Jan-March-10-2

We recently published an article entitled “Did Yahshua Die on a Cross?” (See our May-June 2009 Yahshua’s Witness Magazine.) We knew that this article would cause some to be upset because of the tendency of not only Christianity, but almost all of the pagan cultures of old to reverence the cross and utilize it in their pagan rituals. This author received a great deal of persecution at the annual Unity Conference in Rocheport, Missouri because of this article, and the attempts to rebut and refute this article continues. One Sacred Name Magazine has published an article in its Sept.-Oct. 2009 issue seeking to refute this fact. The article is written by a man in prison and I received an email from an elder who stated, “Did you get a chance to read the article in (our magazine) that was written by an inmate? Heaven knows what he could have come up with if he had the same amount of resources that you had. But I think he did an excellent job with what he had to work with.”

Here is the problem dear Brother Elder, you have posted an article by a young man who seems to have given some deep thought concerning his refutation, but the problem is that he simply took verses out of context without truly thinking deeply enough on them. The problem also is that you, yourself didn’t think deeply enough on what was said because you were so hasty to refute what I have written. Therefore, I want to give an answer to you, your inmate and your magazine according to the faith and spirit that is in me.

The young man speaks of the TRUTH, but does he truly understand the depths of the word TRUTH in the Hebrew language? You see, the Hebrew language is the language of revelation, therefore, if we simply look at the English and Greek words, we simply don’t get the impact that the Hebrew conveys. The letters of the Hebrew alphabet not only serve to make up words, but also serve as numbers as well as hieroglyphics (pictures). Generally, when the pictures are put together in a word, then the true understanding of the meaning of the word is brought forth.

The Hebrew word for truth is emet (aleph [a], mem [m] and tau [t]). It would appear thusly, tma, because the Hebrew reads from right to left. The aleph (a), of course, is the very first letter of the Hebrew alphabet, being a picture of the head of an ox, meaning one who is first, a chief, a head, etc. The tau (t) is the last letter of the Hebrew alphabet, which has to do with a covenant, a signature, a sign, a seal, etc. The mem (m) is a picture of water. Water is a type of the spirit (Jn. 7:37-39), thus, in accordance with the Hebrew word, truth is the spirit of the aleph and tau. It means that truth is the same from beginning to end. It never changes.

No other word for truth conveys this meaning as the Hebrew does. The English begins with a “t” and ends with an “h”. The Greek word for truth is alethia. It begins and ends with an alpha. When Yahshua appeared to John as written in the book of Revelation, He declared that He is the Aleph and tau, not alpha and omega (Rev. 1:8, 11). John, after all, was a Hebrew. There is no reason to believe that Yahshua spoke any other language to him than Hebrew. The Apostle Paul admitted that when Yahshua appeared to him on the road to Damascus, Yahshua spoke in the Hebrew tongue (Acts 26:14).

Don’t you find it interesting that the very last letter of the original Hebrew alphabet is a tau (t) which is in the form of a cross, of all things? Being the very last letter, it also represents the end. It is obvious to this author that Yahshua was hung on a cross to not only end His life, but He also brought an end to the covenant that Moses made with the children of Israel. His very last words were, “It is finished,” Jn. 19:30. Here was Yahshua, the aleph (a) and the tau (t) (Rev. 1:8, 11; 21:6; 22:13), hanging on a cross (a form of the tau) proclaiming that something was finished, ended. Why is this so difficult to understand?

Being the aleph (a), Yahshua was resurrected from the grave in order to mediate a new covenant based upon better promises (Heb. 8:6). This is an eternal covenant of which there shall be no end.

SCRIPTURES OUT OF CONTEXT

The man’s article, entitled “Did Messiah Yahshua ([vwhy) Die on a Cross?” took several scriptures out of context, i.e., Mt. 10:38; Mt. 16:24; Mk. 8:34; Mk. 10:21; Lk. 9:23; Lk. 14:27. Each scripture, in the KJV, speaks of taking one’s cross and following Yahshua. Then he states that all of these verses occurred before Messiah died! He asks what significance would “taking up the cross” have had before He was martyred? Then he says that this is just weird.

I ask, “How is it weird?” Don’t the scriptures say that Yahshua is the Lamb slain before the foundation of the world? (Rev. 13:8) Is that weird?

The article first quoted Mt. 10:38 which says, “And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.” Taken out of context, this can be made to say something else, but the context begins in verse 37 and ends in verse 39, “He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.”

Isn’t Yahshua speaking of losing one’s life here? We can’t see that reality when we take verse 38 out of context, which was done (purposely?) in the article.

The next scripture quoted is Mat. 16:24, “Then said Yahshua unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.”

Again, this verse is taken out of context in order to continue the denial. The full context would be verses 21-26, “From that time forth began Yahshua to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Master: this shall not be unto thee. But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of Elohim, but those that be of men. Then said Yahshua unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?”

Mk. 8:34 is quoted, “And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.”

The full context is verses 31-37, “And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. And he spake that saying openly. And Peter took him, and began to rebuke him. But when he had turned about and looked on his disciples, he rebuked Peter, saying, Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savourest not the things that be of Elohim, but the things that be of men. And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it. For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?”

Again, this young man, after taking the above mentioned scriptures out of context (along with a couple of others), purposely withholding the full context, says, “All of these verses occurred before Messiah died! What significance would “taking up the cross” have had before He was martyred? Isn’t that just weird?” (p. 10)

Isn’t Yahshua here in these verses explaining that He is going to be killed? Isn’t He conveying the message that those who follow His steps will have to suffer the same things, even to the point of denying this life and being willing to lose it for His sake?

What is weird is this young man’s inability to gather the true intent of the full context, and what is even more weird is the fact that the publishers of the magazine in question, certain elders in the body of the Messiah are complicit with him! It seems that the mind of Peter is being exhibited when he rebuked Yahshua, for Yahshua is speaking of His upcoming death on the cross, which is being denied by them.

WORD MEANING

Furthermore, the young man states, “Then I was surprised to learn that the word translated “cross” 28 times in the KJV can actually mean a stake, pole, staff, etc. (See Young’s, Strong’s, and Thayer’s).” He goes on to say that it makes more sense to him that Yahshua meant that they should take their staff or walking stick in order to follow Him.

Again, information is withheld (purposely?) Here is what Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance says about the Greek word stauros, which has been translated in these verses as “cross,” “stauros; a stake or post (as set upright), i.e. (specially), a pole or cross (as an instrument of capital punishment); figuratively, exposure to death, i.e. self-denial; by implication, the atonement of Christ.” Hmmmm…, the word cross here certainly fits with the context that was conveniently left out of article, doesn’t it?

Here is what The New Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon says about this Greek word stauros, “1. An upright stake, esp. a pointed one, (Hom., Hdt., Thuc., Xen.), 2. A cross; a. the well-known instrument of most cruel and ignominious punishment, borrowed by the Greeks and Romans from the Phoenicians; to it were affixed among the Romans, down to the time of Constantine the Great, the guiltiest criminals, particularly the basest slaves, robbers, the authors and abetters of insurrections, and occasionally in the provinces, at the arbitrary pleasure of the governors, upright and peaceable men also, and even Roman citizens themselves;…This horrible punishment the innocent [Yahshua] also suffered…blood shed on the cross, Col. i. 20. b. i. q. the crucifixion which [Messiah] underwent….to encounter persecution on account of one’s avowed belief in the saving efficacy of [Messiah’s] crucifixion, etc.

The young man was correct in declaring that stauros means a pole or stake, but nowhere does it say that it is a staff or walking stick, so I guess he has introduced a new definition for this word, and the publishers of the magazine agree with him, while he (conveniently?) leaves out the fact that it also means “cross.” But then, to admit that it also means a “cross” as a means of punishment, would overthrow the gist of his article.

A CAREFUL STUDY

The young man then says, “But what about the many verses talking about a cross? Study these carefully:”

[Messiah] hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree (Gal. 3:13).

And if a man have committed a sin worthy of death, and he be to be put to death, and thou hang him on a tree…(Dt. 21:22).

His body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou shalt in any wise bury him that day; (for he that is hanged is accursed of Elohim;) that thy land be not defiled, which Yahweh thy Elohim giveth thee for an inheritance (Dt. 21:23).

The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away (Jn. 19:31).

Then he says, “Notice this: There’s not a single verse prophesying that Messiah would be put on a cross.” (end of excerpt) [Notice that he leaves the word “cross” in Jn. 19:31.]

My friend, again, you have conveniently overlooked some things, or you simply haven’t studied or thought deep enough. Proverbs 25:2 says, “It is the glory of Elohim to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.” I have highlighted the words “thing” and “matter” because they are both translated from the same Hebrew word, i.e. dabar. Dabar is the Hebrew word that is generally translated as “word” in the English. What this is saying is that it is the glory of Elohim to conceal His word, and it is the glory or honor of kings to search out that word.

With this in mind, Yahweh has concealed the truth about the cross in His word in Dt. 21:22-23. You can believe this, or you can disbelieve, that is your choice.

The Hebrew word for tree is ‘ets (xo). But this is also the word for “wood” Gen. 6:14; 22:3, 6-7, 9; Ex. 7:19; 25:5, 10, 13, 23, 28, etc. etc…..; “timber” Ex. 31:5; Lev. 14:45; “Sticks” Num. 15:33; 1 Ki. 17:10, 12; 2 Ki. 6:6; “helve” Dt. 19:5; “stalks” Josh. 2:6; “staff” (of a spear) 1 Sam. 17:7; 2 Sam. 21:19; 2 Sam. 23:7; “timber” 1 Ki. 5:6, 8, 18; 6:10; 15:22; “branches” Neh. 8:15; “gallows” Est. 5:14; 6:4; 7:9, 10; 8:7; 9:13, 25; “stock” Jer. 2:27; 3:9; 10:8; “planks” Ez. 41:25.

I have emboldened 2 Sam. 21:19 because the young man did mention this scriptures where “staff” is translated from the word ‘ets, but he didn’t include the fact that it was the staff of a spear. As he attempted to prove that Yahshua was saying for those who follow Him to take his staff or walking stick, is it possible that he was again conveniently withholding information in order to prove his point? I only imply this because the true fact is that there was no place in the scriptures where walking stick or staff (for the hand) is translated from the Hebrew word ‘ets, even though they would be made from wood.

But let’s get back to that which is hidden from view, that which we must study out carefully. Dt. 21:22-23 spoke of one who sinned and would be accursed because he was hanged on a tree. “Hang” comes from the Hebrew word talah (elt). This word is composed from the Hebrew letters hei (e), lamed (l), and tau (t). The hei (e) is an hieroglyphic for a window, to behold, lo, reveal, etc. The lamed (l) is an hieroglyphic for a rod of authority, a shepherd’s rod, etc. Lamed comes from the word lamad, which means to teach. Lamed can also give the idea of “to go toward, or forward”. We have already addressed the meaning of the tau (t), but remember that it has to do with a sign, and also the end of something.

What do the scriptures teach us about our sins? Doesn’t sin bring, lead to, death? Isn’t death a curse? Didn’t Yahshua bear our sins, become a curse for us? Wasn’t He hanged (elt) on a tree (‘ets)? Was that tree (‘ets) actually made of wood (‘ets), timber (‘ets)? Was it made in the form of the last letter of the Hebrew alphabet symbolizing the end, death? Does the word talah (elt) teach you something? Is this the hidden prophecy, the hidden word (dabar), the concealed word (dabar) that we are supposed to search out? (Prov. 25:2)

Let’s go back and introduce some of these Hebrew words into the scriptures that were quoted, “[Messiah] hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth (elt)on a tree [‘ets] (Gal. 3:13).”

“And if a man have committed a sin worthy of death, and he be to be put to death, and thou hang (elt) him on a tree (‘ets = wood, timber, gallows, etc.)…(Dt. 21:22).”

“His body shall not remain all night upon the tree (‘ets), but thou shalt in any wise bury him that day; (for he that is hanged (elt) is accursed of Elohim;) that thy land be not defiled, which Yahweh thy Elohim giveth thee for an inheritance (Dt. 21:23).”

The warning here is that “behold, lo, revelation, teaching (e)”sin leads us to; it causes us to go toward, forward (l) to death, the end (t).

THE SERPENT ON A POLE

What about the serpent on a pole? Here is what Yahshua said, “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life,” Jn. 3:14-15.

Yahshua is referring to Numbers chapter 21. The children of Israel began to complain against Yahweh and Moses accusing them of bringing them out into the wilderness to die of thirst and hunger. Yahweh, in turn, sent fiery serpents (seraphim) among them to bite them. Many Israelites died of their poison, so they came to Moses confessing that they had sinned. Yahweh told Moses, “Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live. And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived,” Num. 21:8-9.

Now the question would be, what did that pole look like? Was it just a straight pole, similar to the one that the Greeks had? You see, whether it is a serpent on a cross or just a pole, the fiery dragon, that old serpent called the devil and Satan has deceived the whole world to make idolatrous images of everything imaginable and to worship them. Read about it in the book of Romans chapter one.

The Greek God of healing, Aesculapius, was represented with a staff or pole and with a serpent on that pole (see the accompanying image). This symbol, as well as the caduceus, is still utilized by the medical field in today’s world. Whether anyone realizes it or not, the medical field has put itself in the place of the priests, because the people always went to the priests in ancient times to seek healing from their Elohim, when they were afflicted with illnesses. Various images of serpents on poles can be found, some are on poles and others on crosses. (see images)

But let’s look into the Hebrew word for “pole” to see what we can extract from its various meanings. The Hebrew word for pole is nec. Nec is defined in Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance as; a flag; also a sail; by implication, a flagstaff; generally a signal; figuratively, a token.

Do you notice that? It has to do with a flag, or a sail, even a flagstaff. We know how we exhibit flags in our modern era, but how were they exhibited anciently? And what about sails? Look at the images that we have provided here. One is of a Roman soldier on a horse with a flag. The others are ancient sailboats, and one is a banner (coat of arms) depicting an ancient sailboat. Isn’t it interesting that we don’t call a sail a cross?

By the way, while we are addressing this issue, what about a utility pole? Don’t we always call them poles whether they are just upright poles, or have crossbeams on them? Do we ever call them a cross? Don’t we just call them poles? (see images)

What is the cross beam for? Concerning the sail of a sailboat, it is for the purpose to stretch the sail out so it can catch the wind and propel the vessel. It is what gives the vessel its power to move. What about the crossbeam on a utility pole. If there is only an upright pole, it can only carry a few lines, but add crossbeams and much more power can be delivered. The purpose for a crossbeam on a flagstaff would be to display the flag at all times. It wouldn’t need the wind, nor movement in order to cause it to unfurl and be displayed.

ISAIAH CHAPTER 22

But something else has been overlooked by our beloved brothers and sisters who seek to refute this notion that Yahshua died on a cross; that is the book of Isaiah the Prophet, chapter twenty two. “Thus saith Yahweh Elohim of hosts, Go, get thee unto this treasurer, even unto Shebna, which is over the house, and say, What hast thou here? and whom hast thou here, that thou hast hewed thee out a sepulchre here, as he that heweth him out a sepulchre on high, and that graveth an habitation for himself in a rock? Behold, Yahweh will carry thee away with a mighty captivity, and will surely cover thee. He will surely violently turn and toss thee like a ball into a large country: there shalt thou die, and there the chariots of thy glory shall be the shame of thy master's house. And I will drive thee from thy station, and from thy state shall he pull thee down. And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will call my servant Eliakim the son of Hilkiah: And I will clothe him with thy robe, and strengthen him with thy girdle, and I will commit thy government into his hand: and he shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to the house of Judah. And the key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder; so he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open. And I will fasten him as a nail in a sure place; and he shall be for a glorious throne to his father's house. And they shall hang upon him all the glory of his father's house, the offspring and the issue, all vessels of small quantity, from the vessels of cups, even to all the vessels of flagons. In that day, saith Yahweh of hosts, shall the nail that is fastened in the sure place be removed, and be cut down, and fall; and the burden that was upon it shall be cut off: for Yahweh hath spoken it,” Isa. 22:15-25.

What does this mean? This is speaking of one who is a minister or treasurer of the temple. He is called Shebna, which means to grow, growth. Notice that he has hewn out a sepulcher on high and graves a habitation in a rock. “On high” is translated from the Hebrew word marowm (mwrm), and can be translated as “FROM ROME!” Few people understand this, but Rome is a name that means “high place.”

All of the treasure, the glory of the temple of Yahweh has been hung on this Shebna. Yahweh says that he is a nail driven in a sure place, but he will be pulled down from his estate (v. 25).

Do you remember when Yahshua was carrying his crossbeam (patibulum), that the Romans took it off of Him (because He stumbled under its weight due to exhaustion) and placed it on Simon of Cyrene? You must understand that Scripture is written in types, and parables. This was a type of the Romans replacing Yahshua with someone else. Who? You might ask? Yahshua has been replaced with one named Yesus/Iesous/Jesus. This one named Jesus has all of the treasures of Yahweh’s house hung upon him (along with all paganism). His grave, his sepulcher is like one hewn out of a rock. He is like a NAIL DRIVEN IN A SURE PLACE. The people look to him trusting that they have eternal life in him. He is the one who has been lifted up on high from Rome (the high place).

Yahweh says that He is going to pull this one who has been lifted up on high down from his estate and violently toss him into a into a large country where he shall die and his glory will become shame. Then He will call His servant Eliakim son of Hilkiah. Elikim means to lift up or raise up El. Hilkiah means the portion (inheritance) of Yahweh. So Yahweh is going to restore Yahshua to His rightful place by driving Him as a nail into a sure place and He will raise the true El (Eliakim) back through His Son by Whom we are able to receive the inheritance, portion of Yahweh (Hilkiah).

Notice that He says He will commit this Shebna’s government into Eliakim son of Hilkiah’s hand. He will be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and to the house of Judah. Furthermore, He will lay the key of the house of David upon His shoulder and He shall open and none can shut, and He shall shut and none can open. This Eliakim son of Hilkiah is none other than Yahshua the Messiah Who declares to the Philadelphian Assembly that He has the key of David and is able to open and none can shut, and shuts and none can open (Rev. 3:7).

Who is driven as a nail in a sure place in today’s world, who has the treasures of the house of El (God)? Isn’t it Jesus Christ? Haven’t all of his treasures become soiled and corrupted with paganism, fraud and deceit? What does that nail look like? Isn’t it a cross?

THE SIGN

The Hebrew word for “sign” is owth (tfa). It consists of and aleph (a), waw (f) and tau (t).

Yahshua revealed Himself as the Aleph and Tau, the First and Last, “I was in the Spirit on the day of Yahweh, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, Saying, I am *Aleph and Tau, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea. And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength. And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death,” Rev. 1:11-18.

He declared to the Smyrna Assembly, “And unto the angel of the assembly in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive,” Rev. 2:8.

Later He said, “And he said unto me, It is done. I am Aleph (a) and (f) Tau (t), the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely,” Rev. 21:6.

Finally, He again states, “I am Aleph and Tau, the beginning and the end, the first and the last,” Rev. 22:13.

The first and last letters of the Hebrew alphabet are the aleph and the tau. Yahshua was speaking in the Hebrew language to the Apostle John, a Hebrew. Aleph and Tau in Hebrew would appear as tfa. In the more ancient Pictorial-Hebrew it would have been represented as tfa. Again, the aleph (a) is the head of an ox or a head or chief leader. The waw (f) is a conjunction, such as the word “and”, but it also symbolizes a nail or tent peg. Finally, the tau (t) is in the form of a cross, which also stands for a sign, name, covenant, etc.

Yahweh gave us the sign that our Chief Leader, our Head, our Chief Shepherd, our Savior, His Son was to be nailed to the cross!

JOSEPHUS’ ACCOUNT

Josephus wrote of the destruction of Jerusalem by Titus. “So now Titus's banks were advanced a great way, notwithstanding his soldiers had been very much distressed from the wall. He then sent a party of horsemen, and ordered they should lay ambushes for those that went out into the valleys to gather food. Some of these were indeed fighting men, who were not contented with what they got by rapine; but the greater part of them were poor people, who were deterred from deserting by the concern they were under for their own relations; for they could not hope to escape away, together with their wives and children, without the knowledge of the seditious; nor could they think of leaving these relations to be slain by the robbers on their account; nay, the severity of the famine made them bold in thus going out; so nothing remained but that, when they were concealed from the robbers, they should be taken by the enemy; and when they were going to be taken, they were forced to defend themselves for fear of being punished; as after they had fought, they thought it too late to make any supplications for mercy; so they were first whipped, and then tormented with all sorts of tortures, before they died, and were then crucified before the wall of the city. This miserable procedure made Titus greatly to pity them, while they caught every day five hundred Jews; nay, some days they caught more: yet it did not appear to be safe for him to let those that were taken by force go their way, and to set a guard over so many he saw would be to make such as great deal them useless to him. The main reason why he did not forbid that cruelty was this, that he hoped the Jews might perhaps yield at that sight, out of fear lest they might themselves afterwards be liable to the same cruel treatment. So the soldiers, out of the wrath and hatred they bore the Jews, nailed those they caught, one after one way, and another after another, to the crosses, by way of jest, when their multitude was so great, that room was wanting for the crosses, and crosses wanting for the bodies.” (Book V. Chapter 11, Verses 1)

This was only about 40 or so years after the death of Yahshua. What had the people of His day decreed to Pilate? “Now at that feast the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would. And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas. Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Yahshua which is called the Messiah?

18 For he knew that for envy they had delivered him. When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him. But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Yahshua. The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas. Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Yahshua which is called the Messiah? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified. And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified. When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it. Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children,” Mat. 27:15-15.

The people of Yahshua’s day cried saying, “His blood be on us, and on our children.” Josephus’ account verifies that many of those same people and their children suffered the same death.

DESPISING THE SHAME

We are encouraged in the book of Hebrews, “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Yahshua the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of Yahweh. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds,” Heb. 12:1-3.

I have presented some of the great cloud of witnesses in this treatise and also in the previous treatise in our May-June 2009 issue of Yahshua’s Witness Magazine. As I stated then, that witness is in the earth, in our own bodies, in the heavens, in the Hebrew alphabet, in the word of Yahweh, etc.

But look at what it says about Yahshua here. He is the Author and Finisher of our faith. The Greek word for Author is archegos. It has to do with one who is a chief leader, a captain, a prince. The Hebrew equivalent would be sar, which means essentially the same thing. However, the key word to look at here is the word faith.

The Prophet Habakkuk was inspired to write, “I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved. And Yahweh answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry. Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith,” Hab. 2:1-4.

Habakkuk has made such a powerful statement that it is repeated three times in the New Testament; (1) Rom. 1:17, “For therein is the righteousness of Yahweh revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.” (2) Gal. 3:5-14, esp. v. 11, “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? Even as Abraham believed Yahweh, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. And the scripture, foreseeing that Yahweh would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham. For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of Yahweh, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them. The Messiah hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Yahshua the Messiah; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.” (3) Heb. 10:36-38, esp. v. 38, “For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of Yahweh, ye might receive the promise. For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.”

The primary Hebrew for believe and faith is amen (nma), but the completed Hebrew word for faith is amunat (tnfma). The more complete form is the Hebrew word that Habakkuk utilized! Look at it! It begins with an aleph (a) and ends with a tau (t)! As a matter of fact, the Hebrew word for truth (tma) is incorporated into the more complete Hebrew word for faith (tmfna)! Do you understand what this means? It means that Yahshua is the aleph (a) and (f) tau (t) [Remember that the aleph and tau or tfa is the Hebrew word for sign (owth). Yes, He is the Author and Finisher of our faith (tnfma)!

The more complete Hebrew word for faith is almost always utilized for Yahweh’s faithfulness, not man’s. Check it out for yourself. Here is the list where the more complete form appears; Hab. 2:4; 1 Sam 26:23; 1 Chron. 9:22; 2 Chron. 31:18; Psa. 36:5; Psa. 40:10; Psa. 88:11; Psa. 89:1, 2, 5, 8, 24, 33, 49; Psa. 92:2; 98:3; Psa. 100:5; Psa. 119:90; Psa. 143:1; Prov. 28:20; Isa. 33:6; Lam. 3:23. Notice that I said “almost always.”

Yahshua was made a curse for us, but because the sum total of all of our sins, the dreadful sins of mankind, he had to be made a curse for us by being hanged (elt) on a tree. Yes, He despised the shame that He had to bear for us, but He also did it with joy because of the end result of sons and daughters eventually being born into the family of Yahweh.

Yahshua died on a cross. The serpent has influenced mankind to make the image of the cross into a thing of worship. We are to refrain from doing such. We are commanded to not make an image of anything in heaven above, in the earth below, or in the sea beneath the earth. We are not to fall down to images and worship them, yet man never listens to Yahweh’s word. But according to Yahweh’s own word, the one who is hung on the cross in today’s world and has been given so much attention and adoration will be pulled down from his estate and the One Who really did suffer will be driven as a nail in a sure place. That day is soon to come. When it does, the whole earth will look to the true Savior as Israel did to the serpent on a pole in the wilderness, and be healed of the serpent’s deadly poison.

May Yahweh speed that day. Jerry Healan

Articles INDEX

We recently received a letter asking about tithing in today’s world. Here is what he asked, “I have questions regarding tithing. I know we’re supposed to tithe 10% of our increase and that the tithe is to be for Yahweh. How are we supposed to tithe today? There’s no Levitical priesthood anymore, so where do we send our tithes? There are several places (Num. 18:21; Deut. 27:12, 13, Deut. 12:22-29) that says it is to be given to the Levite because his inheritance is taking care of the tabernacle and the temple, the fatherless and the widow. And also in those chapters it talks about saving and giving the tithes in the third year. I’m not understanding that at all. I’ve been putting aside 10% of my meager pay. I just want to make sure that I give my tithes in accordance to Yahweh’s will, and not man’s desire. Can you please help me understanding tithing?” Jason H., Oregon.

These are all excellent questions concerning the principles of tithing. How do we tithe and to whom? It is our prayer that these questions and principles will be answered in this treatise.

This ministry has avoided publishing the principles of tithing for years, and probably to our detriment. We established this ministry through the help of Yahweh, but in the beginning, our prayer was that we didn’t want to focus on money; we desired the Spirit of Yahweh to do His work, because our understanding was that all things were not to be done by the power and might of man, but by the Spirit of Yahweh. Therefore, we prayed that He, as Yahweh Yireh, would provide for us and our part would be to publish and make known the truths concerning Yahshua, for to know Yahshua is also to know the Father. Yahweh has certainly greatly blessed us during this time. He has continually provided for us, Praise His wondrous name! HalleluYah!!!!!

But by not at least writing about and declaring the tithing principles, we have probably been negligent concerning declaring to others one of the many ways in which a person may be greatly blessed.

THE CHALLENGE

Did you know that the tithing is a challenge and a principle from Yahweh Himself? Yahweh declares, “For I am Yahweh, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed. Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith Yahweh of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return? Will a man rob Elohim? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith Yahweh of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith Yahweh of hosts. And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith Yahweh of hosts. Your words have been stout against me, saith Yahweh. Yet ye say, What have we spoken so much against thee? Ye have said, It is vain to serve Elohim: and what profit is it that we have kept his ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before Yahweh of hosts? And now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are set up; yea, they that tempt Elohim are even delivered,” Mal. 3:6-15.

Is this not a description of our own nation and much of the world today? People are saying that it is vain to serve Elohim. So many of the proud and the wicked seem to be the ones who are happy, blessed and prospering. But notice that Yahweh is issuing a challenge here. Our nation and much of the world has been robbing Yahweh of the tithes and offerings that belong to Him. But His challenge to us is for us to prove Him by bringing all of the tithes (and offerings) into His storehouse and He promises that He will open the windows of heaven for blessings that there will not be enough room to receive it all. Yahweh is challenging us to prove Him, prove His word!!!!!

Notice that Yahweh said He wants all of the tithes and offerings to be brought in so that there may be meat (food) in His house. Yahweh has made provisions for those who are His servants to be taken care of. But when we have a people whose focus goes elsewhere, on themselves, this world, this life, disbelief, pagan idolatry, etc., the servants of Yahweh suffer lack and have no physical ability to provide the life-sustaining spiritual food that should be made available in great quantities for His people.

The Prophet Haggai was contemporary with the Prophet Malachi and here is what he was inspired to proclaim, “Is it time for you, O ye, to dwell in your cieled houses, and this house lie waste? Now therefore thus saith Yahweh of hosts; Consider your ways. Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes. Thus saith Yahweh of hosts; Consider your ways. Go up to the mountain, and bring wood, and build the house; and I will take pleasure in it, and I will be glorified, saith Yahweh. Ye looked for much, and, lo, it came to little; and when ye brought it home, I did blow upon it. Why? saith Yahweh of hosts. Because of mine house that is waste, and ye run every man unto his own house. Therefore the heaven over you is stayed from dew, and the earth is stayed from her fruit. And I called for a drought upon the land, and upon the mountains, and upon the corn, and upon the new wine, and upon the oil, and upon that which the ground bringeth forth, and upon men, and upon cattle, and upon all the labour of the hands,” Hag. 1:4-11.

What has happened to our nation in today’s world? Trillions upon trillions of dollars have simply disappeared in the stock market, through the government, and through people’s excessive and riotous living. Isn’t it amazing that companies that handle billions upon billions of dollars are going bankrupt? How can this happen? It is because Yahweh is blowing upon it, and when He blows upon it, it simply disappears as if we had bags with holes in them. People and companies who had diligently saved money for emergencies, retirement, etc., have simply had those funds disappear into thin air.

Now look at the state of our affairs. People have only focused on taking care of themselves, building their own houses and families, eating, and drinking, clothing themselves with the most expensive clothes, jewelry, cosmetics, transportation, etc. But so many, many of these people are now losing their homes, their families, their clothing, jewelry, automobiles, etc. It is very heartbreaking. There are more and more homeless living anywhere they can find shelter, under overpasses, bridges, on the streets, in parks, etc. If only we would wake up, turn around and begin to serve Yahweh, we would be so greatly blessed! People have lost their retirement funds and have had to put off retirement by continuing working. Curses are certainly coming upon us because of our failure to serve Yahweh.

THE FIRST OFFERING

Scripture speaks of the very first offerings offered to Yahweh. They came at the hands of the first two males born in this world to Adam and Eve, to wit; Cain and Abel. “And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto Yahweh. And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And Yahweh had respect unto Abel and to his offering: But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect,” Gen. 4:3-5.

Why didn’t Yahweh have respect for Cain’s offering? Here is what the Cumash (a book with the first five books of the Bible [Torah] along with Rabbinic commentary) has to say about this event, “Because Abel feared Elohim’s curse against the ground, he turned to caring for sheep and herds (Rashi). Although man was still forbidden to eat meat [see 9:3], he was allowed to use milk, butter, wool, and the skins of dead animals. Abel’s work consisted of shearing the sheep and milking the cows (Mizrachi).

“Like the Patriarchs, Moses, and David, Abel chose a profession that permitted him to spend his time in solitude and contemplation of spiritual matters (HaK’sau V’HaKabbalah). Cain, however, chose an occupation that, though essential, can lead its practitioners to worship nature and enslave others to do the hard work of the fields (R’Hirsch).

“From the subtle contrast between the simple description of Cain’s offering and the more specific description of Abel’s offering – from the firstlings of his flock and from their choicest – the Sages derive that Cain’s offering was from the inferior portion of the crop, while Abel chose only the finest of his flock. Therefore, Abel’s sacrifice was accepted but not Cain’s (Ibn Ezra; Radak).” (pp. 20-21)

This is exactly what Yahweh was speaking of through the Prophet Malachi in the book of Malachi chapter one, “A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name? Ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar; and ye say, Wherein have we polluted thee? In that ye say, The table of Yahweh is contemptible. And if ye offer the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? and if ye offer the lame and sick, is it not evil? offer it now unto thy governor; will he be pleased with thee, or accept thy person? saith Yahweh of hosts. And now, I pray you, beseech Elohim that he will be gracious unto us: this hath been by your means: will he regard your persons? saith Yahweh of hosts. Who is there even among you that would shut the doors for nought? neither do ye kindle fire on mine altar for nought. I have no pleasure in you, saith Yahweh of hosts, neither will I accept an offering at your hand. For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith Yahweh of hosts. But ye have profaned it, in that ye say, The table of Yahweh is polluted; and the fruit thereof, even his meat, is contemptible. Ye said also, Behold, what a weariness is it! and ye have snuffed at it, saith Yahweh of hosts; and ye brought that which was torn, and the lame, and the sick; thus ye brought an offering: should I accept this of your hand? saith Yahweh. But cursed be the deceiver, which hath in his flock a male, and voweth, and sacrificeth unto the Lord a corrupt thing: for I am a great King, saith Yahweh of hosts, and my name is dreadful among the heathen,” Mal. 1:6-14.

Here is the situation, the creation exists by the power of the Word of Yahweh. You and I are only here, we only exist because of His great power. Scriptures declare that the earth is His and the fullness of it, “The earth is Yahweh’s, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein,” Psa. 24:1. The Apostle Paul repeats this in 1 Cor. 10:26, 28.

PUTTING YAHWEH FIRST

What does Yahweh require of us? He wants us to love Him and serve Him with all of our heart, our mind, our soul, “Hear, O Israel: Yahweh our Elohim is one Yahweh: And thou shalt love Yahweh thy Elohim with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might,” Dt. 6:4-5.

Yahshua verified this, “And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all? And Yahshua answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; Yahweh our Elohim is one Yahweh: And thou shalt love Yahweh thy Elohim with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment,” Mk. 12:28-30.

The book of Proverbs advises us, “The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of knowledge….The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding….In the fear of Yahweh is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge….The fear of Yahweh is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death,” Prov. 1:7; 9:10; 14:26-27.

Abel put Yahweh first and gave Him the choicest of his flocks and herds. All of the great men of the Scriptures put Yahweh first and were blessed for it.

Here is another promise from Yahweh, “Honour Yahweh with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine,” Prov. 3:9-10.

The Psalmist decrees, “Blessed is every one that feareth Yahweh; that walketh in his ways. For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee,” Psa. 128:1-2.

These are promises from Yahweh, not from man. His promises are based upon His word of power and truth. His word will never fail, even though we are allowed to be tried at times to see where our hearts and faith are.

TITHING

Yahweh did establish a tithing system for the Israelites, “And Yahweh spake unto Aaron, Thou shalt have no inheritance in their land, neither shalt thou have any part among them: I am thy part and thine inheritance among the children of Israel. And, behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel for an inheritance, for their service which they serve, even the service of the tabernacle of the congregation. Neither must the children of Israel henceforth come nigh the tabernacle of the congregation, lest they bear sin, and die. But the Levites shall do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation, and they shall bear their iniquity: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations, that among the children of Israel they have no inheritance. But the tithes of the children of Israel, which they offer as an heave offering unto Yahweh, I have given to the Levites to inherit: therefore I have said unto them, Among the children of Israel they shall have no inheritance,” Num. 18:20-24.

Furthermore, the Levites themselves were to give tithes of the tithes that they gathered from the Israelites, “And Yahweh spake unto Moses, saying, Thus speak unto the Levites, and say unto them, When ye take of the children of Israel the tithes which I have given you from them for your inheritance, then ye shall offer up an heave offering of it for Yahweh, even a tenth part of the tithe. And this your heave offering shall be reckoned unto you, as though it were the corn of the threshingfloor, and as the fulness of the winepress. Thus ye also shall offer an heave offering unto Yahweh of all your tithes, which ye receive of the children of Israel; and ye shall give thereof Yahweh’s heave offering to Aaron the priest. Out of all your gifts ye shall offer every heave offering of Yahweh, of all the best thereof, even the hallowed part thereof out of it,” Num. 18:25-29.

However, there is no longer an Aaronic priesthood, nor is there a tabernacle, nor temple wherein the Levites serve. So what has happened?

THE TRANSFERRAL

While the first instance of offerings occurs with Cain and Abel, the first instance of tithing occurs with Abraham, “And the king of Sodom went out to meet him after his return from the slaughter of Chedorlaomer, and of the kings that were with him, at the valley of Shaveh, which is the king's dale. And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high El. And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high El, possessor of heaven and earth: And blessed be the most high El, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all,” Gen. 14:17-20.

The book of Hebrews reveals that there has been a change in the priesthood and also the tithing system, “For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high El, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him; To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace; Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of Elohim; abideth a priest continually. Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils. And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham: But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises. And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better. And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth. And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham. For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him. If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron? For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law. For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar. For it is evident that our Master sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood. And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest, Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life. For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof. For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hop; by the which we draw nigh unto Yahweh. And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest: (For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, Yahweh sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec:) By so much was Yahshua made a surety of a better testament. And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death: But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself. For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore,” Heb. 7:1-28.

The tithing system has been changed from the Levitical priesthood to the Melchisedek Priesthood! Yahshua is the High Priest after the order of Melchisedek. He is the one spoken of Who was originally without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of Elohim! Melchisedek brought forth bread and wine. Yahshua brought forth bread and wine for the symbols of the New Covenant, the better covenant based upon better promises!

The covenant of Moses and the Levitical priesthood, along with the tabernacle and later the temple, were just an interim covenant and priesthood, and dwelling places for Yahweh until the true heavenly High Priest could empty Himself from His heavenly power and esteem, become a man, become flesh, offer the one sacrifice for all time and then be restored to His heavenly power and esteem! There is much more to be revealed here, but this is an article on tithing and I am just showing you how the tithing system has been changed. (If you want to know more about Melchizedek, write for our free booklet entitled Who Is Melchizedek?)

We are of the Melchizedek Priesthood if we are publishing the good news, the truth concerning Yahshua, His kingdom, Who He was, is, and will be. If we are opening your eyes to the truth about the Father and the Son, their true names, the covenant that is made through our Mediator, Yahshua, His grace and mercy that we receive through Him, etc., etc.

PAUL’S WITNESS

Here is what the Apostle Paul witnesses concerning himself and those who are publishing the good news, the spiritual things of the Scriptures, “Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Yahshua the Messiah our Master? are not ye my work in Yahweh? If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Master. Mine answer to them that do examine me is this, Have we not power to eat and to drink? Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Master, and Cephas? Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working? Who goeth to warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also? For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth Yahweh take care for oxen? Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope. If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things? If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the good news of the Messiah. Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? Even so hath Yahweh ordained that they which preach the good news should live of the good news. But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these things, that it should be so done unto me: for it were better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void. For though I preach the good news, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the good news! For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the good news is committed unto me. What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the good news, I may make the good news of the Messiah without charge, that I abuse not my power in the good news,” 1 Cor. 9:1-18.

We of this ministry have followed the example of Paul in that we have worked with our own hands in order to sustain ourselves physically, pay our bills, etc. We have not sought to sustain ourselves with that which has been given to us so that we can publish the Yahshua’s Witness Magazine, YEA Newsletter, tracts, articles, booklets, etc. We have made these things available without charge. We have sown unto you many spiritual things and will sow more (Yahweh willing). Very few have ever supported us in our efforts, nor have they believed in our ministry.

PROVIDING FOOD

Yahshua is our true food. He is the true bread from heaven. We have sought to feed you with Him from the beginning of our ministry. We will continue to feed you with that precious spiritual food as long as we are allowed to do so. We have revealed many, many spiritual things about Him, the Father, their Word, and kingdom. There are many needs in this ministry and also for the great work that Yahweh is doing in Kenya, the Philippines, India and elsewhere. We will allow Yahweh to have the last word in this message, Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith Yahweh of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.