures” (Acts 17:2)

So, for me the question is whether or not there are any first century eyewitnesses that may enlighten us as to whether the Jews of that time kept the Sabbath by the moon, or by a recurring seven day week. 

Can we find a clear answer to this question? Absolutely. 

To find a clear answer to this question, we will examine the Talmud, the Dead Sea Scrolls and Josephus

1. The Talmud

First of all, please understand that I do not believe in following the Talmud or looking at it as being authoritative for doctrine 

I'm not going to be using it for the purposes of telling anyone how or when to keep the Sabbath, except that we can know that the Messiah was in agreement with the weekly Sabbath of 1st century Judaism. Therefore, we will only use the Talmud to help us understand what views of 1st and 2nd century Judaism actually were. 

The Talmud is a pretty good source because although it was compiled about 130 years after the destruction of the temple and Jerusalem, parts of it act as a historical reference for things that were going on when the temple was still standing. 

The Talmud is composed of three parts. There is the Mishnah, which is the central focal point of the whole Talmud. There is the Gemara, which is a commentary on the Mishnah. Then there is Rashi's commentary on both. 

The Mishnah simply records the beliefs of 1st century Judaism. It speaks often about the views of two Jewish scholars called Shammai and Hillel. They were leaders of two (often opposing) schools of thought, called "houses." Hillel and Shammai lived from c. 50 BCE to 50 CE so they were alive during Yehoshua's ministry on the earth.

The Talmud records some 300+ differences of opinion between both houses. In Judaism, the views of the house of Hillel (Beth Hillel) usually prevailed over the views of the house of Shammai (Beth Shammai). 

As you will see, the Talmud is pretty clear that the Lunar Sabbath was not observed by Beth Hillel, Beth Shammai, or any Jewish man living in the first century. 

(please keep in mind that the lunar sabbatarians very often, try use the writings of Hillel to support the false theory of the lunar Sabbath. They have to twist his writings and use them out of context in order to do so)

In our first example, we will examine a difference of opinion between Hillel and Shammai on what blessing needed to be recited if the "new moon falls on a Sabbath." 

"R. Zera replied: The New Moon is different from a festival - Since its mention is included in the benediction on the sanctity of the day in the morning and evening prayers it is also included in that of the additional prayer. But do Beth Shammai uphold the view that the mention of the New Moon is to be included? Was it not in fact taught: If a New Moon falls on a Sabbath, Beth Shammai ruled: One recites in his additional prayer eight benedictions and Beth Hillel ruled: Seven? This is indeed a difficulty." Talmud - Mas. Eiruvin 40b

Of course, if they were keeping the Lunar Sabbath, the New Moon can never fall on a Sabbath because the Lunar Sabbath is never on the first day of the month. This difference of opinion wouldn't have been recorded if they kept the Lunar Sabbath. 

Next, we will see that the Mishnah records what the first century temple priests did with the non-meat portions of the Passover Lamb:

"Mishnah. The bones, and the sinews, and the nothar of the paschal lamb are to be burnt on the sixteenth. If the sixteenth falls on the Sabbath, they are to be burnt on the seventeenth, because they do not override either the Sabbath or the festival." Talmud - Pesachim 83a

With the Lunar Sabbath, there is no such thing as the sixteenth day of the month falling on the Sabbath. These are not men who are trying to figure out how to fit a weekly Sabbath into Babylonian life, it is a reference to the acts of first century priests who certainly did not keep the Lunar Sabbath. These are the practices observed during the temple era when Yehoshua and His disciples lived. 

The Mishnah also recorded the following rule regarding the meal offerings:

"Mishnah. A man may offer a meal-offering consisting of sixty tenths and bring them in one vessel if a man said, I take upon myself to offer sixty tenths, he may bring them in one vessel. But if he said, I take upon myself to offer sixty-one tenths, he must bring sixty in one vessel and the one in another vessel; for since the congregation bring on the first day of the feast of tabernacles when it falls on a Sabbath sixty-one tenths as a meal-offering, it is enough for an individual that his meal-offering be less by one tenth than that of the congregation." Talmud - Menachoth 103b

Obviously, this is a record of what went on while the temple was still standing because after that time, there would be no place to take it. With a Lunar Sabbath, there is never a time when the first day of the feast of Tabernacles falls on any day other than the Sabbath (15th day of the seventh month). 

Obviously, the recorded practices of first century Judaism while the temple still stood indicate that they did not keep a Lunar Sabbath. They kept the Sabbath on a recurring, seven day week just as it is given in Genesis chapter 1, independent of the moon cycle. Therefore, since Yehoshua kept the Sabbath along with the rest of the Jews of that period, He did not participate in a Lunar Sabbath, a doctrine that doesn't appear to exist in Judaism at that time.

I should also mention that if you ever read the Talmud in depth, you will come away with one clear impression: They debated about almost everything. Something as major as a change in when the Sabbath is observed ought to have been at least debated somewhere. After all, they debated every little fine point of the law! The lack of such a debate speaks volumes.

2. The Dead Sea Scrolls and Josephus

The Dead Sea Scrolls are considered by scholars to be authored by the Essenes, a sect in first century Judaism. In the Dead Sea Scrolls, there are a number of extra-biblical scrolls which appear to shed light on what this sect believed and practiced. Understanding what they believed can be helpful in determining whether or not the Lunar Sabbath was being observed by mainstream Judaism of that time.

It is generally undisputed (even by Lunar Sabbatarians) that the authors of these scrolls did not keep a Lunar Sabbath. Rather, the Calendrical scroll shows that they observed a recurring seven day weekly cycle, independent of the moon phases. I know of no one who disputes this. The Calendrical Scroll and the Songs of the Sabbath Sacrifice confirms this.

Of course, Lunar Sabbatarians generally will teach that this Jewish sect was wrong about the Sabbath.

But in the book of Josephus, he speaks much about the Essenes. Josephus was a first century Jewish historian who wrote much about life in Judea during the first century. He goes into great detail as to how practices of the Essenes were different than others. He mentions everything from how the Essenes don't carry anything with them when they travel, to how they regard oil to be defilement. In Wars of the Jews 2:119-161, Josephus speaks of them in no less than 2000 words, describing over 100 characteristics of their way of life. 

So did Josephus mention that they kept the Sabbath on a day that was different than the rest of Judaism?

“… Moreover, they are stricter than any other of the Jews in resting from their labors on the seventh day; for they not only get their food ready the day before, that they may not be obliged to kindle a fire on that day, but they will not move any vessel out of its place, nor go to stool thereon” (Wars of the Jews 2:147)

In this, Josephus even goes so far as to say that the Essenes are "stricter than any other of the Jews in resting from their labors on the seventh day." Does it sound like there was any disagreement as to when the Sabbath was? Wouldn't it seem strange that Josephus would mention that the Essenes were stricter in their resting from labors on the Sabbath but not bother to mention that the Essenes held the Sabbath on a totally different day than the other Jews of that period? 

The fact is, if the Essenes were keeping a different day than the rest of Judaism, Josephus wouldn't have been able to say that they were even resting on the seventh day to begin with. He would have to say they were typically resting on some other day. 

There is no record in the Dead Sea Scrolls of the Essenes disagreeing with other groups as to when the Sabbath was. In fact, there is no historical record of any Jewish sects disagreeing with each other on when the Sabbath was.  

In another interesting note, Josephus speaks of one of the large towers that were built in Jerusalem:

“and the last was erected above the top of the Pastophoria, where one of the priests stood of course, and gave a signal beforehand with a trumpet, at the beginning of every seventh day, in the evening twilight, as also at the evening when that day was finished, as giving notice to the people when they were to stop work, and when they were to go to work again” (Wars of the Jews 4:582)

So his report is that a trumpet was blown at the beginning of every seventh day, to mark when the people should stop working, and begin working. As an interesting side note, archaeological finds concur with Josephus' comments about the place of trumpeting:

"When we excavated the beautifully paved Herodian street adjacent to the southern wall and near the southwestern corner of the Enclosure Wall, we found a particularly large ashlar block. On the inside was a niche where a man might stand, especially if the ashlar were joined to another which would enlarge the niche.
On the outside was a carefully and elegantly incised Hebrew inscription: LBYT HTKY ’H LHH [RYZ]; “To the place of Trumpeting to (declare).” If the restoration of the world “declare” is correct, the rest of the missing part of the inscription probably went on to tell us more about the declaring of the beginning and the end of the Sabbath.
The stone had been toppled during the Roman destruction of the Temple onto the street below where it had lain for nearly two thousand years until we uncovered it.
It must have originally come from the pinnacle of the southwestern corner of the Temple Mount. From a spot on top of the Temple chambers a priest would blow a trumpet on Sabbath Eve, to announce the arrival of the Sabbath and the cessation of all labour, and to announce, on the following evening, the departure of the Sabbath and the resumption of all labor.
The entire city was visible from this spot on the southwest corner of the Temple Mount; the clarion call of the trumpet would reach the farthest markets of the city. Such a scene is recounted by Josephus in his work, The Jewish War. (IV, 582)." Editor, H. S. 2004; 2004. BAR 06:04 (July/Aug 1980)” Biblical Archaeology Society

Josephus also records that Agatharchides, a 2nd century BCE Greek Historian, wrote something quite interesting about Ptolemy's defeat of Jerusalem:

"When Agatharchides had premised this story, and had jested upon Stratonice for her superstition, he gives a like example of what was reported concerning us, and writes thus:--
209 ``There are a people called Jews, and dwell in a city the strongest of all other cities, which the inhabitants call Jerusalem, and are accustomed to rest on every seventh day; on which times they make no use of their arms, nor meddle with husbandry, nor take care of any affairs of life, but spread out their hands in their holy places, and pray till the evening.
210 Now it came to pass, that when Ptolemy, the son of Lagus, came into this city with his army, that these men, in observing this mad custom of theirs, instead of guarding the city, suffered their country to submit itself to a bitter lord; and their law was openly proven to have commanded a foolish practice" (Against Apion 1:208)

Ptolemy was the General of Alexander the Great, who took over Jerusalem in 332 BCE. We see that the Jews would not defend themselves or take up arms on the Sabbath, which was "every seventh day." 

If I were to describe the Sabbath keeping practices of Lunar Sabbatarians, I certainly wouldn't describe their Sabbath keeping as something they did "every seventh day." Rather, I would mention that they only keep a Sabbath on certain days of the month. Therefore, it's quite evident that Josephus was describing the practice laid out for us "in the beginning" when Elohim created the first week and that is to rest every seventh day, without moon interruptions.

Conclusion

There is no indication whatsoever in the entire Scriptures that the week is not a continual cycle of seven days, and every appointed time works out 100% according to the Torah using the continual cycle of seven days.

If you follow the lunar Sabbath, then you are not keeping YHWH’s Sabbath and therefore you are not one of His people. The Sabbath is a sign between the Almighty and His people.

In fact, if you follow the lunar Sabbath, you are worshiping the golden calf, and just as Mosheh broke the Tablets of the Ten Commandments because of idolatry, so too are the lunar Sabbath people breaking the Torah of YHWH by their idolatrous festivals. You see, the festival that the lunar Sabbath people celebrate is the festival that Aaron declared for the golden calf in the 4^th month (moon), and not the festival of Shavuot.

Whoever teaches that the festival in the 4^th month is Shavuot is totally ignorant of the Torah or is just a straight out liar seeking a following. These people are not to be trusted as you can see for yourself that the Torah proves them to be liars.

I will continue to say that the lunar Sabbath teachers are idiots and liars and do not know the Torah of YHWH and should have their mouths shut. And all those who follow these people are those who do not study the Torah for themselves.

To truly have a relationship with the Almighty, you cannot follow the lunar Sabbath as it is breaking His Torah and following after other mighty ones.

You can read more about the lunar Sabbath on the following two links:

false-doctrine-no2-when-is-sabbath

lunar-sabbath-doctrine-is-stupid

Did Abraham know the Name of YHWH?

This last Shabbat’s Torah reading started with Sh’mot (Exodus) 6, and almost immediately when we started to read, we noticed something that seemed to be a contradiction in the Torah. This got us to look deeper into the matter and once we did that, we realized that it is not a contradiction at all.

To understand the Word of YHWH, we need to understand the Hebrew and also the meanings of the Hebrew names and also the Hebrew idioms, prophecy, etc.

The so called contradiction appears in Sh’mot (Exodus) 6:3 where it says, “And I appeared to Avraham, to Yitschaq, and to Ya’aqov, as Ěl Shaddai. And by My Name, יהוה (YHWH), I did not make myself known to them”. You see, it seems like this verse is saying that Abraham, Yitschaq (Isaac) and Ya’aqov (Jacob) did not know the Name of the Almighty. I have spoken to many people (especially Christians) that use this verse to say that the Name of YHWH was only revealed for the first time to Mosheh (Moses). This is not at all true and can very easily be proven so by just reading the Scriptures. Let us look at a few verses that prove that the Name of YHWH was known since the days of Adam. The following Scriptures are a translation of the Hebrew and the Name 'YHWH' is actually recoreded there

“And יהוה (YHWH) appeared to Abram and said, “To your seed I give this land.” And he built there an altar to יהוה (YHWH) who had appeared to him. And from there he moved to the mountain east of Bĕyth Ěl, and he pitched his tent, with Bĕyth Ěl on the west and Ai on the east. And he built there an altar to יהוה (YHWH), and called on the Name of יהוה (YHWH)” (Gen 12:7-8). Here you can clearly see that Abraham, at this time still called Abram, knew the Name of YHWH and used His Name too.

“to the place of the altar which he had made there at first. And there Abram called on the Name of יהוה (YHWH)” (Gen 13:4). Here you can see once again, Abram calling on the Name of YHWH.

“And he planted a tamarisk tree in Be’ĕrsheva, and there called on the Name of יהוה (YHWH), the Everlasting Ěl. And Abraham sojourned in the land of the Philistines many days” (Gen 21:33-34). Here Abraham called once again on the Name of YHWH.

“And יהוה (YHWH) appeared to him the same night and said, “I am the Elohim of your father Abraham. Do not fear, for I am with you, and shall bless you and increase your seed for My servant Abraham’s sake.” And he built an altar there, and called on the Name of יהוה (YHWH), and he pitched his tent there, and the servants of Yitschaq dug a well there” (Gen 26:24-25). Here we can see that Yitschaq (Isaac) also knew the Name of YHWH and he too called on the Name of YHWH.

But we can even go further back than Abraham, to find people who knew and used the Name of the Almighty which is YHWH.

“And to Shĕth, to him also a son was born. And he called his name Enosh. Then it became profaned to call in the Name of יהוה (YHWH)” (Gen 4:26). Here is an example of a verse that is incorrectly translated in every single English translation of the Scriptures. The above is a direct translation of the Hebrew text, whereas the English versions of the bible have it as, “Then it was begun to call on the Name of יהוה (YHWH).” As you can see, this is a very different meaning. All the translations state that the Name of YHWH only became known in the days of Enosh. Even this disproves that it was revealed for the first time to Mosheh. But the original Hebrew tells a different story.

The Hebrew states that in the days of Enosh, it became profaned to call on the Name of YHWH. The Hebrew word used here is L¢GhD (Huchal) which means ‘to begin to profane’. This is because paganism became very rampant in those days and that they were using the Name above all names as if it were a common word and were using it in vain and even mocking it. This proves to us that the Name of YHWH was known long before Enosh came. This also proves that the Name of YHWH was not revealed for the first time to Mosheh and the Israelites, but was known by many people throughout history, even from the beginning of time, leading up to the time of Mosheh.

Okay, now we have seen proof that the Name of YHWH was known and used by Abraham and his sons, but why is it then written that He only revealed Himself as El Shaddai and not as YHWH? Well, firstly we need to understand the meanings of the words El Shaddai and also the meaning of the Name of YHWH and its prophetic and idiomatic meanings too. To really understand this concept, we need to also look at it with a Hebrew mindset. So lets analyze these two “names”.

El Shaddai

El Shaddai comes from 3 different words. Namely El, which is a shortened form of Elohim, which basically means ‘Mighty Ones’, it is however a plural form, which could indicate ‘Mighty One’s’ but in Hebrew thought, plural could also indicate the magnitude of a being, as in this case, a very very Mighty One.

The second word is ‘shad’ which literally means ‘breast’. This is where milk or nourishment comes from.

The third word ‘dai’ literally means ‘sufficient’ as in the word ‘dai’eynu’ which mean ‘that would have been enough (or sufficient) for us’

So when the Almighty revealed Himself to Abraham, Yitschak and Ya’akov as El Shaddai, he revealed Himself as the Mighty One that supplied them with all there needs.

But why not as YHWH? Well, we firstly need to look at what YHWH stands for.

YHWH

YHWH reveals the prophetic meaning or requirement of the revelation of His Name in Sh’mot (Exodus) 6:6-7. There are four specific requirements to be fulfilled in order that the Name of YHWH can be ‘made known’ to them. Let us read these two verses and see if we can find them in there.

“And I have also heard the groaning of the children of Yisra’ĕl whom the Mitsrites (Egyptians) are enslaving, and I have remembered My covenant. Say, therefore, to the children of Yisra’ĕl, ‘I am יהוה (YHWH), and I shall bring you out from under the burdens of the Mitsrites (Egyptians), and shall deliver you from their enslaving, and shall redeem you with an outstretched arm, and with great judgments, and shall take you as My people, and I shall be your Elohim. And you shall know that I am יהוה (YHWH) your Elohim who is bringing you out from under the burdens of the Mitsrites (Egyptians)” (Exodus 6:5-7).

I have highlighted the four statements above. Let us have a closer look at them individually.

1)      I shall bring you out from under the burdens of the Mitsrites (Egyptians)

2)      I shall deliver you from their enslaving

3)      I shall redeem you with an outstretched arm, and with great judgments

4)      I shall take you as My people, and I shall be your Elohim

(Also note that this prophecy is going to be repeated on the great Day of YHWH, at the return of the Messiah Yehoshua ben Dawid.)

The Name of YHWH being revealed to the Israelites in the time of Mosheh was the fulfillment of prophecy. Notice that YHWH said that “He remembered His covenant that He made” and so Mosheh was to reveal His Name as YHWH. It was the time in which He would carry out His promise that he had made to Abraham and to Yitschaq and to Ya’aqov. For up until that time, the time had not yet come for the Promised Land to be given to them.

Now we can see why it is written that the Name of YHWH was not revealed to Abraham, Yitschaq and Ya’aqov, even though they knew His Name and even used it. It is speaking of the fulfillment of prophecy or covenant, which was not fulfilled during the time of Abraham, but was going to be fulfilled during the time of Mosheh.

Now we can understand the character of the Name of YHWH and why He teaches us that, “This is My Name forever, and this is My remembrance to all generations” (Sh’mot 3:15)

Should homosexuality be acceptable?

This seems to be a very straight forward topic, however, it is not always that easy. Those who live in sin, always try and justify their sins. The Scripture is very clear on this topic of homosexuality that no homosexual person can justify what they are doing.

Please note that I am only relaying what the Scriptures teach about homosexuality and that I should not be held accountable for anything written here.

Many people also false claim that they were born gay. This is a perverse idea, and we will cover this in the article below. There is, funny enough, also gay churches that claim that homosexuals can be saved too. I wonder what bible they read out of. Even the most perverted translations of the bible still teaches that homosexuality is an abomination and the Almighty hates it and those who practice it, will not inherit the kingdom of YHWH.

Now let us have a look at what the instruction of the Almighty teaches us. “And do not lie with a male as with a woman, it is an abomination” (Leviticus 18:22). Here the Scriptures teach us not to practice homosexuality as it is an abomination. But what will happen to those who do these abominable practices? “And a man who lies with a male as he lies with a woman: both of them have done an abomination, they shall certainly be put to death, their blood is upon them” (Leviticus 20:13). Oh dear, they are to be put to death, and not even sacrificial blood can cover this terrible sin. This certainly is a strong warning from the Almighty.

Now homosexuality is so disgusting in the eyes of the Almighty that He has destroyed entire cities with flames coming from the sky, because of this terrible sin. Sedom and Ammorah are good examples of this. We read about their wickedness in the Torah where the entire city was practicing homosexuality. Let us read, “Before they lay down, the men of the city, the men of Seḏom, both old and young, all the people from every part, surrounded the house. And they called to Lot and said to him, “Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us, and let us ‘know them.” (Genesis 19:4-5). This is a shocking piece of Scripture. These people from every part of Sedom wanted to have homosexual relations with the Messengers of the Almighty. The phrase “let us know them” is speaking of a sexual union with them.

Lot even offered his two virgin daughters to these people that they may do whatever they wanted to them. But the inhabitants of Sedom did not have any sexual interest in women, but rather wanted the men. What happened to Sedom after this? That’s right, they were annihilated. YHWH reigned fire and brimstone from the heavens and utterly destroyed Sedom. Only Lot and his two daughters survived as they fled just before all this happened.

Okay, so what about the “New Testament” then? Are we all not forgiven etc? Well let us see what is written in the “New Testament”. Shaul wrote, “Do you not know that the unrighteous shall not inherit the reign of Elohim? Do not be deceived. Neither those who whore, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor greedy of gain, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers shall inherit the reign of Elohim” (1 Corinthians 6:9-10). It is very clearly written that homosexuals will not inherit the reign of the Almighty. Let us read further.

“who changed the truth of Elohim into the falsehood, and worshipped and served what was created rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amĕn. Because of this Elohim gave them over to degrading passions. For even their women exchanged natural relations for what is against nature, and likewise, the men also, having left natural relations with woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing indecency, and receiving back the reward which was due for their straying” (Romans 1:25-27). Shaul is making it very clear that homosexuality, whether it be gay or lesbian, is an indecency and is controlled by lust and NOT love. They are given over to their lusts because of their hatred for truth and righteousness.

Sex is a physical and spiritual binding between a man and his wife. It is an example of the relationship between the Groom (the Messiah), to come, and his bride (Yisrael – the followers of YHWH). Notice that he is coming for His bride and not His bridegroom.

Another very important role of sex is to bring forth children. This is the natural and men and women were created differently in order that they can come together and produce offspring. This is what the Almighty intended. When a person goes against what is natural, he is turning and going against the Almighty, which is evil in His eyes.

Now, can someone be born gay? Absolutely not, this statement is 100% against what the almighty teaches us. It is not in His character to create a being that is automatically an abomination. “For this is good and acceptable before Elohim our Saviour, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:3-4). How can the Almighty create a person, which He desires to be saved, already gay and an abomination that needs to be put to death. Who ever says that he or she is born gay, is calling the Almighty a liar. Whose word are you going to believe? Homosexuality is always a choice.

Homosexuality is growing at a very rapid rate and has long ago been accepted by modern society and these abominable people have more rights in our modern governments than almost anyone else. What do you think the Almighty thinks about this?

Homosexuality always stems from some kind of abuse, whether it be physical or emotional. Our current world is full of evil and is destroying the people at a very rapid rate. If the Torah was kept by everyone (which will happen at the return of the Messiah), then there would not be such a thing as hatred or abuse or stealing or sexual sin or homosexuality or poor people or any evil at all. Only because of perversion, there is such evil in this world. Homosexuality is driven purely by lust. The true followers of the Almighty YHWH can only pray for these people, but can in no way fellowship with them. “And have no fellowship with the fruitless works of darkness, but rather reprove them” (Ephesians 5:11)

We are not to condone or fellowship with homosexuals at all, as this is an abomination in the eyes of the Creator

May we all strive to follow what is good and righteous in the eyes of YHWH so that we may inherit eternal life.

Shalom