This issue of YAHSHUA'S WITNESS MAGAZINE
 was published for NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2005

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Inside This Issue

From the Editor   Our Thanks to You All

What is Forgiveness—Part II by Johnny McCarty

From the Editor  

  Our Thanks to You All

We here at Y.E.A. want to take the time to thank all of you who are subscribing to and reading our magazine and other literature. We also want to thank those who are inspired to support this work very much. However, our greatest thanks goes to Yahweh and Yahshua. You see, we understand that if they are not the ones inspiring us to publish and also you to not only read the magazine but also to support it, then our efforts will be absolutely worthless. An exercise in futility.

But there are others to also give thanks to. Those are the ones who are inspired to write the articles that appear in our publications. Once again, our greatest thanks has to be to Yahweh and Yahshua Who are the Ones inspiring these articles. This work is their work and we want to submit ourselves to them so that they can run it as they see fit, not as a man sees fit. Yahweh is continually blessing us and we praise Him so much for that.

I would also like to share some “comments” from some of our readers to show you that this magazine is making an impact on the lives of others. One person from Missouri writes, “I received a copy of your Yahshua’s Witness Magazine from a friend who is on your mailing list. The articles were inspiring as well as informative. I would like to be added to your mailing list. Thanking you in advance.”

Another person from Alaska writes, “I wanted to write you about one of the articles in your new magazine, Yahshua’s Witness Magazine. However, I first want to say that the magazine is excellent, and the article was also excellent. In fact all the articles in the YEA Newsletter that I have receive, since 1999, and the other newsletter you put out for a while, World Events, have been excellent articles.”

This person is a very studious person who puts out some good in-depth studies himself. We consider it an honor to have someone like this who speaks well of our efforts.

Still another writes, “I am in hopes you would be so kind and generous as to send me a copy of the July-August 2005 issue of Yahshua’s Witness Magazine. I have recently read the article called “The Great Revelation of Cymatics.” I was overwhelmed with the implications.”

What was overwhelming to us concerning Cymatics is the fact that science, with all of its knowledge, would publish its findings with statements which strongly support what we already knew because the Scriptures declared them to be so. There will have to be many, many more articles written concerning the science of Cymatics and its relation to the Scriptures. We are looking forward to personally exploring this field and the scientific evidence.

Finally, another writes, “A friend gave me a copy of the “Yahshua’s Witness Magazine,” and it made a lot of sense to me. If possible I’d like to be placed on your mailing list to receive the magazine. I am told that you also have a Bible study & newsletter. I would like to receive all of these if possible. You speak a lot of truth in your magazine, and I want more. Amen!”

These are four people who are being profoundly affected by this magazine. We know that there are many others because we receive their letters, comments, etc. We simply don’t have the space to publish them all. However, our purpose is to make an even more profound effect on this world and also upon our brethren in the assemblies. We hope and pray that we will be able to present Yahshua with greater understanding and detail so that people will be able to come to know Him and very deeply appreciate Him. Of course, our research also aids us immensely.

With this magazine, we are beginning a “Yahshua In The Torah” series. It is our purpose to go through the writings of Moses and reveal to you how he wrote of Yahshua. The more we know and understand Him, the more we will be able to appreciate Him. While we will not solicit funds, we do solicit your prayers so that Yahweh will pay attention to us and reward our efforts with powerful revelatory articles about His Son Yahshua the Messiah. This will be far better for the sheep of His pasture.

In the meantime, we hope that this very issue will serve to be very informative to you whether you agree with what is written herein or not. May Yahweh richly reward and greatly bless you one and all.  JH  

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For Messiah is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.  Rom. 10:4.

By Donald M. Adkins

What did the Apostle Paul mean by this statement to the assembly in Rome? There are varied interpretations to this verse of Scripture. Let us study deeply the Scriptures and learn the truth once and for all so that we need not be divided anymore. Let us be one united people in spirit and truth.  Only then will we be pleasing to the Master Yahshua. Let us start by looking at this verse of Scripture in the Greek Language for a deeper insight.

4 For <gar> 1063 Messiah<Cristos> 5547 is the end <telos> 5056 of the law <nomos> 3051 for <eis> 1519 righteousness <dikaiosune> 1343 to every one <pas> 3956 that believeth <pisteuo> 4100.

Due to this Scripture many Christians believe that the law has been abolished completely. Is this what this verse really means? Let us investigate for a deeper meaning.

The Greek word for end is telos.  But just what does telos really mean?  Does telos mean that something is abolished or done away with or does it have a deeper meaning we have not understood in the past? Understanding the word telos will give us a proper understanding of this verse of Scripture the Apostle uses here.  Let us look deeper into the Strong’s Greek Dictionary to reveal the true meaning of telos.

5056 telos  telos,  tel'-os from a primary tello (to set out for a definite point or goal); properly, the point aimed at as a limit, i.e. (by implication) the conclusion of an act or state (termination (literally, figuratively or indefinitely), result (immediate, ultimate or prophetic), purpose); specially, an impost or levy (as paid):--+ continual, custom, end(-ing), finally, uttermost. Compare 5411.

Notice that telos comes from the primary root word tello which means to set out for a definite point or goal i.e. the point aimed at as a limit.

In the above Scripture it means that the Messiah Yahshua was the definite goal or point aimed at by the law (torah). The Messiah Yahshua was the goal or reality of the Law for righteousness to everyone who believes. Yahshua has imparted His righteousness to those who believe.  The standards of righteousness come to us from within by the Spirit which writes the Law upon our hearts. Notice how this principle works according to the apostle Paul:

1 Do we begin again to commend ourselves? or need we, as some others, epistles of commendation to you, or letters of commendation from you? 2 Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men: 3 Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Messiah ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living Elohim; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart. 4 And such trust have we through Messiah toward Elohim: 5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of Elohim; 6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. 7 But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away: 8 How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious? 9 For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory. 10 For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth. 11 For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious. 12 Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech:  13 And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished: 14 But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Messiah. 15 But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart. 16 Nevertheless when it shall turn to Yahweh, the vail shall be taken away. 17 Now Yahweh is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of Yahweh is, there is liberty. 18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of Yahweh, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of Yahweh.  II Cor. 3: 1 - 18

Notice that we are supposed to be the epistle of the Messiah read of all men. What is supposed to be written upon our hearts? Well what was written on the tables of stone? It was the Ten Commandments! Notice the following Scriptures:

4 Yahweh talked with you face to face in the mount out of the midst of the fire, 5 (I stood between Yahweh and you at that time, to shew you the word of Yahweh: for ye were afraid by reason of the fire, and went not up into the mount;) saying, 6 I am Yahweh thy Elohim, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage.  7 Thou shalt have none other Elohim before me. 8 Thou shalt not make thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the waters beneath the earth: 9 Thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them: for I Yahweh thy Elohim am a jealous Elohim, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me, 10 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments. 11 Thou shalt not take the name of Yahweh thy Elohim in vain: for Yahweh will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. 12 Keep the Sabbath day to sanctify it, as Yahweh thy Elohim hath commanded thee. 13 Six days thou shalt labour, and do all thy work: 14 But the seventh day is the Sabbath of Yahweh thy Elohim: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, nor thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thine ox, nor thine ass, nor any of thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates; that thy manservant and thy maidservant may rest as well as thou. 15 And remember that thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt, and that Yahweh thy Elohim brought thee out thence through a mighty hand and by a stretched out arm: therefore Yahweh thy Elohim commanded thee to keep the Sabbath day. 16 Honour thy father and thy mother, as Yahweh thy Elohim hath commanded thee; that thy days may be prolonged, and that it may go well with thee, in the land which Yahweh thy Elohim giveth thee. 17 Thou shalt not kill. 18 Neither shalt thou commit adultery. 19 Neither shalt thou steal. 20 Neither shalt thou bear false witness against thy neighbour. 21 Neither shalt thou desire thy neighbour's wife; neither shalt thou covet thy neighbour's house, his field, or his manservant, or his maidservant, his ox, or his ass, or any thing that is thy neighbour's. 22 These words Yahweh spake unto all your assembly in the mount out of the midst of the fire, of the cloud, and of the thick darkness, with a great voice: and he added no more. And he wrote them in two tables of stone, and delivered them unto me. Deut. 5:4 – 22.

THE NEW COVENANT

Notice that it was the Ten Commandments that were written upon the tables of stone. It is the same Ten Commandments that are to be written upon our hearts by the Spirit of Yahweh. When that happens the Scripture says that we are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of Yahweh. In fact this is what was prophesied in the Old Covenant Scriptures:

31 Behold, the days come, saith Yahweh, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: 32 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith Yahweh: 33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith Yahweh, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their Elohim, and they shall be my people.  Jer. 31:31 – 33, cp. Heb. 8: 6 – 13, 10: 16 - 17.

Yahweh revealed this also to the prophet Ezekiel:

19 And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh: 20 That they may walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances, and do them: and they shall be my people, and I will be their Elohim.  Ezek. 11: 19 – 20.

26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.  Ezek. 36: 26 – 27.

So what of the Torah (five books of Moses), the prophets, the Psalms and the writings today? How do they apply to us? What is their purpose of our lives? The apostle Paul wrote that:

5 Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: 6 From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling; 7 Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm. 8 But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully; 9 Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the un-Elohim like and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, 10 For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine; 11 According to the glorious gospel of the blessed Elohim, which was committed to my trust. I Tim. 1: 5 – 11.

Notice that the apostle Paul wrote that the law (Torah) is good, if a man use it lawfully. The word for lawfully is Strong’s number:

3545 nomimwv  nomimos,  nom-im'-oce adverb from a derivative of 3551; legitimately (specially, agreeably to the rules of the lists):--lawfully.

LEGITIMATE USE

So Paul is saying that the law (Torah) is good if we use it legitimately or according to the rules. But what are the rules? How do we use the law (Torah) legitimately? What is the purpose of the law (Torah)? Does law keeping (Torah keeping) save us or make us righteous? No for the Scriptures reveal that:

8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of Yahweh: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Messiah Yahshua unto good works, which Yahweh hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Eph. 2: 8 – 9.

21 But now the righteousness of Elohim without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22 Even the righteousness of Elohim which is by faith of Yahshua Messiah unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of Elohim; 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Messiah Yahshua: 25 Whom Elohim hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of Elohim;  26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Yahshua. 27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. 28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.  Rom. 3: 21 – 28.

14 But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews? 15 We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, 16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Yahshua Messiah, even we have believed in Messiah Yahshua, that we might be justified by the faith of Messiah, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.  Gal. 2: 14 – 16.

YAHWEH’S RIGHTEOUSNESS

We are made righteous only by grace through the redemption that is in Messiah Yahshua.  It is only through faith in Yahshua’s shed blood that we receive forgiveness of our past and future sins.  Yahshua is Yahweh’s Righteousness. Thus Yahweh can be just and the one who justifies all those who exercise faith in Yahshua and His shed blood! But what is the purpose of the law (Torah)? What say the Scriptures? Notice how clear the Scriptures reveal the lawful, legitimate purpose of the law (Torah) is:

19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before Yahweh. 20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.  Rom. 3: 19 – 20.

Notice that the first purpose of the law (Torah) is to reveal that we are sinners in need of the Savior Yahshua! Yes, by the law (Torah) is the knowledge of sin. By it also the whole world is revealed to be under the power of sin! Law keeping (Torah keeping) cannot bring righteousness or salvation! Only Yahshua can!

ANOTHER PURPOSE

What is the second purpose of the law (Torah i.e. five books of Moses), and all of the prophets (i.e. the Old Covenant or Scriptures)? Yahshua reveals this Magnificent Truth in the following Scriptures in the Evangels:

39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. 40 And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.  Jn. 5: 39 – 40.

25 Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: 26 Ought not Messiah to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? 27 And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.  Lu. 24: 25 – 27.

The second purpose of the law (Torah) and all other Scriptures is to testify about Yahshua and all the things concerning Him written in them!

The entire Bible (The Holy Scriptures) is a revelation of Yahshua Messiah: His Person, His Character, His Mission and His Purpose. Let us study the Holy Scriptures and learn of Yahshua for they testify of Him and all that He is to us! We are each one of us to grow up into the fullness of Him into a perfect man just like Yahshua was.

7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Messiah. 8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. 9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) 11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Messiah: 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of Yahweh, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Messiah:     14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Messiah: 16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. Eph 4: 7 – 13.

Let us hold on to our head – Yahshua!  The apostle Paul exhorts us:

6 As ye have therefore received Messiah Yahshua the Sovereign, so walk ye in him: 7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. 8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Messiah. 9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Deity bodily. 10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: 11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Messiah: 12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of Yahweh, who hath raised him from the dead. 13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Col. 2: 6 – 13.

FALLING FROM GRACE

If we seek to go back under the law (Torah) then we regress and fall from grace and Messiah Yahshua becomes of no effect to us.  So says the apostle Paul:

1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Messiah hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. 2 Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Messiah shall profit you nothing. 3 For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. 4 Messiah is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. 5 For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. Gal. 5: 1 – 5.

Let us not fall from grace and tread under foot the blood of Yahshua and lose out on eternal life just because it appeals to our fleshly carnal nature to go back under the weak and beggarly elements of the law (Torah) and not fully understand that Yahshua is the reality of all that the law (Torah) taught. In the book of Hebrews it is written:

4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, 5 And have tasted the good word of Yahweh, and the powers of the world to come, 6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of Yahweh afresh, and put him to an open shame. Heb. 6: 4-6.

26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, 27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. 28 He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: 29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of Yahweh, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith Yahweh. And again, Yahweh shall judge his people. 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living Elohim.

Paul taught us that the law (Torah) was only our schoolmaster that was to lead us to the Messiah Yahshua. Once Messiah came we no longer need to be under the schoolmaster.

19 Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator. 20 Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but Elohim is one. Is the law then against the promises of Elohim? Elohim forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. 22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Yahshua Messiah might be given to them that believe. 23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. 24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Messiah, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. 26 For ye are all the children of Yahweh by faith in Messiah Yahshua. 27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Messiah have put on Messiah. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Messiah Yahshua. 29 And if ye be Messiah’s, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. Gal. 3: 19 – 29.

We are to live by faith through the Spirit. We are to walk in the Spirit and not after our own fleshly carnal nature.  Paul writes:

1 O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Messiah Yahshua hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? 2 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? 3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? 4 Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain. 5 He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? 13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. 14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 15 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another. 16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. 18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 1 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of Yahweh. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 24 And they that are Messiah's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.  25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Gal. 5: 1-25.

Let us who are mature continue to live by faith and walk in the Spirit and be led by the Spirit to fully understand all these awesome things that Father Yahweh desires us to learn.  May Father Yahweh open your eyes to see and your hearts to hear His Word as He reveals Yahshua to us each day and may we walk in love as Yahshua walked. Shalom in Yahshua our Savior.

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By Jerry Healan

Santa Claus is a name that is riveted in the heart of the great overall majority of young children in the United States and many other parts of the world. Children love him, they write to him, they sing of him. When Christmas time nears there are many men who don Santa Claus suits and appear in parades, shopping malls, toy stores, etc., all over the country. Many, many of the little children are taken for a visit to these men so that they can put in their special request for their Christmas toys.

On Christmas Eve, the trees are all trimmed and stockings are hung. The children are generally nestled in their beds as early as possible in anxious anticipation of the soon coming visit. Some leave food, snacks and pastries out as a treat for Santa.

  Just who is this little fat elf in the red felt suit? Does he really exist? Many have written of him. There are songs and movies that portray him as being real, but he isn’t!

  Do you remember when you discovered that Santa wasn’t real? Do you remember how much of a let down that was? One man once told me that when he finally found out that his parents, whom he loved and trusted very much, had lied to him about Santa Claus, then he was also going to look into this J-sus Chr-st thing and see if that was also real.

  Even though most of us may not have reacted in such a distrusting manner, it certainly is a big let-down when one discovers that a being that he has been taught to look up to and love very much doesn’t even exist! What’s more, one does learn that one’s parents haven’t been on the up and up and are, therefore, capable of lying to you.

CONSEQUENCES OF LIES

  Everyone, except for the little children who are purposely deceived, knows that Santa is not real. Little children are so open, honest and naive that they will believe just about anything their parents will tell them. For parents to purposely mislead their children is damaging, to say the least.

  Where do lies come from? Yahshua said, “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it,” Jn. 8:44.

  Satan the devil is the father of lies. Have any parents ever thought that when they are deceiving, lying to their children about Santa Claus, that they are following in the footsteps of and mimicking the father of lies, Satan the devil? Believe it or not, such is the case.

  Satan lied to Eve in the garden of Eden. Yahweh had told the man Adam that he could eat of every tree of the garden, but he was not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Gen. 2:16-17). Notice that He told the man that if he took of that tree he would die (v. 17). Satan lied to Eve and said, “Ye shall not surely die...,” Gen. 3:4.

  Eve may have believed the serpent because she wanted to, but he contradicted Yahweh’s word through lies, deceived the woman into taking of the tree and her husband, Adam, followed suit bringing the penalty of sin and death on every man (Ro. 5:12-19; 1 Cor. 15:21-22).

  Such is the power of lies. Lies kill, lies murder, lies are of Satan the devil. Satan, through his lies, has deceived the whole world (Rev. 12:9).

THE ELF  

  Santa is called a jolly old elf. His supposed helpers are elves. Just what are elves anyway? The Encyclopedia Britannica, 14th Edition, Vol. 8 has this to say about elf, “a diminutive supernatural being of Teutonic mythology, usually mischievous, causing diseases and evil dreams, stealing children and substituting changelings.” (p. 353.)

  Webster’s New World Dictionary gives the etymology of the word elf as coming from the German word alb meaning nightmare. It gives the definition as; a tiny, often prankish fairy, supposedly exercising magic powers and haunting woods and hills; sprite. The Consolidated-Webster Comprehensive Encyclopedic Dictionary reveals that an elf and goblin are one and the same thing. A goblin is described as an evil or mischievous sprite.

  Elves are generally depicted as tiny woodland entities that are very similar to the Greek God Pan and the Roman God Faunas in other words they have the legs, ears and beard of a goat.

THE NAME SANTA CLAUS

  What does the name Santa Claus mean and where does it come from? Santa Claus is simply another form for the name Saint Nickolas. Nickolas is a Greek name. Nickolas is a name that is a compound of two words Nike and laos. Nike is a primitive Greek word meaning victory, conquest, to conquer. Laos means people. Nickolas, therefore, means Victor, or Conqueror of the people.

  We read in Rev. 6:1, “And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, ‘Come and see.’ And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering and to conquer.” The words conquering and conquer both stem from the Greek word Nike.

  Yahshua explained the first seal in Mat. 24:4-5, “And Yahshua answered and said unto them, ‘Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in My name, saying, ‘I am Messiah;’ and shall deceive many.”

  The one sitting on the white horse, going forth to conquer (nike) the people (laos, [Nickolas]) is doing so in deceit. The one on the white horse is not the TRUE Messiah but a false messiah. He conquers the many with deceit.

  Santa Claus (Saint Nickolas) is a conqueror of the people. He is used to conquer the hearts of our children at their youngest and most tender age. He conquers their hearts through deceit for he is not real. The sad thing is the lie comes through the child’s closest living relatives, his parents.

  Santa Claus is also associated with the time of the year that is supposedly the birthdate of the Savior. But this is yet another lie that is foisted upon an unsuspecting public.

IDOLATRY

  Santa Claus is a character of mythology, falsehood, fables. He is called an elf and elves are supernatural beings. This places him in the realm of idolatry. Of course, it would take a great supernatural being to be able to deliver gifts to children of the whole world in one night.

 Scripture speaks of a woman who has a golden cup in her hand filled with the abominations and filthiness of her fornication. She is called Mystery Babylon, the Great, the Mother of harlots and Abominations of the Earth (Rev. 17:4-5). This woman is nothing more than a great church who, like her predecessor Israel of the Old Testament, is not serving the One Who is supposed to be her husband. She has instead, turned to serve the deities of paganism and heathenism.

 Yahweh had warned Israel not to serve Him as the nations that they were displacing had served theirs, “When Yahweh thy Elohim shall cut off the nations from before thee, whither thou goest to possess them, and thou succeedest them, and dwellest in their land;

 30 Take heed to thyself that thou be not snared by following them, after that they be destroyed from before thee; and that thou enquire not after their elohim, saying, How did these nations serve their elohim? even so will I do likewise.

 31 Thou shalt not do so unto Yahweh thy Elohim: for every abomination to Yahweh, which he hateth, have they done unto their elohim; for even their sons and their daughters they have burnt in the fire to their elohim.

 32 What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it,” Dt. 12:29-32.

 Yet, in the latter days when Yahshua the Messiah came to serve the purpose of fulfilling the Father Yahweh’s will to submit Himself as a living sacrifice for mercy, His so-called followers have done the same thing to Him as Israel did to Yahweh.

Instead of upholding the law as Paul, Himself wrote, “Do we then make void the law through faith? Yahweh forbid: yea, we establish the law,” Ro. 3:31.

 You see, the law describes exactly what sin is (1 John 3:4). We are not to sin (1 Jn. 2:1). Paul also writes that we should not serve sin (Ro. 6:6).

 Paul commands us to flee from idolatry (1 Cor. 10:14).

THE MERCHANTS

Santa Claus and Christmas are a merchant’s dream. Merchants love this time of the year and advertise continually, making it look like the only thing to do. The sales at Christmas time generally either make or break the merchants. The news forecasts breathlessly await the opportunity to declare the amount of spending at the end of the year. The applause is great when the spending increases over the previous year. The merchants have fought the battle and generally won. All is right with the world.

 One thing to keep in mind is that the merchants are out to make a buck and it matters not to them how they make it. They will sell the world down a primrose path to destruction for a profit.

The Apostle Paul had a great problem with merchants in his day, “And the same time there arose no small stir about that way.

 24 For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto the craftsmen;

 25 Whom he called together with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth.

 26 Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands:

 27 So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth.

 28 And when they heard these sayings, they were full of wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.

 29 And the whole city was filled with confusion: and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul's companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the theatre.

 30 And when Paul would have entered in unto the people, the disciples suffered him not.

 31 And certain of the chief of Asia, which were his friends, sent unto him, desiring him that he would not adventure himself into the theatre.

 32 Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was confused; and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together.

 33 And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander beckoned with the hand, and would have made his defence unto the people.

 34 But when they knew that he was a Jew, all with one voice about the space of two hours cried out, Great is Diana of the Ephesians,” Acts 19:23-34.

Notice that the merchants didn’t care for the truth. They only wanted to continue to make their good living promoting idolatry.

 Interestingly, the Hebrew word for merchant is “kenananiy” which is generally translated as “Canaanite.” Thus, to merchandise the idolatrous Santa Claus and Christmas is nothing more than following the Canaanites, the people who lived in the promised land before the Israelites entered into it to possess it.

THEY LOVE A LIE

 The Apostle Paul warned, “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables,” 2 Tim. 4:3-4.

  Satan is the one who loves lies. He is the father of lies. Paul warns that one is coming, “Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause Yahweh shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: that they all might be damned (judged) who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness,” 2 Thes. 2:9-12.

  Santa Claus may not be the one that this Scripture is speaking of, but he is a part of the system of lies, falsehood, fables, etc. which is used to sow the seeds of deceit and destruction.

  The prophet Isaiah was inspired to write, “Now go, write it before them in a table, and note it in a book, that it may be for the time to come for ever and ever: That this is a rebellious People, lying children, children that will not hear the law of Yahweh. Which say to the seers, ‘See not;’ and to the prophets, ‘Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits: Get you out of the way, turn aside out of the path, cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before us,’” Isa. 30:8-11

  Many people argue that Santa Claus is harmless. After all he is just for the children. They worry about what people would do without Christmas and old Santa. But the truth is, things would be much better for them if they would only serve and worship Yahweh according to the way that He has commanded.

  It seems hard to believe that men love lies, but the Scriptures are replete with the revelation that such is the case. They are full of warnings against going the wrong way while those to whom the warnings are spoken and written, continue to go on heedlessly against the warnings.

  Satan is a very subtle deceiver. He makes his false ways to appear as if they are the way of light. Even though they look beautiful and harmless, the intent behind it all is very evil indeed. Satan’s purpose is to glorify himself and his ways. He wants to keep people from having a good and truthful relationship with our Heavenly Father Yahweh and His Beloved Son Yahshua.

REPENT

  Admittedly, it is very difficult to go against the grain. After all, the great overall majority are in favor of Santa Claus and do observe Christmas. But, remember that Yahshua said that it would be the many that go the broad way to destruction (Mt. 7:13). He also said that many are called, but few are chosen (Mt. 20:16; 23:14).

  Don’t let the majority persuade you to lose out on your calling. The Apostle Peter cried out, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Yahshua Messiah for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit,” Acts 2:38. The Holy Spirit will guide you into all truth, “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come He will guide you into all truth,” Jn. 16:13. The world cannot receive this Spirit, “Even the Spirit of truth; Whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him: but ye know Him; for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you,” Jn. 14:17.

  Don’t be foolish and let a deception like Santa Claus conquer you.

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YAHSHUA IN THE TORAH

Yahshua in the Torah is a series that we are beginning with this issue. It will be the purpose of this series to go through the Torah, step by step, in order to reveal how Moses wrote of Him as Yahshua Himself declared in John 5:37-47. We pray that we all will be blessed by this series.

I recently came across a Messianic Jewish website entitled “First-Born.com.” They, as the rest of the Jewish communities, read a portion of the Torah (the first five books of Scripture) on each Sabbath. This portion is called a “Parasha.”

The very first “Parasha” was, of course, on the books of Genesis chapter 1 through chapter 6:8. The heading read, “Hebrew Insights into the Weekly Parasha: B’resheet—Genesis 1:1-6:8.”

Here is what they stated, “The Hebrew language is characterized by remarkable conciseness, which allows information to be conveyed in very succinct forms. Along with that, it is also a very picturesque language, and often content and form (in the Tanach, especially) are congruous. Thus, this first Parasha, being as it is, a narrative of the origins, is replete with information, eternal patterns and principles, yet all are communicated very briefly, with matching terminology. In fact, the latter deserves individual attention. Although this time we will not be able to cover the full gamut of terms included in Parashat ("Parasha of") B'resheet, in the weeks to come several of the others will 'pop up' in other Parashot, and it is then that we will try to do them justice.”

Notice that it says that the Hebrew language is not only very concise, but is able to be conveyed in very succinct forms. One thing that this author has realized for quite a number of years now is that Yahweh’s word, the Holy Scriptures, is eternal and if we continually study it on a daily basis, it will open new doors of understanding, new frontiers of exploration and information that one simply does not get by just reading it for its face value.

Let me explain it this way. We who are living in this world go about our daily lives looking at what we see on the surface (face value) taking it for granted. But the scientists are busily studying into this marvelous creation in depth. Through their careful study of the heavens and the earth, many, many, many awesome things are revealed. They have learned that what we see is made up of compounds, cells, molecules, atoms, quarks, etc., etc. They have learned much about specific laws that regulate the creation.

They build extravagant devices; microscopes, telescopes, space centers, rockets, etc., in order to explore the depths of the earth and the vast expanse of the heavens. They may postulate and theorize concerning the way things are and how they work, but they have never been able to reach the ends of the microscopic world nor the telescopic heavens. New things are brought forth on a yearly, monthly, weekly, and even daily basis. But they simply can’t get to the beginning or the ending of it all. How awesome!

This is the way Yahweh’s word is! It is eternal. We are finite in nature. That which is finite simply can’t measure nor come to the total in-depth understanding of that which is eternal. But we can be given the Spirit of the Creator which leads us into so much awesome understanding which should cause us to desire to look into what the Scriptures say about His Son, because the Son is the image of the Father Who is hidden from view.

Yahshua told the people of His day, “Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of Me,” Jn. 5:39.

Furthermore, He declared, “Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you even Moses, in whom ye trust, for had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed Me: for he wrote of Me,” vv. 45-46.

The purpose of this ministry is to primarily focus on Yahshua and how the Scriptures speak of Him; for if we can come to a more clearer understanding of Him, Who He is, where He came from, what His purpose was, how the Scriptures speak of Him, etc., and also how science itself reveals Him, then we can have a  much greater understanding of the Father. When we forget this and begin to look to men then we take our eyes off of Him and get stuck in a rut.

Moses wrote of Yahshua according to Yahshua’s own words and witness. Thus, when we search the Torah, we should be seeking to understand how Moses wrote of Him.

The Parasha goes on to say, “B'resheet [tySarb] is both the name of the first Parasha, and the (Hebrew) name of the book of Genesis. "B'resheet bara Elohim..." At the first -b'resheet - created - bara - Elohim - God. The meaning of r'sheet is "first, beginning, start and prominence" and it stems from the root r.o.sh (the letters are resh [r], alef [a], shin [S]), being the word for ‘head’. The usage of this phraseology, therefore, establishes a foundation that the prime, first and foremost cause is Elohim and it is He who is the initiator of everything.” (Note: The Paleo-Hebrew words and letters have been inserted by the author of this article. Also, some emphasis mine.)

ANALYZING FURTHER

To further analyze this beginning of Scripture, we read, “In the beginning God created…” The Hebrew reads thusly, “myhla arb tySarb.” (Remember that Hebrew reads from right to left.) “In the beginning” is translated from the Hebrew tySarb. “God” is translated from the Hebrew myhla. While created is translated from arb.

The English also changes things around in order to supposedly give a better understanding, but translating directly from the Hebrew we would render it, “In the beginning (tySarb) created (arb) Elohim (myhla).

Interestingly, many of the Hebrew letters serve as whole words. Take, for example, the (b) which is the very first letter of Scripture. This letter is equivalent to our English “B”. But it serves the purpose in this instance to give us the word “In.” (In the).

I have italicized the word “the” because the English has to insert it in order, once again, to clarify. However, if the word “the” were supplied in the Hebrew, then the Hebrew letter h (“hei,” equivalent to our “E” or “H”) would have been supplied. For instance, we read in the English, “In the beginning Elohim created the heavens and the earth.” The Hebrew word for “heavens” is “MymS” (shamayim) while the Hebrew word for earth is “xra” (erets). In order to supply the word “the” the letter “hei” is added to the front of the words. Thus, “the heavens” is rendered as “MymSh” and “the earth” is rendered as “xrah.”

But now, the word “and” must also be supplied between “the heavens” and “the earth.” The Hebrew word for “and” is rendered by the single Hebrew letter “w” (waw/vav). Thus, “and the earth” is rendered as “xrahw.” (w = and; h = the)

Hence, the first sentence in Scripture reads thusly in the Hebrew, “xrahw MymSh myhla arb tySarb”. In the beginning (tySarb) created (arb) Elohim (myhla) the heavens (MymSh) and the earth (xrahw). There is also one other Hebrew word or idiom that is added to Scripture which has never been translated into the English which we simply will not address at this time under this heading.

The main thing that needs to be pointed out presently for the sake of this article is that the first two English words we read from Scripture “In the” are supplied from the single Hebrew letter “beit” (b) while the word “beginning” is supplied from “tySar” (resheet).

The Hebrew word “resheet” (tySar) is number 7225 in Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance and is defined as; from the same as 7218; the first, in place, time, order or rank (specifically, a firstfruit). It is variously translated throughout Scripture as; beginning, chief (-est), first (-fruits, part, time), principal thing.

It is derived from another Hebrew word, #7218 as stated in the article. This Hebrew word is “rosh” (Sar) and is defined as; from an unused root apparently meaning to shake; the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.). It is variously translated as; band, beginning, captain, chapiter, chief(-est place, man, things), company, end, X every (man), excellent, first, forefront, ((be-))head, height, (on) high(-est part, (priest)), X lead, X poor, principal, ruler, sum, top.

PAUL’S WITNESS

The Apostle Paul writes, “Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:

 13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

 14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

 15 Who is the image of the invisible Elohim, the firstborn of every creature:

 16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

 17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

 18 And he is the head of the body, the assembly: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

 19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;

 20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven,” Col. 1:12-20.

Note the words “head” and “the beginning” in verse 18. If we converted these words from the Greek or English to Hebrew, then we would read, “And he is the “rosh” (Sar = head) of the body, the assembly: who is “Resheet” (tySar = beginning), the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

The Greek word for “head” is “kephale,” while the Greek word for “the beginning” is “arche.” This is important to understand because they are also utilized to describe Yahshua’s role elsewhere. Take, for instance,  Colossians 2:8-10, “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after the Messiah.

 9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Deity bodily.

 10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power.”

Again, the Greek word for “head” is “kephale,” while the Greek word for “principality” is “arche.” Since “arche” has been principally translated as “beginning” in Col. 1:18, it certainly could be translated as such here. If we do so, then the scope of Yahshua’s office and importance in creation is truly magnified for we discover, “And ye are complete in him, which is the head (kephale/rosh) of all beginnings (arche/resheet) and power.

Don’t the verses in Colossians chapter 1 declare that He (Yahshua) created all things? “Who is the image of the invisible Elohim, the firstborn of every creature: for BY HIM WERE ALL THINGS CREATED, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him and for him: and he is before all things, and by him all things consist,” vv. 15-17.

Notice that I have highlighted the word “principalities.” Once again, this word is translated from the Greek word “arche” which is also translated as “beginning” in verse 18.

UNDERSTANDING ARCHE

The Greek word “arche” is defined as; from 756; (properly abstract) a commencement, or (concretely) chief (in various applications of order, time, place, or rank). (Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance)

Notice that it is defined as “a commencement.” This is where the translators get the idea of “beginning,” of course. But it also has to do with being “chief” of order, “chief” in time, “chief” in place, or “chief” in rank.

While this is the definition of “arche,” it is variously translated as; beginning, corner, (at the, the) first (estate), magistrate, power, principality, principle, rule, etc. in the Scriptures.

“Arche” comes from another Greek word which is “archomai.” It is #756 in Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance and is defined as; middle voice of 757 (through the implication, of precedence); to commence (in order of time). According to Strong’s, “archomai” gives us the idea of; (rehearse from the) begin(-ning).

Wow! Do you get that! Something is rehearsed from the beginning. Did you know that we get that idea of rehearsal by observing the seven day week which culminates with the seventh day Sabbath of rest? Did you know that Yahshua is the One Who began the creation and is the One Who will finish it bringing in rest? Are you beginning to understand the most powerful testimony or witness that these words and Scriptures give of Yahshua?

Number 756, “archomai,” in turn, comes from #757 which is the Greek word “archo.” “Archo” is defined as; a primary verb; to be first (in political rank or power).

Now isn’t that interesting!? Here is Yahshua, Who is first in political rank or power, yet, who, in this world, is submitting themselves to Him? Don’t all nations of the earth have someone who is the first in political rank or power over that nation? Is Yahshua the political head or power the people look to? Don’t the Scriptures proclaim, “The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together against Yahweh, and against His Anointed (the Messiah), saying, ‘Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us,” Psa. 2:2-3.

Yahshua is the HEAD (Heb. = rosh; Gk. = kephale), the BEGINNING (Heb. = resheet; Gk. = arche), the COMMENCEMENT (Heb. = resheet; Gk. = arche) of all things, yet men who seek to establish their own political headship over others whether it is as kings, presidents, rulers, judges, ministers (yes, ministers) and whatever else, go about rejecting the true corner stone (Psa. 118:22) in order to build their own scope of power and influence.

HEBREWS’ WITNESS

The book of Hebrews witnesses, “Elohim, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,

 2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;

 3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

 4 Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.

5 For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?

 6 And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of Elohim worship him.

 7 And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire.

 8 But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O Elohim, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.

 9 Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore Elohim, even thy Elohim, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.

 10 And, Thou, Sovereign, in the beginning (B’resheet) hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands:

 11 They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment;

 12 And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail.

 13 But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?

 14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?,” Heb. 1:1-14.

Who is He speaking of here that has laid the foundation of the earth? The subject is the Son Who is the Messiah by Whom He has made the worlds. He is called the express image of His person. He is worthy of worship. He is called Elohim. He laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning and the heavens are the work of His hands. Even though those things may perish, He will not.

Verse 10 is quoted from Psa. 102:25. The subject of this Psalm is, of course, Yahweh. Yahweh proclaims that He made the earth and the heavens. Even though they may perish, He will endure forever.

Hebrews 1:10-11 utilizes not only Psa. 102 to establish who Yahshua is, but it also utilizes Psa. 110 which says, “Yahweh said unto my Sovereign (Adonai), Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool,” v. 1.

We understand that the Heavenly Father Yahweh is the central figure sitting on the heavenly throne while the Sovereign Yahshua is at His right hand. But the Psalm continues in verse 5, “Yahweh at thy right hand shall strike through kings in the day of His wrath.” Thus, the one who is addressed as Sovereign (Adonai) in verse 1 is called Yahweh in verse 5. Yahshua is also Yahweh, the One Who made all things.

Please understand that in the modern-day Hebrew Scriptures, the name Yahweh does not appear in verse 5. However, the original Hebrew Scriptures utilized the name Yahweh in this verse, but the Sopherim (Scribes) became confused because they understood that the one on the right hand was called “Adonai” in verse 1, so they changed the Scriptures to read “Adonai” in verse 5 rather than “YAHWEH.” This is known as one of the 134 emendations of the Sopherim. An “emendation” simply means to correct or to improve. However, when it applies to men, instead of correcting or improving, they introduced error.

THE HEBREW WORD CREATED

Going back to the First-born.com article, they write, “Interestingly, the very first 3 letters which constitute the Bible's opening word, "b're(sheet)" are also the same as the ones that make up the next word, "bara", which is "created" (the letters being bet, resh, alef). Thus, "created" appears twice in a row in the very beginning of the Holy Writ, as if to add an extra emphasis to the fact that Elohim is truly the Creator. Note that the verb "bara", to "create", refers exclusively to the Creator, and never to man.”

What powerful evidence! We learn from the Old Testament that Yahweh is the Creator. We learn from the New Testament that Yahweh created all things through Yahshua.

The Apostle John is utilized in a powerful manner to reveal that Yahshua is both the Beginning and the Word, “That which was from the beginning (resheet), which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;

 2 (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)

 3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Yahshua the Messiah,” 1 Jn. 1:1-3.

What does John say here? That Yahshua was from the beginning, that He is the “Word of life,” and that He is eternal life!

He essentially declared the same thing in the evangel account, “In the beginning (B’resheet) was the Word, and the Word was with Elohim, and the Word was Elohim.

 2 The same was in the beginning (B’resheet) with Elohim.

 3 All things were made (bara/arb) by him; and without him was not any thing made (bara/arb) that was made (bara/arb).

 4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

 5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not….10 He was in the world, and the world was made (bara/arb) by him, and the world knew him not.

 11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.

 12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of Elohim, even to them that believe on his name:

 13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of Elohim.

 14 And the Word was made  flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth,” Jn. 1:1-5, 10-14.

The Hebrew word “bara/arb” can only refer to the Creator. However, when the Creator became a man, then it certainly can refer to Him.

To be continued……………………..

  IN THE NEXT ISSUE

Yahshua in the Torah; In The Beginning, Part II

Forgiveness by David Douglas

Is January 1st Really the New Year?

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