YahwehShua Comes to Kenya

This exciting adventure began with emails sent to The Light of YahwehShua in August 2015.  In part, one email said:

I desire most to be immersed with my family and the congregation.  Please inform me if there is a possibility for you to visit us and immerse us according to the Torah, Acts 8:26-40, [where] Philip immersed the Ethiopian eunuch, led by Yahweh.  That is why I believe the immersion is very important in the Kingdom of Yahweh because we must fulfill all righteousness as YahwehShua Deeds according to the Scripture., Matthew 3:15. Please come and teach us more about the kingdom of Yahweh and the set apart name of Yahweh and I can prepare for you a meeting for three days.  The congregation and I desire to affiliate with The Light of YahwehShua Congregation.

Shalom shalom,

Elder John

This email sent in August of 2015 resulted in a visit to Embu, Kenya in March of 2016.  This round trip of more than 17,000 miles produced the fruit of four baptisms in YahwehShua and teaching of many more.

The members of the congregation of YahwehShua in St. Louis supported and encouraged their elder to fulfill this request from Elder John of Embu, Kenya.

Initially the plan was for the elder and a sister in the faith who has extensive travel experience (and youth) to accompany him.  As the financial cost of the trip and the health of the elder became a concern, Elder John was invited to come to the USA.  We would financially support his trip, teach him, baptize him and return him to Kenya as an ordained elder.

Elder John applied to the US embassy twice for a visa to visit the USA.  Each time he was rejected.  This happened despite documentation and assurances from the members of the Light of YahwehShua.

After the second rejection and a review of finances, it was decided that our elder should travel alone to Kenya.  After much prayer about his health, the plans were made.

Our elder departed St. Louis on March 15 and returned on March 22.  While the journey was long, Yahweh delivered him and returned him on “the wings of an eagle.”

On his first day in Embu, our elder was told an amazing narrative by Elder John that brought clarity to his trip.  Please read the email below from Elder John that our elder requested he provide after our elder’s return to the USA.  Our elder was told this verbally while there with confirmation by Elder John’s wife, Lucy.

Shalom, Elder Bob,

I am very happy to hear that you arrived safely.  We were glad to be with you and really appreciated your generosity and your teachings. 

My dream from Yahweh:

In 1989, I became very sick and my father took me to three different hospitals but after various medical tests, no disease was found.  The doctor asked my father to take me back home, stay there, and wait for the will of God and my father took me back home and I stayed there suffering without knowing what to do.

One day, in the middle of the night while sleeping, I saw the iron sheets of my house blown out of the roof and my small bedroom was filled with light.  Then my bed was surrounded by people wearing long pure white dresses and they started feeding me with strange food that passed through my throat very fast like running wind.  This scared me a lot and while being in that state of fear, I started regaining my consciousness, and looked up and thought that there was no roof in my house.  There was much light and people in my bedroom surrounding me.  I jumped up to try to grab one of them, but unfortunately they shouted the word, HalleluYah and disappeared into the sky with the light.  I woke up, found myself in my bed and it was dark.  I lit my lamp and prayed.  When I woke up in the morning, I was completely healed.

And the following night, YahwehShua revealed himself to me again.  I saw myself flying up to the sky to visit Yahweh in heaven, and when I reached to the door of heaven, I met with a man who told me his name was YahwehShua and He asked me ‘where are you going?’  I replied,’ I am going to visit Yahweh’, then he asked me again, ‘what will you tell Yahweh when you meet Him?’  And I was not able to answer that question, and I kept quiet.  Then He told me with a commanding tone ‘go back on earth, and you will meet my servant from America.’

And suddenly, I woke up.  I prayed and knew that in my two dreams, it was Yahweh and his angels who had visited me.  Right now, my dearest Elder Bob, I have now realized that your teachings come from Yahweh because you have already visited us and taught us, immersed us in the inherited name, YahwehShua, and my dreams fulfilled.  HalleluYah.  You can share these dreams to other believers and your friends, so that they can know it is Yahweh who sent you to Kenya to fulfill his work.

Agape in YahwehShua,

Elder John

Notice in the dream or vision that Elder John experienced, that only one American is mentioned and the American would come to him.  This explained why only our elder would eventually travel alone and why Elder John’s requests for a visa were rejected.  Yahweh had described the terms of the trip in 1989 but our elder would only learn this after arriving in Embu, Kenya.

The Light of YahwehShua congregation in St. Louis now has an affiliate congregation in Embu, Kenya.  This was the plan of Yahweh revealed as early as 1989.  Our elder did not even the know the name of Yahweh or YahwehShua at that time.  But Yahweh knew him as he knows all those who are called and chosen.

Remember Ephesians 1:4:  “According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:”

Yes, Yahweh is very much involved in His creation.  The world is so blinded and polluted that His truth is obscured, but the light is still shining.

Do you, like Elder John, wonder about truth and your role in this end time?  Why not be like Elder John and pray to Yahweh for truth; ask, seek, knock!

Contact the Light of YahwehShua and learn if you are one those called from the foundation of the world!

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

The Day of Coverings: Old Covenant versus New Covenant

Most know the seventh Hebrew month and tenth day as, “atonement”.  The first usage of the word atonement Is found in Exodus 29:33: “and they shall eat those things wherewith the atonement was made, to consecrate and to sanctify them: but a stranger shall not eat thereof, because they are holy.”  The Hebrew word used here but translated atonement is kaphar, Strong’s number 3722.  Its essential meaning is to cover. Bullinger’s Companion Bible, in a footnote to this verse, says: “the English ‘at-one-ment’ has no connection whatsoever with the Hebrew word kaphar.”

The first usage of the Hebrew word in the Scriptures is in Genesis 6:14. In this usage, the word kaphar, translated pitch, is referring to a resin or material to seal the space between the Gopher wood used to construct the ark. This seal keeps the water out and the ark afloat.

In Leviticus 23:27, we are introduced to the day of atonement. The Hebrew word used here is kippurim, Strong’s number 3725. This is a plural Hebrew word meaning coverings. Again, this word is incorrectly translated as atonement. The proper name should be the Day of Coverings.

What is being covered here? In Exodus 30:15 we are told:  “And when they give an offering unto Yahweh, to make an atonement [cover] for your souls [lives].”  Just as the ark was sealed for its protection (Gen. 6:14), the Israelites were being sealed as a protective measure.

In Numbers 8:21, the word kaphar (3722) Is used when Aaron offers the Levites to Yahweh as an offering. They were being separated from all the Israelites for special work. This verse says: ”Aaron made an atonement [cover] for them to cleanse them.”  Therefore, one day a year, Aaron offers atonement for all Israelites with the purpose of cleansing them as an offering to Yahweh. Without this cover, they would not be acceptable and therefore could suffer punishment. Like the ark, they were sealed to prevent their destruction.

In Leviticus 16:34 we are told:  ”and this shall be an everlasting [age-abiding] statute unto you, to make an atonement [a cover] for the children of Israel for all their sins once a year.”  Now we know that they were being covered or protected due to their sins. This had to be renewed each year.

The Old Covenant Day of Coverings had to be repeated every year. This is confirmed in Hebrews 9:7: ”but into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people.”  However, under the New Covenant, Messiah entered a more perfect tabernacle, “by his own blood he entered once into the holy place, having obtained eternal [age-abiding, aionian] redemption for us.” (Hebrews 9: 12)  Under the New Covenant, Messiah only had to enter the more perfect tabernacle ONCE, no repetition is required.

This is confirmed again in Hebrews 10:12: ”but this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of Yahweh.”  The Old Covenant coverings are from animal blood. Something was very different under the New Covenant. This blood came not from animals but was ”the precious blood of Messiah, as a lamb without blemish and without spot.” (1 Peter 1: 19)

Now note that the observance of the Day of Coverings is listed in Leviticus 23, which is under the Old Covenant.  However it is not listed under the Doctrine of Messiah which is under the New Covenant, (Hebrews 6: 1-3)  The only two fall (or spring in the southern hemisphere) feasts enumerated in Hebrews 6 are the Day of Shouting (trumpets) and the Last Great Day.  Coverings and Tabernacles are not included.  Why is this?

Those called under the New Covenant are sealed once by the blood of Messiah. It cannot be repeated each year.  Remember what we are told in Hebrews 10: 25: “for if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more sacrifice for sins.”

Under the Old Covenant, the covering of the blood of animals had to be repeated each year. Each observance had a shelf life of only one year. The New Covenant, mediated by Messiah, required a single offering that could not be repeated. After Messiah made the offering, he sat down at the right hand of Yahweh. The High Priest under the Old Covenant must repeat each year the process of covering with animal blood. This High Priest was not able to sit down, but had to prepare for the next year.

We of the New Covenant are not held to the same requirement of the day of atonement under the Old Covenant. Under the Old Covenant, each participant must afflict themselves by fasting. But fasting cannot be required because the repetition of fasting is like the repetition of covering with animal blood. That blood and fasting was replaced by the one sacrifice of Messiah. Fasting is a work under the Old Covenant. We are told in Galatians 2:16 that: ”knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by the faith of YahwehShua Messiah, even we have believed in YahwehShua Messiah, that we might be justified by the faith of Messiah, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.”

Hebrews 6 reveals the absence of the requirement to observe Yom Kippurim.  Romans 5:11 tells us why this change was necessary:  "and not only so, but we also joy in Yahweh through our Sovereign, YahwehShua Messiah, by whom we have received the atonement."  [Covering or reconciliation]  The world, including those who are to be in the better resurrection, are NOW covered by His precious blood.  We, in this age, are not required to observe Yom Kippurim.  Participation in this annual Sabbath places you under the old covenant.  We, who are of the new covenant and now are the sons of Yahweh (1 John 3:2) should no longer keep the old covenant.  We need to fully embrace the new covenant.  We need to follow Paul's revised list and not Leviticus 23.

Fasting is a work of the law, something the physical Israelites did to be protected or covered. The reality is we are covered by the faith of Messiah. It is Messiah in us, His mind, His faith, that justifies us and will result in our being in the better resurrection. Remember he is being formed in us (Gal. 4: 19) and we shall be like him. (1 John 3: 2). The Old Covenant had a weak or temporary cleansing process. We of the New Covenant, have an enduring process because our High Priest is working through us. His success is our success.

Neither fasting nor building temporary dwellings during the Feast of Tabernacles means anything under the New Covenant. Messiah means everything. This is why the Doctrine of Messiah does not include the Day of Coverings or the Feast of Tabernacles in the list of feasts to be observed. These are works that were performed under the Old Covenant but are no longer necessary. Galatians 3: 11 reminds us: “the just shall live by faith.”

When the Old Covenant High Priest entered the holy of holies on the day of atonement, he wore a gold plate on his forehead with the name of Yahweh. Not his own name, his human name, but the name of Yahweh. When Messiah entered a more perfect tabernacle, he left his human name behind because he had inherited the more excellent name of Yahweh. Therefore he entered the more perfect tabernacle with the name of Yahweh. But this more excellent name of YahwehShua was the name of the Father and the Son. Aaron could only wear the name of Yahweh.  Messiah was one with the Father through that name. This was not just a title but an expression of who he was and now is.

John tells us in 2 John 9 that: “he that abides in the Doctrine of Messiah hath both the Father and the Son.”  When we are baptized, we call on the name of the Father and the Son. (Matt. 28: 19)  When we are resurrected on the Day of Shouting, we will have the name of the Father and Son on our foreheads.  (Rev. 14: 1)

John reminds us: ”he that denieth that YahwehShua is the Messiah he is the anti-messiah, that denieth the Father and Son.” (1 John 2: 22) The name of faith is the name of the Father and the Son, YahwehShua. We are justified by His faith and we demonstrate this through our works.  (James 2: 17-18)

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

What A Difference A “HEY” Makes

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The fifth letter of the Hebrew alphabet: hey

The fifth letter of the Hebrew alphabet is especially interesting. It is worth our effort to fully understand how Yahweh utilizes this letter.

The placement of this letter in the Hebrew alphabet is of note. Take a look at what Bullinger’s Companion Bible tells us in his appendix 10 about the spiritual significance of numbers.

“FIVE.  Denotes divine grace. It is 4+1. It is (Yahweh) adding His gifts and blessings to the works of his hands.”  Since the Companion Bible mentions 4+1, let me explain further what the Companion Bible tells us about numbers 1-4.  Appendix 10 offers this:

     ONE        Denotes unity and commencement.

     TWO       Denotes difference.

     THREE    Denotes completeness.

     FOUR      Denotes creative works.

I encourage you to review the entire appendix 10 and pray to Yahweh for a greater understanding.

The Hebrew letter ”HEY” may have an important connection to the Israelites and the ten plagues Egypt endured. As you will recall, Moses petitioned Pharaoh to allow the children of Israel to leave Egypt. Pharaoh endured nine plagues, but each time Yahweh hardened his heart which prevented the release of the Israelites.

The last and tenth plague, however, would have a different result. No more frogs, locusts, darkness or other such inconveniences. This one is described in Exodus 11: 4-5: “and Moses said, thus saith Yahweh, about midnight will I go out into the midst of the Egypt: and all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sitteth on the throne, even unto the firstborn of the maidservant that is behind the mill, and all the firstborn beasts.”  This plague is very different than the first nine. This plague will touch all Egyptians in a very personal way. All families with firstborn children, including Pharaoh’s, as well as first-born animals, will suffer a loss.

While the Egyptians will suffer significant losses when their first born die, the Israelites will be preserved from death. Moses had a meeting with the elders of Israel to explain what they had to do to avoid the fate of the Egyptians. We learn of these instructions given to the elders in Exodus 12: 21-23:

Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel, and said unto them, draw out and take you a lamb according to your families, and kill the Passover. And ye shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip it in the blood that is in the basin, and strike the lintel and the two side posts with the blood that is in the basin: and none of you should go out at the door of his house until the morning. For Yahweh will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel and on the two side posts, Yahweh will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you.

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Lintel and the doorposts smeared with the blood of the lamb.

Essentially if they paint the doorframe with the blood of the Passover lamb and remain inside their house overnight, they will be preserved. Notice how very exact the instructions are worded. The Israelites are not just told to paint the doorframe but to be sure and cover the two side posts and the crossbeam or lintel.  Look at this basic diagram of a type of doorframe and compare it with the Hebrew letter ”HEY” shown before the beginning of this article.  The letter ”HEY” and the shape of the doorframe are very similar. Had the Israelites not followed these very exact instructions, the shape of the doorframe painted with blood and this Hebrew letter would have not have been so similar.

This event with the blood painted on the doorframe happened thousands of years ago. But there is a more recent event when the letter was used to save lives. Recall what Paul tells us in Romans 5: 10:  “We were reconciled to Yahweh by the death of his son, much more, being reconciled we shall be saved by his life.”

The son of Yahweh died in the flesh with the name Yahshua. This name was blotted out of the book of life because it identified the blood of the Messiah that had absorbed all of the sin belonging to mankind. The name, Yahshua, is the name of death. This is not the name by which we should be baptized.

Paul explains in Hebrews 1:4 that “he has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name then they.” This name is YahwehShua, the name of life. This name was blotted out of the temple records by the Jewish high priest. The Father has placed his resurrected name into the book of life. This is the name in which we must be baptized to have a valid baptism and receive the implanting of the seed of the spirit of Messiah.

י ה ו ה  ש ו ע: Messiah’s resurrected name‬

י ה ו    ש ו ע: Messiah’s prophetic name‬

 ‬

Y H W  H S W A: Messiah's resurrected name‬

Y H W     S W A: Messiah's prophetic human name

Notice that Messiah’s human or prophetic name has six Hebrew letters: yothe ,hey, waw, sheen, waw, and ayin. However, the more excellent name of YahwehShua has seven Hebrew letters: yothe, hey. waw, HEY, sheen, waw, ayin.  The difference between the two names, the human and resurrected names is ONE LETTER, the HEY!

The physical Israelites were saved that night of the Passover in Egypt by the blood of the lamb being placed on the doorframe that is similar in shape to the Hebrew letter, HEY.  Those called and chosen to be spiritual Israel are saved by the addition of the letter, HEY.  Yes, those called and chosen to be spiritual Israel are saved by the addition of the letter, HEY, in the more excellent name of YahwehShua.

The world chooses a man’s name as Messiah. However, the prophet in Joel 2:32 tells us that: “whosoever shall call on the name of Yahweh shall be delivered.”  The book of Isaiah in 43:11 tells us,” I am Yahweh; and beside me there is no savior.”  Yahweh makes it very clear which is a “saving” name.

Without baptism in the name of YahwehShua, we do not have a valid baptism.  Therefore we are not able to participate in the feast day known as Passover, as required by Yahweh. Without this valid participation we cannot become eligible to overcome and be in the better resurrection. We are excluded, not included, in the race for the crown of life.

Many will point out that you cannot see the name, YahwehShua, in the bible. That is true. You certainly can see the name of Yahshua. The Jewish high priest made sure the name Yahshua remains in the records by removing the HEY from the more excellent name of Messiah.  Messiah gave us a warning about this. We find this quote of Messiah in Luke 11: 52: “Woe to you, lawyers! For you have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered.”

It is also interesting that Messiah told us in John 10:9, ”I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved.”

As you know, Messiah is the Yahweh of the Old Testament. He was there the night of the first Passover. He provided the detailed instructions for painting the lamb’s blood on the doorframe to save the Israelites’ lives. That blood, of course, was only animal blood.

The blood that absorbed all sin was his own precious blood. By dying on a tree and IN SIN, he took upon himself all the curses of the law. His blood is named by his human name; therefore, he had to inherit a new name. He could not appear before his Father with a name defiled by sin.  His new, more excellent name of YahwehShua is undefiled.

Messiah YahwehShua is the door through which we are only able to enter the kingdom. This is confirmed in John 10: 7 when Messiah says: “I am the door of the sheep.” Messiah often speaks about his sheep.  Those that are called, chosen and faithful are HIS SHEEP.  The letter “HEY”  added to the name of Yahshua allows His sheep to enter the race for the Kingdom. He is the starting gate or door we must enter to be included in the race for the crown of life.

Yes, there is a great difference made by the addition or deletion of one Hebrew letter. Without the “HEY” configuration on the Israelites’ doors at the first Passover, their firstborn would have died. We who desire to be first born and raised in the better resurrection must have the more excellent name composed of seven Hebrew letters, which includes the second ”HEY”. The world has deceived you by teaching that a man’s name, Yahshua, is necessary for baptism.  This reminds me of what we are told in Acts 15 when many were teaching that circumcision was necessary.  The name of Yahshua is wrong just as the circumcision of the flesh was no longer valid. Both deceive you and lead you away from the Kingdom.

Pray to Yahweh for truth, study our website and remember what Messiah tells us in John 10:27: “My sheep hear my voice and I know them, and they follow me.”

Are you one of HIS?  Perhaps we can help. Please contact our elder for assistance.  If you wish to submit a question or comment, please email our Elder at john12e4567@gmail.com.

YahwehShua: The Hope of Israel

Luke relates a very interesting statement from Paul in Acts 28:20:

“For this cause therefore have I called you, to see you, and speak to you: because that for THE HOPE OF ISRAEL I am bound with this chain.”

What is this ‘hope of Israel” that he is referring to?

Jeremiah will answer this question for us in Jeremiah 14: 7-8:

O Yahweh, though our iniquities testify against us, do thou it for thy name's sake: for our backslidings are many; we have sinned against thee. O the hope of Israel, the Saviour thereof in time of trouble, why shouldest thou be as a stranger in the land, and as a wayfaring man that turneth aside to tarry for a night?

Jeremiah identifies Yahweh as the Hope of Israel and also as the Saviour.

I have demonstrated in other articles that the Yahweh of the Hebrew Scriptures is Yahweh, the Son.  For example, John 5:37:  “and the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me.  Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape.”  This means that the Yahweh that Moses, Abraham, Joshua (Yahshua) and others saw and conversed with was not the Father, but the Son.  The Father has never interacted with man, only the Son.

Therefore, the Yahweh spoken of as the Hope of Israel has to be the Son.  The Son is also the Saviour.  Remember, Yahweh, the Son, left his previous glory to become a man (John 17:5.)  He became the man, Yahshua, died on a tree, “redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us” and had his name blotted out (Deuteronomy 29:20.)

Remember, Paul was a well-educated Pharisee who knew the law and customs very well.  When he encountered Messiah on the road to Damascus, the Messiah spoke to him in Hebrew (Acts 26:14.)  This was well after the resurrection so Messiah had inherited his more excellent name (Hebrews 1:4.)  Paul spent three years after this encounter learning from Messiah (Galatians 1:17.)  Paul would have known to whom he was speaking.  He would not have spoken to the Messiah in Greek, nor would he address him as Yahshua.  He would have used the Messiah’s more excellent name, YahwehShua.  This is the same name that Jeremiah was referring to when he said, “the hope of Israel, the Saviour.”  Now we know that the hope of Israel is Yahweh Saviour, YahwehShua.

Jeremiah has more to teach us about the hope of Israel.  Let’s read Jeremiah 17:13:  “O Yahweh the hope of Israel, all that forsake thee shall be ashamed, and they that depart from me shall be written in the earth, because they have forsaken Yahweh, the fountain of living waters.”

Notice that Yahweh is again called the hope of Israel but also the fountain of living waters.  This reference is also found in Revelation 7:17:  “For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall find them, and shall lead them unto the fountain of waters…”  Now we know that Yahweh, the Son, is the hope of Israel, the fountain of living waters, the Lamb in the midst of the throne as well as being YahwehShua (Yahweh Saviour.)

However, this verse in Jeremiah 17 offers a very sobering thought as well.  It is not wise to forsake, be ashamed of or depart from the hope of Israel, YahwehShua, the Lamb.  Those who make the wrong choice will have their names written in the earth.  We, who wish to answer our call and overcome, will desire to have our names written in the Lamb’s book of life, not simply in the earth.  We desire to be in the Kingdom, not on the outside looking in! 

Remember what we are told in Hebrews 10:26-31:

For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of Yahweh, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith Yahweh. And again, Yahweh shall judge his people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living Elohim.

Notice that verse 27 referred to “fiery indignation.”  What could this be?  Perhaps, Revelation 20:15 can give us an insight:  “and whosoever was not found in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”  The lake of fire is also known as the second death.  The second death can be avoided if you are in the better or first resurrection (Rev. 20:6.)

The time period from Pentecost in Acts 2 until Messiah returns is our day of judgment.  The rest of mankind will face their judgment in the last great day, during the 100 years after the millennium.  Therefore, if we are called, baptized in YahwehShua, and overcome to the end, we will be among the 144,000 when YahwehShua returns.  Should we turn back and depart from the faith, we will face that fiery indignation in the lake of fire.

After the lake of fire, we would be resurrected in the new heavens and earth.  Not one human life ends in eternal death.  All are resurrected!  Some will be in the kingdom; most will not.

If you are reading this and are attracted to the message on our website, thelightofyahwehshua.com, you may be being called.  If you have an interest in being in the better resurrection and avoiding the lake of fire, you may wish to learn more about the truth of YahwehShua.   If you wish to submit a question or comment, please email our Elder at john12e4567@gmail.com. After reading this article, you may wish to pray for truth to Yahweh, the Father.  If you are being called, he will lead you to the Son (John 6:44.)  May Yahweh bless your journey to the better resurrection.

The Doctrine of Messiah and the Feasts of Yahweh

Messiah, in the Sermon on the Mount, said this in Matthew 5:17, “Think not that I have come to destroy the law or the prophets:  I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.”  How did he fulfill the law?

James tells us in chapter 2:8 that there is a Royal Law.  The Royal Law consists of the Ten Commandments.  Messiah gave them to Moses for the benefit of Israel.  (Ex. 20:1-17)  In addition to the Royal Law, Moses gave us the Levitical Law, which “was added because of transgressions”, Galatians 3:19.

Messiah gave his apostles some insights that magnified the Royal Law, and modified the Levitical Law.  For example, Abraham was told that all males should be circumcised (Gen. 17.)  This requirement became codified in the Law of Moses, or the Levitical Law (Ex. 12:48.)  However, the new covenant removed this requirement and instituted circumcision without hands in baptism (Col. 2:11.)

Passover was changed as well.  The meal was no longer required.  Emblems such as leavened bread and fruit of the vine were introduced.  Further, Messiah instituted the foot washing ceremony.  He said he came as a servant and demonstrated this by washing his disciples’ feet.

John the Baptist baptized with water.  However, when John baptized Messiah, the Spirit of Yahweh descended as a dove.  His disciples were baptized like Messiah with the name of Yahweh.  However, the Spirit was not given until Pentecost.  Thereafter, all who wish to respond to the call to the kingdom must be baptized in the name of the Father and Son, YahwehShua (Matt. 28:19) and have hands laid on them for the down payment of the Spirit.

The requirement to keep the Sabbath is very much in force.  Messiah taught in the synagogues on the Sabbath, as did Paul.  This did not change.

Leviticus 23 calls the weekly Sabbath a Feast of Yahweh and introduced seven other annual Sabbaths as well. 

These seven annual Sabbaths are required under the Levitical law:

First High Day of Unleavened Bread, Second High Day of Unleavened Bread, Pentecost, Feast of Trumpets (Day of Shouting), Day of Atonement (Coverings), First High Day of Feast of Tabernacles, and the Last Great Day.

Yahweh’s Last Supper & Self sacrifice on the 14th is not a yearly Sabbath but is required and is greater than any other Feast day and truely is the greatest event of all time!  

These feast days are named and explained in Leviticus 23, Numbers 29 and Deuteronomy 16.  Are there changes here as well?

For this answer, let us examine the Doctrine of Messiah that is revealed to us in Hebrews 6:1-2:

Therefore leaving the principles [1] of the Doctrine of YahwehShua Messiah, let us go onto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works [Last Supper and self sacrifice on the 14th of the first month], and of faith toward Elohim [Passover, First High Day of Unleavened Bread on 15th], doctrine of baptisms, and laying on of hands [Last High Day of Unleavened Bread (water baptism) and Pentecost [baptism of the Spirit], the resurrection of the dead [The Feast of Trumpets (Shouting)], and of eternal judgment [the Last Great Day].

This instruction written by Paul gives us further understanding about keeping the feasts introduced in the Levitical Law.  Remember that Paul communed with Messiah for three years after his call on the road to Damascus (Gal. 1:16-18).  Paul was a very learned Pharisee, who knew the Levitical Law extremely well.  He was most qualified to receive further understanding.

Now, is this new understanding revealed by Paul in Hebrews important?  John answers this in 2 John 1:9:  “Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the Doctrine of Messiah hath not Elohim.  He that abideth in the Doctrine of Messiah, he hath both the Father and the Son.”

Do we need both the Father and Son?  John answers this in 1 John 2:22-23: 

Who is a liar but he that denieth that YahwehShua is the Messiah?  He is anti-messiah, that denieth the Father and the Son.  Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father:  [but] he that acknowedgeth the Son hath the Father also.

John also recites the importance of both the Father and Son in Rev. 14:1 where the Greek actually states that the 144,000 had the name of him (Messiah) and the name of the Father of him written in their foreheads.  The King James Version (KJV) leaves out very significant information.

Matthew addresses this further in chapter 28:19:  “Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing in the name [singular] of the Father and the Son.”  The KJV includes the Holy Spirit but many scholars recognize this as a later addition or gloss.

Yes, the Doctrine of Messiah is a very important fulfillment of the law.  John offers a warning in 2 John 1:10:  “If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him NOT into your house, neither [the Greek literally reads,] ‘say a greeting to him.’”

John has some very strong words to say about the importance of the Doctrine of Messiah.  I believe we have been negligent in recognizing its importance.  We, of the Light of YahwehShua, repent of that ignorance, and will henceforth submit to the Doctrine of Messiah.

In all my years in organized religion, the Doctrine of Messiah has, by my experience, been overlooked.  A brother, George Gabler, who also taught me about the name of YahwehShua, first revealed it to me.  Thank you, George!

What is different about the Doctrine of Messiah?  When you compare Hebrews 6:1-2 with Leviticus 23, you will find some significant differences.  Yes, the first and second High Days of Unleavened Bread, Pentecost, Feast of Trumpets/Shouting, and the Last Great Day (eighth day of the feast) are still required.  However, the Day of Atonement/Coverings and the Feast of Tabernacles are missing.  Why?  They are no longer required under the new covenant. The Last Supper is new!

We of the new covenant are called to recognize that the revised list found in Hebrews 6:1-2 is very significant for us.  YahwehShua, Yahweh our Salvation, has an important connection to the Last Supper, Unleavened Bread and Pentecost.  Feast of Trumpets is the day of OUR resurrection.  The Last Great Day is the resurrection of all humans not in the better resurrection.

The Levitical feast days will be reinstated during the 1,000 years.  These will include the Feast of Tabernacles.  Those keeping Tabernacles will require temporary dwellings.  The day of coverings was done away permanantly by his planned self sacrifice!

We already have temporary dwellings.  Peter says we are tabernacles and Paul says we are temples.  Why?  The answer is because Messiah dwells within us.  The Israelites of the old covenant did not have the indwelling Spirit of Messiah as we do.  Those in the 1,000 years will  not have the indwelling spirit.  The indwelling Spirit will again be available in the Last Great Day.

Now, how about Atonement/Coverings?  I refer you to Mark 2: 18-22:

And the disciples of John and of the Pharisees used to fast: and they come and say unto him, Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but thy disciples fast not? And Yahshua said unto them,-- Can the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? as long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days. No man also seweth a piece of new cloth on an old garment:else the new piece that filled it up taketh away from the old, and the rent is made worse. And no man putteth new wine into old bottles:else the new wine doth burst the bottles, and the wine is spilled, and the bottles will be marred:but new wine must be put into new bottles.

Notice the Pharisees and disciples of John were concerned about the disciples of Yahshua not fasting.  Messiah said, “as long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.”  Messiah eventually left them for a while.  Then they prayed and fasted.  However, since Pentecost, we have the Spirit of Messiah being formed within us.  He is with us at all times.  He is our constant advocate with the Father and we can petition the Father without ceasing in his name.  We are reconciled by his blood but are saved by his life (the name of YahwehShua).  See Romans 5:10.

Hebrews 6 reveals the absence of the requirement to observe Yom Kippurim.  Romans 5:11 tells us why this change was necessary:  “and not only so, but we also joy in Yahweh through our Sovereign, YahwehShua Messiah, by whom we have now received the atonement.”  [covering or reconciliation]  The world, including those who are to be in the better resurrection, are NOW covered by his precious blood.  We, in this age, are not required to observe Yom Kippurim.  Participation in this annual Sabbath places you under the old covenant.  We who are of the new covenant and now are the sons of Yahweh (1 John 3:2) should no longer keep the old covenant.  We need to fully embrace the new covenant!  We need to follow Paul’s revised list and not Leviticus 23.

In addition, to fully embrace the new covenant, we must not observe the Feast of Booths.  We should not keep the old covenant annual Sabbaths, Yom Kippurim and Hag Sukkot.  We do not fast; observe the days as annual Sabbaths or dwell in temporary dwellings.  They are eliminated from our calendars.

This is a very different understanding than that which is taught in the Jewish synagogues and Sacred Name Assemblies.  This sets us apart and will make us a target.  But they persecuted Messiah and they will persecute us.  We will only enter the kingdom of Yahweh with much tribulation.

We keep the feasts according to Yahweh’s calendar.  The year begins with the Spring Equinox in the Northern hemisphere and the first new moon in Jerusalem on or after the equinox is the first day of the month of Abib. The law goes forth from Jerusalem.

The fall (north of the equator) feasts are based on the sighting of the new moon indicating the first day of the seventh month.  This is also the Feast of Shouting/Trumpets. Twenty-three days later is the Last Great Day.

Our obligation to the Levitical Law changed with the death of Messiah and the institution of the new covenant.  Paul confirms this in Romans 3:28:  “Therefore, we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.”  In the previous verse, Paul says:  “By what law?  Of works?  Nay:  But by the law of faith.”

Our being in the better resurrection is based on “Messiah in us.”  It is his righteousness that allows us to stand before the Father and enter the kingdom.  We have the name of faith, YahwehShua, and not the deeds of works of the law:  circumcision with hands, fasting, temporary dwellings (construction of booths.)

Messiah is our righteousness.  We must look to him for guidance.  Just as he guided the Israelites out of Egypt, he now guides us out of sin and the world. (1 Cor. 10:4)

Abraham is the example we need to follow.  Note what Paul says in Romans 4:1-2:  “What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before Yahweh.”  Also, Paul says in Gal. 3:29, “And if ye be Messiah’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs of the promise.”

Messiah is everything to us.  We must look to him for instruction about the law and how to manifest obedience to both He and the Father.  This is where the Doctrine of Messiah provides the instructions we are to follow.  We must pray to Yahweh in the name of YahwehShua and seek the truth.  He is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6.)

Please join me in submission to the Doctrine of Messiah.  We must have both the Father and the Son.  Keep in mind what John tells us in 2 John 1:9.  These were among his last words for us.  We must take them very seriously.  Let us become faithful students and followers of the Doctrine of Messiah.

Messiah has fulfilled the law as he promised.  We are under the law of faith (Rom 3:27), not the law of sin (Rom 7:23-25.)  We are truly the seed of Abraham, held to the same standard as he.  HalleluYah!

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[1] This refers to leaving the milk of the word, and progressing onto the meat.  The NIV translates this section as “let us move beyond the elementary teachings … and be taken forward to maturity…” We should desire a deeper understanding.

Please also see newer article, “The New Covenant Feasts of Yahweh”, entered on August, 2018.

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