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(Ed:
The following article is another view of the relationship between Yahweh the Father and Yahshua His Son, written
by a member of our local group. It is presented for your study, and as an adjunct to the one published last month)
Hear, O Israel - YHWH is One!
By Mike Mastropaolo
In regard to the question over whether YHWH (Yahweh) is one, two, three or more, here are
the logical considerations: 1) There is no Creator. 2) There is one Creator. 3) There is more than one, but a definite
number (2, 3, 50, etc.). 4) There is an indefinite open-ended number (such as a growing family of clones, or a
progressive revelation of gods of whom we are not yet aware).
To get an understanding which of the above is the truth, we must first pray that the Spirit of Truth will guide
us in a diligent study of the whole of Scripture, both "old" and "new." We also must apply
the reasoning ability the Creator has given us. This immediately eliminates number 1 as a possibility unless we
are the fool who says "there is no god" (Psalms 14:1 and 53:1). The creation itself is proof of the
Creator (Romans 1:19-23). Those who have His Spirit have additional confirmation.
The Scriptures either reveal aspects of His nature to us, or they do not. We take on faith that the former is the
case and that He rewards those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6). This article is only for those who trust
that the truth of the matter is revealed in Scripture through His Spirit.
The "many gods" concept is derived from paganism, as is the triune godhead, or trinity. Please do your
own research on this matter and you will find it to be so. The only clear reference to a "trinity" in
the Authorized (King James) Bible (1 John 5:7-8), has been proven spurious. This eliminates all but one aspect
of number 3, that of a duo or duality.
Note: The Hebrew word Elohim, that uniplural word like "family," is also a plurality of majesty describing
something too big or grand to be thought of in the singular. This is appropriate for an omnipresent, omniscient,
omnipotent Creator Who is grander than all His plural creation. This concept of YHWH may be likened to a concept
such as infinity (¥); a singular idea more "plural" than any number.
Before we consider the "duality" versus "oneness" concepts, I would like to address number
4. Some Scriptures seem to reference a concept that we are gods. "Ye are gods" to whom the Word of YHWH
came (Psalm 82:6, John 10:34), or that we are to become "God(s)" such as John's statement that "we
will be like Him" in the resurrection (1 John 3:2). The problem with these concepts is that no matter how
like Him we are (made in His image (1 Cor. 15:49 and 2 Cor. 3:18), or how like Him we become in a resurrection
as Spirit beings with everlasting life, the fact remains that we all had a beginning, and YHWH did not (1 Tim.
1:17). This is an important difference and any "difference" eliminates the possibility of "identicalness"
and thus eliminates number 4.
We are now down to number 2, and the dual aspect of number 3. Here is where most of the argument within various
"Sacred Name" and "Church of God" groups centers. Most anyone who reads this article is familiar
with the many verses quoted by each side in support of "oneness" or "twoness." Each hopes to
convince the other that their verses are stronger, more persuasive, or greater in number than their opponent's,
and thus win the debate.
I propose a different approach. Let me outline a basic concept assembled from years of repeated Scripture reading
and prayer. Then as one reads through the Scriptures, see how well the concept is supported and if there are truly
any Scriptures that disprove the thesis.
The basic idea is that YHWH the Creator is unique, is only one entity, but manifests Himself in diverse ways according
to how He wills to interact with His creation. The appearance of duality or multiplicity is only a misconception
resulting from our limited ability as physical beings to understand the spiritual "world." We must be
willing to accept that we may never be able to fully comprehend His nature and Eternity until we, too, are granted
eternal life and are no longer limited by our physical nature. Paul alludes to this when he says we "see through
a glass darkly" (1 Cor. 13:12) and John, referring to the resurrection, "we shall see (perceive) Him
as He is" (1 John 3:2). This implies that an absolutely accurate concept of His Nature is not a requirement
for our salvation. The only requirement for our salvation is for He who made us to say "You are saved."
He has provided instructions as to how we are to receive the salvation (eternal life) that He has provided, and
what is expected of us as a result of this, and how we can earn reward apart from salvation itself. There are also
indications that although we in no way earn our salvation, we can will to throw away that precious gift.
Now, I will lay some foundational ideas necessary to understand what is being proposed. Most of these ideas have
solid Scriptural backing, but I have taken the liberty to share some less clearly supported concepts to provide
food for thought. Please take them simply as incentives for further study. These are not necessarily listed in
order of importance.
We are made in YHWH's image and likeness, but He forbids us to represent Him in a physical way (Exodus 20), i.e.
a graven image. I believe one of the reasons for this commandment is that as soon as we attempt to do this, we
limit Him. Anything we attempt would be a misrepresentation - a lie. We would be bearing false witness against
Him. We are to have none other to worship besides or before Him (Exodus 20:3). This attests to His uniqueness.
YHWH is the I AM, the only being without beginning or end, the Creator of the physical universe and time. He controls
His creation (Psa. 103:19, 104). He is the potter and we are the clay (Isa. 64:8). He decides the if and when of
things. In Exodus 3 He tells Moses something about Himself - "I AM WHO I AM" or "I WILL BE WHOM
I WILL TO BE." The reason He can prophesy future events is that He has the power to bring them to pass. He
is All Powerful, All Knowing, and All Present. He lives and can impart life, both physical and eternal. He controls
time/space according to His will and purpose. He is sovereign. A Sovereign has no equal - all are subordinate and
derive their rights and privileges from Him. He operates in a different dimension than the physical and is not
subject to the laws of physics, chemistry, energy, time, etc. that we are subject to. We can not be in two places
at the same time - but He can!
YHWH is love (1 John 4:8-16). This can help us to understand an important characteristic of His. He can project
Himself into at least two locations/times without being diminished at all, just as we can love our youngest offspring
with all our heart, and not lessen our love for an older child. This is sometimes difficult for the older sibling
to believe and accept, and a young child is sometimes jealous of a newborn. He must mature and become a parent
himself before he can fully understand this marvelous ability. We too must mature to be able to learn more of the
nature of YHWH.
When we look into a mirror there is an almost identical image able to move as we are able. We are nothing less
than we were before we stopped in front of the mirror and created the image or likeness. Yahshua is called the
"second Adam" (1 Cor. 15:45-47. The first Adam was made in Elohim's image (Genesis 1:27). He also is
referred to as the "express image" of the Father (Hebrews 1:3). He is all man, born of a woman, physically
complete and not lacking in man-ness. He said to Philip in John 14:9, "Have I been so long time with you,
and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show
us the Father?" This word "see" would be better translated "perceive," as no physical
man can "see" the Father (the Creator) and live, i. e., remain physical. He must die and be resurrected
as a Spirit being or be changed in the twinkling of an eye (1 Cor. 15:52) to "see Him as He is" (1 John
3:2).
It appears that out of consideration for His creation YHWH never manifests Himself in His full glory to man, for
if He did, it would destroy a physical man. This is hinted at in 2 Thes. 2:8, when He will destroy wicked man with
the "brightness of His coming."
The basic oneness/more than oneness concept is that of a single being (YHWH the Father) manifesting Himself in
various forms and manners in order to interact with His creation according to His will and purpose without destroying
or adversely affecting His creation. The form and purpose is evident when descriptive adjectives are appended to
His only Name, YHWH. When He is our Healer, He is Yahweh-Rapha. He is our provider as Yahweh-Yireh; our savior
as Yah-Shua, or Yah-Hoshea, or Yahushua (not Yeshua, as the Jews teach. They try to degrade Him to only "he
who saves," one of many "savior men of history"). Some other descriptive adjectives with the Name
are: Yahweh-Nissi (My Banner); Yahweh-Zidkenu (Yahweh our Righteousness).
Although YHWH has saved His people from many a peril on many occasions, He never saved them from eternal death
until He chose for the Word of Life to be manifested as eternal life for man who believes on Him (John 1:1-2).
He devised what seems to us a strange if not bizarre plan. But who are we, the clay, to question Him, the Potter?
He makes the rules, not us. There is one lawgiver (James 4:12).
Maybe, since He ruled that if man sheds man's blood, then man must shed that man's blood. Adam sinned through woman,
and Cain slew Abel. Therefore, a second Adam must come sinless and obedient through woman (Miriam or Mary) and
die for having created a man (Cain) who slew a man (Abel) and through this acceptance of responsibility provided
Himself as the only possible sacrifice of sufficient value to atone for mankind's sin. (This is some of the speculation
I mentioned earlier.) But since Yahshua was the fullness of the "godhead" bodily because His spirit was
fully YHWH's spirit, He chose to take His life again. This is so we can have this eternal life. He then, being
Love, can have us to love for eternity. How sad it would have been for a God who is Love to have created other
beings to be the objects of that love, only to witness us destroy ourselves and cease to exist. He foresaw this
possibility and gave His life for (and to) us. As Yahshua said to His disciples "Greater love hath no man
than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13). Notice that He did not say "give
someone else's life." When He gave "His only begotten Son" (John 3:16), He was giving Himself in
the only way an eternal Spirit being could "die" - by possessing or taking on a physical born-of-a-woman
body.
Now with this marvelous provision for many sons to be born/adopted as eternal Spirit beings, YHWH can bestow His
love on those who will not die. You see, if Yahshua was the Firstborn among many brethren (Rom. 8:29), the brethren
are equal to each other, but are not equal to the Father who created them, even though the Father is in them all.
YHWH is Spirit. He is "holy" (separate, pure). He is the Holy Spirit, the Ruach Ha Kodesh. Yahshua is
"Yahweh Savior" and according to His plan, had to die and live again. The physical man died but unlike
the first Adam whose physical body returned to dust (elements of the earth), the second Adam was changed in the
twinkling of an eye to all Spirit, just as YHWH is all Spirit. Since YHWH is our Savior (the life-giving Spirit,
the I AM) and there is saving yet to be done (only the atoning death is past and finished), then Yah will still
manifest as Savior until all are either resurrected to Life as Spirit beings, or destroyed in the Lake of Fire
(Gehenna). YHWH will then manifest as Our Righteousness, Yahweh Tsidkenu (Jer. 23:6 and 33:16). This will not then
be a trinity, YHWH Father (Abba), YHWH Savior (Shua), YHWH Righteousness (Tsidkenu), but will be, is, and always
has been, simply YHWH, meaning, "I AM," i.e., the Self Existent One able to impart existence to what
and to whom He chooses.
Now, with these concepts in mind, please pray for understanding and read at one sitting, Isaiah chapters 40 through
49. Take special note of the following verses, most of which are quotes from YHWH Himself:
40:18, 25; 41:4, 14; 42:8-9; 43:1, 3, 7, 11-15, 25; 44:6, 8, 22-24; 45:5-6, 9-12, 14-15, 17-18, 21-23; 46:5, 9-10;
47:4; 48:6, 11-12, 16 (Here note the New King James reads "and now the Lord GOD [Adonai YHWH] and His Spirit
have sent me." The Hebrew verb is singular, i. e., has sent me. This shows that "Lord GOD" and "His
Spirit" are not two separate entities, because of the singular verb used.); 49:6-7, 23, 26.
Having read the above, I pray that you become aware of the many traits which in the New Testament are attributed
to Yahushua are here claimed by YHWH alone. To be specific:
1) He has no equal (40:18, 25).
2) He created and was First and will be Last (41:4).
3) He is Redeemer (41:14).
4) He is King (41:21).
5) He is YHWH and will not give His glory to another (42:8)
6) He declares new things (42:9)
7) He will bring not just a Son but sons and daughters (43:6) called by His Name (43:7).
8) Beside Him there is no Savior (43:11).
9) He created Israel and is King (43:15) and they will praise Him (HalleluYAH, not HalleluSHUA).
10) He forgives transgressions and sins (43:25).
11) King, Redeemer, YHWH of hosts, First, Last, no other Rock (NKJV 44:6-8).
12) I am YHWH Who makes all things, Who spreads abroad the earth by Myself (45:24).
13) Ask Me of things to come concerning My sons (45:11).
14) This is not a saving from only one trouble or situation, but YHWH will save Israel with an everlasting salvation
- forever and ever (45:17).
15) No other will thwart what He purposes to do (46:9-10; 48:6-7).
16) Everyone will know that YHWH is Israel's Savior and Redeemer (49:26).
The only event that had not taken place at the time Isaiah wrote in regard to forgiveness of sins and redemption
was the required blood sacrifice, i. e., YHWH's pre-determined death in the form of Yahushua. But this was so sure
to be that it is spoken of as having already been accomplished. Yahushua's resurrection then began the saving of
Israel which is still going on today for all who repent, are baptized and call on the One and only Name given under
heaven by which we must be saved (Acts 2:21 and 4:12).
That Name is YHWH Hoshea, "Yahushua" as the shorter combined form of YAHWEH the Savior.
Mike Mastropaolo, 1504 North Greenwood Ave., Fort Smith, , Arkansas 72901. 501-782-0031
(Editor's Note: "YHWH" is known as "the Four Letters," or the
Tetragrammaton. It is comprised of the Hebrew letters, "Yod," "Heth," "Waw," "Heth,"
and corresponds in English to "Y-H-W-H." Almost all scholars and the Jews themselves agree that these
four letters are pronounced "Yahweh" in all languages. This Name was taken out of most versions of Scripture
by translators, and the substitute titles LORD and GOD were inserted instead. Where you see "the LORD"
or "GOD" in caps in the King James Bible and most other versions, "YHWH" was written there
in the Holy Spirit-inspired Hebrew originals.
While most scholars spell the Savior's Name "Yahshua," the term used in the foregoing article, "Yahushua",is
an alternate form. Either is acceptable).
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