The Significance of Love in the New Covenant

Messiah gives us insight into the increased emphasis on love in the new covenant (Jeremiah 31: 31) during this conversation with a lawyer in Matthew 22: 35-40:

“Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, Master, which is the great commandment in the law?   Yahshua said unto him, Thou shalt love Yahweh thy Elohim with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.  This is the first and great commandment.  And the second is like unto it, thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.  On these two Commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”

Messiah quoted verse 37 above from Deuteronomy 6: 5: “And thou shalt love Yahweh thy Elohim with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.”  And as we have shown in other articles, the Yahweh of the Old Testament is Messiah. (First Corinthians 10: 4)   Therefore, both of these passages were spoken by Messiah. However, Matthew’s quote from Messiah indicates that His words were expanded by His addition of the second commandment that now carries the same significance as the first.

Mark supports this addition to Deuteronomy when he quotes an exchange that Messiah had with a scribe in Mark 12: 28-34:

“And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he answered them well, asked him, which is the first commandment of all?  And Yahshua answered him, the first of all the Commandments is, Hear, O Israel; Yahweh our Elohim is one Yahweh.  [Yahweh(English, Lord) our Elohim is one Yahweh (English, Lord): Quoted from Deuteronomy 6:4]  And thou shalt Love Yahweh thy Elohim with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, And with all thy strength: [quoted from Deuteronomy 6: 5] this is the first commandment.  And the second is like, namely this, thou shall love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other Commandments greater than these.  And the scribe said unto him, well, Master, thou hast said the truth for there is one Yahweh: and there is none other than he: And to love him with all thine heart, And with all the understanding, with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and to love his neighbor as himself, is more than whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.  And when Yahshua saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, thou art not far from the kingdom of Yahweh. And no man after that durst ask him any question.

Matthew and Mark are two witnesses that have established (Deuteronomy 19:15) that Messiah expanded upon the law that he gave to Moses when he walked the earth as Yahshua. This should not be surprising, after all, he informed us in Matthew 5:17 that he would be doing this: “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.”

The Greek word for fulfill is Strong’s number 4137. It means to complete or accomplish. The scribe’s understanding of what Messiah was saying brought him very close to having the right knowledge for entrance into the kingdom of Yahweh. The addition of loving your neighbor was quite significant.

The apostle John is a third witness to the relevance of love in the new covenant. Consider what John tells us in John 13:34:  “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.”  Again, in 1 John 2: 8-11 he refers to the new commandment concerning loving one another:

 “Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is passed, and the true light now shineth.  He that saith he is in the light, and he hateth [loves less] his brother, is in the darkness even until now.  He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.  But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.”

This additional commandment that Messiah informed us about is very significant. Without being able to demonstrate the quality of love he expects from us,we are unable to overcome into the better resurrection. John 14:21 teaches us this: “He that hath my Commandments and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me.”  We must take this very seriously. Messiah also said this in John 15: 14:  “Ye are my friends if ye do whatsoever I command you.”  You must ask yourself if you love Messiah and do you want to be his friend?   He will not accept your words only. He wants you to demonstrate your love for Yahweh AND one another.  You should not want to hear what the five unwise virgins heard in Matthew 25: 12: “I KNOW YOU NOT.”

What is the quality of love that Messiah requires of us?  Paul, who was personally taught by Messiah, describes this in 1Corinthians 13:4-7:

“Charity [modern English is love] suffereth long, and is kind; love envieth not; love vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doeth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;  Rejoiceth not in iniquity, rejoiceth in the truth;  Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.”

This is a very high standard. How do we even begin to attain it? We will not be able to do so with our carnal mind. (Romans 8: 7)  We must have the Spirit of Messiah being formed in us. (Galatians 4: 19) With baptism and laying on of hands, we received the Spirit of the Father. The Spirit of the Father begins the formation of the Spirit of Messiah within us. With the development of this spiritual fetus, we are able to begin to exhibit the quality of love Messiah expects. This is HIS love that we manifest. Only he can provide the ability to manifest the quality of love described by Paul.

The degree to which we love one another is a significant indicator of how we are progressing in the formation of the Spirit of Messiah. Remember what Paul tells us in Romans 8:9: “Now if any man have not the spirit of Messiah, he is none of his.”  Messiah will not acknowledge us as HIS!  This is serious. Is this why the five unwise virgins heard Messiah say, ”I know you not.”

It is indeed very important to know the name of Yahweh and his Son YahwehShua.  The 144,000 in the better resurrection have the name of the Father and Son on their foreheads. But, knowing the names, keeping the Sabbath, honoring the food laws, studying and praying is not enough. We are also to love one another. John confirms this in 1 John 3:23: “And this is his commandment, that we should believe on the name of his Son YahwehShua Messiah, and love one another, as he gave us Commandment.”  We are not able to choose one. We must have both knowledge AND love.

John confirms the importance of love in 1 John 3:14: ”We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.”  Heretofore, we have learned that if we call on the name of Yahshua, we have chosen the name of death.  This name was defiled by all of mankind’s sins. We cannot worship before Yahweh the Father in the name of Yahshua or be baptized in that name, which is the name of death. Now, we are told that if we do not love the brethren, that too is death. One without the other is death. It requires baptism in the name of YahwehShua to begin the formation of Messiah’s Spirit and then each depends on the other for life. Without both we will not overcome into the better resurrection.

Why did Messiah tell us in Luke 6:22 that, “blessed are ye, when men hate you”?  The reason is that being hated is an opportunity to manifest the love of Messiah that is being developed.  As we develop and practice HIS love, the spiritual fetus is nourished and strengthened.

This is also why he told us in Luke 6:32 that we are not to only, “Love them which love you”. He also said in verse 33 to not only, ”do good to them which do good to you.”  To love those who don’t show love to you or even persecute you is a challenge that can help you manifest Messiah’s love and further develop the spiritual fetus. Our goal following baptism is to encourage the development of the spiritual fetus so that we can overcome. Avoiding or failing opportunities of growth can slow down or even quench the formation of the Spirit of Messiah.

 Messiah continues in Luke 6: 35-38 to challenge us to grow: 

“But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great,  and ye shall be the children of the Highest:  for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.  Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.  Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:  Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.”

What he is telling us to do is counterintuitive to our carnal mind. We cannot do it. But, he can. This is why we must have the Spirit of Messiah formed within us.  Without His Spirit we cannot demonstrate his type of love nor be in the better resurrection.   In the resurrection, ”we shall be like him.” (1 John 3: 2)

 Let us review what Paul warns us in 1 Corinthians 13: 1-3:

“So I speak with the tongues of men and of angels and not have love, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.  And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not love, I am nothing.  And though I bestow all goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not love, it profiteth me nothing.”

This is very strong language. Love is the central theme of the New Covenant. Once we have the Spirit of the Father, we must pray for success in overcoming with opportunities to love one another. Remember, “ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.” (Matthew 7:7)  Yes, this will not be easy. It may even be painful. But this is what is necessary to overcome. Luke, in Acts 14:22, warns us in this manner: “We must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of Yahweh.”

The old covenant was a system of external guidelines. We had to demonstrate our faithfulness by how we followed the laws. That was under physical circumcision. Now we are circumcised in the heart. We still have external guidelines, but additionally we must have a changed heart and show this in how we treat one another.  This is not easy. That is why there will be only 144,000 firstfruits in the better resurrection. You must continue to be faithful to the Law, Sabbaths and all the external requirements. But we must exhibit true love to one another. We cannot fake it. It must be real. Each brother and sister in the faith has Messiah being formed within him or her. This is why what we do or not do to one another is doing or not doing to Messiah. (Matthew 25: 40-46)  Messiah knows the real you and will not be fooled.  So, don’t fool yourself by seeking to fake love.

What do I mean by faking love?  I have seen those who declare themselves to be a brother or sister make promises or commitments to do something to help a brother or sister and not keep that promise or commitment.  You may think that you are successfully deceiving that brother or sister, but in actual fact you are dealing with Messiah. Recall the example of Ananias and his wife in Acts chapter 5.  They too thought that they were just deceiving Peter, but Peter exposed their fake love. The penalty was death!  That is pretty dramatic. I have not seen that kind of result when I have witnessed brethren deceiving brethren.  While the penalty may not be instantly imposed, if that behavior continues it will probably result in a gradual process of quenching the Spirit of Messiah.  While the Father is certainly merciful, I would be careful.  Remember, you’re dealing with Messiah.  Apparently, Ananias and his wife forgot that. Don’t follow their example.

Developing and manifesting the love of Messiah is not a task for our carnal mind.  We must rely on Messiah. Paul gives us this very helpful reminder in Philippians 4: 13:  “I can do all things through Messiah which strengtheneth me.”  This is the time to: “Humble yourselves in the sight of Yahweh, and he shall lift you up.” (James 4: 10)  We must not fake it until we make it. We should be honest with Yahweh and repent of our weaknesses and deficiencies. Yahweh is ready to help us, but we must see the need and accept it.

Take the example of our brother, Epaphroditus, very seriously. (Philippians 2: 25- 30)  He risked his life and traveled 800 miles through dangerous circumstances to make sure his brother Paul had the money he needed. We must be willing to give of ourselves and our possessions to help one another.

Paul waited for this money while shackled to a Roman soldier. He was often imprisoned and suffered many troubles to be faithful to Messiah and to us, his brethren yet to come!  Are we willing to rely on Messiah to lead us and then go to where he leads us?  Do we trust him that much?  Loving, the way he is teaching us, requires us to trust him and wholeheartedly rely on him. It is not about us but about HIM.  We must be like him NOW, so we can be like him in the resurrection!

 If you wish to submit a question or comment, please email our Elder at john12e4567@gmail.com.

The Truth from the Scriptures

The King James Version of Genesis 1:1 reads this way: “In the beginning god created the heaven and the earth.”  After reviewing the Hebrew behind this translation, please consider this alternative: “For [the sake of] the firstfruit the mighty ones created the heaven and earth.”

The English word, beginning, is translated from the Strong’s Hebrew number 7225, a feminine singular noun.  The Hebrew word for Strong’s 7225 is resit and can also have the meaning of firstfruit.  Preceding this word is a Hebrew preposition, which is not translated in the English.

The next word of interest is the English word god. The Hebrew however, is Strong’s Hebrew #430 which is Elohim, a masculine, plural noun.  This Hebrew word is better translated as mighty ones.

The Creator of the heaven and earth is Yahweh, the Father and Son. (Colossians 1:15-16)  The Father and Son are one. (John 10:30)  The Hebrew Bible does not associate the word god with the name of our Creator.  The title of god is actually a reference to Satan who desires to be worshiped.  Actually his deception has been quite successful and thanks to the world’s religious leaders and Bible translations, he does get worshiped.  Please refer to the Companion Bible, Isaiah 65:11 and the notes associated with that verse.  The Hebrew word, gad (gawd) is a precursor to the English word god.

The next truth I would like to show you is in the “gap” between Genesis 1:1 and 1:2.  In verse one the heaven and earth were created. In verse two the earth was, “without form and void.”  How can something that has just been created become as described below in verse two? “And the earth was without form and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of Elohim moved upon the face of the waters.”

 Now compare this verse with what Isaiah tells us in Isaiah 45:18:  “For thus saith Yahweh that created the heavens; Elohim himself that formed the earth and made it; He has established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited:  I am Yahweh; and there is none else.”

In this verse we are told “He created it not in vain.”  The word vain is translated from the Hebrew Strong’s # 8414, tohu.  However, in Genesis 1:2 we are told the earth was “without form.”  Form is also translated from Strong’s Hebrew # 8414, tohu.  This Hebrew word means formless, waste or empty. Initially, according to Isaiah, the earth had form and was designed to be inhabited. However, between the creation referred to in Genesis 1:1 and the change referred to in Genesis 1:2 something happened.

In Genesis 1:2, the earth was empty. In Isaiah, however, it was not created empty. What happened?  Isaiah tells us in chapter 14 that Satan fell from heaven (verse 12) and he made the earth a wilderness. (Verse 17)  Messiah saw him fall from heaven (Luke 10:18) where he had been in a responsible position as a covering cherub. (Ezekiel 28:16)  Satan deceived one third of the angels, was ejected from heaven and in his anger damaged the earth. After the re-creation by Elohim, he continued his angry behavior and deception by deceiving Eve.

Another observation regarding Isaiah 45:18 is the English word, LORD.  This is the translator’s choice, not what the Hebrew says. The Hebrew word is actually the Tetragrammaton, yod, hey, waw, hey, or Yahweh.  This is the Creator’s name. (Isaiah 42:8)  This is a very significant fact. The name, Yahweh, is used almost 7000 times in the Old Testament. This is His name not the title, LORD, used by the translators. The last sentence in this scripture says, “I am Yahweh, and there is none else.”  These are words to LIVE by!

Do you believe the Scriptures? If not, then what they say to you has no meaning.  If you are drawn to the Scriptures, it is worthy of a true study. You must go beyond translations and study the words from which the translators derived their interpretations.

For example, the very first verse introduces firstfruit.  In first Corinthians 15:23 we are told this: “but every man in his own order: MESSIAH THE FIRSTFRUIT [it is singular in the Greek]; afterward they that are Messiah’s at his coming."  The very first verse introduces Messiah who we are told is the firstfruit.  The Bible, from beginning to end is all about him! (Isaiah 46:10)  It begins with his creating and ends with him turning all things over to his Father.

Who are we?  We are those that are called and chosen. (Matthew 22: 14)  We have been known since the foundation of the world. (Ephesians 1:4)  We are with him at his return, which will precede his thousand-year reign. (1 Corinthians 15:23)  We are a kind of firstfruits.  (James 1:18)  Our status as firstfruits is confirmed in Revelation 14:4:  [the 144,000]  “were redeemed among men, being the firstfruits unto Yahweh and to the lamb.”

What does it mean to be a “kind of firstfruit”?  John tells us that when we are resurrected, we shall be like Him. (1 John 3:2)   How does this happen?  His spirit is formed within us. (Galatians 4: 19) When hands are laid upon us following baptism, we receive the freely given Spirit of the Father.  From that beginning, a spiritual fetus is formed within us and if we have matured in the spirit, we are born again in the Better Resurrection. (Hebrews 11:35) Paul warns us in Romans 8:9 that we must have the spirit of Messiah to be resurrected. Messiah discussed this process with Nicodemus in John three.

Does this help you see why Satan is angry?  He held a high position as a covering cherub but it was not good enough. He knew that Yahweh intended to expand his family and that these new members would be higher than angels. In fact, we are told that they will judge angels! (1 Corinthians 6:3)

The world believes that there is a battle between Satan and Yahweh. Not so!  Yahweh is the Creator of all things, including Satan. As a created being, he must defer in all things to his Creator, Yahweh. Yahweh created Satan with sin. (Ezekiel 28: 15) This has all been part of the plan. Everything that has been created has been for the sake of the firstfruits. 

Evil began with Satan’s creation. (Isaiah 45:7)  Yahweh knew what Satan would do in the garden. Yahweh wants those who overcome and are born again in the Better Resurrection to join him in New Jerusalem.   Sin and the role Satan plays is part of the plan.  These things are not happening by chance, but by design.

Do you understand this?  Do you wish to understand these and many other truths in the Scriptures?  You must pray to Yahweh for truth.  “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.” (Matthew 7:7)

You must know to whom you are praying. Messiah told us in Matthew 6:9 to pray to the Father.  Who is the Father?  His name is Yahweh.  Messiah explained this even further in John 14:13 by saying we must, “ask in my name.”  Therefore you must know the name of the Father, Yahweh, and the resurrected, inherited name of the Messiah, YahwehShua.

Praying to god is praying to Satan. Nowhere in the scripture does it say to pray to god. We are only to pray to Yahweh, that is his name. (Isaiah 42:8)

To have your understanding expanded and begin the process of overcoming, you must be baptized in the name of YahwehShua, which is the name of the Father and Son. This is the same name that the 144,000 will have on their foreheads in the Better Resurrection. (Revelation 14:1)  The Better Resurrection is our time for being resurrected. The rest of mankind will be resurrected later. Not one human being will be lost to death.  All mankind will live.  But at this time it may be your opportunity to be called and chosen to the Better Resurrection.  Paul was inspired to call this resurrection better.  I would seriously think about the opportunity that you have to be with the rest of the 144,000.

For more information contact an Elder at the Light of YahwehShua by email at john12e4567@gmail.com

How Do We "Overcometh"?

In Revelation, chapters two and three, we are introduced to the seven ekklesias.   The Greek word, ekklesia, can be translated as assembly or congregation, but never church.  Who do the seven groups represent? Is there a clue in the description of these ekklesias?  Yes, there is!

Below is a list of the seven ekklesias and the relevant verses in Revelation.

Ephesus:   Revelation 2:7:  “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the ekklesias; To him that overcometh, will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of Yahweh.”

Smyrna:  Revelation 2:11: “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the ekklesias; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.”

Pergamos:  Revelation 2:17:  “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the ekklesias; to him that overcome will I give to each of the hidden manna and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.”

Thyatira:   Revelation 2:26: “And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:”

Sardis:   Revelation 3:5: “He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.”

Philadelphia:  Revelation 3:12: “Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my Elohim and he will go out no more: and I will write upon him the name of my Elohim and the name of the city of my Elohim, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my Elohim and I will write upon him my new name.”

Laodicea:  Revelation 3:21: “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.”

Please take note of Revelation 2:11 which says: “He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.”  Not being hurt of the second death is also the promise made to the 144,000 who are resurrected when Messiah returns at the beginning of his thousand-year reign.  We are informed of this in Revelation 20:6: “Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power.”

This resurrection to life when Messiah returns, is also called the better resurrection. (Hebrews 11: 35)  Why is this considered better?  The 144,000 have spirit life. They are no longer physical beings.  This is a major difference when contrasted with the resurrection that occurs after the 1000 years. This is when the rest of all mankind, not in the better resurrection, will come to life. But they will be physical beings again. Ezekiel 37 describes this physical resurrection.

The 144,000 will no longer face death. The second death or Gehenna is the lake of fire. This second death has no power over the 144,000 spirit beings. However, Gehenna will have power over those in the resurrection that occurs during the Last Great Day or White Throne Judgment.  During the Last Great Day, those who are resurrected will be physical beings that will receive the Spirit of Yahweh as we have. They too must overcome to the end or will be in Gehenna. Their new physical life will be similar to what we are experiencing now.

The Scriptures describe what the experience of the lake of fire will be like. For example, here’s what we are told in Matthew 13:42: “and shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.” (See also Matthew 8:12; 13: 50; 22:13; 24: 51; 25:30; Luke 13:28)

The 144,000 will not have to experience the lake of fire. Revelation 14:4 tells us why: “These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth.”  You will certainly not find Messiah in the lake of fire and therefore not his saints!

It is interesting that the only requirement that is mentioned to be among the 144,000 is to overcome. Baptism and the laying on of hands are not indicated as requirements. However, the prerequisites to even be among those that have been given the opportunity to overcome is to repent, be baptized and have hands laid upon you. You must have been freely given the Spirit of the Father. Once you have that, the Spirit of Messiah will begin to be formed. (Galatians 4:19)

You must have the Spirit of Messiah fully formed when you die or you will not be in the better resurrection. (Romans 8: 11)  The second death has no power on the 144,000 because they will be like Messiah. (1 John 3: 2)

Remember the pattern that was given to Moses to build the Tabernacle after the heavenly example. (Exodus 25: 9)  Messiah was speaking in terms of a pattern when he told Nicodemus in John 3:3, “except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of Yahweh.”  Nicodemus thought Messiah was referring to a physical birth. No, Messiah was referring to the spiritual parallel to physical birth.

A physical man provides his sperm to the woman through intercourse. Sperm unites with a woman’s egg to create the fetus. The fetus will then be in a nine-month gestation period until birth. During this gestation period, a few may die. This is also true of the spiritual birth process. During our baptism, we receive the Spirit of the Father.  From the seed that is planted by the Father, our spiritual fetus is formed which we must develop over time. We must be careful to not quench the Spirit. (1 Thessalonians 5:19)  The spirit that may be quenched is the Spirit of Messiah, not the Spirit of the Father.

The parable of the sower, found in Matthew 13, indicates a 75% failure rate. This means that only 25% of the spiritual fetuses      survive to be born again. Baptism and laying on of hands is the precondition to even have the opportunity to overcome until our last dying breath. (Matthew 24:13)  Those who overcome are saved. We are saved by his life. (Romans 5:10)  Being in the better resurrection means that we will not see the second death.  In contrast, those resurrected during the Last Great Day have been reconciled, but are still physical beings.

How can we know that our overcoming is progressing? Being baptized and having hands laid on us is not an indicator. This is also true of keeping the Sabbath, eating clean food, studying, praying or even knowing the names of the Father and the Son.  These are all expected but are not a guarantee.  So what else is there that may help us understand our progress? Consider what we are told in first John 3:14: “We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.”

How we manifest our love toward our brothers and sisters appears to be a key ingredient in overcoming. It is this type of nourishment that the spiritual fetus must have to be born into the better resurrection.

We are told in first John 4:8 that: “Yahweh is love.”  Messiah told us that He and the Father are one. (John 10: 30)  Therefore, Messiah is also love and the spirit of Messiah is the source of the quality love that we need to overcome.  Therefore our progress in overcoming, as well as the development of His Spirit, may be the quality of love that we exhibit toward our brothers and sisters.  Notice Galatians 6:10:  “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”

The word, “especially” that is used is Strong’s 3122, malista, which means, chiefly, most or specially. Peter provides special recognition to the brethren in first Peter 2:17:  “Honor all men. Love the brotherhood.” Messiah expects a very high quality of love from us as His Spirit develops. He even commands us to love our enemies. (Matt. 5:44)

Messiah also gave us a new commandment in John 13:34: “that ye love one another, as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.” Now, that is a tall order. We are expected to love one another as He loved us. He really cares for each of us and expects the same level of concern from each of us for the other.

Matthew 25 should be reviewed. In verse 40, Messiah says: “In as much as ye have done it unto the least of these MY BRETHREN, ye have done it unto me.”  Messiah considers you, your brothers and your sisters as HIS BRETHREN.  The brotherhood of faith is given a special status, which should not be ignored.

First Corinthians 13 is devoted to defining love. This chapter should be read, studied and taken seriously. Paul, in first Corinthians 12:31, says this just before teaching us about love: “But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.”  That way is love. It is not the tongues of men and angels, prophecy, understanding mysteries, or having all knowledge or faith.  Without love we are nothing. Without the love of Messiah fully developed within us, we are nothing. We are in the lake of fire. The type of love Messiah commands us to have is our guidepost as to how the Spirit of Messiah is being developed within us.  We must seek the quality of love that Messiah demands. We must learn to consider our personal needs as less than the needs of our brother. We are to serve and not be served. Messiah said in John 14:15:  “If ye love me, keep my Commandments.”  When loving him, you love the brethren. You either do both or neither. Not to manifest love of this quality leads to quenching of His Spirit. You will not be in the better resurrection. You will be in the new earth, but not New Jerusalem. Please take seriously what I am saying.

Examine yourself.  Consider what the quality of love is that you have for your brothers and sisters.  Nothing we do is perfect. There is always room for improvement.  Where do we go for that?  Messiah!  He corrects those he loves.  Whatsoever we ask, we will receive.  We must go to the Father and ask in Messiah YahwehShua’s name!  Please search within yourself and seek improvement.   May Yahweh guide you in this effort to enhance your opportunity to be in the better resurrection.

 If you wish to submit a question or comment, please email our Elder at john12e4567@gmail.com.

Can You Become One of "MY PEOPLE"?

Revelation 18:4

Come out of her, MY PEOPLE, that ye be not partakers of her sins,

and that ye receive not of her plagues.

Romans 9:25

as he saith also in O’sea,[Hosea],  I will call them MY PEOPLE,  which were not my people;  and her beloved, which was not beloved.

Hosea 2:23

and I will sowher unto me in the earth; and I will have mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy;  and I will say to them which were not

MY PEOPLE, thou art MY PEOPLE; and they shall say, Thou art my Elohim.

Leviticus 26:12

And I will walk among you, and will be your Elohim, and ye shall be MY PEOPLE.

Second Corinthians 6:16-17

And what agreement hath the Temple of Elohim with idols?  For ye are the temple of the living Elohim; as Yahweh hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; I will be their Elohim, and they shall be MY PEOPLE.

The above verses share one concept in common and that is, MY PEOPLE.  In fact this phrase relates to two different groups. One is the Old Covenant Israel who Yahweh married at Mount Sinai. This was physical Israel.

Now remember that the Yahweh of the Old Covenant was in fact, Messiah. (1 Cor. 10: 4)  Israel’s husband became incarnate and walked the earth as Messiah Yahshua.  That marriage ended with the death of Messiah on the tree. Death is termination of the covenant between man and wife. (Romans 7: 2)

Yahweh called physical Israel of the Old Covenant, “MY PEOPLE”. However, after Messiah’s death, they were no longer in a marriage covenant as “MY PEOPLE.”  However, even though physical Israel failed in that marriage covenant by committing adultery, Yahweh is still loving toward his ex-wife. In the millennium, he will return and bring a remnant of physical Israel out of the world. This remnant will enjoy the promised land for 1000 years. He keeps his promise even though Israel did not.

The New Covenant is a marriage covenant as well. But this is a covenant between Yahweh and spiritual Israel. Spiritual Israel began at Pentecost. (Acts 2)  Since Pentecost, those who are baptized in YahwehShua have been called and chosen to be a Saint or member of the body of Messiah and are in fact being espoused to Messiah. (2 Cor. 11: 2)

Many are called but few are chosen for this opportunity. (Matt. 20: 16)  How many are able to overcome to the end and be firstfruits in the better resurrection? According to Revelation 14:1, only 144,000. The parable of the 10 virgins that we find in Matthew 25 indicates that the failure rate is 50%. The parable of the sower indicates it could be as much as 75%. Revelation 3:12 is clear; you must overcome to be qualified.

The foregoing discussion is based on the concept of “PATTERN”, which is first revealed in the book of Exodus. Moses was given a pattern for the construction of the Tabernacle which was based on a spiritual reality. David was given a pattern for the temple which he relayed to his son Solomon. There is a spiritual reality and a physical manifestation of that reality.

You are aware that there is a physical Jerusalem, but in Revelation it is revealed that there is also a heavenly Jerusalem, New Jerusalem, which will eventually descend to a new earth. (Revelation 3:12; 21:2) 

New Jerusalem has 12 gates. Each gate is named for a tribe of Israel. These names are not of physical Israel but spiritual Israel. We are told in 1 Corinthians 15:50 that flesh and blood cannot enter the kingdom of Elohim. Therefore these gates can only be for spiritual Israel.

Since Pentecost, when the comforter was sent from heaven, those called and chosen were baptized in water and Spirit. (John 3: 5)  The laying on of hands initiated the forming of the spirit of Messiah in the person being baptized.  We are grafted into spiritual Israel through His spirit being formed within us.  When we overcome and are resurrected, we are of spiritual Israel. We therefore can gain entrance into New Jerusalem through one of these gates.

In Revelation 18:4, John heard a voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, MY PEOPLE.”   This voice was referring to those of this age who were called, chosen and baptized in Spirit and water.

However, the most critical aspect of being baptized is in what name?  Peter revealed that name to us in Acts 2:38 when he said, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of YahwehShua Messiah”.  Just any name is not acceptable. It must be Messiah’s name and only that name which he had at the time Peter spoke. This would be his resurrected, inherited name (Hebrews 1: 4) and not his human name, Yahshua.  His inherited name includes the full name of his Father, Yahweh.

Is the full name of YahwehShua necessary?  The name that we are baptized in must include the Father’s name as well as the Son’s name.  This is confirmed in Revelation 14:1. Here we are told that the 144,000 have the name of the Father and the Son’s name in their foreheads.  If you desire to be in the better resurrection, this is the name you must have.

The voice from heaven told John that we must, “Come out”.  We must leave behind the lies, myths and false beliefs that Satan has used to deceive the world. What would these be?  Here is just a selection, but there are more.

1       Hell

2       The trinity

3       That the Royal Law is no longer required

4       Immortal soul

5       Messiah was impaled on a cross

6       Messiah was in the grave from Friday to Sunday

7       Messiah was born on December 25

8       The Sabbath was changed from the seventh day to the first day of the week

9       Our Creator’s name is L-D or G-d

10   The sun is the center of the universe

11   Messiah’s human name is Jesus

12   The earth revolves around the sun

These 12 deceptions are only a limited selection. To move beyond these lies you must be open to the truth. You can begin by praying to Yahweh for his truth and then continue by studying this website, studying the Scriptures and seeking guidance from the leadership of the Light of YahwehShua.

Paul tells us in Romans 8:7: “because the carnal mind is enmity against Elohim: for it is not subject to the law of Yahweh, neither indeed can be.”  Prior to baptism, we are exclusively carnal creatures unable to connect with Yahweh. Unless Yahweh calls us and opens our minds, we cannot know him. (John 6: 44)  If you desire to be one of HIS PEOPLE then you must pray to Yahweh for his truth and diligently seek him. If he leads you, you will seek baptism through the Light of YahwehShua.

The good news is that if you are not being called now, you will have a chance to be called in the general resurrection that occurs after the thousand years. This will be the resurrection when all mankind who has ever lived will be resurrected and given the spirit.

What a loving Creator!  Not one human being will remain dead. All will live again.  Many of those in the general resurrection will enter the kingdom. There is no hell or eternal torture.  Yahweh cannot fail. Yahweh is love!

There is so much more to learn. Pray to Yahweh. Have your mind opened to the truth. Be baptized in the name of YahwehShua and begin the greatest journey in this age.

 If you wish to submit a question or comment, please email our Elder at john12e4567@gmail.com.

The lightofyahwehshua.com reveals the importance of a name to both Yahweh and to Muhammed Ali

This month (June 2016) a world-famous boxer, Muhammad Ali, died.

He was born Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. and was named after his father. Later, after his conversion to Islam, he officially changed his name.

Muhammad Ali considered his birth name, a slave name. He is reported to have said, “I didn’t choose it and I don’t want it. I am Muhammad Ali, a free name, it means beloved of God, and I insist people use it when people speak to me.”

That is a very strong statement from a very physically strong man. Would you have challenged his wish to be called, Muhammad Ali? Probably not! His worldwide fame and strong physical presence would have been very intimidating. Most people would have submitted to his demand or avoid speaking to him.

Let us look at another very strong being: the creator of the earth and heavens. The King James version of the Bible, in Genesis 2:4, identifies this being as the LORD. However, when you look at the Hebrew, from which this is translated, it is not a title but a name: YAHWEH! This Hebrew name consists of four letters. This is why the name of Yahweh is referred to as the tetragrammaton.

In Isaiah 42:8, the Creator of all creation says this: “ I am Yahweh: that is my name.” Now that too is a very strong statement given by the strongest being that  exists. Would you challenge his command to call him by his chosen name, Yahweh? His power too, is very intimidating.

If we were wise, we would submit and address him by his chosen name.

It is a very worthwhile study to take a Strong’s Concordance and look at all the verses in the Old Testament that use LORD. This word can be found in the dictionary- lexicon section of this concordance, under the number 3068. This number identifies the Hebrew name for Yahweh. It is used nearly 7000 times in the Hebrew Scriptures.

Yet, the translators of the Hebrew into English ignored the true name of the most powerful being. He is in fact, their Creator as well! They substituted a title for his name-- how bold and deceptive. In fact, it is a lie! The apostle John tells us in his book, 1 John 2:21: “no lie is of the truth.” The truth is, the Creator’s name is YAHWEH and not the title LORD.

What is the origin of this lie?  The apostle John answers this question as well in John 8:44: “he (the devil) is a liar, and the father of it.”  Satan, the devil, lied to Eve in the Garden of Eden and has continued to lie to mankind ever since.

We can get angry at the translators and blame them. However, they are pawns, or dupes, who are being manipulated by very powerful forces. Listen to what the apostle Paul tells us in Ephesians 6:12: “for we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”

There you have it! Satan is the origin of all lies. He broadcasts his lies to unsuspecting humans who easily fall prey to his deception.

You would not want to challenge the boxer, Muhammad Ali!  He would not want to speak with you unless you called him by his chosen name. And yet he was simply flesh and blood!

Do you really want to challenge the MOST powerful being, your Creator?  I think NOT!  However, that is what we are doing when we call him by the title, LORD, and not his chosen name of YAHWEH! If you choose to use a title or a wrong name for your Creator there are consequences.

The book of Joel 2:32 says this: “whosoever shall call on the name of Yahweh shall be delivered.” The apostle Paul confirms the importance of this Scripture by quoting it in Romans 10:13: “for whosoever shall call upon the name of Yahweh shall be saved.” These scriptures very clearly tell us what the way of deliverance or salvation is. Which do you choose? To make the correct choice, you need to study what the Scriptures REALLY say and not what others tell you!

If you wanted to have a relationship with the boxer, Muhammad Ali, how would you address him? You would call him by his chosen name, not his birth name. Should you become rude, insistent or demanding to you use his birth name, Cassius Clay, you might find yourself in very deep trouble.

Well, it might be wise to approach the Creator, Yahweh, just as cautiously. If you desire a relationship with your Creator, then you must learn and use HIS true name and not a lie.

Have you been deceived?  Have you bought into the lie that your Creator is named LORD?  Now is the time to learn the truth! But where?

First, pray to YAHWEH for truth. Then, study our website very carefully.

Open your Bible and learn what it says about the importance of the name of Yahweh. Ask Yahweh to lead you to HIS truth and not Satan’s lies.

We are here to assist you in your awakening to YAHWEH’S truth. Please contact us and allow us to assist you in your journey,  If you wish to submit a question or comment, please email our Elder at john12e4567@gmail.com. May Yahweh guide you!