Letter from The Editor

reetings, everyone: Please be sure to read this all the way through, as I have a couple of announcements to make. The first concerns the frequency of issues. We plan to go to a quarterly format beginning in January, 2011. The Work has grown to the point where it is difficult to put out an issue every two months with the very limited help that I have, and still do justice to the many letter writers who need answers to their Scriptural concerns. I am currently about two months behind with answering letters. Please bear with me if you are still waiting for an answer to your letter. 

 

The second pertains to postal subscribers only: unless you are a fairly new subscriber to this newsletter, we are asking you to re-subscribe if you want to continue receiving it. Often interest wanes, issues are unread, and yet we keep sending them because we don’t know. This is a waste of Yahweh’s resources. So, if your issue of this newsletter has a notice on the address page just over the return address, that asks you to re-subscribe, please drop us a line and let us know that you want to stay on the subscriber list. If we don’t hear, your name will be deleted. REMEMBER, this is for postal subscribers only ~

 

On another matter, we receive several good articles and newsletters written by prison inmates, that we publish   occasionally. I intended to run one in this issue, but due to the fact that they have to be typed into the computer, I have opted to use about half of one this time, since we are already more than a month overdue. Last half next issue. ~

 

See the 2011 New Moon and Holy Day Calendar at the end of this newsletter.

 

We are into that time of year on the profane Roman calendar when almost the entire world goes wild over the Saturnalia celebration, in honor or the god Saturn, and misnamed “Christ-mass” by the Roman Catholic Church. This winter solstice festival has been around since the days of Nimrod and his mother-wife, Semiramis. Nimrod was the first tyrant who actively worked against Yahweh’s people. He was a son of Ham, and a grandson of Noah. Read about him in Genesis 10. He was said to be a “mighty hunter” before Yahweh. Here this Hebrew word for “before” is “pawneem,” and one of its meanings is “against.” Another is “tyrant.” There is not much more said about him in Scripture, but ancient history and legends tell us much more. He was an evil man who set up probably the first “protection racket” in history. He was instrumental in getting people to move into cities, where he would protect them from wild animals and marauding bands of outlaws. He was known as a “mighty warrior.”

 

He is credited with (or charged with) founding the first religion opposing Yahweh, requiring that the people look upon him as their “savior,” their “god.” No doubt he was inspired by Satan himself. Since “Nimrod” in Hebrew translates to “Rebel,” it is believed that this was a title, and not a name. There is a man in secular history from those times whose name was “Gilgamesh,” and it is believed that he was “the Nimrod” of Genesis 10. Here is what an excerpt from history says of him:

 

“First, what does the name Nimrod mean? It comes from the Hebrew verb marad, meaning “rebel.” Adding an “n” before the “m” it becomes an infinitive construct, “Nimrod.” (see Kautzsch 1910: 137 2b, also BDB 1962: 597). The meaning then is “The Rebel.” Thus “Nimrod” may not be the character's name at all. It is more likely a derisive term of a type, a representative, of a system that is epitomized in rebellion against the Creator, the one true God. At that time, as civilizations were restored, this person became very prominent.”

The date of the composition of the Gilgamesh epic can therefore be fixed at about 2000 BC. But the material contained on these tablets is undoubtedly much older, as we can infer from the mere fact that the epic consists of numerous originally independent episodes, which, of course, did not spring into existence at the time of the composition of our poem but must have been current long before they were compiled and woven together to form our epic (Heidel 1963: 15).

 

Yet his arrogance, ruthlessness and depravity were a subject of grave concern for the citizens of Uruk (his kingdom). They complained to the great god Anu, and Anu instructed the goddess Aruru to create another wild ox, a double of Gilgamesh, who would challenge him and distract his mind from the warrior's daughter and the noblemen's spouse, whom it appears he would not leave in peace (Roux 1966: 114).

The Epic of Gilgamesh has some very indecent sections. Alexander Heidel, first translator of the epic, had the decency to translate the vilest parts into Latin. Spieser, however, gave it to us “straight” (Pritchard 1955: 72).

With this kind of literature in the palace, who needs pornography? Gilgamesh was a vile, filthy, man. Yet the myth says of him that he was “2/3 god and 1/3 man.”

 

Legend says that Nimrod married his own mother, whose name was Semiramis. Other legends say she was a brothel keeper and met Nimrod there. Here is part of a short article that explains their role in beginning the Babylonian system of idol worship and false “gods.”

“The name Semiramis is a later, Hellenized form of the Sumerian name "Sammur-amat", or "gift of the sea." The initial element "sammur" when translated into Hebrew becomes "Shinar" (the biblical name for lower Mesopotamia), and is the word from which we derive "Sumeria". This one tarnished woman then, had such a lasting impact upon world history that not only do we call by her name the land from which civilization flowed, but God himself through the sacred writer has let us know that its distinguishing characteristic was that it was "the Land of Shinar," or Semiramis. Very little has come down to us through the millennia concerning Semiramis' rise to power, but it is safe to assume that it was initially upon Nimrod's coattails that she rode, although later in life as well as throughout history her influence overwhelmingly obscured that of her husband. Of course, it would not do to have an ex-harlot upon the throne, so the "polite fiction" was invented that she was a virgin sprung from the sea at Nimrod's landing, and hence a suitable bride for the emperor (thus the title Semiramis which has totally obscured her original name).

 

Semiramis was the instigator in forming the false religion aimed at supporting their rule, and of course her suggestion fell upon open ears. The religion she invented was based primarily upon a corruption of the primeval astronomy formulated by Noah's righteous ancestors before the flood. In the original this system depicted by means of constellations the story of Satan's rebellion and the war in the heavens, his subversion of mankind, the fall of Adam and Eve, the promise of One to come who would suffer and die to relieve man from the curse of sin then be installed as Lord of Creation, and the final re-subjugation of the cosmos to God through Him.

These eternal truths were corrupted by her (rather, quite obviously, by the evil one controlling her) into a mythic cycle wherein the great dragon is depicted as the rightful lord of the universe whose throne has been temporarily usurped by One whom we can recognize as the God of the Bible. The serpent creates man in his present miserable state, but promises that a child would one day be born of a divine mother---which child would supplant God, become a god himself, and return rulership of the Earth to the serpent. These fables were based upon the then widely-known story of the constellations, and were introduced under the guise of revealing the hidden esoteric knowledge concealed in them (regardless of the fact that the original was quite straightforward).

 

Although this esotericism was the second element in Semiramis' cult, it only masked the actual goal, which was the worship of the "heavenly host," which the Bible equates with Satan's army of fallen angels. Satan was quite willing to receive worship "by proxy," hence the third major element of the mystery religion was emperor-worship. This religion was propagated by a hierarchy of priests and priestesses, to whom were assigned the task of initiating the populace at large into its ascending degrees of revelation, culminating at the highest level in both direct worship of Satan and demon-possession.

Although Nimrod was a brilliant strategist, he made a fatal blunder when he allowed Semiramis to retain full control over this religious hierarchy, and through it the minds and hearts of the people; for when a schism occurred between them she was able to turn it from a tool of support into a deadly weapon. The rift between husband and wife occurred when the queen bore an illegitimate son, and the king threatened her with both dethronement and exposure of her true origin. Semiramis, of course would not allow this to take place, and devised a plot to overthrow Nimrod.

 

During the course of the New Year's festivities at which the advent of Nimrod's rule was celebrated, there was a certain feast exclusively for the royal family and the upper echelons of the priesthood. During this feast, which included "courses" of psychedelic and hallucinogenic drugs, a year-old ram was traditionally sacrificed by being torn limb-from-limb while still alive, and its flesh eaten raw. This ram symbolized the old year passing into the heavens to allow room for the new year. A new-born lamb was then presented which, symbolizing the new year, would be kept and fattened for the next year's ceremonies. This year Semiramis directed the ritual according to the formula, with the exception that when the time came for the ram to be slaughtered, it was the king who was torn to pieces at the hands of the drug-crazed priesthood and Semiramis' bastard son was installed as king. Thus Nimrod, the mighty hunter, died a horrible death as a trapped beast himself.

Semiramis named her son Damu (from the Sumerian "dam," or blood), which in the later Babylonian language became Dammuzi, in Hebrew Tammuz, and in Greek Adonis. Of course, Semiramis assumed the regency for her infant son, and ruled as absolute monarch for 42 more years. In order to avoid having to kill her son on the next New Year's Day, she instituted an annual nation-wide sports competition, the winner of which would have the "honor" of taking Damu's place and ascending into heaven to become a god. (read about women weeping for Tammuz in Eze. 8.)

 

Semiramis was not unopposed in her arrogation of the regency, however, or her rule as a woman. The military arm of the government was divided into two camps for and against her, and a short war ensued which ended when the populace (roused by the priesthood) not only refused to support the "rebels" but actively opposed them. In the course of this war, though, things became so close that Semiramis was forced to build a system of walls, towers, and gates around Babylon to defend herself. She was thus the first to build fortifications and her crown afterwards was in the form of the turreted walls of Babylon. To oppose the accusations of "mere" womanhood laid against her, she had herself deified as the mother of the god Damu (since only a god can beget a god) , and installed as "The Queen of Heaven" pictured in the constellation Cassiopeia, which the ancients had intended as a corporate representation of those people faithful to God who will be enthroned by Him after the end of the age.

In spite of her cleverness, though, she also sowed the seeds of her own destruction. As she raised her son, she imbued him with divinity in the eyes of the priests and people as the means of retaining control as the divine mother without seeming to aggrandize herself. As Damu grew he became used to having every whim instantly gratified by a subservient, indeed groveling, populace. For safety's sake he had a personal bodyguard/companion group which he was never without, and which formed an elite corps of soldiery loyal and accountable to him alone. Upon coming to maturity and demanding of his mother to be installed as king, she not only refused him this--but, seeing him now as a challenge to her rule, slated him for the same death she had meted to his father. Damu caught on to her scheme, and pre-empted his "assumption" by slaying his mother with his own sword, and putting down any priestly protests by purging the hierarchy of all who would not vow allegiance to him. Thus Semiramis died after reigning as queen over Babylon for 102 years.

 

These events laid the groundwork for all of the pagan religious systems of antiquity, as well as many alive today. Semiramis, in particular was the model and original of every goddess and female cult figure in the ancient and modern worlds (either directly or by derivation); and thus it is essential to know her story in order to discern what is factual legend and what is merely myth.” by Bryce Self
onesimus@ix.netcom.com

 

So we see that this couple and their (or her) son, Tammuz, actually began what has become known as “Babylon the great,” and surprisingly, is still with us today. The entire thing is based on sun and sex worship. Among other names that Semiramis carried was (and is) Diana of the Ephesians (Acts 19:28-35), Artemis, Venus, Ishtar, Easter, Astarte, Aphrodite (from whence our word “aphrodisiac” comes), Ceres, goddess of grain (from whence our word “cereal” comes), Beltis, the queen of heaven, and so on ad infinitum.

 

Formerly the spring equinox was on March 25 and was known as “Lady day,” because Semiramis-Ishtar-Easter became pregnant with Tammuz on that day. The winter solstice was on December 25, and so exactly 9 months later, on December 25, Tammuz was born. After he was killed, Easter (Ishtar) said he had ascended to heaven, and was now the Sun God, and she was the Queen of Heaven.

 

A huge year-end celebration was kicked off on this date. It was a time of merry-making, exchanging of gifts, orgies, licentiousness, drunkenness. Huge bonfires were kept burning, especially in the northern climes, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, etc. This was to encourage the return of the Sun god from the south to warm the north regions. And it worked! (or so they thought). The sun began its journey back from the south, to make its circuit again.

“Lady Day” eventually became known as Easter day. It was a day devoted to sex and sex objects such as eggs and bunny rabbits. 

 

But how, then, did these abominable practices come into the “Church”? Here is how it was done:

When the Roman empire was expanding and taking in new territory, the Roman Catholic church wanted to convert the heathen, pagan people to Christianity. That was all right with them, as long as they could keep their pagan traditions. And that was all right with the Roman church; they just re-named some of them. Passover became Easter, Saturnalia (worship of Saturn) became Christ-mass, etc.

But they were still celebrated on the pagan dates and with the pagan customs, the same ones that had been celebrated for 3,500 years, since the days of Nimrod and Semiramis, the ones you are familiar with today i.e., Santa Claus instead of Yahshua the Messiah; St. Valentine’s Day, Easter instead of Passover, with its “Lent,” women weeping for Tammuz; Easter sunrise services to worship the sun as it rises in the east. See Ezekiel 8 all. It’s only 18 verses, so read it carefully. Do you see some familiar practices?

 

After all this time, we still have these heathen practices with us today, worshipping the “sun god” instead of the Son of Yah, and worshipping an immoral woman, long-since dead. We still have remnants of Yahweh’s Holy Days, such as the tradition of spring house cleaning. This comes from the instructions for how to prepare for the Days of Unleavened Bread, when leavening and leavened products are to be removed from our homes for seven days. We have autumn harvest festivals like county and state fairs, in place of Yahweh’s Feast of Tabernacles. It’s tradition. It is also a sign that we are physical descendants of the so-called “Lost 10 Tribes of Israel.” But this is a subject for another day.

I could go on and on. There is so much more. But this at least scratches the surface. Many of these pagan things and their sources have been revealed in books. One in particular is “The Two Babylons,” by Alexander Hislop. He was a Presbyterian minister who came to realize that the Catholic Church had adopted, and her daughters the Protestants had accepted, the pagan practices going back 4,000 years. He wrote almost 100 years ago and his work was widely read and accepted as true. But alas, there was no outcry against this abominable sin, no rush to repent, no signs of remorse. Just silent acceptance. Do you think Yahweh is pleased with this syncretism (mixing of Truth with Error)? Here is what our Master, Yahweh, said to our ancestors:

Deut. 12:29-32 When Yahweh thy Elohim shall cut off the nations from before thee, whither thou goest to possess them, and thou succeedest them, and dwellest in their land; Take heed to thyself that thou be not snared by following them, after that they be destroyed from before thee; and that thou enquire not after their gods, saying, How did these nations serve their gods? even so will I do likewise. Thou shalt not do so unto Yahweh thy Elohim: for every abomination to Yahweh, which he hateth, have they done unto their gods; for even their sons and their daughters they have burnt in the fire to their gods. What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.

But they did not heed. They were not faithful to their new Husband, Yahweh, but went, as He put it, “a whoring after other gods.” He knew they would, as He prophesied in these verses:

(Deu 31:16)  And Yahweh said unto Moses, Behold, thou shalt sleep with thy fathers; and this people will rise up, and go a whoring after the gods of the strangers of the land, whither they go to be among them, and will forsake me, and break my covenant which I have made with them.

(Jdg 2:17)  And yet they would not hearken unto their judges, but they went a whoring after other gods, and bowed themselves unto them: they turned quickly out of the way which their fathers walked in, obeying the commandments of Yahweh; but they did not so.

(Jdg 8:27)  And Gideon made an ephod thereof, and put it in his city, even in Ophrah: and all Israel went thither a whoring after it: which thing became a snare unto Gideon, and to his house.

(Jdg 8:33)  And it came to pass, as soon as Gideon was dead, that the children of Israel turned again, and went a whoring after Baalim, and made Baalberith their god.

(1Ch 5:25)  And they transgressed against the Elohim of their fathers, and went a whoring after the gods of the people of the land, whom Yahweh destroyed before them..”

Will we do any better? We must, or else we die! “Come out of Babylon, O My people!”~ fb

 

Weekly Sabbath Meetings

For information about local meetings, call me, Frank Brown, at 479-754-2553.

Expected New Moon Days in 2011:

(Visible after sundown on the evening before dates listed):

 

Jan 6, 2011; Feb 4, Mar 6, Apr 5 (Scriptural New Years Day), May 5, Jun 3, Jul 3, Aug 1, Aug 31, Sep 29 (Feast of Trumpets), Oct 29, Nov 27, Dec 26.

Solstices and Equinoxes, 2011:

Spring Equinox (spring begins) 6:21 PM March 20, CDT;

Summer Solstice (summer begins) 12:16 PM June 21;

Fall Equinox (autumn begins) 4:05 AM Sept. 23;

Winter Solstice (winter begins) 11:30 AM Dec. 21.

 

Schedule of 2011 Feast Days:

 

Resources

[Please Note: Opinions expressed in this newsletter by others may or may not reflect the views of the Editor or of this Assembly. Also, we do not endorse all the doctrines and/or practices of the resources listed below]

 

Correspondence courses, etc.  Since I am frequently asked, here is a list of a few assemblies that I know of who offer DVD or CD sermons, correspondence courses, newsletters, literature and/or magazines:

Yahweh’s Restoration Ministry, PO Box 463, Holts Summit, MO 65043-0463; Correspondence Course & Newsletter; also on-line Sabbath services.

Assemblies of Yahweh, PO Drawer C, Bethel, PA 19507; Correspondence Course & The Sacred Name Broadcaster Magazine; “The Sacred Scriptures” $25 + $5 shipping = $30.

Yahweh’s Evangelistic Assembly, PO Box 31, Atlanta, TX 75551-0031. Yahweh’s Witness Magazine; YEA newsletter; Correspondence Course.

Yahweh’s Assembly in Messiah, 401 N. Roby Farm Rd. Rocheport, MO 65279; Correspondence Course & The Master Key Magazine, and DVDs of our Sabbath services.

Yahweh’s Assembly in Yahshua, 2963 County Road 233, Kingdom City, MO 65262. DVDs, CDs, Newsletter & Magazine; Correspondence Course.

Search the Scriptures Ministry, PO Box 32, Clarksville, AR 72830-0032. Newsletter, Literature, Booklets and Articles. Inquire about Sacred Name Bibles and Concordances. “The Scriptures,” Sacred Name Bible is available from STS for (soft back) donation of $25 postpaid, (hard backs in print again) $30 ppd.

The Word of Yahweh, 2^nd Edition (Sacred Name Bible) is available from Assembly of Yahweh, 1017 N. Gunnell Rd., Eaton Rapids, MI 48827 USA. Bonded Leather $40; Hard Cover $25 each or $200 for case of 10; Soft Cover $20 each or $180 for case of 12. S&H $5 each via priority mail or $30 per case priority mail, or $20 per case via media mail in USA. Canada $10 each, priority intl.; $50 per case (10 or 12), priority mail international. Other foreign please write for rates. The Faith Magazine is available, too.

Machine embroidery using the Sacred Names (in Paleo or Modern Hebrew.)  T-shirts $17, state size and color, other shirts must be purchased by you and sent to me.  Most embroidery $10.  Pick a short verse, part of a verse or phrase to have embroidered.

Example:   hwhy is my shepherd, Psalm 23

 

Birth Announcement

 

Matt & Carrie Kelly of Green Forest, AR announce the birth of their daughter, Tabitha Arizona Kelly, on Wed. Oct. 6, 2010 at 9:34 PM. She weighed 6 lbs 3 oz, and was 19” long. Mom & baby doing well.

Baptisms

 

The following baptismal report was submitted by Pastor Joey Griffin, Sr. of baptisms at the Okeechobee Corr.  Institute, Okeechobee, Florida:

Eleven new brothers were added to the Assembly of Yahweh through the immersion into the Names of our Heavenly Father, Yahweh, and His Son, Yahshua the Messiah. Eight of the baptisms were conducted by Elders Raymond Huff, Nick Lytle, and Pastor Joey, on 9-10-2010, and the other three on 10-2-1020.

The officiator at the service was Chaplain Stephen Sandeen of the Florida Dep’t. of Corrections. We are asking for prayer for all these men who have been called out of darkness into His marvelous light! Praise Yahweh for His servants who are shedding light in the darkest of all places! Amein! (So be it).

The eight new brethren (9-10) are: Efren Berumen, Cesar Sandino Zelaya, Thomas Rossi, Craig Stroud, William Flemming, Armando Joaquin Amaya, Robert Jenkins, Daniel Quigley, and 5 weeks later (10-2) three more: David Patton, Christopher Pozzi, and Ramon Ortiz.

Please keep these new men and their mentors in your prayers. And, leaders of prison groups, please send names of those in your Fellowships who are immersed.

Feast of Tabernacles , 2010

We had a series of good, spiritual meeting, even though the attendance was small. We were blessed with musical talent and praise music provided by our daughter, Theresa Dean on keyboard and E. B. Gilbert III on guitar, and a great-granddaughter, Riley Dean, on her violin. We heard some good, spiritual messages, including a few DVD and CD messages. Time was made for comments after each session. ~

 

Did the “Church” Begin at Pentecost?

By Arthur L. Cox – reprinted in Petah Tikvah from

Gates of Eden, PO Box 2257, E. Peoria, IL 61611-0257

(Ed. Note: Pagan titles left intact)

 

vangelical Dispensationalism teaches that “the Church” began on the Day of Pentecost in Acts chapter 2, and that God birthed the Church separate and distinct from Old Testament Judaism. Its fullness and final achievement would be identified as the Gentile Church composed of Christians.

Evangelical Dispensationalism teaches that the physical children of Abraham (Israelites) are God’s people, but that God also has another people made up primarily of Gentiles (non-Israelites) called “The Church.” Those that have come to believe in Jesus as the Messiah are considered the Bride of Christ.

It is thought that these two groups, Jews and Gentiles, have remained separate according to the plan and will of God, and that God’s plan is to work through the Gentile Church until the “rapture,” then God will turn His attention back to Israel during the tribulation to draw Israel back to Himself. But was there ever a plan for a Gentile Church separate from the nation of Israel? And did the Church begin at Pentecost in Acts chapter 2? After all, the Lord did not say, “Stay in Jerusalem till you receive the Church,” but “till you receive power (the Holy Spirit).”

 

In Acts chapter 7, Stephen gives an account of the people of Israel in the wilderness. In verse 38, Stephen calls Israel “the Church in the wilderness” (KJV).

So, when did the church start? The word “church” is translated from the Greek word ekklesia, which means “the called-out ones.” Who was the first called-out one? And called out of what? Certainly we are called out of the world’s ways and sin. Revelation 18:4 calls God’s people out of Babylon. Babylon means “confusion.” Babylon was the beginning of all organized false religion, led by the first anti-Christ, Nimrod (Gen. 11). In 1 Corinthians 14:33 it says God is not the author of confusion, so the called-out ones are called out of worldly ways, sin, and confusion.

Now who was the first called-out one? That is, called out of Babylon? Abraham was called out of Ur of the Chaldees, out of Babylon. Abraham was called out of Babylon by the same voice that calls today, “Come out of her, My people” (Rev. 18:4).

Abraham and his descendants were the first called-out ones in the Bible. This was the “Birth of the Church,” Abraham and his descendants, Israel. Israel is the “Church.”

The Israelites throughout the Old Testament were referred to as the “church” in the Septuagint. The Septuagint is the Greek translation of the Hebrew Old Testament. It dates to about 200 years before Christ. The translators had long considered the congregation of Israel as the Church. When the Septuagint uses the same Greek word Ekklesia, it refers to the congregation or assembly of Israel.

Pentecost was not the birth of the Church, it was the empowering of the Church to begin the work of the restoration of Israel. There were no Gentiles mentioned in Acts chapter 2 on the Day of Pentecost. The crowd was made up of Israelites and converts to Judaism from many regions. It was a taste of what God was going to do in gathering the kingdom back to Israel.

 

The rejection of Jesus by the religious leaders would not stop the restoring of the kingdom to Israel; it would only reveal how God was going to include the Gentiles into the Faith. However, this inclusion of the Gentiles would not take place immediately. The Church with Messiah as the Foundation would continue and grow almost exclusively of Israelites. God would set the main structure of this house (Church) firm among the Israelites for approximately twenty years before opening the doors to the Gentile world, as discussed in Acts 15. This was to keep the identity of the Church as the nation of Israel. The Gentiles would not make up the identity of the Church, they would be grafted into the Church. The Gentiles would not replace Israel, they would become part of the Commonwealth of Israel (Ephesians 2:12-13).

It was not until later that the Gentiles would become known as the Church apart from Israel. That happened after the Church became apostate under Roman Catholicism. The fact that Israel (that is, all twelve tribes and those grafted in) are the only true people of God is a theme throughout the Bible.

Yes, God is a God of the Gentiles, but this refers to Him as their Creator, not to covenantal promises. In covenantal promises, Gentiles are grafted in, adopted, and then no longer Gentiles. Ephesians 2:11-13 says “You who were at one time in the past Gentiles are no longer through the sacrifice of Messiah.

Jeremiah 31:31 prophesies of the “new covenant” that Jesus confirms when He says, “Drink, this is My blood of the new covenant. This covenant is with the House of Israel (the northern kingdom) and with Judah (the southern kingdom). When Jeremiah spoke of this new covenant with Israel, Israel had already been conquered and scattered by Assyria. Jeremiah knew that God would someday regather the scattered tribes of Israel, then the twelve tribes would be together again, and David’s dynasty would be restored under Messiah. Before Jesus’ ascension the disciples asked, “Will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6).

 

This new covenant spoken of did not mention Gentiles, so how do Gentiles get included? By becoming a part of Israel, grafted in or adopted. I’m not saying that Gentiles need to convert to Judaism. Gentiles are grafted in when they put their faith in Yeshua (Jesus). Romans chapter 11 says that all those who put their faith in Israel’s Messiah are grafted into Israel; they do not replace Israel.

Revelation chapter 21 gives a beautiful description of the Bride of Messiah. She comes down out of heaven not as a Gentile church, but as a holy city, New Jerusalem.

The New Jerusalem is not described with the architecture of the nations, but as a truly restored kingdom of Israel. There is a wall around the city with twelve foundations and twelve gates built on those foundations. On the foundations are written the names of the twelve apostles. The names above each gate are the names of the twelve tribes of Israel. In other words, one gate for passage is for the tribe of Asher, another for Benjamin, etc. However, there is no gate for Gentiles. That’s because Gentiles will be included into a particular tribe and will use the gate pertaining to that tribe. Ezekiel says the Gentiles will be connected to whichever tribe pertains to them (Eze. 47:23).

 

The idea of a separate and distinct Gentile church replacing Israel or existing in addition to the Biblical nation of Israel is counterfeit. I’m not saying that true Bible-believing born-again believers are counterfeit. I’m saying they don’t really know who they are; they don’t realize that they are a part or Israel, they are no longer foreigners to the promises and laws of Israel.

This counterfeit Gentile church theology must be exposed as a doctrine of Babylon, or of a daughter of Babylon. In Revelation 17, Babylon is described with imagery that leaves one with little doubt that it is a clear reference to the Roman Catholic Church that killed God’s true people and changed times, laws, and seasons. The Catholic Church is responsible for changing and       re-identifying the “faith” that Yeshua (Jesus) charged His disciples to take to the world.

As time went on, the Church became less and less Hebraic, and more and more Gentile, until finally, Rome would re-identify the Church as something separate and distinct from Israel.

Moreover, Revelation 17:5 says the whore (the Roman Catholic Church) has daughters who at least resemble their mother. They look somewhat different, claiming to be their own persons, separate and distinct, but when the veil is lifted, one can see that the daughters are much like the mother.

 

Protestantism claims to be separate and distinct from Catholicism. In some ways this is true, but in regard to its recognition of and affiliation with Israel, there is no difference. Protestantism has followed the confusion their mother introduced into the Church by changing the Sabbath from Saturday to Sunday, by replacing the Biblical Holy Days (Passover, Tabernacles, etc.) with pagan holidays (Easter, Christmas, etc.), and by teaching against the Biblical dietary laws. Protestantism says “Bible only,” yet Protestants embrace the same theology as the Catholic Church when it comes to these things. This is a plea to Protestants to take another look at their relationship to Israel and the restoration of the kingdom of Israel.

The only Biblical definition of the Church is the Biblical nation of Israel. I’m not referring to the present unbelieving modern-day State of Israel. What I am referring to is that remnant of Israel that has always been faithful (Romans 11:5). Those Messianic Israelites, “to which ouir twelve tribes hope to attain as they earnestly worship night and day (Acts 26:7). They are working for the restoration of the Kingdom of Israel.

The Gentile Church must renounce their claims to an identity and purpose that is separate from the Biblical nation of Israel.

The Kingdom of Israel will be restored, and it will be made up of the literal blood descendants of Abraham, and of those who are grafted in or adopted sons and daughters of Abraham. Then all Israel will be saved! Amen! (I add HalleluYAH). ~

 

A Bit of Bad News

Newsletters bring both good news and bad news. Now for some bad news: It has been reported that Lew White of “Torah Zone,” and author of several books, including Fossilized Customs, owns a 50% interest in a “head shop” and record store, known as “Electric Ladyland,” located in Louisville, KY. They sell pipes and bongs and other paraphernalia used in drug use. They also stock and sell acid rock and hard rock albums, CDs, etc., as well as posters of these unsavory performers. It is open seven days a week, selling to the public.

 

He admits all this, but says that Yahshua owns the shop; it is part of his ministry to the poor and down-trodden, and that Torah Zone could not survive without the income from this store. He strongly defends his position. Some of his defenders accuse his accusers of “La Shon Hara,” the evil tongue, and say the accusers did not follow proper Matthew 18 procedures.

 

But in a lengthy response, one group in particular explained that they have been pleading with him to repent and divest himself of this evil enterprise for two years, to no avail. They have gone both personally, face to face with him, and have written letters to him without results, and so that is why they are bringing it before the rest of us, the collective assemblies and congregations of Yahweh. This is in accordance with Matthew 18 requirements.

 

I have read their charges, plus testimonies from others who are aware of the situation, and have read Lew’s response. Based on all this, I believe he should give it up. Here is why:

1) Unequally yoked; his partner is not a Believer. Lew says he has no control, yet owns 50% of it. (2 Cor. 6:14).

2) Sinful enterprise; drug paraphernalia, hard rock and acid rock albums and posters; (Love thy neighbor?).

3) Sabbath breaking; (open 7 days a week buying and selling. (Isaiah 58:13, Neh. 13:16).

4) Claims Yahshua “owns” it;

5) Claims his “work” could not survive financially without it, (If it is of Yahweh, He will provide).

This is a sad situation that should be quickly resolved. We should all pray for a quick resolution without condemning anyone. We can judge without condemning. In fact, we are commanded to “judge righteous judgment,” John 7:24.  Could Bro. Lew be deceiving himself? See the next article~
                               

The Depth of Deception
  By David Andrew Douglas

 

Deception is a tool being utilized in our modern world with deadly consequences. It is being used to manipulate individuals, society, and whole nations. It is diametrically opposed to truth. Deception has two major facets: (1) deception of others; (2) deception of self.

 

One of the scriptures that talks about deception of others is Rev. 12:9 – “…that old serpent, called the devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world…” My first thoughts years ago about this verse were: Is that really possible? How could Satan manage that? Yahshua taught His disciples the “How” in his explanation of the parable of the sower. “…and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the Word (of Yah), and it becomes unfruitful.” (Mark 4:19).

 

If anyone can be sidetracked by worldly issues from hearing and following the true instructions contained in the Sacred Scriptures, then they can be deceived. Money and material possessions are often seen as providing a sense of security. Can money buy the gifts of the Spirit? Does money guarantee safety? Scripture plainly states: “For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” (I Tim. 6:10) So…lusting after desires of the flesh and material possessions has deceived and destroyed the lives and livelihoods of millions of individuals. All Satan had to do was sow a seed of “desire.” In Genesis 3:4, Hawwah (Eve) saw that the tree was good…and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be DESIRED to make one wise. (Gen. 3:6). She relied upon the desires of her senses/flesh as the basis for her choice… and deception, destruction and death entered.

 

The Apostle Paul plainly taught the Galatians that “…the flesh lusteth against the Spirit (of Yahweh), and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.” (Gal. 5:17). In Romans, Paul taught: “For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.” (Rom. 8:5). Therefore we must choose the words and instructions of spirit and life… and we must say NO to the flesh! No one forces you to “feed the flesh”! You make personal choices, and your choice reveals whether you allowed “worldly things” to deceive you.

 

Whether it is Satan deceiving the whole world, or one individual deceiving another, the result is the same. Deception is fraud, and fraud is a perversion of the truth; and any perversion of the truth is a lie. The “father of all liars” strikes again! All because we allow ourselves to e sidetracked from the true instructions of Yahweh.

 

Beloved brethren, this article is specifically written to Believers first, i.e., those who are inside the assemblies; those who have a measure of enlightenment and have tasted of the heavenly gifts a loving Father has bestowed upon them. Common sense alone tells you that an unbeliever is already the victim of deception. It is of great significance that inside the body of Believers is ha Satan’s main target. The Apostle Paul was very aware of this problem 2,000 years ago, which he directly addressed in his letters to young Timothy. “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils.” (1 Tim. 4:1).

 

Inside the Assembly preachers, teachers, and leaders have the most influence over the body of believers. But they are men of flesh just like everyone else, and in the last days, that certainly appear to be upon us, Paul said, “Know this, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those who are good; traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of Yahweh; having a form of holiness, but denying thr power thereof…” (IITim. 3:1-5a). Then Paul specifically warns, “from such turn away,” (II Tim 3:5b). He goes on to say (they are) ever-learning (i.e. inside the Assembly hearing words of truth, life, and spirit), and never able to come to the knowledge of the Truth.” (II Tim 3:7). [Emphasis mine] Only the Spirit can reveal the things of the Spirit of Elohim. Paul is describing people who will be without the Spirit. “Now if any man have not the spirit of the Messiah, he is none of his.” (Rom. 8:9b).

 

My point: Anyone who thinks this does NOT include all pastors, preachrs, teachrs, and leaders in the Assembly, has already been deceived. Why? Just because someone can quote scripture and look good, does not a True Believer make! He must be ever on the lookout for “false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into Apostles of the Messiah. And no marvel, for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.” (See II Cor. 11:3-4, 13-14). Paul told Timothy, “But these evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, DECEIVING AND BEING DECEIVED (II Tim. 3:13). Take note: they are deceiving others and deceiving themselves! And all because they started listening to “deceiving spirits and doctrines of devils.” They got sidetracked by worldly issues or perhaps they got highminded / puffed up in their positions of power and leadership inside the assembly. They forgot their example set by Yahshua the Messiah. All true preachers and teachers lead by example, just like Yahshua did. Therefore they should be humble servants and not religious tyrants.

 

Why did the Apostle Paul warn Timothy about this problem to come? To keep him focused. Timothy ws exhorted to “preach the Word, be instant in season, ouit of season, reprove, rebuke exhort with all long suffering and doctrine,” 2 Tim 4:2. But please take notice. The very next passage is addressed to ALL laymen and to ALL pastors, preachers, and teachers. “For the time will come when theyh will not endure sound doctrine; bnut after their own lusts (desires) shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and theyshall turn away their ears from the truth, and theyh shall be turned unto fabnles (made-up stories and doctrines).” 2 Tim. 4:3-4). Everyone bears the personal responsibility to discern truth from error, and discovering the depth of deception used by Hs Satan is everyone’s job.

 

Have you ever really thought  about why Yahshua came down so hard on some of the Pharisees, Sadducees, Scribes and Lawyers? They were the leaders, and they were giving their “oral traditions, oral Torah,” first place over the written Torah given by Yahweh to Moses at Mt. Sinai. In other words, some of their doctrines were added by the mind of man and not by the will of Yahweh. They needed to be rebuked and corrected because they had wandered off the true path, and had perverted Yahweh’s true instructions.

 

And please understand that I am not talking about the oral Torah that agreed with the written Torah, but rather the doctrines of man that were ADDED for religious manipulation. Does that ever happen in our modern world? You bet! The two biggest tools for manipulation are money and religion!

Whenever anyone adds to the truth, takes away fromt eh truth, or simply hides the truth, he or she is perverting the truth. Any perversion of Truth is a weapon of deception; a lie.

 

Dear friends, TRUTH matters. Paul boldly warned of those who, in the latter days, will be deceived by “all power and signs, and lying wonders.” Why? Because they refused to love the Truth, and receive the promise of salvation. “Let no man deceive you,” says the Apostle Paul in 2 Thes. 2:3-12. Truth always matters to those who want to know Truth. “You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32). The Truth is free, but Yahshua will not force you to accept His free gift.

 

Friends, how important is Truth to you? Let’s really personalize this. What position do you give “Truth” in your life? Only Yahshua can liberate us. He can set us free and open our understanding, increasing our knowledge. This is done through and by His Spirit dwelling in us. That Spirit, the Ruach ha Kodesh, prevents us from making serious mistakes that are based on false teachings, doctrines of man, false conclusions, and incomplete or erroneous ideas that WE dream up.

 

People always make choices and have ideas, and they are always responsible for them. If our ideas alter the truth for any reason, then we have been deceived. And if we act on this false information, we will deceive others. When we follow the Truth, the spirit imparts life; if following lies and deception, it leads to death.

The choices that people have made in the past are the direct causes of the conditions our world is in today. The choices that you make today will determine your future, so think and plan wisely. ~ (Mr. Douglas’s article to be concluded in next issue, Jan-Mar 2011.)

 

 

Excerpt from Yahweh’s Vineyard of Refuge Neswsletter
By Barrie Wittrock

Greetings everyone:

 

Since our newsletter has grown to several pages, we will not be including it in Search-the-Scriptures Newsletter except for a short update, or special news from time to time, such as this. It is now able to stand on its own. Thanks to all who have helped us thus far with it.

 

Since our last newsletter we have purchased a 1-ton truck and we have entered into the firewood business. A nice farmer, a few miles north of town, gave us a place to cut trees. We then placed ads online, and put up fliers in several market places. The last 2 months we have been fairly busy with at least a couple of orders every week. We are selling seasoned, or green oak firewood at compatible prices A good product at a good price, on time. Our success in obtaining customers is proof to me that even in these financially difficult times, it is possible, with honest, hard work, to accomplish things. Cutting firewood is not a good way to make a living, although it does help put some food on the table. What it does do is give men an opportunity to earn some money while staying away from the world. An opportunity to work together. An opportunity to be responsible by knowing and taking care of their equipment, and their customers. Dedication to getting the job done, and in the end, feeling the rewards of all the above mentioned. Men who can be in the woods at daylight, get the wood cut and split, loaded on the truck, and delivered to the customer, despite flat tires, rain. snow, etc., can accomplish  much in the Great Name Of Yahweh!

 

We also have the option of purchasing a couple of mobile homes. They will need to be rebuilt and I believe that would be a good learning experience for men also. When we purchase property we could move the homes there. The homes are currently set up in a park where the lot rent is $150 per month, including water, sewer, and trash pick up.        

 

In 2009 we began requesting help to purchase property for a halfway house for these men. As of this date we have almost $5000.00 in our account for that purpose. Some of the money has been put there by us, through our tithes, garage sales, scrap metal sales etc. and some has been donated by those who want to see this program succeed. I make $7.50 an hour at my job, but Yahweh has allowed us to do much with little. Talk about being blessed! Presently, I am housing men in my home. I live in a zoned neighborhood that does not allow a business to operate, so the best I can  do is have them as guests, and that creates problems.

 

Regardless, the neighbors are aware of who we are, and our faith, and the prisoners here.  We are liked, trusted, and well respected, even though some of them would really like to convert us to their faith. One neighbor said they could really use some stand-up men like us in their church.

We must have a place where we can implement our program so that we can train these men as they come out of prison. Also, it is hard on my marriage. We both have proven that we are willing to sacrifice for Yahweh’s work, but we sure would appreciate some help in getting these guys a place so we can have more of a married life. Regardless, we are one, and we will do whatever Yahweh wills, to make this vision a virtual reality. 

 

Y.V.R. also does community service work here in Rolla. We are a known and welcome presence in the nursing homes, and we minister to 2 congregations, one here in Rolla, and one almost 100 miles away in Eldon MO. With Yahweh’s blessing, we are off to a good start, and things will grow even more in the years to come. Please pray for us as we forge ahead into new waters and please pray for a place for these guys so that we can help more of them as they are released from prison. It really would be a sigh of relief to get this halfway house program off the ground.

 

A special thanks to everyone who has helped and supported us along the way. There are too many to list here, but you all know who you are. Thanks and may Yahweh bless you! ~

Barrie A. Wittrock, Director

 

Search the Scriptures Newsletter (Email Version)

Issue #108,  Nov. – Dec.  2011

P. O. Box 32,

Clarksville, AR 72830-0032 USA

Phone: 1-479-754-2553

Email: efbrown@search-the-scriptures.org . or

servingyah@gmail.com

Phone: 1-479-754-2553