Bible Lessons for the Young
It would be a delight if all children with access to this web site would like a copy of this study so that they could learn from the scriptures. May our Heavenly FATHER bless them abundantly!
Unless stated otherwise, all Scriptures will be from the King James Version of the Scriptures with mainly these changes.
#1 Our Heavenly FATHER'S name which is "hvhy" will be restored from the erroneously translated "the LORD" and "GOD" back to "YAHWEH" which is HIS revealed name.
#2 Our Messiah's name which is "iwvhy" will be restored from the erroneously translated "Jesus" back to "YAHshua" which is His revealed name.
#3 One of our Heavenly FATHER'S titles which is "Myhla" will be restored from the erroneously translated "GOD" back to "Elohim" which is only one of HIS correct titles.
#4 Another one of our Heavenly FATHER'S titles which is "ynda" will be restored from the erroneously translated "God" or "Lord" back to "Adonay" or "Sovereign" which are also HIS correct titles.
#5 [Anything that I add to the text for better understanding will be in this color and in bold brackets like this].
An example: Exodus 3 (15) And YAHWEH [from the Hebrew word "hvhy"] said moreover unto Moses, thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, YAHWEH, Elohim [from the Hebrew word "Myhla"] of your fathers, the Elohim of Abraham, the Elohim of Isaac, and the Elohim of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: This is MY name for ever, and this is MY memorial unto all generations.
May our Heavenly FATHER bless everyone who studies these Bible Lessons for the Young with an open mind.
The first subject matter will be several simple lessons on the Sabbath of YAHWEH. In the first one, we shall see that YAHWEH blessed a certain day of the week. By the time we finish this study, we will see if HE changed HIS mind and blessed another day in the place of it.
These Bible Lessons for the Young are in printed form as well
as posted on our Web Site.http://www.members.cox.net/arkiehobbs/index.htm
by Thomas "Arkie" Hobbs.
The
first week's lesson on
The Sabbath of YAHWEH
YAHWEH our Elohim rested on one the 7th Day of the week when HE finished creating or fashioning the earth and all the things that were in it.
Genesis 2 (1) Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. (2) And on the Seventh Day [YAHWEH] Elohim ended HIS work which HE had made; and HE rested on the Seventh Day from all HIS work which HE had made. (3) And [YAHWEH] Elohim blessed the Seventh Day, and sanctified it: because that in it HE had rested from all HIS work which [YAHWEH] Elohim created and made.
In the 1st scripture, we learned three things about the 7th Day of the week.
#1 YAHWEH rested on it.
#2 YAHWEH blessed it.
#3 YAHWEH sanctified it.
About fifty days after YAHWEH brought HIS people Israel out of the land of Egypt, HE gave them HIS very special Ten Commandments. The 4th one of those Commandments specifically tell them to remember to keep HIS Rest Day holy.
Exodus 20 (8) Remember the Sabbath Day, to keep it holy. (9) Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: (10) 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, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: (11) For in six days YAHWEH made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the Seventh Day: wherefore YAHWEH blessed the Sabbath Day, and hallowed it.
In the 2nd scripture, we see that YAHWEH'S 4th Commandment tells us these eight things about the 7th Day of the week. Also, notice that in the 4th Commandment YAHWEH'S personal name is mentioned three times. HIS name is "hvhy" It is pronounced "YAHWEH" and NOT "the LORD" or "GOD.")
#1 The 7th Day is the Sabbath of YAHWEH. (It is NOT the Sabbath of the Jews, BUT of YAHWEH.)
#2 HE rested on it HIMSELF. (Because HE rested on it, it is a memorial of HIS resting)
#3 HE blessed it.
#4 HE hallowed it. (To hallow it, means to make it holy.)
#5 HE said to remember the Sabbath Day to keep it holy.
#6 HE said that HIS people are not to do any work on it. (In other words, it is a rest day.)
#7 HE said that it is for a perpetual [continuing] covenant.
#8 HE set a death penalty for not keeping it holy under the Old Covenant.
YAHWEH'S
Sabbath is also for a sign between HIMSELF and HIS people forever. (It will be proved in a later lesson that Believing Gentiles are YAHWEH'S people with Israel.)Exo. 31 (12) And YAHWEH spake unto Moses, saying, (13) Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily MY Sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between ME and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am YAHWEH that doth sanctify you. (14) Ye shall keep the Sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you: every one that defileth [pollute] it shall surely be put to death: for whosoever doeth any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people. (15) Six days may work be done; but in the Seventh is the Sabbath of rest, holy to YAHWEH: whosoever doeth any work in the Sabbath Day, he shall surely be put to death. (16) Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, to observe the Sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual [continuing] covenant. (17) It is a sign between ME and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days YAHWEH made heaven and earth, and on the Seventh Day HE rested, and was refreshed.
Please end this 1st week's lesson concerning the Sabbath of YAHWEH by saying, "HalleluYAH!" ("HalleluYAH" means "Praise YAHWEH." "Hallelu" means "praise" and "YAH" is the short form of the wonderful name of "YAHWEH.")
HalleluYAH! HalleluYAH!! HalleluYAH!!!
The
Second week's lesson on
The Sabbath of YAHWEH
Let us review what we learned in the first week's lesson.
#1 The 7th Day is the Sabbath of YAHWEH. (It is NOT the Sabbath of the Jews, BUT of YAHWEH.)
#2 HE rested on it HIMSELF. (Because HE rested on it, it is a memorial of HIS rest after Creation)
#3 HE blessed it.
#4 HE hallowed it. (To hallow it, means to made it holy.)
#5 HE said to remember the Sabbath to keep it holy.
#6 HE said that HIS people are not to do any work on it. (In other words, it is a rest day.)
#7 He said that it is for a perpetual [continuing] covenant [agreement].
#8 He set a death penalty for not keeping it holy under the Old Covenant.
#9 He said that it is a sign between HIM and HIS people.
#10 HIS name hvhy is pronounced "YAHWEH" and NOT "the LORD" or "GOD."
#11 "HalleluYAH" means "Praise YAHWEH."
The word "Sabbath" is mentioned 137 times in 116 verses in the entire Bible. It is mentioned 107 times in the Old Testament and 30 times in the New Testament. In none of those places, do we find that YAHWEH, YAHshua, or His Apostles changed the 4th Commandment of the Ten Commandments to any other day.
Just what did our Saviour YAHshua say about the Sabbath Day? He said that it was made for man. He also said that He is sovereign [supreme in authority] of the Sabbath Day.
Mark 2 (27) And He said unto them, The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath: (28) Therefore the Son of man [YAHshua] is sovereign also of the Sabbath.
Since YAHshua is sovereign of the Sabbath Day, only He or His FATHER YAHWEH has the authority to change the 4th Commandment concerning it.
Did YAHshua and His FATHER have different Commandments? Did YAHshua ever speak anything else but the words of His FATHER? According to the Scriptures, YAHshua did nothing of Himself. He only spoke that which He was taught by YAHWEH His FATHER. He only spoke what He saw and heard of YAHWEH. HalleluYAH!!!
John 8 (28) Then said YAHshua unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man [YAHshua], then shall ye know that I am He, and that I do nothing of Myself; but as My FATHER hath taught Me, I speak these things.
John 8 (38) I [YAHshua] speak that which I have seen with My FATHER: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father.
John 12 (49) For I [YAHshua] have not spoken of Myself; but the FATHER which sent Me, HE gave Me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. (50) And I know that HIS commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the FATHER said unto Me, so I speak.
John 14 (10) Believest thou not that I [YAHshua] am in the FATHER, and the FATHER in Me? The words that I speak unto you I speak not of Myself: but the FATHER that dwelleth in Me, HE doeth the works.
Keep in mind that YAHWEH sanctified the Sabbath Day, blessed it, made it holy, rested on it, made it a memorial of HIS rest after creating the Earth and all the things in it, made it a sign between HIMSELF and HIS people, and commanded HIS people to remember it to keep it holy. Also, keep in mind that HIS Son YAHshua said that He was sovereign of it and that it was made for man. For all those reasons, if we love YAHWEH and YAHshua and if we are still men and if we are HIS people, then the Sabbath Day is still for us. Those are only some of the reasons why the 4th Commandment was never changed. (It will be proved in these lessons that none of the Ten Commandments were ever changed.)
Here is what the Apostle John said about the Commandments of YAHWEH. (The 4th Commandment is certainly included.)
I John 5 (2) By this we know that we love the children of YAHWEH, when we love YAHWEH, and keep HIS Commandments. (3) For this is the love of YAHWEH, that we keep HIS Commandments: and HIS Commandments are not grievous.
I John 2 (I) My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an Advocate [One who makes things right between two or more parties] with the FATHER, YAHshua Messiah the Righteous: (2) And He is the propitiation [covering] for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. (3) And hereby we do know that we know Him, IF we keep His Commandments. (4) He that saith, I know Him, and keepeth not His Commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. (5) But whoso keepeth His word, in him verily is the love of YAHWEH perfected: hereby know we that we are in Him. (6) He that saith he abideth in Him ought himself also so to walk, even as He walked.
According to the above verses, those who know and love YAHWEH and YAHshua walk as YAHshua our Saviour walked. They keep YAHWEH'S Commandments. Also, they are the ones who will be blessed and have the right to the Tree of Life in the Heavenly City, the New Jerusalem, when it comes down out of Heaven to this Earth. This is found in the last chapter in the Holy Bible. (The last two chapters of the Bible describe that Beautiful City.)
Revelation (12) And, behold, I come quickly; and My reward is with Me, to give every man according as his work shall be. (13) I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. (14) Blessed are they that do HIS Commandments, that they may have right to the Tree of Life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. (15) For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. (16) I YAHshua have sent Mine angel to testify unto you these things in the Assemblies. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.
Let us end this week's lesson on the Sabbath of YAHWEH by saying, "HalleluYAH!" again.
The third week's lesson on
The Sabbath of YAHWEH
Let us review what we learned in the first two weeks of lessons about the Sabbath.
#1 The 7th Day is the Sabbath of YAHWEH. (It is NOT the Sabbath of the Jews, BUT of YAHWEH.)
#2 HE rested on it HIMSELF. (Because HE rested on it, it is a memorial of HIS rest after Creation)
#3 HE blessed it.
#4 HE hallowed it. (To hallow it means to made it holy.)
#5 HE said to remember it to keep it holy.
#6 HE said that HIS people are not to do any work on it. (In other words, it is a rest day.)
#7 He said that it is for a perpetual [continuing] covenant [agreement].
#8 He set a death penalty for not keeping it holy under the Old Covenant.
#9 It is the 4th one of the very special Ten Commandments of YAHWEH.
#10 It is a sign between YAHWEH and HIS people.
#11 It is kept by those who have rights to the Tree of Life and to enter into the Heavenly Jerusalem.
#12 It is mentioned 137 times in the Bible with no mention of changing it to the 1st day of the week!
In this week's lesson, we will look at all the places that the 1st day of the week is mentioned in the Bible. We will see if any of those places YAHWEH, YAHshua, or His Apostles or any of the New Testament writers changed the Sabbath or the 4th one of the Ten Commandments to the 1st day of the week.
There are only eight places in the entire Bible where the 1st day of the week is mentioned. The first six places that it is mentioned is telling about when it was first discovered that our Messiah had risen from the dead. Here is the first of those six places.
Matthew 28 (I) In the end of the Sabbath [The Sabbath ends at sundown.], as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week [first place that it is mentioned], came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre [tomb]. (2) And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of YAHWEH descended from Heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. (3) His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: (4) And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. (5) And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek YAHshua, Who was crucified. (6) He is not here: for He is [already] risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Sovereign lay. (7) And go quickly, and tell His disciples that He is [already] risen from the dead; and, behold, He goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see Him: lo, I have told you. (8) And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring His disciples word. (9) And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, YAHshua met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held Him by the feet, and worshipped Him. (10) Then said YAHshua unto them, Be not afraid: go tell My brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see Me.
My dear children, did you see anything in that scripture about changing the Sabbath to the 1st day of the week? In this next scripture concerning the same incident, the 1st day of the week is used two times.
Mark 16 (I) And when the Sabbath was past [It passed at sundown], Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint Him. (2) And very early in the morning the first day of the week [second place that it is mentioned], they came unto the sepulchre [tomb] at the rising of the sun. (3) And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre? (4) And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great. (5) And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted. (6) And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek YAHshua of Nazareth, which was crucified: He is [already] risen; He is not here: behold the place where they laid Him. (7) But go your way, tell His disciples and Peter that He goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see Him, as He said unto you. (8) And they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulchre; for they trembled and were amazed: neither said they any thing to any man; for they were afraid. (9) Now when YAHshua was [already] risen early the first day of the week [third place that it is mentioned], He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had cast seven devils. (10) And she went and told them that had been with Him, as they mourned and wept. (11) And they, when they had heard that He was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not.
That scripture did not mention anything about changing the Sabbath to the 1st day of the week either, did it? Let us see if it is mentioned in the next scripture.
Luke 24 (I) Now upon the first day of the week [fourth place that it is mentioned], very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre [tomb], bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them. (2) And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre. (3) And they entered in, and found not the body of the Sovereign YAHshua. (4) And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments: (5) And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? (6) He is not here, but is [already] risen: remember how He spake unto you when He was yet in Galilee, (7) Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again. (8) And they remembered His words, (9) And returned from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest.
Nope! It is not there either! Is it in this next one where the 1st day of the week is mentioned two times?
John 20 (I) The first day of the week [fifth place that it is mentioned] cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre [tomb], and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre. (2) Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom YAHshua loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Sovereign out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid Him. (3) Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre. (4) So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre. (5) And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in. (6) Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie, (7) And the napkin, that was about His head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself. (8) Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed. (9) For as yet they knew not the scripture, that He must rise again from the dead. (10) Then the disciples went away again unto their own home.
(11) But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre, (12) And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of YAHshua had lain. (13) And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Sovereign, and I know not where they have laid Him. (14) And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw YAHshua standing, and knew not that it was YAHshua. (15) YAHshua saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? Whom seekest thou? She, supposing Him to be the gardener, saith unto Him, Sir, if Thou have borne Him hence, tell me where Thou hast laid Him, and I will take Him away. (16) YAHshua saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto Him, Rabboni; which is to say, Teacher. (17) YAHshua saith unto her, Touch Me not; for I am not yet ascended to My FATHER: but go to My brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto My FATHER, and your FATHER; and to My Elohim, and your Elohim. (18) Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Sovereign, and that He had spoken these things unto her.
(19) Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week [sixth place that it is mentioned], when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came YAHshua and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. (20) And when He had so said, He showed unto them His hands and His side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Sovereign. (21) Then said YAHshua to them again, Peace be unto you: as My FATHER hath sent Me, even so send I you.
The next time that the 1st day of the week was mentioned was where they had a farewell supper for the Apostle Paul. They came together on the 1st day of the week which begins at the end of the Sabbath Day at sundown to eat supper with him before he was to continue his travels during the daylight hours the next day. After eating with them, he did preach until midnight. At midnight, a young man fell out of the window and after that they just visited until daylight and he resumed his travels on that first day of the week.
Acts 20 (6) And we sailed away from Philippi after the days of Unleavened Bread, and came unto them to Troas in five days; where we abode seven days. (7) And upon the first day of the week [seventh place that it is mentioned], when the disciples came together to break bread [Semitic people called eating a common meal breaking bread.], Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight. (8) And there were many lights in the upper chamber, where they were gathered together. (9) And there sat in a window a certain young man named Eutychus, being fallen into a deep sleep: and as Paul was long preaching, he sunk down with sleep, and fell down from the third loft, and was taken up dead. (10) And Paul went down, and fell on him, and embracing him said, Trouble not yourselves; for his life is in him. (11) When he therefore was come up again, and had broken bread, and eaten, and talked a long while, even till break of day, so he departed. (12) And they brought the young man alive, and were not a little comforted.
After our eleven year-old grandson Mark Miller read out loud the above scripture from the Bible, he was asked this question: What does that scripture have to do with changing the Sabbath of YAHWEH to the 1st day of the week? He replied, "Nothing!" Even he could see that it had absolutely nothing to do with it!
In the last place in the Bible where the 1st day of the week was mentioned, the Apostle Paul was taking up voluntary donations to take to the poor Saints that lived at Jerusalem. Their "liberality" (gracious act i.e. generous gift) consisted of fruit, grain, meat, clothing and other needed goods. He did not want to wait for each man to start the time consuming gathering of these offerings together after he came to Corinth. He wanted it to be ready when he arrived. That is why he told them to lay in store upon the first day of the week that which YAHWEH had prospered them. Again, nothing is said about changing the Sabbath to the 1st day of the week.
I Corinthians 16 (1) Now concerning the collection for the saints [Same type of collection as mentioned in Romans 15:25-28], as I have given order to the Assemblies of Galatia, even so do ye. (2) Upon the first day of the week [eighth place that it is mentioned] let every one of you lay by him in store, as YAHWEH hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings [of their fruit, grain, meat, clothing and other needed goods] when I come. (3) And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality [gracious act i.e. generous gift] unto Jerusalem. (4) And if it be meet that I go also, they shall go with me.
Think about all eight of those places in the Bible that mention the 1st day of the week. Do any of them say, hint, or even suggest that the following is now true about the 1st day of the week?
#1 It is the Sabbath of YAHWEH.
#2 YAHWEH rested on it HIMSELF. (Because HE rested on it, it is a memorial of HIS rest after Creation)
#3 YAHWEH blessed it.
#4 YAHWEH hallowed it. (To hallow it, means to made it holy.)
#5 YAHWEH said to remember it to keep it holy.
#6 YAHWEH said that HIS people are not to do any work on it. (In other words, it is a rest day.)
#7 YAHWEH said that it is for a perpetual [continuing] covenant [agreement].
#8 YAHWEH set a death penalty for not keeping it holy under the Old Covenant.
#9 YAHWEH said that it was a sign between HIM and HIS people.
#10 It is the 4th one of the Special Ten Commandments of YAHWEH.
#11 It is kept by those who have rights to the Tree of Life and enter into the Heavenly Jerusalem.
Not even one of the above things are true of the 1st day of the week! They were true of the 7th Day Sabbath in the past, they are still true in the present, and they will still be true in the future! HalleluYAH!!!
Let us end this week's lesson on the Sabbath of YAHWEH by saying, "HalleluYAH!" again.
Let us review what we learned in the first three weeks of lessons about the Sabbath.
#1 The 7th Day is the Sabbath of YAHWEH. (It is NOT the Sabbath of the Jews, BUT of YAHWEH.)
#2 HE rested on it HIMSELF. (Because HE rested on it, it is a memorial of HIS rest after Creation)
#3 HE blessed it.
#4 HE hallowed it. (To hallow it, means to made it holy.)
#5 HE said to remember it to keep it holy.
#6 HE said that HIS people are not to do any work on it. (In other words, it is a rest day.)
#7 He said that it is for a perpetual [continuing] covenant [agreement].
#8 He set a death penalty for not keeping it holy under the Old Covenant.
#9 It is the 4th one of the very special Ten Commandments of YAHWEH.
#10 It is a sign between YAHWEH and HIS people.
#11 It is kept by those who have rights to the Tree of Life and to enter into the Heavenly Jerusalem.
#12 It is mentioned 137 times in the Bible with no mention of changing it to the 1st day of the week!
#13 The 1st day of the week was mentioned only 8 times in the Bible with no mention of making it replace the Sabbath of YAHWEH.
In this week's lesson, we will look at all the reasons why people refuse to keep the Sabbath of YAHWEH which the 4th Commandment commands us to remember to keep it holy. They want to set the Sabbath aside and make the 1st day of the week a day for rest and for worshipping YAHWEH. (One should worship YAHWEH and be holy seven days of every week, but one can only keep a day holy that YAHWEH makes holy.) YAHWEH said to remember and keep the Sabbath Day holy. He did not say to MAKE the 1st day of the week or any other day holy and then keep it holy. ONLY YAHWEH can make days holy! Humans can only keep them holy by not polluting them.
#1 reason: Those people say, "Instead of keeping the 4th Commandment, we keep the 1st day of the week holy in honor of our Heavenly FATHER'S Son's resurrection."
Answer: YAHshua, as sovereign of the Sabbath Day, DID NOT CHANGE YAHWEH’S 4th Commandment to read: "Thou shall keep the 1st day of the week holy in honor of the resurrection of MY Son."!
YAHshua's
resurrection was not 1st day of the week either. My dear children, look again in last week's lesson that quoted Mathew, Mark, Luke, and John in their account of when they came to the EMPTY GRAVE. All four accounts said that YAHshua WAS NOT THERE when they came on the 1st day of the week! The GRAVE WAS EMPTY!Yahshua
was not buried on the end of the 6th day of the week (Friday) and He did not rise from the dead on the 1st day of the week (Sunday) at sunrise! Do you want some easy proof of that? Okay, here it is. Yahshua said that He would be in the grave 3 days and 3 nights. He knew exactly how long He would be in the grave!Mat. 12 (38) Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Teacher, we would see a sign from Thee. (39) But He [YAHshua] answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: (40) For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man [YAHshua] be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
My dear children, how can you count 3 days and 3 nights from sundown on Friday evening until sunrise on Sunday morning? That totals only 1 day and 2 nights! Should you believe YAHshua or should you believe what people teach concerning how long He was in the grave? (For those who want to see a detailed account of when YAHshua was buried and when He rose from the grave, ask for my article "When was the Resurrection of YAHshua the Messiah?")
#2 reason: They say, "The apostle Paul preached on the 1st day of the week." They quote Acts 20:6-12. In lesson three (see lesson three), you learned that the quoted scripture had absolutely nothing to do with changing the Sabbath of YAHWEH, a day of rest and worship, to the 1st day of the week.
#3 reason: They say, "The apostle Paul said for everyone to lay by in store on the 1st day of the week what YAHWEH has prospered them." They quote I Corinthians 16:1-4. They assume that he was taking up tithes and offerings which he was not. Even if he was, what would that have to do with keeping the Sabbath of YAHWEH? In lesson three, you also learned that this quoted scripture had absolutely nothing to do with changing the Sabbath of YAHWEH, a day of rest and worship, to the 1st day of the week.
#4 reason: They say, "It doesn't make and difference which day you keep as a day of rest and worship as long as you keep one." They quote Romans 14:5 and say, "I esteemeth every day alike."
Romans 14 (5) One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.
That scripture has nothing to do with which day you want to keep as a day of rest and worship! (YAHWEH'S 4th one of the Ten Commandment tells us which one to keep!) Now, let us put that scripture in the context in which it was written. When you read all that chapter, you will notice that the apostle Paul was telling the assembly at Rome not to condemn one another concerning eating. Keep in mind that there are two things that were in question at that time concerning eating. One thing that was in question was whether meat (from clean animals) that had been sacrificed to devils and then sold in the marketplace became unclean or not. (This is best seen in chapter ten of II Corinthians.) The other thing that was in question was concerning eating and not eating certain foods on certain days of the week. For instance, one of the customs was to fast two days a week as was mentioned in the parable in Luke 18:9-14. (They also had different means of fasting. During some fasts they only abstained from certain foods. In other fasts, they abstained from eating all food during certain times of the day.)
The esteeming one day above another concerns eating or not eating on certain days of the week. IT DOES NOT concern keeping the Sabbath of YAHWEH! The apostle Paul is not writing about the Sabbath of YAHWEH, a day of rest and worship, but he is writing about eating. It is that simple.
Romans 14 (I) Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations. (2) For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs. (3) Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for YAHWEH hath received him. (4) Who art thou that judgest another man's (another’s?) servant? To his own sovereign he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for YAHWEH is able to make him stand. (5) One man esteemeth one day above another [to eat or not eat]: another esteemeth every day [to eat] alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. (6) He that regardeth the day [to eat ], regardeth it [to eat] unto YAHWEH; and he that regardeth not the day [to eat ], to YAHWEH he doth not regard it [to eat]. He that eateth, eateth to YAHWEH [on that day], for he giveth YAHWEH thanks; and he that eateth not , to YAHWEH he eateth not [on that day], and giveth YAHWEH thanks.
My dear children, neither that scripture nor any other scripture even hints that it doesn't matter which day YAHWEH wants HIS people to remember to keep holy, but it certainly does matter to HIM!
Let us end this week's lesson on the Sabbath of YAHWEH by saying, "HalleluYAH!"
In lesson five, a final review of these first four lessons will be given. On the following week, a different subject will be discussed.
Shalom! (Peace be with you.)
The fifth
and final week's lesson
on
The
Sabbath of YAHWEH
My dear children, please remember these things that we have learned concerning YAHWEH'S Sabbath.
#1 The 7th Day is the Sabbath of YAHWEH. (It is NOT the Sabbath of the Jews, BUT of YAHWEH.)
#2 HE rested on it HIMSELF. (Because HE rested on it, it is a memorial of HIS rest after Creation)
#3 HE blessed it.
#4 HE hallowed it. (To hallow it, means to made it holy.)
#5 HE said to remember it to keep it holy.
#6 HE said that HIS people are not to do any work on it. (In other words, it is a rest day.)
#7 He said that it is for a perpetual [continuing] covenant.
#8 He set a death penalty for not keeping it holy under the Old Covenant.
#9 It is the 4th one of the very special Ten Commandments of YAHWEH.
#10 It is a sign between YAHWEH and HIS people.
#11 It is kept by those who have rights to the Tree of Life and to enter into the Heavenly Jerusalem.
#12 It is mentioned 137 times in the Bible with no mention of changing it to the 1st day of the week!
#13 It was not changed to the 1st day of the week in any of the 8 places that the 1st day of the week was mentioned in the Bible.
#14 It was not changed to the day of the week that people incorrectly think was the day of YAHshua's resurrection. (See lesson 3 & 4.)
#15 It was not shown to be changed to the 1st day of the week because the apostle Paul preached in the beginning of the 1st day of the week during a farewell gathering before he resumed his travels. (The 1st day of the week begins at sundown in the end of the Sabbath of YAHWEH.) (See lesson 4.)
#16 It was not shown to be changed to the 1st day of the week because the apostle Paul told the Assembly at Corinth to lay by in store on the 1st day of the week what YAHWEH has prospered them. {He was gathering up their "liberality" (gracious act i.e. generous gift) which usually consisted of fruit, grain, meat, clothing and other needed goods for the poor saints in Jerusalem.} (See lesson 4.)
#17 It was not shown to be changed to 1st day of the week because of what the apostle Paul said about not condemning one another about eating and regarding days of eating and not eating. (See lesson 4.)
#17 It cannot be changed to 1st day of the week because "it doesn't make any difference to YAHWEH as long as you keep one" as some people falsely teach. It does make a difference to YAHWEH!!! (See lessons 1 through 4.)
In conclusion, the 4th Commandment is only one of YAHWEH'S Ten Commandments. All ten of them are extremely important to HIM! They were so important to HIM that HE gave them by HIS own word of mouth at Mount Sinai. Those Ten Commandments are listed in Exodus 20:1-17 and they will also be the next subject to be discussed in these lessons.
Shalom! (Peace be with you!) May YAHWEH bless you with HIS will to do HIS good will!.
Philippians 2 (13) For it is YAHWEH which worketh in you both to will and to do of HIS good pleasure.
First
week's lesson on
The Ten Commandments
YAHWEH changed the name of Jacob, the grandson of Abraham, to Israel. About four centuries after his death, his twelve son's descendants had become a large nation. That nation was called Israel. They were being oppressed in the land of Egypt as slaves. At that time, YAHWEH called Moses to lead them out of the land of Egypt and take them to the land of Canaan. It was in the third month after they came out of Egypt, that YAHWEH made it known to them that HE had chosen them to be HIS people.
Exodus 19 (5) Now therefore, if ye will obey MY voice indeed, and keep MY Covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto ME above all people: for all the earth is MINE: (6) And ye shall be unto ME a king-dom of priests, and a holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.
According to the twentieth chapter of Exodus, YAHWEH gave HIS people HIS ten basic commandments from mount Sinai. These basic Ten Commandments are so important to YAHWEH that HE gave them by HIS own word of mouth.
(Keep in mind that in chapters twenty-one through twenty-three, YAHWEH related to them HIS statutes and judgments concerning the enforcement of the basic Ten Commandments. YAHWEH related those statutes and judgments through Moses. That is why those statutes and judgments which were added to the Ten Commandments are referred to as "The Law [Torah] of Moses" and also as the "The Old Covenant.")
In the first four of those basic Ten Commandments, YAHWEH speaks of four things that HE commands HIS people not to do in their love and worship for HIM.
#1
Love and worship HIM by not having any other Elohim before HIM.#2
Love and worship HIM by not making any images of any kind to serve them.#3
Love and worship HIM by not taking HIS name in vain.#4
Love and worship HIM by keeping HIS Hallowed Sabbath and not polluting it.Before YAHWEH spoke those Ten Commandments to HIS people Israel, HE introduced HIMSELF.
Exodus 20 (I) And [YAHWEH] Elohim spake all these words, saying, (2) I am YAHWEH thy Elohim, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
In the 1st Commandment, YAHWEH is saying that HE wants HIS due honor, love, worship, respect, attention, and obedience from us. He doesn't want it shared with any elohim whether it be real or imaginary.
Exodus 20 (3) [1st commandment] Thou shalt have no other Elohim before ME.
(It is a little bit difficult to explain the meaning of the word "Elohim" to young children. The meaning relates to the idea of anything that one loves, worships, respects or is controlled by that is contrary to the will of YAHWEH. Most elohim (usually called "gods") are only imaginary celestial beings. However, anyone or anything that you put ahead of your full obedience to YAHWEH and YAHshua becomes your elohim.)
In the 2nd Commandment, YAHWEH was condemning the use of graven images (in any form, including pictures) that are used in religious respect or worship of HIM. That was how the imaginary celestial beings of the Gentiles (pagans) were being worshiped.. The Gentiles carried images around with them that represented their imaginary celestial beings. They even kneeled down in front of them to worship them. Those are not the ways that YAHWEH wants to be worshipped. Therefore, you cannot have carved, formed or drawn or photographed images that are used to represent YAHWEH, YAHshua or your faith for that matter. In the eyes of YAHWEH, all kinds of religious respect, admiration, and worship with such items or pictures are seen as serving false elohim. They are outright idolatry and forbidden by YAHWEH!
Exodus 20 (4) [2nd Commandment] Thou shalt not make unto 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 water under the earth: (5) Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor *serve them: for I YAHWEH thy Elohim am a jealous El, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate ME; (6) And showing mercy unto thousands of them that love ME, and keep MY Commandments.
*
"Serve them" means to be enslaved to them by worshiping them or having respect and admiration for them.In the 3rd Commandment, YAHWEH was warning against taking HIS name in vain (H7723).
Exodus 20 (7) [3rd Commandment] 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.
Using HIS name in what people call cursing is not the only way of taking YAHWEH'S name in vain. The word "vain" has two other meanings here. They are "ruin" and "uselessness." We are bringing YAHWEH'S name to ruin or uselessness when we refuse to use it and praise it. It is used in the Old Testament almost 7,000 times, including this next scripture that tells what it is and that it HIS is forever. (Following it is one of the dozens of places in the scriptures where we are told to use it.)
Exodus 3 (15) And hvhy [Hebrew for YAHWEH, NOT "The LORD"] said moreover unto Moses, thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, hvhy, [YAHWEH] Elohim of your fathers, the Elohim of Abraham, the Elohim of Isaac, and the Elohim of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: This is MY name for ever, and this is MY memorial unto all generations.
Psalm 113 (I) Praise ye YAH. ["YAH" is the shortened form of the name of "YAHWEH."] Praise, O ye servants of YAHWEH, praise the name of YAHWEH. (2) Blessed be the name of YAHWEH from this time forth and for evermore. (3) From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same YAHWEH’S name is to be praised.
In the 4th Commandment, YAHWEH made it very clear that HE wanted HIS Sabbath Day to be a reminder that HE created (or fashioned) the world in six days and then rested on it HIMSELF. HE blessed it and made it holy. HE very clearly commands us to remember to keep it holy and to rest on it as HE did.
Exodus 20 (8) [4th Commandment] Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. (9) Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: (10) 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, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: (11) For in six days YAHWEH made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore YAHWEH blessed the Sabbath Day, and hallowed it.
YAHWEH'S
Sabbath is also for a sign between HIMSELF and HIS people forever.Exodus 31 (12) And YAHWEH spake unto Moses, saying, (13) Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily MY Sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between ME and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am YAHWEH that doth sanctify you. (14) Ye shall keep the Sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you: every one that defileth [pollute] it shall surely be put to death: for whosoever doeth any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people. (15) Six days may work be done; but in the Seventh is the Sabbath of rest, holy to YAHWEH: whosoever doeth any work in the Sabbath Day, he shall surely be put to death. (16) Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, to observe the Sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual [continuing] covenant. (17) It is a sign between ME and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days YAHWEH made heaven and earth, and on the Seventh Day HE rested, and was refreshed.
In the next lesson, we will discuss the other six of the Ten Commandments. HalleluYAH!!!
Second
week's lesson on
The Ten Commandments
In lesson one, we learned that in the first four of YAHWEH'S basic Ten Commandments HE wants HIS people to do the following:
#1
Love and worship HIM by not having any other Elohim before HIM.#2
Love and worship HIM by not making any images of any kind to serve them.#3
Love and worship HIM by not taking HIS name in vain.#4
Love and worship HIM by keeping HIS Hallowed Sabbath and not polluting it.In the next six of those basic Ten Commandments, YAHWEH speaks of six different things that HE commands HIS people to do or not to do in their love for HIM and their neighbor (fellow human beings).
#5
Love thy neighbor by honoring your parents.#6
Love thy neighbor by not killing your neighbor.#7
Love thy neighbor by not committing adultery with the spouse of your neighbor.#8
Love thy neighbor by not stealing from your neighbor.#9
Love thy neighbor by not bearing false witness against your neighbors.#10
Love thy neighbor by not coveting the things of your neighbors.In the 5th Commandment, YAHWEH commands us to honor our father and mother.
Exodus 20 (12) [5th Commandment] Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which YAHWEH thy Elohim giveth thee.
Sometimes it seems very hard for children to honor both of their parents when their parents do them wrong. It is especially difficult when one of the parents leave the home and family to be with someone else. However, parents do sometimes make these terrible mistakes. Even though they may have made some terrible mistakes it does not change the fact that they are still your parents. It pleases YAHWEH for HIS little children to forgive their parents who have done them wrong. HE will greatly reward the children for it! In fact, YAHshua our Saviour said that we have to forgive others before YAHWEH will forgive us.
Matthew 6 (14) For if ye forgive men their trespasses [wrongs], your Heavenly FATHER will also forgive you: (15) But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your FATHER forgive your trespasses.
In the 6th Commandment, YAHWEH commands us not to kill our neighbors.
Exodus 20 (13) [6th Commandment] Thou shalt not kill.
The apostle John said that if you even hate your brother you are counted as a murderer.
1 John 3:15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.
In the 7th Commandment, YAHWEH commands us not to commit adultery.
Exodus 20 (14) [7th Commandment] Thou shalt not commit adultery.
You children will learn much more about this commandment after you get a little bit older. There are a lot of scriptures that refer to this commandment.
In the 8th Commandment, YAHWEH commands us not to steal.
Exodus 20 (15) [8th Commandment] Thou shalt not steal.
In the 8th Commandment, YAHWEH commands us not to bear false witness against our neighbor.
Exodus 20 (16) [9th Commandment] Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.
The so-called "little white lie" is also bearing false witness. A lie is a lie!
In the 10th Commandment, YAHWEH commands us not to covet anything that belongs to our neighbor. To covet means to have a strong desire for something that belongs to someone else. That strong desire will tempt you to get it in any way you have to for yourself. You may end up stealing it or forcefully taking it and that is sin.
Exodus 20 (17) [10th Commandment] Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's.
These last six commandments protect us from our neighbors. These last six commandments also protect our neighbors from us. Therefore, these last six commandments benefit the whole human race!
In the third and final lesson on the Ten Commandments, a final review of these first two lessons will be given. On the following week, a different subject will be discussed.
Shalom! (Peace be with you.)
Let us end these lessons on YAHWEH'S basic Ten Commandments by saying, "HalleluYAH!"
Third
and final week's lesson on
The Ten Commandments
In lesson one and two, we learned that in YAHWEH'S basic Ten Commandments HE commands us how to love and worship HIM and how to love our fellow human beings.
#1
We love and worship YAHWEH by not having any other Elohim before HIM.#2
We love and worship YAHWEH by not making any images of any kind to serve them.#3
We love and worship YAHWEH by not taking HIS name in vain.#4
We love and worship YAHWEH by keeping HIS Hallowed Sabbath and not polluting it.#5
We love and worship YAHWEH when we love our neighbor by honoring our parents.#6
We love and worship YAHWEH when we love our neighbor by not killing him.#7
We love and worship YAHWEH when we love our neighbor by not committing adultery with his spouse.#8
We love and worship YAHWEH when we love our neighbor by not stealing from him.#9
We love and worship YAHWEH when we love our neighbor by not bearing false witness against him.#10
We love and worship YAHWEH when we love our neighbor by not coveting the things that are his.By faithfully keeping YAHWEH'S basic Ten Commandments as HE has commanded, we are also in full obedience to the two greatest commandments that were written in the Law [Torah].
Matthew 22 (35) Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked Him a question, tempting [testing] Him [YAHshua], and saying, (36) Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law [Torah]? (37) YAHshua said unto him, Thou shalt love YAHWEH thy Elohim with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. [Deut. 6:5] (38) This is the first and great commandment. (39) And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself [Lev 19:18]. (40) On these two Commandments hang all the law [Torah] and the prophets.
We love YAHWEH our Elohim with all our heart, and with all our soul, and with all our mind by keeping all ten of HIS basic Ten Commandments.
We love our neighbor as ourselves when we keep the last six of YAHWEH'S basic Ten Commandments!
Again, here is what the Apostle John said about the Commandments of YAHWEH.
I John 5 (2) By this we know that we love the children of YAHWEH, when we love YAHWEH, and keep HIS Commandments. (3) For this is the love of YAHWEH, that we keep HIS Commandments: and HIS Commandments are not grievous.
I John 2 (I) My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an Advocate [One who makes things right between two or more parties] with the FATHER, YAHshua Messiah the Righteous: (2) And He is the propitiation [covering] for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. (3) And hereby we do know that we know Him, IF we keep His Commandments. (4) He that saith, I know Him, and keepeth not His Commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. (5) But whoso keepeth His word, in him verily is the love of YAHWEH perfected: hereby know we that we are in Him. (6) He that saith he abideth in Him ought himself also so to walk, even as He walked.
Below are the Ten Commandments written as our pledges to YAHWEH our Elohim. I created a screen-saver for computers with the. Each pledge is displayed on a separate screen and rotates every minute to the next pledge until all have been shown. It repeats itself over and over until the mouse is moved. (Anyone with an e-mail address who would like to have a free copy of it can e-mail me at thomasahobbs@home.com.).
Ten Pledges to
Pledge # One
… YAHWEH, our Elohim, we will intentionally accept no other Elohim than YOU.Pledge # Two
… YAHWEH, our Elohim, we will not intentionally make any graven image or picture of anything that is in or under Heaven or that is in or under the earth to use in any forms of honors, rituals, or worship of THEE, because YOU are a zealous Elohim that shows mercy unto the thousands who love YOU and KEEP YOUR Commandments.Pledge # Three
… YAHWEH, our Elohim, we will not intentionally use YOUR Holy name in a vain manner either in our behavior or in any manner of speech for YOU will not hold us guiltless for taking YOUR name, which is to be revered, in vain.Pledge # Four
… YAHWEH, our Elohim, we will remember YOUR Sabbath Day to keep it Holy. We shall do all of our work from the first day to the sixth day of the week and on the Seventh Day (YOUR Sabbath) we will rest from our work as YOU did when YOU made Heaven, Earth, the sea, and all things that are in them. YOU blessed and YOU hallowed YOUR Sabbath Day!Pledge # Five
… YAHWEH, our Elohim, we will honor our fathers and our mothers that our years may be long and fruitful as we live upon the land that YOU so generously provided for us to dwell.Pledge # Six
… YAHWEH, our Elohim, we will never intentionally take the life of any man, woman, or child.Pledge # Seven
… YAHWEH, our Elohim, we shall not commit adultery.Pledge # Eight
… YAHWEH, our Elohim, we will not steal anything from any man, woman, or child.Pledge # Nine
… YAHWEH, our Elohim, we will not intentionally bear any false witness against any man, woman, or child.Pledge # Ten
… YAHWEH, our Elohim, we will not covet anything that belongs to any man, woman or child. That which YOU desire for us will we covet.Hallelu
YAH!!!
First week's lesson on
Believing Gentiles
are
YAHWEH'S People with Israel.
My dear children, many people incorrectly teach that the Gentile "Church" has replaced YAHWEH'S people Israel. In these three lessons, we will show the falsehood of that teaching.
In the first place, the word "Church" is not a true translation of the Greek word "Ekklesia." Let us look at the word "Ekklesia" in two different Greek dictionaries and see what the word really means. As we study these definitions, please keep in mind that the sign ":--" simply means that the words following it are other words that the translators used (whether correctly or incorrectly) to translate the referred to word. Therefore, to correctly translate the actual meaning we must use only the definitions given before the ":--" sign.
NASC G1577. ekklaysia, from G1537 and G2564; an assembly, a (religious) congregation:-- assembly(3), church(74), churches(35), congregation(m)(2).
Strongs 1577. ekklesia, ek-klay-see'-ah; from a comp. of G1537 and a der. of G2564; a calling out, i.e. (concr.) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation (Jewish synagogue, or Chr. community of members on earth or saints in heaven or both):-- assembly, church.
By following the very simple rule above, we find that the actual meaning of the Greek word "Ekklesia" is an "assembly," a "congregation," or a "calling out" and not "Church." "Assembly" is the best translation.
In the scripture below, YAHshua said that He would build His Assembly.
Matthew 16 (16) And Simon Peter
answered and said, Thou art the Messiah,
the Son of the Living
Elohim. (17) And YAHshua
answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon
Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but My
FATHER which is
in Heaven. (18) And I
say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock [solid
foundation (the fact that YAHshua is the Messiah, the Son of the Living
Elohim)] I will build My Assembly
[G1577-Ekklesia];
and the gates of hell [G86 Hades-the
grave] shall not prevail against it.
Yahshua
started building that Assembly with Israelites.
He was sent to seek out HIS lost sheep of the
House of Israel from the remnant of all
twelve tribes. (When YAHshua used
the word "lost," He was referring to them being lost in their
relationship with YAHWEH.)
Matthew 15 (24) But He [YAHshua] answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the House of Israel.
YAHshua
also sent His Apostles to the lost sheep of the House of Israel.Matthew 10 (5) These twelve [apostles] YAHshua sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: (6) But go rather to the lost sheep of the House of Israel. (7) And as ye go, preach, saying, The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.
In the apostle Paul's letter to the Ephesians, we also find that YAHshua's Assembly is built upon Israelites. It was built upon the Apostles, the Prophets, with YAHshua Messiah Himself being the Chief Corner Stone. (YAHshua, the Apostles, the Prophets, and all the New Testament writers were all Israelites.)
Ephesians 2 (11) Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; (12) That at that time ye were without Messiah, being Aliens from the Commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the Covenants of Promise, having no hope, and without YAHWEH in the world: (13) But now in Messiah YAHshua ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Messiah. … (19) Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but Fellowcitizens with the Saints, and of the Household of YAHWEH; (20) And are built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, YAHshua Messiah Himself being the Chief Corner Stone; (21) In Whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto a holy temple in the Sovereign: (22) In Whom ye also are builded together for a habitation of YAHWEH through the Spirit.
In Romans 10:19-21, the apostle Paul wrote that YAHWEH was using the Gentiles to make Israel jealous.
Romans 10 (19) But I say, Did not Israel know? First Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people [of YAHWEH], and by a foolish nation [Gentiles] I will anger you [Israel]. (20) But Isaiah is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought ME not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after ME. (21) But to Israel HE saith, All day long I have stretched forth MY hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people.
In this next scripture, you can see that YAHWEH kept only the Elect (Chosen) of Israel and the rest of Israel were temporally cast off and blinded until they are provoked to jealously by the Gentiles.
Romans 11 (I) I say then, Hath YAHWEH [permanently] cast away HIS people [Israel]? YAHWEH forbid! For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. (2) YAHWEH hath not cast away HIS people [Israel] which HE foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elijah? How he maketh intercession to YAHWEH against Israel, saying, (3) YAHWEH, they have killed THY prophets, and digged down THINE altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life. (4) But what saith the answer of YAHWEH unto him? I have reserved to MYSELF seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal. (5) Even so then at this present time also there is a Remnant [of Israel] according to the Election of grace. (6) And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work. (7) What then? Israel [as a nation] hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the Election [selected or chosen ones of Israel] hath obtained it, and the rest [of Israel] were blinded (8) (According as it is written, YAHWEH hath given them [Israel as a nation] the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day. (9) And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompense unto them: (10) Let their eyes be darkened that they may not see, and bow down their back alway. (11) I say then, Have they [Israel as a nation] stumbled that they should fall? YAHWEH forbid: but rather through their [temporary] fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them [Israel as a nation] to jealousy.
(In next week's lesson, we will show how the apostle Paul used the example of an Olive Tree to explain how the Believing Gentiles were added or joined to Israel and did not take the place of Israel.)
HalleluYAH!!!
The second week's lesson on
The Believing Gentiles
are
YAHWEH'S People with Israel.
(Lesson 2)
In lesson one, we learned the following:
#1: The "Ekklesia" that YAHshua is building is more correctly translated as His "Assembly."
#2: YAHshua's Assembly was built upon the Apostles, the Prophets, with YAHshua Messiah Himself being the Chief Corner Stone.
#3: YAHshua, the Apostles, the Prophets, and all the New Testament writers were all Israelites.
#4: YAHshua and His Apostles started building the Assemble with the lost sheep of the House of Israel.
#5: YAHshua's Assembly was started from the Elect, Chosen, or Called out ones of Israel.
#6: YAHshua's Assembly was therefore built with Israelites and upon Israelites.
#7: YAHWEH blinded the rest of Israel until they are provoked to jealousy by the Believing Gentiles.
#8: The Believing Gentiles are no longer without Messiah, no longer Aliens from the Commonwealth of Israel, or strangers from the Covenants of Promise; They are now Fellow Citizens with the Saints and of the Household of YAHWEH through YAHshua Messiah.
As stated in the end of last week's lesson, we will show how the apostle Paul used the example of an Olive Tree to explain how the Believing Gentiles were *grafted, joined, or added to Israel and they did not take the place of Israel. *(To graft a branch to another tree, means to add or join them together as one.)
Romans 11 (12) Now if the fall of them [some of the Israelites] be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness? (13) For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, (I magnify mine office): (14) If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them [Israelites]. (15) For if the [temporary] casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead? (16) For if the firstfruit [Israel-Jer. 2:3] be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches [Israelites]. (17) And if some [Not all!] of the branches [Israelites] be broken off, and thou [Gentiles], being a wild olive tree, wert grafted in among them [the Israelites], and with them [the Israelites] partakest of the root and fatness of the Olive Tree; (18) Boast not against the Branches [Israelites]. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee. (19) Thou wilt say then, The Branches [Israelites] were broken off, that I might be grafted in. (20) Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: (21) For if YAHWEH spared not the Natural Branches [Israelites], take heed lest HE also spare not thee. (22) Behold therefore the goodness and severity of YAHWEH: on them [some of the Israelites] which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in HIS goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. (23) And they also, IF they abide not still in unbelief, shall be grafted [back] in: for YAHWEH is able to graft them [back] in again. (24) For if thou [Gentiles] wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert grafted contrary to nature into a good [tame] Olive Tree [Israel]: how much more shall these, which be the Natural Branches [Israelites], be grafted [back] into their own Olive Tree?
Please notice again that only some (not all)) of the Natural Israelite Branches were cut off. The wild Gentile branches were grafted in among the remaining Israelite branches. The Olive Tree is still an Israelite Olive Tree! As the last verse above states, those Israelites that were cut off can and are to be grafted back into their own Olive Tree.
As we continue in the next verse, you can see that the casting away or blindness was only temporary and when their blindness is lifted they will and are being grafted back into Israel, their own Natural Olive Tree.
Romans 11 (25) For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel [the cast off portion], until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. (26) And so [in this manner] all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion [Zion] the Deliverer [Yahshua Messiah], and shall turn away wickedness from Jacob [Israel]: (27) For this is MY Covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.
From the above scriptures, it is very clear that the Gentiles are grafted into Israel and does not replace it!
Since the Believing Gentiles are grafted into the Natural Olive Tree which is the Commonwealth of Israel, they are no longer strangers from the Covenants of Promise. Here is one of the promises of the Covenants which they are entitled to receive with Israel.
Exodus 19 (3) And Moses went up unto [YAHWEH] Elohim, and YAHWEH called unto him out of the mountain, saying, Thus shalt thou say to the House of Jacob [Israel], and tell the Children of Israel; (4) Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto MYSELF. (5) Now therefore, if ye will obey MY voice indeed, and keep MY Covenant, then ye shall be a Peculiar [unique] Treasure unto ME above all people: for all the earth is MINE: (6) And ye shall be unto ME a Kingdom of Priests, and an Holy Nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the Children of Israel.
In the scriptures below, is a witness of the fulfillment of that promise.
I Peter 2 (4) To Whom coming, as unto a Living Stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of YAHWEH, and precious, (5) Ye [who were once Gentiles] also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, a Holy Priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to YAHWEH by YAHshua Messiah. (6) Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion [Zion] a Chief Corner Stone, Elect, precious: and he that believeth on Him shall not be confounded. (7) Unto you therefore which believe He is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the Stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the Head of the Corner, (8) And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence , even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. (9) But ye are a Chosen Generation, a Royal Priesthood, a Holy Nation, a Peculiar [unique] People; that ye should show forth the praises of HIM WHO hath called you [when you were Gentiles] out of darkness into HIS marvellous light : (10) Which in time past were not a people [of YAHWEH], but are now the People of YAHWEH: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
Revelation 1 (4) John to the seven Assemblies which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from Him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before HIS throne; (5) And from YAHshua Messiah, Who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the Prince of the kings of the earth. Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His Own blood, (6) And hath made us Kings and Priests unto YAHWEH, His FATHER; and to Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
In lesson three, we will discuss how Israel is connected with the Holy City New Jerusalem which comes down out of Heaven from YAHWEH.
HalleluYAH!!!
The third and final week's lesson on
The Believing Gentiles
are
YAHWEH'S People with Israel.
In this last lesson, we need to quote something that YAHshua Messiah said to His Twelve Apostles.
Matthew 19 (27) Then answered Peter and said unto Him [YAHshua], Behold, we [the Twelve Apostles] have forsaken all, and followed Thee; what shall we have therefore? (28) And YAHshua said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of man [YAHshua] shall sit in the throne of His glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the Twelve Tribes of Israel.
This next scripture will show us the fulfillment of the words that YAHshua spoke concerning them.
Revelation 21 (9) And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will show thee the bride, the Lamb's wife. (10) And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me that Great City, the Holy Jerusalem, descending out of Heaven from YAHWEH, (11) Having the glory of YAHWEH: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal; (12) And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels [messengers], and names written thereon, which are the names of the Twelve Tribes of the Children of Israel: (13) On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates. (14) And the wall of the City had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the Twelve Apostles of the Lamb [YAHshua Messiah].
Did you take special notice that the names of the Twelve Tribes of the Children of Israel were on the twelve gates going into the Holy City, New Jerusalem? Did you see another gate for the Believing Gentiles? The reason that you didn't see another gate for the Believing Gentiles is because the Believing Gentiles are grafted into Israel becoming part of Israel becoming part of Israel.
Did you take special notice that the names of the Twelve Apostles were on the twelve foundations of the Holy City, New Jerusalem? Did you see another foundation for the Believing Gentiles? The reason that you didn't see another foundation for the Believing Gentiles is because the Believing Gentiles are grafted [joined] into Israel becoming part of Israel.
Most of the last two chapters of the Bible describe the Holy City, New Jerusalem, which comes down out of Heaven from YAHWEH. Please read all of both chapters.
In conclusion, we have the following facts:
#1: The word "Ekklesia" that YAHshua is building is more correctly translated as His "Assembly."
#2: YAHshua's Assembly was built upon the Apostles, the Prophets, with YAHshua Messiah Himself being the Chief Corner Stone.
#3: (YAHshua, the Apostles, the Prophets, and all the New Testament writers were all Israelites.)
#4: YAHshua and His Apostles started building the Assemble with the lost sheep of the House of Israel.
#5: YAHshua's Assembly was started from the Elect, Chosen, or Called out ones of Israel.
#6: YAHshua's Assembly was therefore built with Israelites and upon Israelites.
#7: YAHWEH blinded the rest of Israel until they are provoked to jealousy by the Believing Gentiles.
#8: The Believing Gentiles are no longer without Messiah, being Aliens from the Commonwealth of Israel, or strangers from the Covenants of Promise; They are now Fellow Citizens with the Saints and of the Household of YAHWEH through YAHshua Messiah.
#9: The Believing Gentiles who are grafted into the Israelite Olive Tree also become part of YAHWEH'S Chosen Generation, HIS Royal Priesthood, HIS Holy Nation, and HIS Peculiar [unique] People.
#10: Just as wild olive branches are grafted into a natural olive tree, the Believing Gentiles were grafted and are still being grafted into YAHWEH'S people Israel to enjoy the same covenants of promise. Those promises that were given to Abraham were passed down through his son Isaac to his son Jacob (Israel) are now also passed to the Gentiles through Believing in YAHshua Messiah Who is also a descendant of Abraham.
#11 In the last two chapters in the Holy Scriptures, there are very important names connected with the New Jerusalem, the Holy City, coming down from Heaven. Let us remember them in their order of importance: YAHWEH, YAHshua, the Twelve Apostles and the Twelve Tribes of Israel!
It is the hope of us all to enter into that Holy City, New Jerusalem, which comes down out of Heaven from YAHWEH.. Therefore, let us end this article with the two following blessings.
Revelation 22 (14) BLESSED are they that do HIS Commandments, that they may have right to the Tree of Life, and may enter in through the gates into the [Holy] CITY [New Jerusalem].
Galatians 6 (16) And as many as walk according to this rule, PEACE be on them, and MERCY, and UPON THE ISRAEL OF YAHWEH. HalleluYAH!!!