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

Are we sinners, or can we be righteous?

Now I have seen how people have argued and continue to argue on a certain topic in the Scriptures. It even seems that there is a contradiction in the Scriptures where one group of people quote the Scriptures concerning the one idea and the other group of people also quote the Scriptures to say what seems to be a contradiction of that idea. Both these groups do not understand the true nature of the Scriptures, and therefore misinterpret it, as there is certainly no contradiction, but both ideas are 100% in agreement with each other.

Let us have a look at this argument in question.

The first group claims that there cannot be any person who is righteous and that we all continue to be sinners as long as we live. They then quote the following, “If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His Word is not in us” (1 John 1:10). This seems to be a valid argument don’t you think?

The other group says that there are righteous people and that we can live righteously. They then quote a couple of Scriptures like the following, “There was in the days of Herodes, the sovereign of Yehudah, a certain priest named Zecharyah, of the division of Aviyah. And his wife was of the daughters of Aharon, and her name was Elisheva. And they were both righteous before Elohim, blamelessly walking in all the commands and righteousnesses of יהוה (YHWH)” (Luke 1:5-6). They also quote all those who were righteous, like Abraham, Iyov (Job), Noah etc. This too is written and is a valid argument.

The fact of the matter is that both of these arguments, or concepts, are correct. Now how can both be correct at the same time? It is very easy to understand once you understand the character of the Almighty and the character of man.

Let me explain it in a simple way using the Scriptures. The Messiah Yehoshua and Shaul understood this very well and explains to us in many places, for example, “For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh. And these are opposed to each other, so that you do not do what you desire to do” (Galatians 5:17). Here he is explaining the difference between the flesh and the Spirit. These two fight against one another. You are either living in the flesh, where you are a sinner, or you are living according to the Ruach (Spirit), where you are righteous as you are living according to the Torah of YHWH and not according to your own desires.

Let us read some more, “That which has been born of the flesh is flesh, and that which has been born of the Spirit is spirit” (John 3:6). Here is what the concept of born again is. It is putting away the sinful flesh, and living according to the Ruach (Spirit) of YHWH. This is to live according to His Instruction, and not our own.

“It is the Spirit that gives life, the flesh does not profit at all. The words that I speak to you are Spirit and are life” (John 6:63). Here we are taught that only those who are righteous, living by the Spirit, gain life. Those living by the flesh, profit nothing unto destruction. Notice also that he says that the words are not his own, but the Words of the Spirit which brings life.

“For we know that the Torah is Spiritual, but I am fleshly, sold under sin” (Romans 7:14). Shaul gave us great understanding here by explaining that the Torah of YHWH is Spiritual, and not just Words written on paper. Those Words on the paper are living Words. The flesh does not live by them, but only the righteous do.

“There is, then, now no condemnation to those who are in Messiah יהושע (Yehoshua), who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit” (Romans 8:1). What is Shaul saying here? Those who are in the Messiah Yehoshua, are those who are living according to the Torah of YHWH! This totally contradicts what the Church teaches. If we are truly in the Messiah, then we will walk as He did, by obeying the Instructions of His Father, and not walking according to our own flesh, or the teachings of men (Pastors) which is also flesh (carnal) and leads to destruction.

“so that the righteousness of the Torah should be completed in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit” (Romans 8:4). Once again, Shaul is teaching that righteousness comes from the Torah, and that those walking in the Torah, are walking in the Spirit and not in the flesh.

“For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the matters of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the matters of the Spirit” (Romans 8:5). You cannot live according to the flesh and the Spirit at the same time. If you live according to the flesh, your thoughts and ideas will be according to the flesh. But if you live in the Instruction of the Almighty, your thoughts will be on His Torah.

“For the mind of the flesh is death, but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace” (Romans 8:6). How silly are those who claim that Shaul taught us that we do not have to obey the Torah anymore. This is preposterous. Here he is teaching that if you do not obey the Torah of YHWH, then you will land up in destruction, but in order to obtain life, we need to walk in all the Torah, which is the instruction unto righteousness and life.

“But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of Elohim dwells in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Messiah, this one is not His” (Romans 8:9). It is clear that if one has the Spirit of Elohim, then that person will be obedient to the Torah. Those who are not obedient to the Torah, but claim to be led by the Spirit, are total liars. The Spirit of Elohim, will NEVER, teach anything contrary to His Torah. Those who do not have the Spirit, that person(s) is not one of His children.

“For if you live according to the flesh, you are going to die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you shall live” (Romans 8:13). Once again, Shaul is making it very clear that by living according to the flesh and not according to the Torah, the outcome will be death. But if you live according to the Spirit, then you will put away the fleshly desires, and then you will live righteously and will be given the gift of life eternal.

“Are you so senseless? Having begun in the Spirit, do you now end in the flesh?” (Galatians 3:3). Shaul is speaking to the congregation in Galatia. Rebuking them and calling them senseless as they turned from truth and obedience to the Torah, and continued in their fleshly desires. This will only end up in destruction.

“And I say: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not accomplish the lust of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16). The flesh has to be put away in order to obey the Torah. You cannot do both at the same time. Righteous people are not sinners.

“Because he who sows to his own flesh shall reap corruption from the flesh, but he who sows to the Spirit shall reap everlasting life from the Spirit” (Galatians 6:8). How many more times must Shaul teach this, and yet, the Church teaches the opposite. If you do not obey the Torah and do not live your life according to the Torah of YHWH, then you are living according to the flesh. I have heard many many Christians say that they will never work for a Christian boss. This is because Christianity is based on the flesh and reaps corruption. If that boss obeyed the Torah, he would treat his employees with respect and fairness, and also pay them what they were due and on time. Only those who obey the Torah of YHWH, will reap everlasting life.

“Let it not be! But let Elohim be true, and every man a liar, as it has been written, “That You should be declared right in Your words, and prevail in Your judging.” (Romans 3:4). Only Elohim is true and righteous, and every man is a liar. That is why we need to put away our old flesh, and live according to Elohim. If we walk in His instruction, and speak His words, then we speak truth and live righteously.

“But go and learn what this means, ‘I desire compassion and not offering. For I did not come to call the righteous to repentance, but sinners.” (Matthew 9:13). So as you can see, there is a clear distinction between the sinners and the righteous. The righteous are those who are living according to the Torah and not according to their own desires. But there is hope for those who are sinners, it is called repentance. Repentance is a turning away from your old fleshly self, and then continuing in the righteous living of obeying the Torah of YHWH.

Go have a look for yourself, who are those who are called the righteous in Scripture. Also see why they were called righteous. You will find that they were all righteous for the same reason. All of them obeyed the Torah of YHWH.

Let us some it up with the words of the Messiah, “And see, one came and said to Him, “Good Teacher, what good shall I do to have everlasting life?” And He said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good except One – Elohim. But if you wish to enter into life, guard the Commands” (Matthew 19:16-17). Wow… what a statement. Yehoshua the Messiah Himself said that not even He was good! And yet He never sinned. He is saying that there is only one being that is good and that being is YHWH the Creator of all. Yehoshua says that His flesh is not good, but He did not sin because he did all that YHWH His Father commanded Him to do. Yehoshua walk according to the Spirit, just as we are to walk according to the Spirit, and not according to the flesh.

So it is very clear that all of us have sinned, but it is also right that we can become righteous and be called righteous too, in fact, we are required to become righteous in order to obtain everlasting life. And in order to be called righteous, we need to guard to keep the whole Torah of YHWH.

Psalms 1:1-6 The difference between the righteous and the sinner

We have all heard the phrase that “we are all sinners” this is true to a certain degree. Once we repent of our sinful ways and live our lives in the Instruction of the Almighty, then we become righteous. This is a theme found throughout the Scriptures. It is very fitting that Dawid’s very first psalm is making the distinction between the righteous and the sinner (unrighteous). He also explains to us what righteousness is. Let us read what he wrote:

1. “Blessed is the man who shall not walk in the counsel of the wrong, And shall not stand in the path of sinners, And shall not sit in the seat of scoffers,

2. But his delight is in the Torah of יהוה (YHWH), And he meditates in His Torah day and night.

Here is a very clear distinction between who the sinners are and who are righteous and blessed. It also makes a very clear distinction between what is right and what is wrong. Sin is the opposite of obedience to Torah. The one who delights in the Torah of YHWH and meditates on it day and night (Not just once a week) is blessed. It is impossible to walk with those who are wrong and stand by the scoffers if you constantly have the Torah in mind all the time.

Also notice how it says ‘blessed are those who delight in the Torah of YHWH’. Have we not been taught by the church that the Torah is a curse? How is it possible that the man who is known to be after the Almighty’s own heart, will delight in a curse? It is simply not so. There are both blessings and curses found in the Torah, those who obey the Torah will be blessed, and those who do not obey the Torah will be cursed. It is up to you to decide if you want to be blessed or cursed.

3. For he shall be as a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That yields its fruit in its season, And whose leaf does not wither, And whatever he does prospers.

Dawid who knew the will of YHWH better than any of us can dream of today, teaches that those who delight in obeying the Torah of YHWH, is steadfast and does not lack. The reason you prosper in everything you do if you obey the Torah, is because the Torah is YHWH’s instruction for us on how to prosper, and when we obey His Word, then He Himself gives us our needs.

4. The wrong are not so, But are like the chaff which the wind blows away.

Those who do not obey the Torah, will wither away. They try and prosper by their own strength, which causes stress and worry, and ultimately ends in destruction. Their marriages fall apart, some are lead to drinking and smoking to try handle stress. In the end, even those who supposedly made a success will be destroyed.

5. Therefore the wrong shall not rise in the judgment, Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.

There are two judgments in the end times, one when the Messiah returns, when all the righteous will rise up and be judged, and one after the thousand year reign with the Messiah, when all the wicked will be judged and thrown into destruction.

Nor will sinners be allowed in the congregation of the righteous. The righteous people will not stand for sinful natures. If anyone willfuly sins, then that person will not be tolerated by the righteous people.

6. For יהוה (YHWH) knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the wrong comes to naught”

YHWH knows the WAY (actions, works) of the RIGHTEOUS because the righteous live by His Torah. YHWH only gives favor to those who are righteous, those who are doing and living by His Torah. The Torah is wrongly translated as “Law”, but is correctly translated as “Instruction”. If we live by our Father’s instruction, then we will prosper and find favor in His eyes. Those who do not obey His Instruction, are not His children and their ways end up in naught.

We are all going to be judged, whether you are Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Jew, Atheist, or of the faith of the Messiah. Only those who do the Torah of YHWH will be part of the first judgment and will inherit eternal life. Everyone else will be part of the second judgment.

It is up to you, which judgment you will be part of. Do you want to be part of the first, or the second judgment?

Can you accept discipline or does your pride get the better of you?

How are you going to react when you are shown that what you believe to be true, is actually false? All of us who have come out of the Christian faith have had to face this scenario. But after coming out of the Christian faith, the great majority of people fall into a Messianic or Hebrew Roots group, thinking that they are now following the true faith.

Now the true test comes in here when you are confronted with truths and facts that contradict what you thought to be true. How are you going to react when you realize that what you believe to be true is, once again, wrong? 

The unfortunate thing is that the majority of people still subscribe to false teachings, as it suites them, and rejects the factual evidence of the truth. Many people do so as they cannot believe that they can be fooled again and many times are too embarrassed to acklowledge this, and that they would rather run away from the facts, than accept them. Is this not pride getting in the way of truth?

Many of the Messianic and Hebrew Roots people come to realize the Hebrew-ness of the Scriptures and get a very basic knowledge of the Hebrew language and culture. Then they act as though they are experts in the Hebrew language and at the same time come up with so many errors by breaking every Hebrew grammatical rule possible. And when they are approached with the facts, they fight with the person trying to help them. The same goes for the cultural aspect, e.g. the "feasts" and shabbat.  They are taught about them but also that it is not actually necessary to DO them.  For example, they are taught that it is only necessary to have a shabbat meal on the Friday evening and then can do whatever they like!

Let us look at one of the biggest errors that I am speaking of:

The majority of the Messianic and Hebrew Roots people proclaim the name of the Messiah as “Yahushua” or “Yahuwshuwa” or something similar. These are not correct. Yes, the Name of the Father (Yahu) is in His Son’s Name and is joined to the word ‘shua’ which means save. So the Name of the Messiah means “YHWH is our salvation” but joining these two words together to give us the Name of the Messiah is where the people go wrong. You see, we need to understand Hebrew grammar before we can just join these two words together. Let me explain:

When joining two words together, the suffix (in this case “shua”) always retains its form, whereas the prefix (in this case “Yahu”) always shortens its syllables. For example, NATHAN + YAHU = NeTHANYAHU, and YAHU + NATHAN = YeHoNATHAN. This is always the case, and I challenge anyone to go and look it up in any Hebrew dictionary or lexicon or grammar book and show me that this is not true.

So the true Name of the Messiah is YAHU + SHUA = Yehoshua, which still holds the meaning of “YHWH is our salvation”

This is just one example of many!

Now when I have tried to help people with this factual evidence, I have been met with hostility and hatred without them being able to prove these facts wrong. These people who claim to be believers in the Torah of YHWH refuse to accept truth and rebuke the righteous people who lovingly try to help them… where have you seen this before? It looks a bit Christiany to me. These people look at the facts and claim that it is only opinion… what foolishness!!! How can you say that it is an opinion when it is factually documented and cannot be disproven? It would be good to be like the Bereans and go and search the Scriptures (Tanakh) to search for the truth.

After such hatred, I posted on my Facebook wall that “all those who are not interested in the truth, should rather unfriend me as I will be proclaiming only the truth” I could not believe how many Messianic and Hebrew Roots people unfriended me almost immediately. This proves to me that the Messianic and Hebrew Roots is not the true faith of the Messiah Yehoshua. I have also stated the fact that I have not met one Messianic or Hebrew Roots follower that keeps the Torah of YHWH. They say they do, but their actions say otherwise.

Let me tell you about the instance when I walked into a Messianic book store to ask them if I could leave some pamphlets there for guitar lessons. I was immediately asked, by one of the store owners, if I was Torah observant. I could not believe my ears. I had a beard and wore tzitzit that was clearly visible, and that person could not identify me as a Torah observant person. This is because the Messianic people are not taught the true meaning of the Torah and therefore, cannot recognize the Torah or its followers, even if they were hit in the face with it. I realized that I was speaking to a Christian who had a little bit of a Hebrew flavor. The book store had more Christian books than anything else. No wonder they are so ignorant of the true faith. 

People want to mix their Christianity with SOME Hebrew flavour, but do not see that the two cannot mix.

This is unfortunately the truth about Messianic and Hebrew roots groups, they are Christian groups with a Hebrew flavor. They get together in small groups where a “leader” will teach them what the Scriptures say. Every group has a different set of beliefs (denominations) like, those who follow the lunar Sabbath, or those who subscribe to the false teaching that a Scriptural day starts at sunrise and some even sacrifice lambs still and many other false teachings like these. Not one of them keeps the Torah in its entirety.

Neither the Messiah nor His disciples were Messianic or Hebrew Roots, but rather obeyed the Torah of YHWH fully. They did not have a title, nor did they follow anyone else, but learnt from the Torah of YHWH, which the Messiah magnified.

Now… only those who are righteous will humble themselves and accept the truth, no matter how silly it makes them look.

Let us look at a few verses that were written by the wisest man to have lived (Other than the Messiah of course).

“The fear of יהוה (YHWH) is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and discipline” (Proverbs 1:7)

“Blessed is the man who has found wisdom, And the man who gets understanding;

For the gain from it is better Than gain from silver, And its increase than fine gold” (Proverbs 3:13-14)

“He dies for lack of discipline, And in the greatness of his folly He goes astray” (Proverbs 5:23)

“Listen to discipline and become wise, And do not refuse it” (Proverbs 8:33)

“He who heeds discipline is in the way of life, But he who refuses reproof goes astray” (Proverbs 10:17)

“Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, But he who hates reproof is stupid” (Proverbs 12:1)

“Poverty and shame are for him Who ignores discipline, But he who heeds reproof is esteemed” (Proverbs 13:18)

“He who ignores discipline hates himself, But he who listens to reproof gets understanding” (Proverbs 15:32)

“The fear of יהוה is the discipline of wisdom, And before esteem is humility” (Proverbs 15:33)

“Listen to counsel and accept discipline, So that you are wise in your latter end” (Proverbs 19:20)

“Bring your heart to discipline, And your ears to words of knowledge” (Proverbs 23:12)

“The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But he who listens to advice is wise” (Proverbs 12:15)

I think that you get the point. I love discipline as it leads me to righteousness and keeps me on the narrow road. I accept it with joy and thanksgiving.

Now are you going to follow the way of righteousness and accept discipline and knowledge with joy and thanksgiving? Or are you going to remain proud and reject knowledge and truth? This is the difference between being wise or being a fool.

Definition of Marriage and Adultery

There is a huge argument going on about what is considered adultery or not, within the community of believers. The reason for this argument is that some, ‘so-called’ believers cannot control their fleshly lustful desires and need to justify their adultery by twisting Scripture to seem as though it is acceptable what they are doing. The Scriptures are very clear in defining what marriage and adultery are and cannot be debated.

Let us define what marriage is according to Scripture

“For this cause a man shall leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife, and they shall become one flesh” (Gen 2:24). Notice here that the Scripture talks about flesh. Marriage is a physical action that binds one person to another and makes them one flesh. Even though marriage is also a spiritual bond, sex is the mechanism of marriage. “Do not deprive one another except with agreement for a time, to give yourselves to fasting and prayer. And come together again so that Satan does not try you because of your lack of self-control” (1 Cor 7:5). One is not considered to be married, according to the Scripture, without sealing, or consummating, the contract by having sex for the first time, where there was proof of a woman’s maidenhood through her blood revealed on the sheet.

Marriage is then clearly defined as a physical and spiritual binding of a man and a woman to become one flesh, and to be faithful to one another, until the event of death.

“And I say to the unmarried (not divorced) and to the widows: It is good for them if they remain even as I am (unmarried), but if they do not have self-control, let them marry, for it is better to marry than to burn” (1 Cor 7:8-9). So it is better to stay unmarried, but if you cannot control your physical need for sex, then it is better to get married before you commit adultery and burn. Once again we see that marriage is a sexual bond created between a man and a woman.

Let us now define what adultery is according to Scripture

Adultery is when a third person (whether it be a man or a woman) comes in between the bond created between a man and his wife, by laying with them (sexually). This is Hebrew thought and is so recognized in the Torah. “And a man who commits adultery with the wife of another man, who commits adultery with the wife of his neighbor: the adulterer and the adulteress shall certainly be put to death” (Lev 20:10). Adultery is clearly shown to be a death sentence. It is not a forgivable sin, this is because it is an evil act and all evil must be banished from the midst of the true believers. Most churches do not teach this and even allow it to continue in their congregations.

Let us have a look at what the Messiah defines as adultery:
“And it has been said, ‘Whoever puts away his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’
But I say to you that whoever puts away his wife, except for the matter of whoring, makes her commit adultery. And whoever marries a woman who has been put away commits adultery” (Mat 5:31-32)

“And I say to you, whoever puts away his wife, except on the ground of whoring, and marries another, commits adultery. And whoever marries her who has been put away commits adultery.” (Mat 19:9)

So what He is saying is that any woman, and not only those who have already whored, who is divorced, MAY NOT re-marry. In fact, the Messiah teaches us that if ANY divorced woman remarries, then she is committing adultery, and so is the man who marries her. “He who commits adultery with a woman lacks heart; He who does it destroys his own life” (Proverbs 6:32).

You see, once a man and a woman are joined in marriage, they are bound for life. Not even a paper or letter of divorce can break the bond that was created in the physical and spiritual act of marriage. All that happens when a woman is issued with a letter of divorce, is that her husband is putting her away because they are not able to live together anymore. This does not give her the right to re-marry again, except if she re-marries her husband again.

The divorce letter was allowed because of the hardness of the hearts of the people. It is not a letter of a ‘reversal of marriage’, but rather that they cease from living together in order to prevent strife and even sin within the household. A wife is joined to her husband until the day of her husband’s death, even though a letter of divorce has been given to her in her hand and they are no longer living together.
“And Pharisees came and asked Him, “Is it right for a man to put away his wife?” – trying Him. And He answering, said to them, “What did Mosheh command you?” And they said, “Mosheh allowed a man to write a certificate of divorce, and to put her away.” And יהושע (Yehoshua) said to them, “Because of the hardness of your heart he wrote you this command.  “However, from the beginning of the creation, Elohim ‘made them male and female.’  ‘For this cause a man shall leave his father and mother and cleave to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh,’ so that they are no longer two, but one flesh  “Therefore what Elohim has joined together, let man not separate.” (Mar 10:2-9).

“Or do you not know, brothers – for I speak to those knowing the Torah – that the Torah rules over a man as long as he lives? For the married woman has been bound by Torah to the living husband, but if the husband dies, she is released from the Torah concerning her husband. So then, while her husband lives, she shall be called an adulteress if she becomes another man’s. But if her husband dies, she is free from that part of the Torah, so that she is not an adulteress, having become another man’s” (Rom 7:1-3). In this marriage covenant, the woman is bound to her husband as long as he lives (1 Cor. 7:39). The marriage "bond" is a lifetime covenant commitment, and Elohim holds people to the commitment they made, even if later they try to break it.

A woman may be "bound" to one man, but "married" to another man! The "bond" refers to the marriage covenant that Elohim holds you to. "Marriage" refers to the relationship you are living in as recognized by civil law and society. The two may be the same, but not necessarily. In the case of adultery, the woman is "bound" to one man but "married" to a completely different man!

That is why a woman is guilty of adultery if she is married to another man. Adultery, by definition, refers to sexual intercourse between two people, one of whom is bound by a marriage covenant to somebody else.

This woman is an "adulteress" because she has been joined in a marriage covenant with one man, and Elohim holds her to that covenant for life. But she is having sexual relations with another man, and that, by definition, is adultery.

Note that anytime she has sexual relations with a man other than her scriptural mate it is adultery - as long as her first companion is living, the passage says. Whether she has just a single act of intercourse, or has an "affair" involving a number of adulterous acts over a period of time, or whether it is a second marriage to another man - in any case every time she has sexual union with another man the passage says she is guilty of adultery.

This is "adultery" because the woman is Scripturally committed to have the sexual union only with one man as long as he lives, but instead she is having it with another man. This is why it is proper to refer to the second marriage as "adulterous" or "living in adultery," just as it would be if she were living with him but not married to him (Col. 3:5-7). “And to the married I command, not I, but the Master: A wife should not separate from a husband. But if she is indeed separated, let her remain unmarried or be restored to favour with her husband, and let a husband not send away a wife” (1 Cor 7:10-11)

Now what happens when a married couple, who are in their second marriage, comes into the faith? Well, the Torah teaches that we are only guilty of sin once we know that we have sinned. Also, we cannot be held liable for things that were done before entering into the faith, but once in the faith, then it is absolutely forbidden and considered to be an unforgivable sin. Anyone who does come into the faith, repents of all previous sins, by turning away from doing them again.

But didn’t the Messiah forgive a woman caught in adultery and said to the people, “he who is without sin, cast the first stone”? Well in fact, NO, the Messiah did not forgive a woman caught in adultery. In fact, the story being referred to here is John in John 8:1-11. The fact of the matter is that John did not write it as that story never happened. It was added into John’s writings by an anti-Torah scribe who wanted to justify adultery and to coin the evil phrase “he who is without sin, cast the first stone.” It is used by millions of Christians to justify their sins and not be judged. It is pure evil. You can read more about it here: http://scripturaltruth101.blogspot.com/2011/03/woman-of-john-8.html

May we all strive to stay pure and clean in the eyes of the Almighty so that we may have the hope of everlasting life. 

Romans 4 - Belief and Works

“What, then, shall we say Avraham our father, to have found, according to the flesh? For if Avraham was declared right by works, he has ground for boasting, but not before Elohim. For what does the Scripture say? “Avraham believed Elohim, and it was reckoned to him for righteousness.”  (Rom 4:1-3)

Now these three verses seem to contradict what Ya’akov (James) taught when he said “You see, then, that a man is declared right by works, and not by belief alone” (James 2:24). But the fact of the matter is that they do not in any way contradict each other. Ya’akov wrote much clearer and to the point than Shaul’s writings. You see, Shaul is teaching against the religious system that demands that you keep to all their laws and traditions that are followed by the flesh and not by belief. Avraham first believed and therefore his actions or works revealed his belief. This is exactly what Ya’akov also teaches, “So also belief, if it does not have works, is in itself dead. But someone might say, “You have belief, and I have works.” Show me your belief without your works, and I shall show you my belief by my works” (James 2:17-18). You cannot have belief without works, nor can you have works without belief.

For us to be declared righteous is a gift, but we need to follow the instruction of YHWH (His Torah) in order to receive this wonderful gift. It is ludicrous to think that we are declared righteous and still live our lives continuing in the abominations of this world. Throughout the entire Scriptures, there is a common theme, if you transgress the Torah of YHWH, it is an abomination and YHWH turns away from you, but if you guard to keep His Torah, then He is with you always. Nothing has changed, even until now, and that is exactly what the Messiah and His followers teach.

“And to him who is working, the reward is not reckoned as a favour but as a debt. And to him who is not working but believes on Him who is declaring right the wicked, his belief is reckoned for righteousness, even as Dawiḏ also says of the blessedness of the man to whom Elohim reckons righteousness without works: “Blessed are those whose lawlessnesses are forgiven, and whose sins are covered, blessed is the man to whom יהוה (YHWH) shall by no means reckon sin.”” (Rom 4:4-8). Once again, Shaul is explaining the difference between being ‘under the Law’ and being ‘subject to the law,’ he is also teaching repentance and the engrafting of the Goyim (Gentile, wild olive) into the good olive tree here.

To those who are trying to earn the reward by doing ultra religious works and traditions believe that the reward is owed to them as they do these works without faith. This is not, in any way, having a relationship with the Almighty. Does this mean that Shaul is teaching that we do not have to keep the Torah of YHWH? Not at all, as we can see that when the wicked repent, they will be declared righteous and their past sins are covered. This does not mean that they can continue to transgress the Torah of YHWH as that would deem that person wicked again and not righteous.

“Is this blessing then upon the circumcised only, or also upon the uncircumcised? For we affirm: Belief was reckoned unto Avraham for righteousness. How then was it reckoned? Being in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.” (Rom 4:9-10) Avraham confirmed his understanding righteousness-credit by obeying YHWH and getting physically circumcised! Shaul never teaches that it is not necessary to be circumcised in the flesh, but rather that you first build your belief and faith (circumcision of the heart), then by learning the Torah of Mosheh and having the desire to do the will of YHWH, then a person will, out of his own, choose to become circumcised in the flesh out of obedience to the will of the Almighty.

Shaul is also teaching to the Jews and the Gentiles here when he refers to the circumcised (Jews) and the uncircumcised (Gentiles, even though some of the Gentiles could be circumcised in the flesh too). The thought that Gentiles do not have to subject themselves to the Torah of YHWH is not ever taught throughout the Torah, in fact, the person who is accused of doing so (Shaul), is teaching the total opposite here by saying that everyone, Gentiles included, who convert to the Faith OF Yehoshua the Messiah, has to subject themselves to the Torah of YHWH just as the Messiah Himself did.

“And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the belief while in uncircumcision, for him to be a father of all those believing through uncircumcision, for righteousness to be reckoned to them also,” (Rom 4:11). Avraham is the Father of many nations. For example, he is the Father of the Arabs, who are mostly Islamic, through Yishmael his son from Sarah’s servant Hagar. Does that mean that Avraham would endorse Islam today? I don’t think so as he stood only for the One true Elohim . Avraham was uncircumcised when Yishmael was conceived, but was circumcised at the conception of Yitschak, through whom the covenant would be. Once again, notice that Avraham circumcised himself and all his household through obedience to the Almighty, should we not do the same?

"and the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who also walk in the steps of the belief which our father Avraham had in uncircumcision." (Rom 4:12) Shaul is teaching that Avraham’s physical circumcision came after he believed, after he had faith, after his heart was circumcised, in opposition to a contemporary false teaching that circumcision should come first before belief or faith. At no time does Shaul ever discount physical circumcision; he simply rejects false religious traditions that turned circumcision into device to control new converts. This principle also applies to those who would hurriedly baptize new converts in an effort to show strong numbers, or practicing “forced conversions.”

“For the promise that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Aḇraham or to his seed through the Torah, but through a righteousness of belief. For if those who are of the Torah are heirs, belief has been made useless, and the promise has been nullified,” (Rom 4:13-14). Once again, Shaul is rejecting the ultra religious traditions that teach their followers to do all they say in order to be saved. This idea nullifies the promise of the Almighty. Like Shaul has taught before, you cannot have belief without the Torah. Once you come into the faith, then your knowledge will gradually increase as you study the Almighty’s Word, and then you will conform your life to His Instruction. This is all because of belief.

Avraham is heir of the world, just like he is the father of the Hebrews and the Arabs, as we saw above. He is also the father of Rome (Christianity) through Esau, who is Yitschak’s (Isaac) son. Whenever we read of Esau in the Scriptures and in prophecy, we know that he represents the Church (Rome), just as Yishmael represents Islam in prophecy. Once we know this truth, passages in Scripture start revealing things we did not realize. Consider the following verse, “As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated” (Rom 9:13). Jacob’s name changed to Israel whom the Almighty loves. Esau is Rome, whom the Almighty hates.

"for the Torah works out wrath, for where there is no Torah there is no transgression." (Rom 4:15). Like the Hebrew word “Torah”, the Aramaic namusa can refer to the entire corpus of work or to an individual instruction for a person or group (“torah” with a small “t”). This verse literally reads, “where there is no Torah provision against an action, there is no transgression.” The KJV reads, “Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.” Mainstream Christianity translates this to mean that Torah is done away with, but Shaul is teaching the very opposite. Wherever Torah is NOT being taught, people will do what is right in their own eyes, thus bringing the wrath of YHWH upon themselves. You can think for yourself, if the Torah was done away with, then how can we know what sin is? Then we are able to do whatever we want without any consequence. It is just a preposterous idea.

"On account of this it is of belief, that it be according to favour, for the promise to be made certain to all the seed, not only to those who are of the Torah, but also to those who are of the belief of Aḇraham, who is father of us all – " (Rom 4:16)
Having Avraham as a father brings the responsibility of being honorable children, worthy of legacy! Contrary to Christian theology; faith, while credited to Avraham as righteousness, was not the only component of his total righteousness. It is what Avraham did with his faith that brings him near to YHWH. As YHWH Himself declares: “I swore to your father Avraham. I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and will give them all these lands, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because Avraham obeyed Me and kept My requirements, My commands, My decrees and My laws” (Genesis 26:4-5).

“as it has been written, “I have made you a father of many nations” – in the presence of Him whom he believed, even Elohim, who gives life to the dead and calls that which does not exist as existing, who against all expectation did believe, in expectation, so that he should become father of many nations, according to what was said, “So shall your seed be.” And not having grown weak in belief, he did not consider his own body, already dead, being about a hundred years old, and the deadness of Sarah’s womb, he did not hesitate about the promise of Elohim through unbelief, but was strengthened in belief, giving esteem to Elohim, and being completely persuaded that what He had promised He was also able to do.” (Rom 4:17-21). Do you think that Avraham would have had a son if he did not believe? It was unnatural for Sarah to have a child as she was far past the point of being able to conceive. It was only through belief and obedience to the Almighty that this wonderful miracle could take place. Israel is the Almighty’s beloved nation, and they all came into being through miracle after miracle showing us that it is a miraculous nation. We as goy (Gentiles) are now also able to partake in the promise of the beloved nation of Israel, but only if we join ourselves to the ‘good olive tree’ and fulfilling the requirements to do so.

“Therefore also “it was reckoned to him for righteousness.” (Rom 4:22). Avraham believed and obeyed, therefore he was declared righteous. Has that concept changed since Avraham? Do we need to only believe without obedience to the Torah (Instruction of YHWH in righteousness) to be declared righteous? Certainly not, as that is never taught in the Scriptures. In fact, you can see a common theme in the Scriptures that when ever someone or a nation turned from doing the Torah of YHWH, then YHWH departed from them and gave them over to their enemies. Does the Almighty, who is the same yesterday, today and forever, change?

“And not because of him alone was it written that it was reckoned to him, but also because of us, to whom it shall be reckoned, to us who believe in Him who raised up  יהושע (Yehoshua) our Master from the dead, who was delivered up because of our trespasses, and was raised for us to be declared right.” (Rom 4:23-25). The Messiah came to show us how to live. He was an example for us to follow. He also came as the sacrifice for us when He hung on the torture stake. The sacrificial laws of the Torah have not changed and have not been done away with. Only the blood of the Messiah (Lamb) is sufficient to replace all other blood. Every single sacrifice done before the Messiah, was only a symbol of the Messiah. It was not the blood of the goats and lambs etc. that could make a covering for sin, but only the blood of the Messiah. Those who made sacrifices in the past, did so because they believed in the Messiah and that His blood would make a covering (kippur) for their transgressions.

No one can ever know the Messiah or His role if we do not study the Torah of His Father as it describes His Character and duties and everything else about Him. In order to believe in Him, you need to know Him first.

Do you desire to know the Messiah?