More YEA NEWSLETTERS

November-December-2003

In this issue

WOW! WHAT A FEAST OF TABERNACLES!!!

DEBUNKING THE MOON/SABBATH CYCLE

THE PRISON MINISTRY

SATAN'S BIRTHDAY

BAPTISMS, ETC.

YOUR YEA SUBSCRIPTION

The Feast of Tabernacles which we celebrated with the brethren at Rocheport, Mo., was truly a great blessing for us this year. There were 295 enthusiastic worshippers who greatly rejoiced before YAHWEH and YAHshua.

We really appreciate the hard work that the Rocheport Assembly performed in order to make the feast such a resounding success. We know that Elder George Garner and Deacon Ted Cecil along with many others were working hard and long in order to get facilities repaired, painted and presentable.

The tabernacle building is also undergoing renovation which was not completed, but that didn’t matter. It should be completed for next year’s feast, but that may not be the end of renovation if the crowds grow any larger.

Brian and DeeDee Wilson were the feast coordinators and they did an excellent job of putting it all together. Everything did flow fairly smoothly and there was joy and rejoicing in the camp of Israel. Of course, success has to do with everyone working together in order to make it such and we certainly have to thank everyone there for their cooperative efforts. We know that people can cause problems, but with the proper leadership to take care of problems as they arise, it makes for a smoother operation all the way around.

There were ample opportunities to receive a spiritual feeding as Bible study seminars began at 8:30 a.m., followed by services at 10:30 a.m. Afternoons were left for fellowship, meals, etc. but more activities began at either 5:30 p.m. or 7:30 p.m. and there was always Bible study at 9:00 p.m. Depending on the subject (-s). Those Bible studies could go until 10:30 p.m. to midnight.

Other highlights were baptisms and ordinations.

Jim Meyer was ordained as a deacon while Scott Leys and Michael Klopfenstein were ordained as elders.

Michele Nance was baptized in the saving name of YAHshua. She hails from Harrison, Arkansas.

Elders Dave Ganton and Jerry Healan were inducted to the Board of Directors at the board meeting immediately following the Last Great Day. We are looking forward to working hand in hand in a much closer relationship with the Rocheport Assembly.

We give thanks to YAHWEH for the tremendous blessing of being able to rejoice greatly with His people. Please pray for the ordinations, the baptisms and for the whole assembly so that YAHWEH and YAHshua may be magnified. HalleluYah!!!

I will be utilizing quotations and information presented from a booklet entitled "Keeping YAHWEH’S Appointments" by Jonathan David Brown.

Here is what Mr. Brown writes concerning his acceptance of and observance of the Sabbath:

"In the fall of 1987 my family began to keep sabbath on Saturday for what seemed obvious reasons: Saturday is the seventh day of our current commercial weekly cycle which begins with Sunday. We took the bible literally, believing that it was man’s doctrine which declared the sabbath was magically moved from the seventh to the first day of the week, Sunday. We believed that this seven-day cycle existed from creation. Therefore, who could miss which day was the seventh. There were some things we obviously didn’t know about the cycle’s history, however.

"We also earnestly sought YAHWEH with regard to whether we should, as Christians, keep the "feast" and "fast" days: Passover, Unleavened Bread, Pentecost, Trumpets (special "new moon" in the 7th Month), Day of Atonement, and Tabernacles. (See Leviticus 23:4-44). As many others have, I had discovered evidence that the congregation of Israel as "Christians" kept the feasts after YAHshua’s death and resurrection, found in 1 Corinthians 5:

vs. 7 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us:

vs. 8 Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. (emphasis added).

I noted the fact that YAHshua kept Passover and said "this do in remembrance of me" when they ate the unleavened bread. (Luke 22:19). So, we began in 1989 by keeping Passover in the first lunar month "on the fourteenth day of the month at even." We ate unleavened bread for seven days. We kept it in the lunar month because at that time we had subscribed to the Worldwide Church of God for its publications on the feasts. Their calendar parroted the soli-lunar Jewish calendar.

After keeping sabbath on Saturday for about two years, I began to notice that there was no correlation at all between Saturday or Sunday and the High Holy Days of the Feasts. For example, in that first year we celebrated Passover and Unleavened bread (1989) I had begun work on a Sunday following a "Saturday" sabbath. After four days, the first day of Unleavened Bread as a "high sabbath" (Numbers 28:18) fell on a Thursday (beginning Wednesday at sunset). I then went back to work one day on Friday. Then at sunset on Friday, I ceased my labor for the "weekly" seven-day sabbath. Beginning Sunday, I then worked for four days that week. Then the following Thursday (beginning Wednesday night) as scripture commands, we worshiped in the last sabbath (high day of Unleavened Bread. (Numbers 28:25). I then went back to work on Friday for one day and ceased at sunset for sabbath again. After living out this pattern it became obvious that I could not work six days then rest on the seventh when these "high" holy days" showed up. What complicated this even more was when I noticed something which Israel kept called the "feast of the new moon."

The new moon became a curiosity while meeting with a group in Knoxville, Tennessee who held a "new moon sabbath." What really goofed me up was that it was held only on Saturdays, i.e. the closest one to the new moon. But the calendar sometimes showed the actual new moon to be several days before or after. I couldn’t see calling something a "feast of the new moon" without holding it on the new moon.

So, presuming Israel did not keep it on the "closest Saturday" historically, I laid the whole thing out in a "pattern" calendar for 1989 with all the actual new moons. The result was an obstacle course. All of the seventh-day Saturday sabbaths were in one pattern together, but the feasts and new moons looked chaotic, falling right in with the lunar "quarter-months." Then it began to look the other way around, with the Saturday sabbaths disruptive. I prayed, screamed, "what is the deal here?" Just think about it. Even if you don’t believe we are obligated to keep the "feast" days, the ancient Israelites who did must have been pulling out their hair if they kept a calendar with that much "resting" going on! (emphasis mine, JH) It was becoming more apparent to me that the "seven-day cycle" of the week was not even in line with the pagan Julian calendar months. January through December. Birthdays fall on a different day of the week each year, don’t they? At some point thereafter I heard the still small voice say, "the weekly sabbath is in the quarters of the moon where all the other feast days are." I followed the voice. Then it sank in after I found the beginning of YAHWEH’S "calendar," where Israel came out of Egypt in Exodus 12:

vs. 2 This month [chodesh] shall be unto the beginning of months [chodesh]: it shall be the first month [chodesh] of the year to you.

The Hebrew word chodesh (Strong’s #2320), translated numerous times as both "month" and "new moon" comes from a root (#2318) meaning "to be new," or "to rebuild." It is true that the word for the actual planetary moon (yareach) never appears together with chodesh in scripture. However, Hebrew Professor Wave Nunnally (C.B.C. Springfield, MO) stated to me on the telephone that the term chodesh was historically never used in any other context other than speaking of the moon, particularly the new moon, until the Maccabean period (175-37 B.C.), in the apocryphal Jubilees and Enoch. So, if that "month" or "New moon" in the Exodus passage "shall be" the beginning of "new moons" then why, I asked, aren’t all other events including sabbaths numbered from that? Let’s see what history says.

Chapter Six

According to all authorities the present seven day cycle is artificial, having no relationship to any natural phenomena, just as I had assumed in my confusion of the cycle clashes. Whereas, the "majority" of Assyrian (emphasis mine JH) archaeologists believe that "...the role of seven as a symbolic number is ultimately connected with the moon changing her phases at intervals of approximately seven days." Indeed, this is the only thing in the entire program of nature resembling such a pattern. So, let’s look into the history of our current cycle to find when, and maybe why, we jumped off track.

First, so that we may intelligently talk about the "phases" of the moon, there are approximately 29.5 days in the lunar cycle beginning with the sighting of the first small crescent just after sunset. Lunar months are most conveniently estimated at thirty days. But when laid out in a succession of months, they can be most conveniently calendarized only by periods of twenty-nine and thirty days in alternation. Obviously, none of these numbers are divisible evenly by 7. However, in a Babylonian calendar (emphasis mine JH) dated at about 700 B.C., a scheme of rest days on 7th, 14th, 21, and 28th of the moon cycle are recorded. Those days coincide with the first quarter (half-moon), full moon, third quarter (half-moon in reverse), and the day of the moon’s disappearance. In that calendar states Assyriologist Langdon, "the weeks do not continue in a regular cycle regardless of the moon. Each month has four weeks, beginning with the new moon. Days 29 and 30, or in case of a 29-day month, day 29, are simply thrown out of the four-week system. I have no doubt but that this was the old Hebrew scheme also. In other words the fourth week has one or two extra days. Every month must begin with the first day of the first week." (Italics added)." (pp. 51)

COMMENT: Please note the emboldened sentences of this brother’s statement concerning the Israelites most likely pulling out their hair because of the many rest days. I find this statement to be rather ridiculous since I have been involved with observing the commanded Sabbath and annual Feast schedule ever since 1969-1970 and never once has their observance caused me to desire to pull my hair out because of all the rest that was commanded.

Furthermore, this brother seeks to utilize Assyrian and Babylonian proofs in order to establish his New Moon doctrine. Yes, I know that he excuses this practice in the ensuing paragraphs of chapter six. But what is being admitted here by this brother is that when he tried to lay out the sabbaths and annual feasts in a pattern to satisfy himself, he became confused, rejected the correct way and began to concoct his own method of Sabbath and feast observance.

Going back to the creation account in the book of Genesis 1, we find that light and time was created on the first day (vv. 3-5). The firmament was created on the second day (vv. 6-8). Waters were divided so that the dry land could appear bringing forth vegetation on the third day (vv. 9-13). Then on the fourth day Elohim established the lights in the heavens, "And Elohim said, Gen. 1:14, "Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs and for seasons, and for days, and years:

15. And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth:’ and it was so.

16. And Elohim made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: He made the stars also.

17. And Elohim set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth,

18. And to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness: and Elohim saw the it was good.

19. And the evening and the morning were the fourth day."

Please notice that YAHWEH began the weekly cycle and didn’t even bother to bring the sun and moon forth until the fourth day. YAHWEH began the seven day cycle outside of the power of the light of the sun and the moon. YAHWEH continued His creative efforts through the sixth day and then He rested the seventh day from all His labors and blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it (declared it qodesh, clean, pure, holy): because that in it He had rested from all His work which Elohim created and made," Gen. 2:2-3.

YAHWEH established the seventh day Sabbath for a spiritual purpose. He established the first Sabbath without the aid of the moon. The moon had nothing to do with it coming into existence and still doesn’t.

Notice again what this confused brother has written, "According to all authorities the present seven day cycle is artificial, having no relationship to any natural phenomena, just as I had assumed in my confusion of the cycle clashes."

The problem is that this brother was attempting to take something spiritual and fit it into the natural scheme of things. He became confused and then frustrated until he dreamed up a scheme based on the Assyrian and Babylonian moon calendars which is even more confusing. Look at the attached Moon/Sabbath Cycle calendar. Notice that in the 29 day month, the 29th day will always be a Sabbath as well as the 1st day of the month (New Moon Day) This makes two Sabbath days in a row (That is, assuming that this group observes the 1st day of the New Moon as a rest day). But on the 30 day month, there are three days. The 30th day has to be a non day, simply taken and thrown out of the mix. Where did he get this idea from? Professor Langdon in his comments concerning the Assyrian calendar.

The account of the giving of the manna appears in Exodus chapter 16:

1. "And they took their journey from Elim, and all the congregation of the children of Israel came unto the wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after their departing out of the land of Egypt.

2. And the whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness:

3. And the children of Israel said unto them, Would to Elohim we had died by the hand of YAHWEH in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the flesh pots, and when we did eat bread to the full; for ye have brought us forth into this wilderness, to kill this whole assembly with hunger.

4. Then said YAHWEH unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or no.

5. And it shall come to pass, that on the sixth day they shall prepare that which they bring in; and it shall be twice as much as they gather daily.

6. And Moses and Aaron said unto all the children of Israel, At even, then ye shall know that YAHWEH hath brought you out from the land of Egypt:

7. And in the morning, then ye shall see the glory of YAHWEH; for that he heareth your murmurings against YAHWEH: and what are we, that ye murmur against us?

8. And Moses said, This shall be, when YAHWEH shall give you in the evening flesh to eat, and in the morning bread to the full; for that YAHWEH heareth your murmurings which ye murmur against him: and what are we? your murmurings are not against us, but against YAHWEH.

9. And Moses spake unto Aaron, Say unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, Come near before YAHWEH: for he hath heard your murmurings.

10. And it came to pass, as Aaron spake unto the whole congregation of the children of Israel, that they looked toward the wilderness, and, behold, the glory of YAHWEH appeared in the cloud.

11. And YAHWEH spake unto Moses, saying,

12. I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel: speak unto them, saying, At even ye shall eat flesh, and in the morning ye shall be filled with bread; and ye shall know that I am YAHWEH your Elohim.

13. And it came to pass, that at even the quails came up, and covered the camp: and in the morning the dew lay round about the host.

14. And when the dew that lay was gone up, behold, upon the face of the wilderness there lay a small round thing, as small as the hoar frost on the ground.

15. And when the children of Israel saw it, they said one to another, It is manna: for they wist not what it was. And Moses said unto them, This is the bread which YAHWEH hath given you to eat.

16. This is the thing which YAHWEH hath commanded, Gather of it every man according to his eating, an omer for every man, according to the number of your persons; take ye every man for them which are in his tents.

17. And the children of Israel did so, and gathered, some more, some less.

18. And when they did mete it with an omer, he that gathered much had nothing over, and he that gathered little had no lack; they gathered every man according to his eating.

19. And Moses said, Let no man leave of it till the morning.

20. Notwithstanding they hearkened not unto Moses; but some of them left of it until the morning, and it bred worms, and stank: and Moses was wroth with them.

21. And they gathered it every morning, every man according to his eating: and when the sun waxed hot, it melted. 22. And it came to pass, that on the sixth day they gathered twice as much bread, two omers for one man: and all the rulers of the congregation came and told Moses.

23. And he said unto them, This is that which YAHWEH hath said, To morrow is the rest of the holy sabbath unto YAHWEH: bake that which ye will bake to day, and seethe that ye will seethe; and that which remaineth over lay up for you to be kept until the morning.

24. And they laid it up till the morning, as Moses bade: and it did not stink, neither was there any worm therein.

25. And Moses said, Eat that to day; for to day is a sabbath unto YAHWEH: to day ye shall not find it in the field.

26. Six days ye shall gather it; but on the seventh day, which is the sabbath, in it there shall be none.

27. And it came to pass, that there went out some of the people on the seventh day for to gather, and they found none.

28. And YAHWEH said unto Moses, How long refuse ye to keep my commandments and my laws?

29. See, for that YAHWEH hath given you the sabbath, therefore he giveth you on the sixth day the bread of two days; abide ye every man in his place, let no man go out of his place on the seventh day.

30. So the people rested on the seventh day.

31. And the house of Israel called the name thereof Manna: and it was like coriander seed, white; and the taste of it was like wafers made with honey."

Question: If the moon lays everything out so perfectly, then why didn’t YAHWEH utilize the moon to point out the Sabbath cycle rather than the manna?

Answer: Because the moon cannot ever produce a perfect seven day cycle pointing us back to creation and YAHWEH as the Creator. One has to reject the very first day of the moon from his seven day count, beginning rather with the second day. This second day to the 29th day seems to fit quite well until one gets to New Moon day again wherein the seven day cycle is disrupted by declaring New Moon day to be another Sabbath or simply a non-day from the mix. On a thirty day count, the situation gets worse because there are two days that have to be taken out of the mix which disrupts the seven day cycle even more.

Notice the command concerning the gathering of the manna. The Israelites were to gather it for six days. On the sixth day they were given enough bread for two days (the sixth day and the Sabbath day), only two days, not three days which would be required at the end of a 29 day cycle nor four days which would be required at the end of a 30 day cycle.

The manna was spiritual food, 1 Cor. 10:1-3, "Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea:

2. And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea:

3. And did all eat the same spiritual meat."

That spiritual meat was manna! The manna was to lead them to the same spiritual cycle established at creation because the Israelites had lost the knowledge of it during their enslavement. YAHWEH didn’t use the moon to remind them of the cycle. Rather He utilized the manna because the moon falls short of the cycle and leads one into confusion.

The manna was a parable, Heb. 9:1-9, "Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary.

2 For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary.

3 And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all;

4 Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant;

5 And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak particularly.

6 Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of Elohim.

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:

8 The Holy Spirit this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing:

9 Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience;"

Notice especially verse 9 and the word "figure." It is translated from the Greek word "parabole" which is elsewhere rendered as "parable." Take Mat. 13:10-17 for example. YAHshua came speaking in parables in order to keep the people blinded. YAHshua spoke in parables so that the overall great majority of the people wouldn’t recognize Him and turn to Him to be healed!

The manna was spiritual food given to lead Israel to the spiritual seven day cycle established at creation. Even though Israel didn’t understand the truth about the manna, nor the Sabbath day and their ultimate meanings, they went through the seven day cycle for forty years until it was impressed upon their hearts. The keeping of the seventh day Sabbath and the other commandments led them into the land of Canaan which was to be their possession and a type of the ultimate rest to come.

The manna was a type of YAHshua, the True Bread from heaven (Jn. 6). YAHshua will lead His people to the true rest which will come at the end of the age. That rest is the kingdom of heaven and is the seventh millennium of which the Sabbath day is a type. This is the spiritual food and the spiritual cycle given by YAHWEH.

YAHWEH gave the manna to Israel in order to introduce the original seven day cycle of creation before He made His covenant with them in the wilderness. He gave the manna introducing the seven day cycle in the second month. Then in the third month, He brought them into the wilderness of Sinai in order to introduce them to His covenant contained in commandments (Ex. 19).

Notice the fourth commandment, Ex. 20:8-11, "Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.

9. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:

10. But the seventh day is the sabbath of YAHWEH thy Elohim: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maid servant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:

11. For in six days YAHWEH made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore YAHWEH blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed it."

Question: Does YAHWEH say anything here about utilizing the moon cycle in order to determine the Sabbath? Absolutely not! Why? Because the moon, from creation, had nothing to do with the seven day Sabbath cycle. Remember, the moon was brought forth on the fourth day, not the first nor second.

Remember also that YAHWEH utilized the six day cycle of the giving of manna, the seventh day being the day of rest, in order to point out His Sabbath day. He never utilized the cycles of the moon at all.

Again, we find YAHWEH’S instructions concerning the Sabbaths of YAHWEH in Lev. Chapter 23. Notice the opening verses of this chapter, Lev. 23:1-3, "And YAHWEH spake unto Moses, saying,

2. Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, ‘Concerning the feasts of YAHWEH, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations, even these are My feasts.

3. Six days shall work be done: but the seventh day is the sabbath of rest, an holy convocation; ye shall do no work therein: it is the sabbath of YAHWEH in all your dwellings."

Notice carefully once again, that nothing is mentioned concerning the moon in these verses. The reason being that the moon has nothing to do with determining the seven day Sabbath cycle!

Now let’s notice the interplay of words that YAHWEH utilizes in these verses for the Sabbath day commandment. The Hebrew word for "seventh" is "shebiyi" (y[iybiV.). It is #7637 in Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance and is shown to be ordinal from 7657; seventh. The Hebrew word for "rest" is "shabbatown" (!wtbv). It is #7677 in Strong’s and is defined as: from 7676; a sabbatism or special holiday. The Hebrew word for "Sabbath" is "Shabbath" (tbv). It is #7676 in Strong’s and is defined as: intensive from 7673; intermission, i.e. (specifically) the Sabbath.

Right away we find that Shabbaton is a derivative of the word Shabbat. "Seven" is a root word of #7657 shib`iym (~yebv), defined as, a multiple of 7651; seventy. #7651 in turn is the Hebrew word "sheba" (e[bv) defined as, from 7650; a primitive cardinal number; seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number. #7650 is the Hebrew word "shaba" defined as, a primitive root; propr. to be complete, but used only as a denominative from 7651; to seven oneself, i.e. swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times).

Thus, to observe the seven day Sabbath cycle as revealed in the commandments, Lev. 23 and elsewhere causes one to be labeled with the number seven (as the sacred full one). It also has to do with completion and spiritual perfection.

Isaac E. Mozeson reveals that the words "seven" (e[bv) and Sabbath (tbv) are related in his book entitled "The Word" (The Dictionary that reveals the Hebrew sources of English). He writes, "SEVEN/hn[bvW S(H)IV—AH—NAH, [S(H) - V—E—(N)]: ROOTS: One can accept the IE root septm (seven) as the source of Old English seofan and our SEVEN, or one can trust the Biblical SEVEN or hn[bv/S(H)EVÄNÄ ("seven" - Job 42:13). The prevalent "seven" is the shorter [bv/S(H)EVÄ or SHEBHÄ—as in the city of BEER—SHEBA ("seven wells"). Unlike Dutch zeven or Danish syv, German sieben prefers the harder B of Arabic sabaa and Swahili saba—(all words for #7).

BRANCHES: [WBV/SHÄVOOÄ is a week or heptad, and tbv/ SHÄBBÄT means SABBATH or week—cycles which always bv/SHÄV (return). The week is a radical, Biblical concept that does not correspond to cycles of the moon or sun. It is therefore possible that the Biblical tbv /S(H)ÄBÄT (Sabbath or week) influenced the French sept and Latin septem (seven). A theory that carries weekends and S –BH seven words along cultural or trading routes may not suffice to explain why zazpi is seven in Basque, why shuu (U=V) is "week" in Japanese, why vitu (reverse: S→T) is seven in Fijian or why "week" is sahp-dah in Thai.

The number seven, too, has a meaning in the meaningful universe of Hebrew. [bv/SÄVÄ means plenty, abundance, as the number so often signifies in Scripture. More at "SUFFICE" and "SWASTIKA." Cognates of SEVEN include SEPTEMBER, SEPTENNIAL, SEPTET, SEPTI-, SEPTUAGINT, SEPTUPLE, AND SEPTENTRION. The AHD also lists HEBDOMAD, HEPTA– and HEPTAD from Greek hepta (seven). At least Hebrew tbv/SHÄBBÄT has the H retained by the Greek.

The septm root demands that Russians dropped a P and a T in their syem (seven). Hebrew hn[bv/S(H)EVÄNÄ could allow for the Russians merely sliding a V over to a Y. Swedish "seven" is similarly pared down to sju. WEEK may derive from [bv/(SH)EVÄ (seven) pronounced the guttural way—(SHE)VÄKH. German Woche (week) is less harsh back in Old High German wehla. Words for week include the Dutch week, Norwegian uke, Finnish viikko, Yiddish voch and Indonesian peka(n). The IE root for WEEK is weik- (to bend, wind) which may be an inversion of hpk /KÄPHÄ (to invert) or lpq/KÄPHÄL (to fold, roll up). The French semaine, Spanish and Portuguese samana and Hungarian het are terms for WEEK that add up to eight with inclusive counting. Hnwmv /S(H)IMŌNÄ means “eight,” while x /HET is the number 8. African culture does not value dividing time into numbers like seven (or eight). The Swahili week is juma, echoing the Hebrew ~wy/YŌM (day, period of time, EON—see “AGONY”). Rumanian saptamina (week) may demonstrate where the French and Spanish WEEK terms came from. In either case, the Rumanian could be a combined term like ~ymy-tbv /S(H)ÄBBÄT-(Y)ÄMIM (a week of days or a stop in days—see "STOP"). (End of excerpt.)

Thus, we find that the Hebrew terms for seven ([bv), seventh (y[iybiV), rest (!wtbv) and Sabbath (tbv) are all interrelated and truly stem from the same root word.

Notice Isaac Mozeson’s own statement which corresponds to my own, "The week is a radical Biblical concept that does not correspond to cycles of the moon or sun." Yes! How true! That is because the sun and moon didn’t appear until the fourth day as related in Gen. 14.

This confused brother writes, "During January of 1997 I was determined to resolve what for about ten years had become a problem between me and our seven-day cycle and decided to delve further into its history. I couldn’t tie it to anything in the natural phenomena, sun, moon, or stars. Moreover, it dawned on me that the "week" doesn’t even flow with out current "Julian/Gregorian" calendar. January 1st (the beginning of our ‘year’) falls on a different "week day" every time it rolls around. At Southwest Missouri State, a university Librarian helped me find the subject of calendrical rhythms under the category of sociology. There I found the title of a book called "The Seven-Day Circle" by Eviatar Zerubavel, Professor of Sociology at Rutgers University in New Jersey.

In his book written in 1985, Zerubavel, a Jew, went as far back as written history exists on the subject. He found that this "seven-day circle" (Sunday through Saturday), while going through several metamorphoses to finally be known as the astrological week, really only began spreading abroad in the second century B.C. from Alexandria, Egypt, the heart of the Hellenistic world. He also stated emphatically that this "week is not anchored in nature in any way.." boasting that "A continuous seven-day cycle that runs through history paying no attention whatsoever to the moon and its phases is a distinctively Jewish invention. Moreover, the dissociation of the seven-day week from nature has been one of the most significant contributions of Judaism to civilization." (dissociation from nature = contributions?!] Ibid. He’s not saying that counting sunsets is not anchored in nature, but the beginning and end of the seven day cycle is not. His bibliography is unparalleled. These facts on their face prove that the sabbath is neither Saturday nor Sunday, in light of the fact that : (1) the reckoning of time is by the "lights in the heavens" and (2) the Fourth Commandment specifies there is a particular day in saying remember to keep the sabbath holy.

It would be much simpler if the Scriptures contained a clearly spelled-out formula for a sabbath calendar. (emphasis mine JH) We really only know from Genesis 1:14 what source we are to use for calculations. But there seems to be no explicit instructions on their practical implementation. Notching off seven "solar-day" periods which never correspond at the beginning or end with heavenly lights does not satisfy Genesis 1:14. So now we’re going to find out why, by learning a secret which the translators and interpreters of the Bible have known and kept for quite some time. It might bring more questions than answers. Nonetheless, its discovery will enable us to begin making inroads back to YAHWEH’S natural timekeeping law.

As to those four words in Genesis 1:14, signs, seasons, days, and years, we can assume that the Sun generally marks days. After 12 moon cycles have passed, the earth would have gone through nearly four seasons of weather changes constituting a year, marked with the sun by four distinct earth tilts called equinoxes and solstices. These are determined by the angle of the sun throughout which the sunlight hours grow longer to a threshold at which they begin growing shorter again. Signs fairly defines the underlying Hebrew word implying astronomical events such as eclipses, and others we observe with our eyes in the sun, moon, and stars, reminding us of oaths YAHWEH has made to us. (Jeremiah 31:35-36)

Finally, the word seasons appears at first glance to be the four radical weather shifts each year, winter, summer, spring, and fall. Though the English word implies such, the underlying Hebrew word "mowadah" (Strong’s #4150), literally means "an appointment, i.e. a fixed time...by implication, an assembly (as convened for a definite purpose); technically the congregation; by extension, the place of meeting.." etc. Using the English word seasons to translate a word meaning literally an appointment is at the very least, a grave error. Besides, the sun (equinoxes and solstices) marks the four seasonal changes which constitute an actual year. So to interpret the Hebrew word, mowadah, to mean those seasons is also duplicitous.

In Psalm 104 we find the answer to the enigma of the apparent deliberate mistranslation. There the same word, mowadah, is used specifically in relation to the moon:

vs. 19 He appointed the moon for seasons [mowadah]…

The English word appointed in this passage actually means "made" (Strong’s #6213). In better words, He made the moon for appointments! What are His appointments? Although for the purpose of this writing we will limit it to the first few versed, they are found in Leviticus 23:

The word "feasts" in verse 2 above is actually the word mowadah, same as "seasons" in Genesis 1:14 and Psalm 104:19. The mistake in translating mowadah as "feasts" becomes obvious when in verse 3 the sole subject is the seventh day sabbath. We don’t generally think of the sabbath as being a "feast" per se, but it leads the list of "feasts" in Leviticus 23. So, with the actual planetary moon being established for mowadah or YAHWEH’S appointments as shown in Psalm 104, the passage in Leviticus confirms the sole means by which the seventh day sabbath was calculated. Sabbath is a mowadah—Moon was made for mowadah. Nothing in scripture specifies this term for the sun." (pp. 42-45)

COMMENT: Notice that this confused brother says, "It would be much simpler if the Scriptures contained a clearly spelled-out formula for a sabbath calendar. " The situation is that the Scriptures do contain a clearly spelled-out formula for a Sabbath calendar, the problem is that this brother rejects the Scriptural formula.

He scoffs at the statement made by the Jewish scholar Eviatar Zerubavel, however, the only error made by Zerubavel was implying that it was a Jewish invention. It is YAHWEH’S invention and creation. It was not created by any Jewish person.

Let’s notice again that Lev. 23:1-3 does declare the Sabbath day rest to be a moed (mowadah/feast/appointment), however, Lev. 23:1-3 follows the same pattern of Gen. 1 (all) and 2:1-3, Ex. 16, Ex. 20:8-11, and all other Scriptures that deal with the Sabbath or the 7 day weekly cycle by declaring work to be done six days with a seventh day rest or Sabbath. None of them tie the seven day Sabbath cycle with the moon.

What is tied in with the moon follows Lev. 23:3. Lev. 23:4-8, "These are the feasts (moedim) of YAHWEH, even holy convocations, which ye shall proclaim in their seasons (moedim/set times).

5. In the fourteenth day of the first month (chodesh/moon) at even is YAHWEH’S passover.

. And on the fifteenth day of the same month (chodesh/moon) is the feast of unleavened bread unto YAHWEH: seven days ye must eat unleavened bread.

7. In the first day ye shall have an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein.

8. But ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto YAHWEH seven days: in the seventh day is an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein."

Lev. 23:23-44, "And YAHWEH spake unto Moses, saying, 24 "Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, In the seventh month, in the first day of the month (chosesh/moon), shall ye have a sabbaton, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, an holy convocation.

25 Ye shall do no servile work therein: but ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto YAHWEH.

26 And YAHWEH spake unto Moses, saying,

27 Also on the tenth day of this seventh month (chodesh/moon) there shall be a day of atonement: it shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire unto YAHWEH.

28 And ye shall do no work in that same day: for it is a day of atonement, to make an atonement for you before YAHWEH your Elohim.

29 For whatsoever soul it be that shall not be afflicted in that same day, he shall be cut off from among his people.

30 And whatsoever soul it be that doeth any work in that same day, the same soul will I destroy from among his people.

31 Ye shall do no manner of work: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations in all your dwellings.

32 It shall be unto you a sabbath of rest, and ye shall afflict your souls: in the ninth day of the month (chodesh/moon) at even, from even unto even, shall ye celebrate your sabbath.

33 And YAHWEH spake unto Moses, saying,

34 Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, The fifteenth day of this seventh month (chodesh/moon) shall be the feast of tabernacles for seven days unto YAHWEH.

35 On the first day shall be an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein.

36 Seven days ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto YAHWEH: on the eighth day shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto YAHWEH: it is a solemn assembly; and ye shall do no servile work therein.

37 These are the feasts of YAHWEH, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations, to offer an offering made by fire unto YAHWEH, a burnt offering, and a meat offering, a sacrifice, and drink offerings, every thing upon his day:

38 Beside the sabbaths of YAHWEH, and beside your gifts, and beside all your vows, and beside all your freewill offerings, which ye give unto YAHWEH.

39 Also in the fifteenth day of the seventh month (chodesh/moon), when ye have gathered in the fruit of the land, ye shall keep a feast unto YAHWEH seven days: on the first day shall be a sabbaton, and on the eighth day shall be a sabbaton.

40 And ye shall take you on the first day the boughs of goodly trees, branches of palm trees, and the boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook; and ye shall rejoice before YAHWEH your Elohim seven days.

41 And ye shall keep it a feast unto YAHWEH seven days in the year. It shall be a statute for ever in your generations: ye shall celebrate it in the seventh month.

42 Ye shall dwell in booths seven days; all that are Israelites born shall dwell in booths:

43 That your generations may know that I made the children of Israel to dwell in booths, when I brought them out of the land of Egypt: I am YAHWEH your Elohim.

44 And Moses declared unto the children of Israel the feasts of YAHWEH."

Here are the days of the year that are specifically associated with the cycles of the moon! And that’s according to the Scriptures!

Ex. 23:12-17, "Six days thou shalt do thy work, and on the seventh day thou shalt rest: that thine ox and thine ass may rest, and the son of thy handmaid, and the stranger, may be refreshed.

13. And in all things that I have said unto you be circumspect: and make no mention of the name of other elohim, neither let it be heard out of thy mouth.

14. Three times thou shalt keep a feast unto Me in the year.

15. Thou shalt keep the feast of unleavened bread: (thou shalt eat unleavened bread seven days, as I commanded thee, in the time appointed (moed) of the month (chodesh/moon) Abib; for in it thou camest out from Egypt: and none shall appear before Me empty:)

16. And the feast of harvest, the firstfruits of thy labours, which thou hast shown in the field: and the feast of ingathering, which is in the end of the year, when thou hast gathered in thy labours out of the field.

17. Three times in the year all thy males shall appear before the Sovereign YAHWEH.

(NOTE: Here again we find the annual feasts tied to the moon, specifically unleavened bread, but nothing is said about the Sabbath being tied to the moon.)

Ex. 31:12-17, "And YAHWEH spake unto Moses, saying,

13. ‘Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, ‘Verily My sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between Me and you throughout you generations; that ye may know that I am YAHWEH That doth sanctify you.

14. Ye shall keep the sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you: every one that defileth it shall surely be put to death: for whosoever doeth any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from his People.

15. Six days may work be done; but in the seventh is the sabbath of rest, holy to YAHWEH: whosoever doeth any work in the sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death.’

16. Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant.

17. It is a sign between Me and the children of Israel for ever; for in six days YAHWEH made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day He rested, and was refreshed."

(NOTE: What is referred to in these verses concerning the observance of the Sabbath? Isn’t the key found in verse 17? "...for in six days YAHWEH made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day He rested, and was refreshed." Remember that the moon only appeared on the fourth day of creation. It had nothing to do with the beginning of that creation week. The seven day Sabbath cycle is supposed to remind us of the original cycle established by YAHWEH at creation. It is the seven day cycle of time that YAHWEH wants His people to observe, to wit, work six days and rest on the seventh, specifically the Sabbath, not the first day of the week (as observed by Christianity), nor a cycle established by moon phases which would destroy the true seven day cycle established at creation.)

Ex. 35:1-3, "And Moses gathered all the congregation of the children of Israel together, and said unto them, ‘These are the words which YAHWEH hath commanded, that ye should do them.

2. Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day there shall be to you an holy day, a sabbath of rest to YAHWEH: whosoever doeth work therein shall be put to death.

3. Ye shall kindle no fire through out you habitations on the sabbath day."

(NOTE: Doesn’t this follow the flow of all the other commands concerning the seven day Sabbath cycle? The moon (chodesh) is not mentioned.)

Dt. 5:12-14, "Keep the sabbath day to sanctify it, (as YAHWEH thy Elohim hath commanded thee).

13. Six days thou shalt labour, and do all thy work:

14. But the seventh day is the sabbath of YAHWEH thy Elohim: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, nor thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thing ox, nor thine ass, nor any of thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates; that thy manservant and thy maidservant may rest as well as thou."

(NOTE: Doesn’t this follow the flow of all the other commands concerning the seven day Sabbath cycle? The moon (chodesh) is not mentioned.)

Ex. 34:18, 21-22, "The feast of unleavened bread shalt thou keep. Seven days thou shalt eat unleavened bread, as I commanded thee, in the time of the month (chodesh/moon) Abib: for in the month (chodesh/moon) Abib thou camest out from Egypt…

21. Six says thou shalt work, but on the seventh day thou shalt rest: in earing time and in harvest thou shalt rest.

22. And thou shalt observe the feast of weeks, of the firstfruits of wheat harvest, and the feast of ingathering at the year’s end."

(NOTE: Again, these Scriptures follow the pattern of all the others by making no mention of the moon in relation to the Sabbath day, while the feast of unleavened bread is tied in with the observance of the moon [chodesh]. We do understand that these Scriptures don’t tie the feast of ingathering to the moon either, however, they are tied to the moon in Lev. 23 while the Sabbath is not.)

Num. 9:1-3, "And YAHWEH spake unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the first month (chodesh/moon) of the second year after they were come out of the land of Egypt, saying,

2. ‘Let the children of Israel also keep the passover at his appointed season (moed).

3. In the fourteenth day of this month (chodesh/moon), at even, ye shall keep it in his appointed season (moed): according to all the rites of it, and according to all the ceremonies thereof, shall ye keep it."

(NOTE: YAHWEH specifically points out the association of the moon with the passover and days of unleavened bread almost every time because that is to be the beginning of moons (months), Ex. 12:1-3, 6, 18-20, "And YAHWEH spake unto Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying,

2. ‘This month (chodesh/moon) shall be unto you the beginning of months (chodeshim/moons): it shall be the first month (chodesh/moon) to you.’

3. Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, ‘In the tenth day of this month (chodesh/moon) they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house:…

6. And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month (chodesh/moon): and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening…

18. In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month (chodesh/moon) at even, ye shall eat unleavened bread, until the one and twentieth day of the month (chodesh/moon) at even.

Seven days shall there be no leaven found in your houses: for whosoever eateth that which is leavened, even that soul shall be cut off from the congregation of Israel, whether he be a stranger, or born in the land.

20. Ye shall eat nothing leavened; in all your habitations shall ye eat unleavened bread’."

(NOTE: Had YAHWEH desired Israel to observe the seven day week cycle according to the phases of the moon, wouldn’t this have been a good time for YAHWEH to have explained this principle to Moses?)

Concerning the count to Pentecost Jonathan writes, "The Feast of Weeks is known more commonly as "Pentecost," which is a Greek word from the New Testament meaning "fiftieth" speaking of the fiftieth day, counted from a specific point. To find where it appears on the calendar, the English translations prescribe a method of counting which is not very clear. It says for example in Leviticus 23:15 to count from the "morrow after the sabbath," speaking of a sabbath within the Feast of Unleavened Bread. But it doesn’t clearly specify which sabbath it’s talking about. As a result of this, there is a controversy among scholars about which "day after the sabbath" to begin counting from. The various theories include counting from the day after the first day of Unleavened Bread; to counting from the day after the last high sabbath of that feast, (both of which are lunar-related); to counting from the respective Sundays following each of the above!

Because historians Josephus and Philo both remained with the tradition of counting from the second day of Unleavened Bread, we will assume this is correct. Besides, the Septuagint renders Leviticus 23:11 as saying, "On the morrow of the first day the priest shall lift it up," speaking of the barley sheaf. Verse 15 says this is the very same day the counting is to begin. So, even if all three are wrong we can still use this point of reference to demonstrate the counting procedure for the purpose of the booklet.

The term "Feast of Weeks" appears in two places in scripture: Exodus 34:22, and Deuteronomy 16:9-10. The latter passage says "seven weeks shalt thou number unto thee" in verse 9. However, in Leviticus 23 it says:

vs. 16 Even unto the morrow after the seventh sabbath shall ye number fifty days [yowm]; and ye shall offer a new meat offering unto the LORD.

First, notice that in verse 15 seven sabbaths are to be counted. The term "sabbaths" is equated in this passage with "weeks" in Deuteronomy 16.

Second, notice that it says to begin counting from the morrow after the sabbath. Perhaps the most obvious point here is that the sabbath it is speaking of pertains to a feast day, which tends to connect high days to the weekly sabbath.

(NOTE: What does he mean here in this last sentence? Hasn’t he already arranged his own personal moon calendar so that the high days and the sabbath fall pretty much at the same time? So why would there be any difference? Why is he pondering whether it is a high day or a sabbath day? Confusing isn’t it?)

Continuing with his booklet: "Now that we understand that the moon was made for appointments, we can comprehend this counting thing. The simplicity of it is that, because we know that the sabbaths fall in the quarters of the moon, when we count seven sabbaths, we are actually counting the fourth sabbath of the cycle, 28^th day through the 29^th or 30^th day, as one unit. Otherwise, we are not counting sabbaths but only solar days and clearly fall short of the seventh sabbath.

(NOTE: This is even more confusing! I thought that according to his calendar the 29^th day would be the seventh day of his week and, therefore, a sabbath! Now, he has to lump it with the 28^th and the 30^th in order to count them only as SOLAR DAYS! Please tell me how any of these days can only be solar days since they fall in the lunar cycle and are principally lunar days as well as solar. As we well know, one month (moon) will have 29 days and the next month (moon) will have 30 days because there are approximately 29-1/2 days per lunar cycle. These are days of the moon, the month, not just solar days. As a matter of fact, all of the days of the month (moon) are solar days because they are ruled by the sun, "And Elohim made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night…," Gen. 1:16. Maybe he is counting them as solar days because the moon is principally hidden during these days, however, it is a combination of the moon and stars that rule the night. And whether the moon is able to be seen or not it is still there going through its cycle, these days (the 29^th and 30^th) are part of the lunar cycle. Thus, they can’t be written off as just solar days which this brother has to do if he is going to make his convoluted calendar work. Please see Exhibit #2 in order to get an idea of how the months would be structured if the 28th day is the sabbath rather than the 29th and compare with Exhibit 1.)

Continuing with his booklet: "Proof of this point, and perhaps the very key, is in verse 16. Notice how it says even unto the morrow after the seventh sabbath shall ye number fifty days [yowm]. You simply could not arrive at the morrow after the seventh sabbath if you just count seven times seven and then merely add one to get fifty. For example, in the course of the prescribed seven sabbaths, beginning after the first day of Unleavened Bread (full moon) you will pass through:

1^st sabbath)…=…. 3^rd quarter (half moon);

2^nd sabbath)…=…. 4^th quarter (at new moon - 2 days);

3^rd sabbath)…=…. 1^st quarter (half moon);

4^th sabbath)…=…. 2^nd quarter (full moon);

5^th sabbath)…=…. 3^rd quarter (half moon);

6^th sabbath)…=…. 4^th quarter (at new moon - 3 days);

7^th sabbath)…=…. 1^st quarter (half moon).

When we add the actual solar "days" together from the sequence above, we arrive at 52, but have only just passed through seven sabbaths! Then, as the scripture prescribes, "unto the morrow after the seventh sabbath ye shall number fifty days [yowm]." From this we see that the "fifty days" includes the new moon periods with two or three solar days, which by necessity are counted as one day.

(NOTE: Wow! What an imagination! The Scriptures clearly state that we are to count fifty days, not more nor less, but in order to fit everything in with his preposterous calendar, 52 days must be counted.)

Continuing with his booklet: "Let me further explain how this is possible. The term "days" as in Genesis 1:14 is "yowm" - (Strong’s #3117 Hebrew). It literally means to be hot; a day (as the warm hours). This is demonstrated in Genesis 1:5 where "God called the light Day [yowm], and the darkness he called Night." The word "night" (Hebrew - layil, Strong’s #3915) is clearly a different word meaning "the dark hours." At the end of verse 5 it says, "and the evening and the morning were the first day [yowm]. The word "evening" there is the Hebrew word "ereb" (Strong’s #6153) which is from roots meaning "intermix," and "to grow dusky." Although this could possibly be used to describe the pre-dawn hours, it is the very same word used in Deuteronomy 16:6 where it says to sacrifice the Passover "at even" [ereb]. In that passage, the time of day being spoken of is further identified as "at the going down of the sun.." If that weren’t enough, it then says, "at the season [mowadah] that thou camest forth out of Egypt." We know from Exodus 12 that Passover was:

From the context of Passover being at night we can see that the term even or evening is at least in a proximity with sunset.

Professor Stephen Schraeder, (Hebrew and Religion, B.B.C. Springfield, MO) told me the Hebrew language is the same as others where "figures of speech abound." So, although the English word "night" probably wouldn’t be used to describe the daylight hours, the word "day" in our common usage is a figure of speech to describe the dark and light period during one complete sun cycle. This is true of Genesis 1:5 where after God created the Day [yowm] and Night [layil] that, "the evening and morning were the first day [yowm]."

Strong’s Concordance says when yowm (#3117) is used figuratively it is "a space of time defined by an associated term." (cp. Genesis 1 - the "days" of creation). A clear example of this is in a scripture quoted earlier, Ezekiel 46:1, speaking of "the day [yowm] of the new moon." In that case it is certainly being figuratively used because we know for a fact that the "new moon" [chodesh] lasts for up to two solar days. We also know for a fact that the fourth sabbath of the cycle (day 28) is back to back with the "new moon" (days 29 and/or 29-30). So when "day" (yowm), accompanies the fourth sabbath of the cycle in counting the sabbaths to the Feast of Weeks, it is the sabbath space of time. (pp. 59-63)

(COMMENT: A Sabbath space of time is from sunset to sunset, a 24 hour period consisting of one daylight portion and one nighttime portion, just like any other day of the week. A Sabbath does not consist of two or three consecutive days. Hearkening back to the episode with the manna, it was stated, "And it came to pass, that on the sixth day they gathered twice as much bread, two omers for one man: and all the rulers of the congregation came and told Moses...See, for that YAHWEH hath given you the sabbath, therefore He giveth you on the sixth day the bread of two days; abide ye every man in his place, let no man go out of his place on the seventh day," Ex. 16:22, 29. Are we going to allow YAHWEH’S word to set the specifics or are we going to allow a very subtle acrobatic use of words and terms in order to take us back out of YAHWEH’S true seven day Sabbath cycle?

Please also consult Exhibit 2 concerning his statement that the fourth sabbath of the cycle is day 28 and compare with Exhibit 1.)

On pages 66-67 we find written, "Fragments of lunar days 4 through 25 were found at Qumran describing the moon’s appearance and movements in relation to the sun. In part:

On the eighth of the month [chodesh], the moon rules all the day in the midst of the sky..and when the sun sets, its light ceases to be obscured, and thus the moon begins to be revealed on the first day of the week. (emphasis added).

The same is repeated of the twenty-second day of the chodesh. The other quarter-months are either more fragmentary, contain less information, or altogether missing such as the new moon.

The text is not Law, mind you, but quite significant in that it is the oldest existing reference written in Paleo-Hebrew connecting the quarters of the moon to the weeks. Dated to the First Century B.C., it is probably a copy of a much earlier writing. Notice how it describes the moon being in the sky during the daylight hours. Then after the sunset "its light ceases to be obscured." This is just how the first quarter appears with the moon’s light continuing for several hours past sunset, thus marking the first day of that week. According to Martin Abegg, Jr. (one of the translators, Director of the Dead Sea Scrolls Institute) the Hebrew text reads echod beshabat, literally meaning "first of the counting of the sabbath [!]"

(COMMENT: Here again are some problems. In the first place, we don’t know who wrote this fragment of parchment found with the scrolls. In the second place, the moon doesn’t rule the day, the sun does (according to Scripture). Therefore, I would have to question exactly what context preceded and followed this particular phrase. This brother does point out that the moon is in the sky, but fails to point out the erroneous idea of rulership. Thirdly, "echod beshabat" simply or literally means "one" (echod) "in sabbath" (beshabat). Fourthly, "beshabat" is rather unusual in that the article h (hei for "the") doesn’t appear. Proper Hebrew, whether Paleo or modern day Arabic script almost always utilizes the hei (h) when the word "the" is to be understood. Fifth, the Hebrew word "caphar" (count) is missing, therefore, idea of "counting" has to be implied, which, of course, this brother has done.)

As I have already covered, the tabernacle that the Israelites made in the wilderness, was a type, a parable of YAHWEH’S heavenly tabernacle (pages 4 and 5 of this treatise). The Stone Edition of the Chumash has this to say concerning the tabernacle, "The sages expounded that Bezalel knew the art of combining the sacred letters with which heaven and earth were created, and that he possessed a degree of wisdom similar to that which [Elohim] created the universe (Berachos 55a). This shows that the Tabernacle, as a setting for [Elohim’s] service and an abode for His Presence, was equivalent to the Creation of the universe. Indeed, Ramban and others show that the Tabernacle was the universe in microcosm, and its components symbolized the major elements of Creation." (pp. 489-490)

Such is true, for the tabernacle was patterned after YAHWEH’S heavenly throne.

The earthly tabernacle was set up so that its only opening was toward the east (please see Figure #1). We know that YAHWEH inspired the Prophet Isaiah to write, "The heaven is My throne, and the earth is My footstool: where is the house that ye build unto Me? And where is the place of My rest?" Isa. 66:1.

The ark of the covenant was in the holy of holies which was YAHWEH’ earthly throne, but this was a type of the very throne upon which He sits in heaven.

The Apostle Paul wrote about the third heaven, "I knew a man in the Messiah above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: Elohim knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven," 2 Cor. 12:2.

Looking at the tabernacle, we can divide it into three sections. Section 1 is the court where the first gate is with the altar of sacrifice, the brazen laver, etc. Section two is the sanctuary wherein is the menorah and the table of shewbread. Section 3 is the holiest place wherein is the ark of the covenant, the earthly throne of YAHWEH.

The holiest place would correspond to YAHWEH’S heavenly throne, the third heaven. Since the earth is His footstool, the gate and altar of sacrifice would represent the earthly place of His feet. As long as the tabernacle was in existence, wherever it was set up was the place of YAHWEH’S footstool. Eventually the tabernacle was discarded and the temple was built to replace it. The temple, of course, was a more permanent building, but it also would have served as a microcosm of YAHWEH’S heavenly habitation. It was in Jerusalem that the ultimate sacrifice, YAHshua’s death, took place. While the temple had an altar of sacrifice in like manner to the tabernacle, the temple and its appurtenances were just a type, a pattern, a model of YAHWEH’S true tabernacle. The place of the skull, Golgotha or Calvary was the true location of YAHWEH’S altar of sacrifice.

If we will take the pattern of the tabernacle and place it in an up and down position as I have done in Figure 2, we will get a representation of YAHWEH’S tabernacle as it extends from the earth (His footstool) heavenward to the holy of holies (His throne, the third heaven). What we discover is that the altar is, sure enough, the footstool. The laver contains water and is above the altar and the earth. Thus it represents the Earth’s atmosphere or heaven wherein the clouds exist from whence comes the rain (the first heaven).

Above Earth’s atmosphere is a door or window. When firing rockets, etc. into space, the NASA scientists speak of hitting or passing through a window. This is represented by the door of the tabernacle. Passing through the door or window causes one to enter into the second heaven wherein is the sun and the moon. The sun is represented by the menorah and the moon is represented by the table of shewbread.

Next comes the vail which represents the stars of heaven. They are far beyond the realm of the sun and moon. They are beyond our solar system. Beyond the starry vail is the third heaven wherein YAHWEH dwells.

The menorah is representative of the sun. There are seven lamps, one lamp for each day of the week. The table of shewbread had twelve loaves upon it upon which was sprinkled frankincense. While there are 12 loaves, one for each of the tribes of Israel, the loaves also represent the 12 moons or months which make up a year. The light of the menorah would shine upon the shewbread which would reflect the light because of the frankincense. This is exactly how the sun and moon are interrelated in the heaven. The sun shines upon the moon which reflects the light of the sun back to the earth.

In the spiritual realm, the assembly, the body of the Messiah is clothed with the sun and the moon is under her feet (Rev. 12:1). YAHshua told His own disciples that men have no light of their own, "YAHshua answered, ‘Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world (the sun). But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him," Jn. 11:9-10.

Again, He said, "Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth. While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light," Jn. 12:35-36.

YAHshua clothes His bride, "For as many of you as have been baptized into the Messiah have put on the Messiah," Gal. 3:27.

YAHshua is the light of the assembly just as the sun is the light of the world. His assembly is to be clothed with His light and is to reflect it to the world just as the moon reflects the light of the sun. The menorah and table of shewbread are a type of this relationship.

The menorah, as representative of the sun, only has seven lamps. This is in direct agreement with the seven day week. YAHWEH’S tabernacle and then the temple were patterns, types of His dwelling place which reveals the same relationship, the number seven, seven lamps for seven days of light, no more, no less.

There is one other sabbath to look into as well as the Jubilee. YAHWEH commanded the children of Israel to allow their land to rest every seventh year, Ex. 23:10-12, "And six years thou shalt sow thy land, and shalt gather in the fruits thereof:

11. But the seventh year thou shalt let it rest and lie still; that the poor of thy People may eat: and what they leave the beasts of the field shall eat. In like manner thou shalt deal with thy vineyard, and with they oliveyard.

12. Six days thou shalt do thy work, and on the seventh day thou shalt rest: that thine ox and thine ass may rest, and the son of thy handmaid, and the stranger, may be refreshed."

Notice that the pattern of the land sabbath was to be identical with that of the weekly sabbath. They were to work for six days and rest the seventh. They were to work the land for six years and allow the land to rest in the seventh year.

I am sure, if given enough time, this brother might even find a way to force the land sabbath into some kind of phase with the moon.

Lev. 25:1-13, "And YAHWEH spake unto Moses in mount Sinai, saying,

2. ‘Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, ‘When ye come into the land which I give you, then shall the land keep a sabbath unto YAHWEH.

3. Six years thou shalt sow thy field, and six years thou shalt prune thy vineyard, and gather in the fruit thereof;

4. But in the seventh year shall be a sabbath of rest unto the land, a sabbath for YAHWEH: thou shalt neither sow thy field, nor prune thy vineyard.

5. That which groweth of its own accord of thy harvest thou shalt not reap, neither gather the grapes of thy vine undressed: for it is a year of rest unto the land.

6. And the sabbath of the land shall be meat for you; for thee, and for thy servant, and for thy maid, and for thy hired servant, and for thy stranger that sojourneth with thee,

7. And for thy cattle, and for the beast that are in thy land, shall all the increase thereof be meat.

8. And thou shalt number seven sabbaths of years unto thee, seven times seven years; and the space of the seven sabbaths of years shall be unto thee forty and nine years.

9. Then shalt thou cause the trumpet of the jubile to sound on the tenth day of the seventh month, in the day of atonement shall ye make the trumpet sound throughout all your land.

10. And ye shall hallow the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof: it shall be a jubile unto you; and ye shall return every man unto his possession, and ye shall return every man unto his family.

11. A jubile shall that fiftieth year be unto you: ye shall not sow, neither reap that which groweth of itself in it, nor gather the grapes in it of thy vine undressed.

12. For it is the jubile; it shall be holy unto you: ye shall eat the increase thereof out of the field.

13. In the year of this jubile ye shall return every man unto his possession."

Notice the parallel. There is the seven day week ending with the sabbath, which simply repeats week in and week out throughout the year. The parallel is the land sabbath which is a seven year cycle. Then there is the feast of weeks or Pentecost which is supposed to be a count of 50 days, not 52. The parallel to Pentecost is the Jubile! Seven times seven weeks or sabbaths is 49 days. Seven times seven years is forty nine years. The fiftieth day is Pentecost or the feast of weeks (Sabbaths). The fiftieth year is the jubile.

The Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Liberty, was given on the day of Pentecost in accordance with the account in Acts 2. The Jubile is a future event which will grant liberty to the whole house of Israel and you can bet that it will come at the end of a 49 year cycle, beginning in the fall on the day of Atonement. YAHWEH always works according to the plan that He had devised.

We have learned in this treatise:

• That YAHWEH began the creation as well as creation week without the aid of the sun or the moon. They didn’t appear until the 4th day of the creation account.
• That instead of utilizing the moon cycles to bring the people to the knowledge of the Sabbath day, YAHWEH utilized the manna.
• Manna was gathered for six days. On the first five days they only gathered an omer per man (one day’s rations), but on the sixth day they gathered twice as much, for two days, not three or four.
• The manna was spiritual food and the Sabbath is for spiritual purposes, therefore, the sabbath cannot be regulated by natural phenomenon.
• None of the Scriptures anywhere concerning the Sabbath day tie it in with the moon.
• The annual holy days are specifically tied in with the moon.
• The very word "Sabbath" itself is a derivative of the Hebrew word for "seven."
• The Tabernacle made in the wilderness witnesses to the seven day Sabbath cycle.
• The land Sabbath and the Jubile witness to the seven day weekly cycle and fifty day Pentecost cycle.

In conclusion, I would like to quote what Jonathan has written on pages 16-17 of his booklet, "Israel historically had a problem with His sabbaths. Those stiffnecked people had a knack for bringing judgment on themselves for failure to keep them holy. It seems nobody likes to be ‘confined’ to a peculiar schedule."

(NOTE: It is now quite obvious that this brother doesn’t like to be confined to YAHWEH’S commanded schedule. Remember how he tried to lay everything out and complained because during the days of Unleavened Bread one year, he found himself keeping a Sabbath day rest, then after four days he had to take the first day of Unleavened Bread off from work (on a Thursday), went back to work one day, kept another seventh day Sabbath, worked four more days, observed the last day of Unleavened Bread, went to work one more day and then kept another weekly Sabbath. Finally, he complained, "...the ancient Israelites who did (keep the feasts) must have been pulling out their hair if they kept a calendar with that much resting going on.")

Continuing with the booklet, "But that is no excuse."

(NOTE: Since Israel had no excuse, neither does he. He simply hates to have to take off too many rest days. Therefore, he concocted his convoluted calendar scheme and is slick and subtle enough to sucker many of the brethren into his screwy line of thinking. It’s hard to believe how so many people who are supposed to be sincerely seeking the truth, can be so easily misled.)

Continuing with the booklet, "Who are we to think that we are different? To warn the people of pending judgment, the prophet declares as recorded in Jeremiah 17:

What soon followed this warning was the captivity of Judah into Babylon for seventy years." (pp. 16-17)

(NOTE: Shouldn’t this brother be warned that not only is he treading upon YAHWEH’S true Sabbath day cycle, but he is now leading others astray from the truth concerning YAHWEH’S Sabbath observances. He is standing in danger of suffering the same consequences that Israel and Judah had to suffer, destruction.)

If you have been convinced to follow this man and his convoluted calendar, it is my purpose to warn you away from such. All of his books should be destroyed. Any who teach and hold such tripe should be sent packing and not given a moment’s chance to explain their concept or ideas. They need to repent deeply of this grievous unrighteousness, confess their sins, seek forgiveness and humbly submit themselves to elders, assemblies and brethren who can explain the truth to them and lead them in the right paths.

Please see Exhibits #1 & #2 for copies of the calendars discussed in this treatise on the next page.

I must personally declare that as I attempted to make these calendars up, it struck me concerning how confusing it is to try to arrange an orderly seven day cycle from this lunar system. Brother Brown admits how confused he was in trying to lay out a seven day weekly cycle along with an annual feast cycle. He seems to think that he has answered the riddle, but all he has achieved is to make matters even more confusing. The truth of the matter is that the seven day weekly cycle will not fit into a 29 or 30 day lunar cycle and vice versa. To try to force them together only creates confusion.

There is a seven day weekly cycle which exists of and by itself. There is a lunar cycle of 29 or 30 days, which exists of and by itself. There are actually several yearly cycles or patterns. There are several different yearly cycles. A solar year is the period (365 days, 5 hours, 48 minutes, and 46 seconds of mean solar time) spent by the sun in making its apparent passage from vernal equinox to vernal equinox. A sidereal year is the period (365 days, 6 hours, 9 minutes, and 9.54 seconds of mean solar time) spent by the sun in its apparent passage from a fixed star and back to the same position again: it is the true period of the earth’s revolution, and the difference in time between this and the tropical year is due to the precession of the equinoxes. A lunar year is a period of 12 lunar months, as in the Jewish calendar (YAHWEH’S holy calendar is certainly based on a combination of the sun and moon.) An anomalistic year is the period of time for the earth to make one complete revolution from perihelion to perihelion (365 days, 6 hours, 13 minutes, and 53 seconds).

The prison ministry continues to abound. As we encounter more and more brothers and sisters who are incarcerated, we encounter more and more problems. Some can be problems of their own making. Others can be problems brought on because these individuals are attempting to worship, serve and walk in YAHWEH’S ways while the administration they are under simply doesn’t understand, nor does it care to. Others can be problems of loneliness because they can find no one else to fellowship with in the truth.

We are going to post some of their letters and comments which will also inform you of their problems. We are also going to post some of the problems that we have had to deal with.

Elder Healan, Greetings in the name of YAHshua. Grace and peace to you and yours from YAHWEH our Father and YAHshua His Anointed One, our Savior.

We received your latest newsletter on the eve of the Day of Atonement. Mind you, this was only the second (such feast) time I’ve honored this day; as will be the feast of Tabernacles and the Last Great Day. And with no example to follow, I am totally dependent on the Sacred writings and YAHWEH’S precious Spirit. Who could ask for more? But still, at 45 yrs. Old, up until 5/20/01 I was a follower of the majority and taught by example and peer pressure. Since that day, unknown to me at the time, I’ve been called to follow a very different path (I think you know what I mean) and meet a whole lot of opposition. But thanks be to YAHWEH Most High, His Spirit has given me the determination to walk this path; whatever the outcome may be. Twice this year I’ve been called "obsessed." Both times in reference to "Truth" I’ve recently been made aware of.

"Again, the kingdom of YAHWEH is like unto a treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field."

Again, the kingdom of YAHWEH is like unto a merchant man seeking goodly pearls: who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it." (Mt. 13:44-46) Psychology tells me I have an addictive personality. Maybe now our heavenly Father YAHWEH can use this dysfunction for His glory. "...they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints…" (1 Cor. 16:15)

But, back to your newsletter, when I first received it, I put it away, thinking that maybe it wasn’t appropriate to read on the Day of Atonement. But later, scanning the front page, the lead article caught my attention. You see, just that day, I spoke with Mr. Basra, and just before sunset, spoke with Mr. Conley about what differences happened between you, Elder Meyer, and Elder Hawkins. It grieves me to have come to the knowledge of the Sacred Name and His assemblies and still find disunity. I don’t understand. Unless possibly, by splintering, our Heavenly Father YAHWEH is able to reach more people? Networking, if you will? Is Mt. 10:34 appropriate here? "Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace but a sword." or Lk. 12:51, "Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, nay; but rather division:…" Peace, being #1515 eirene; probably from a primitive verb eiro (to join).

Is this example appropriate? "And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, ‘Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of YAHWEH, and see how they do. And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark. But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work. And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other…" (Acts 15:36-39)

Of this I am assured; our Heavenly Father YAHWEH and our Savor YAHshua are being proclaimed; the true Creators of heaven and earth and all that therein is.

So, thank you for sharing your testimony. It was miraculously timely if you know what I mean.

And I continued reading—next about your efforts to meet the needs of those of us requesting baptism. Please be advised, I still desire baptism. If you are having problems with the chaplaincy here please let us know and how we can be of assistance. It is our right even in this beast system. As YAHshua, our example said, "...suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness…" (Mt. 3:15).

And I continued reading your newsletter all the while wondering whether or not I should be doing so on this awesome Day of Atonement. To the best o my ability, I had fulfilled the requirements legislated in Lev. 23:27-32; with the exception to the "Holy Convocation" requirement. I was alone in my cell; physically. I’m not certain what was happening supernaturally, but this I do know, at 18:30 (our time) I read, "And not only so, but we also joy in YAHWEH through our sovereign YAHshua the Messiah, by whom we have now received the atonement." (Ro. 5:11) I knew deep down inside our Heavenly Father YAHWEH had accepted my sacrifice and I am covered, kippur, by the blood of our Sovereign YAHshua. Still, five days later, the Sabbath, I’m awed by how Almighty YAHWEH, in His divine providence, prepared this newsletter. Yes, Elder Healan, He used you to prepare an answer, months or so, in advance to certain questions (unity, baptism) I and my true brothers (YAHWEH’S prisoners) were concerned with. HalleluYah! It boggles my mind. Thanks again for being receptive to His Spirit. And thank you for sharing a portion of this joyous Sabbath with me. May your family, you, and the brethren of Atlanta be blessed of YAHWEH this season of joy, the feast of Tabernacles, through YAHshua His Anointed; our Savior.

Sincerely, Richard Bowhay #1030549, 2101 FM 369 N., Iowa Park, TX 76367.

Dear Brother Healan, I am writing you for two reason. First, I am no longer at the Brickeys Unit. My stand for YAHWEH’S glorious law has now led me to a supermax unit. Below, please find my new mailing address.

Secondly, I would like you to know that your September-October 2003 newsletter came as a blessing in more ways than you realize. Until two weeks ago, my family paid tithes to the AOY at Bethel, PA. I do not wish to go into great detail, but for the reasons stated in your article "Achieving True Unity," we no longer do so.

I directed my wife and daughters to pray that Father YAHWEH would give us guidance on this matter, then I read your "Open Letter." My prayer was answered! Baurkh attah YAHWEH! Please be advised that I have instructed my family to begin paying 50% of our tithes to YEA. It won’t be much, we are poor, but we hope to remain faithful to YAHWEH in all things. I pray it will help you spread YAHWEH’S truth.

My address is now Michael J. Fegans #79087, P. O. Box 600, Grady, AR 71644-0600.

Thank you ever so much for your enlightening "Bible Study" and profound literature. You’re responsible for relighting the fire for Yah and His Word in my life. Thank you for the revealing knowledge!

Okay, I now have gained the truth and knowledge in properly praying and seeking YAHWEH and YAHshua. I’ve learned also the true identity and origin of the names Jesus, God, Lord, etc. I know the truth now and will be held responsible because of it.

How can I attend churches anymore where everyone is praying and worshipping to an entity Satan has blinded everyone with through deception? Please help me and answer this question. You’ve turned my world upside down. Help me get on track. YAHWEH is my life. Thank you. MAJ

PS. They even have signs on the alter "Jesus is LORD"!!!

I want to thank you for your wonderful ministry and all the profound truths YAHWEH has revealed to me through you. You’ve changed my very life down here and I can’t even contemplate the eternal difference you’ve made. MAJ

Below is a letter, seemingly of desperation, that we received which reveals a problem that needed to be addressed.

Elder Healan, Shalom Achi! I pray that Abba YAHWEH kept his hand upon you as you traveled to Cuero and then back home after leaving our unit following yesterday’s service. I want to personally thank you for coming down to meet with us here at Beeville. We truly enjoyed the service and I received nothing but favorable remarks from the brethren! We love you and appreciate your ministry.

There is a "matter" that needs to be discussed since you are generally accepted and recognized by the community here as our "Elder." It involves a matter that was briefly touched upon at the "Q & A" section of our service yesterday...and it involves brethren’s activities in "non-qodesh" activities.

To make a long story short, two brethren have been participating in services/events that have literally caused great disturbance and near division among the assembly here on the unit.

A Brief History:

Both of these brethren in question fancy themselves as "entertainers"...one sings and the other "raps" (so-called "Gospel Rap").

(#1) In late May the Muslim community on this unit organized a so-called "June-teenth" celebration for the inmates. It was a "talent show" (more or less). Anyway, both of these brethren immediately signed on to perform at this Muslim sponsored event. When news of their involvement circulated through the Sacred Name Community, many of the brethren confronted these brothers about partaking in a "Muslim" event. They attempted to justify their participation by saying that the Muslims only organized the show...but that it was not "Muslim" in nature.

However, only a few days after this all "hit the fan" so to speak. Huge "fliers" were placed upon all the unit bulletin boards which has a huge Mosque upon it with the words, "Come and join in the Muslim Community’s celebration of…" When confronted with these "fliers," these men still defended their participation...and indeed did perform at this Muslim event! (Note: in the week preceding this show 27 innocent Israelis were killed and 41 injured in two bus bombings in Israel!...the "Muslims" on this unit "celebrate" each homicide bombing!!!)

(#2) One of the brethren was planning on skipping our very first scheduled Sabbath service because he had requested a lay-in to attend a "Catholic Retreat" for that same day...because food was to be served and he might be asked to sing! He did attend the first Sabbath service...but readily admits that he attended only because they failed to lay him in for the Catholic retreat!

(#3) Last Sabbath (Aug. 23) both of these men neglected our monthly Sabbath service and instead attended a "Church" event scheduled for some time...because they had requested to perform there. (After 4 years of fighting tooth & nail for Sabbath Services!!)

(#4) One man is the actual "choir leader" for the Sun-day services!! And the other brother regularly attends services and sometimes plays drums for their "praise and worship" team!!

Elder Healan, how can we effectively witness to the "Christians" concerning the Names and Sabbath and feasts (etc.) when two of our well known brethren are leading the Sun-day songs?! And believe me, they are quick to point to these men and say, "If we are so wrong...how come your "brothers" are here doing the same thing?!" They have placed a "stumbling block" before this assembly that must be dealt with!

Perhaps it is time for you, Elder Healan, to follow Paul’s example and author a "letter to the Beeville Assembly" in the manner that Paul addressed the Corinthian problems?? As our Elder, we are appealing to you in this matter.

Please, Elder Healan, you have no idea how much strife this is causing among the assembly...what should we do? Should we put them out of the assembly? Does not "a little leaven, leaven the whole lump??" We appeal for your intervention and guidance.

Please respond and at least let me know that you received this letter. I promised several of the brethren that I would address this issue with you...I have done my part.

May YAHWEH bless you abundantly in all things! Shalom, In His Service, DW.

Dear Brethren, Sept. 5, 2003

Shalom and warmest greetings in the awesome and majestic names of YAHWEH and YAHshua. What a tremendous blessing it was to be able to meet with so many of you men last Sabbath (Aug. 30th) and to enjoy the sweet fellowship in YAHWEH and YAHshua. It was truly a spiritually moving experience. I also pray that the words spoken have entered into your hearts and minds in order to be able to produce the fruits of the Spirit. I can testify to you that I have never been able to cover so many subjects in such a short period of time, therefore, I know that the Spirit was moving in order to say what needed to be said. I am preparing to contact Chaplain Kibbe in order to set up another meeting for Sabbath, Nov. 30th. (Should be 29th).

I also traveled to the Stevenson Unit at Cuero and had another marvelous spiritually moving meeting with some of the men there. Ten men were at the meeting and nine of them were baptized, HalleluYah!!!! (The other man had been baptized during a visit last year.) Some of you have also requested baptism and I will see what arrangements Chaplain Kibbe will make in order to perform the requested service.

I have already received one letter of thanks from one of the Cuero brethren. After his baptism, he had shown some arrogance towards others, especially the Christians, because of the truth that he now has. I encouraged him to walk in love, patience and humility toward others not of this way, for we also were in their shoes at one time and by the grace of YAHWEH, we have been called to a higher calling. However, this calling is not for the purpose of feeling superior to others. This calling is for the purpose of walking in truth which imparts the fruits of the Spirit. The first fruit of the Spirit is love which directs our attention first toward YAHWEH and then toward our neighbor. As I stated at the meeting, this love causes us to be able to begin o understand and appreciate the faithfulness of YAHWEH and to, in turn, exhibit His Spirit of love toward others, even our enemies.

The second fruit of the Spirit is joy. This calling should cause us to be able to walk in joy and rejoicing because of the light, truth and promises that we now have. Remember that YAHshua is our light, our truth, our way, our hope, our promise of inheritance of things we can’t even begin to imagine at this present time. We can only look through a glass "darkly" at these things. But we know that there is a most mighty and wondrous Creator Elohim Who has a plan that is marvelous to behold. When that plan is fulfilled, the whole creation will be full of the radiance of YAHWEH. There will be joy and rejoicing for evermore.

The next fruit is the spirit of peace. Through YAHshua, we have peace with YAHWEH. We can even have peace with our enemies. Have you ever looked at YAHshua’s Passover sacrifice? Have you ever noticed that Herod and Pilate were enemies, but in their dealings with YAHshua’s situation, peace came between them? And Herod and Pilate were still enemies of YAHWEH, but YAHshua gave Himself for us even while we were yet His enemies. HalleluYah!!!, brethren, what a tremendous Mighty One Who has called us to know so much about Himself!

Next comes the fruit of longsuffering. Longsuffering should be translated as "endurance." We must endure in this way of life to the very end of our lives. This way we have been called to is the only way to truly live and be blessed. Therefore, endurance should be easy for us, but the problem is that we still have this flesh to contend with and the flesh wants to cause us to forget YAHWEH’S way, to begin to grumble and complain and to get more self-centered. We must realize that we will have to fight the flesh to the death! We must endure and overcome in our fight against the fleshly desires.

Gentleness. Are we truly becoming gentle? We can look at so many, many women and see a gentleness about them. I guess that is one reason why the Holy Spirit is characterized as female. But the overall preponderance of males are very aggressive from birth. It is much more difficult for males to be gentle. But the Greek word also means to be useful, morally speaking, or excellent in character or demeanor.

Goodness. Goodness has to do with virtue or beneficence, in other words, walking in YAHWEH’S righteousness or walking in the Savior YAHshua Who is our righteousness.

Faith. As we know, without faith, we can’t please YAHWEH. We must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. The Hebrew word for faith also has to do with truth and faithfulness. We can’t just say we believe and then live our lives as if His word means nothing to us. We must learn to condition our lives to walk in His ways.

Meekness. Meekness also has to do with gentleness, but especially when it comes to humility. Moses was the most meek man in the earth at the time of his existence. We certainly know that YAHshua had to have been the most meek man to ever have lived. YAHshua wasn’t necessarily gentle to those who withstood Him or didn’t believe in Him. But He didn’t go around seeking to destroy them either. He went around warning all to repent and believe in Him so that they could inherit the Kingdom of heaven.

Temperance. Temperance has to do with self control. I know that the flesh causes us to easily lose our own self control, but we must strive to master the lusts and desires of the flesh.

Paul says that if we are able to exhibit these fruits of the Spirit then there can be no law against us. Notice what he continues to say, And they that are the Messiah’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.

My question is, brethren, are you working to make your calling and election sure? Do you know what it means to be elected? The word actually means to be chosen!

Are you chosen of YAHWEH? If you are chosen of YAHWEH, then aren’t you called to walk in His ways and no longer in the ways of this world? Aren’t you called to worship an serve Him and His beloved Son? Aren’t you called to be "qodesh" which means to be "set apart" for "cleanness and purity?"

I know that the question of eating Scripturally declared unclean meats came up. Remember that I asked you which you had rather partake of, YAHWEH’S Passover Lamb, or the world’s Christmas Ham? The subject of clean and unclean meats can be raised into the spiritual realm, for the clean has to do with YAHWEH and His Anointed (Messiah) and their wondrously clean, pure, holy ways while the unclean meats represent the God of this world and his anointed (Christ) and their idolatrous ways. Don’t you understand that if you are called and have embraced the ways of YAHWEH that you are to refrain from the ways of Idolatry? Didn’t Paul encourage us to "Flee idolatry?" "Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry. I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say. The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of the Messiah? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of the Messiah? For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread. Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar? What say I then? That the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing? But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to YAHWEH: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils. Ye cannot drink of the cup of YAHWEH, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of YAHWEH’S table, and of the table of devils. Do we provoke YAHWEH to jealousy? Are we stronger than He?" 1 Cor. 10:14-22.

I know that the discussion came up about some of you attending Christian services and I may have appeared to have been undecided or weak on that issue, but if you will remember, I did say that I, personally, would not do such a thing. Why? Because of what YAHWEH commanded Israel concerning the faith and religion of the nations of the land wherein they were going to inhabit and possess, and because of what Paul wrote here in First Corinthians.

It has been reported to me that some of you wee involved with a Muslim celebration of Juneteenth, which, while there is no problem with the celebration of Juneteenth in and of itself, the problem is that it was promoted and hosted by the Muslim community. Don’t you understand that the Muslim community is of the spirit of Ishmael who hated and persecuted Isaac, the forefather of Israel? Don’t you understand that Ishmael is lashing out at the Jewish people and the American people today because of their hatred of Isaac, Judah and Israel? While YAHWEH may be correcting His people because of their obstinacy and stiff necked attitude and He may be utilizing the Muslim community to do that very thing, the fact of the matter is that if and when the time of correction is over with, YAHWEH will then turn His hand to correct the enemies of Isaac, Judah and Israel. He will turn back their own destruction that they have sown upon their own heads. Moses chose to suffer with the children of Israel rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season. How about you?

It has been reported to me that the Muslim community celebrates each homicide bombing! How can you associate, rejoice and celebrate with those who are condoning such idiotic violence? You see, YAHWEH proclaims that He will turn Israel’s sorrow into rejoicing and the rejoicing of their enemies into sorrow in His own chosen time. You set no good example to anyone when you rejoice with the enemies of YAHWEH’S people.

It has also been reported to me that one of you is a choir leader for Christian activities and that some of you are forsaking meeting with those in the Names in order to perform at such activities. Whose altar are you going to worship at? Some of you even want to go to these activities because they have food there. Again, the question is, Aren’t you partaking of the wrong altar?

Back when my wife (who is an ex-Catholic) and I were first called to the Worldwide Church of God, some of here family invited us to a feast that they call St. Joseph’s Table. We went and ate with her family, but later, I read these same passages that Paul had written and was convicted in my heart to never accept such an invitation again. When we were invited the next year, we politely declined and have done so ever since.

Brethren, are you willing to suffer with YAHWEH’S people as Moses did? Does the truth matter to you? Do you think that you can go to the idolaters worship services and then go and also worship and serve YAHWEH? Isn’t that what Jeremiah spoke out in condemnation of the people of his day? "Behold, ye trust in lying words, that cannot profit. Will ye steal, murder, and commit adultery, and swear falsely, and burn incense unto Baal, and walk after other elohim whom ye know not; and come and stand before Me in this house, which is called by My name, and say, ‘We are delivered to do these abominations?’ Is this house, which is called by My name, become a den of robbers in your eyes? Behold, even I have seen it, saith YAHWEH," Jer. 7:8-11

Don’t you understand that if you have been immersed in the name of the Savior, that you are the temple of YAHWEH? Weren’t you convicted concerning the truths of YAHWEH and YAHshua? Weren’t you convicted that you needed to come out from among the false worldly worship (which includes Christianity) in order to become clean? Don’t you understand that if you are taking part in their worship service that you are taking part in their altar which Paul proclaims to be the altar, the table of devils? How can you serve two ways? How can you serve two different Elohim? How can you serve two different Saviors? How can you serve truth and idolatry? You can’t my beloved brethren. You need to clean up your altar. You need to serve the true Elohim of heaven and earth. You need to lay aside the emptiness of idolatry. You must make a decision, for YAHWEH will not allow you to straddle the fence. You must serve one or the other. It just isn’t possible to serve both.

Their own actions reveal that they hate the true name of the heavenly Father YAHWEH. Their own actions reveal that they hate that worthy name by which we are called. Their own actions reveal that they hate His commands. Oh, they may pay them lip service as in the incident in Alabama, but ask them whether they are willing to obey those commands or not and they will turn on you and declare you to be a legalist.

It is my understanding that those who are involved in these things are causing an uproar among the brethren. You know who you are. You must make a decision, my beloved brethren. You must choose to either serve YAHWEH and YAHshua or God and Jesus. You must decide whether you desire to serve truth or falsehood, light or darkness, the true Elohim or idolatry.

It has been reported that you have placed a "stumbling block before the assembly." Yes, and also a stumbling block before yourselves. I encourage you to repent deeply and sorely for what you have done. I encourage you to embrace the truth, to love the truth, to live by the truth. I encourage you to do as Paul warns, "FLEE IDOLATRY!" Please do so before it is too late. Remove the unclean from your altar. Replace it with He Who is clean, pure, qodesh and be you also clean, pure and qodesh.

I truly hope to see you with the rest of the saints on the 30th (29th) of November. I do love all and it does pain me greatly that I have to write this letter, but the body of the Messiah must be purged and prepared for the wedding. May YAHWEH grant you the Spirit of understanding so that you may serve Him in Spirit and Truth.

Ahavah and Shalom in our Sovereign YAHshua the Messiah, Elder/Evangelist Jerry Healan

If we objectively look for Satan's handiwork, is it possible to find it imprinted on any "human traditions"? This fallen being which Scripture calls ha shatan (the adversary) is neither male nor female, but is among the most powerful, intelligent, and beautiful of all created beings -- and has existed since long before the Earth was formed. "He" really is "older than dirt", or the sun, moon, and stars. Know the schemes of your enemy, and you will be better prepared to identify when you are being deceived. Although there are many who directly and consciously choose to worship this being, it doesn't please "diabolos" nearly as much as being able to deceive the intelligent people of this world who are really intending to do what is right. Their hearts are good and pure, but they can be deceived very easily, so diabolos "masquerades" as a messenger of "Light" for them. The Latin word "Lucifer" means light bearer. The people who willingly choose to serve him are really worthless to him, and mean very little. They are often weak-minded and misinformed individuals, with little education or life experience (such as those who might join the "Church of Elvis", or join a cult to follow a Guru, or read Tarot cards and study their "horoscope" in the newspaper). But, the "elect" are the target of Satan's schemes, because they are YHWH'S wife. Deut. 12:30,31 forbids us to learn the Pagan's ways, or to worship YHWH in the Pagan way. "Way" would be the process, scheme, model, method, pattern, or design of the Pagan ways. If we "adopt" a Pagan pattern or try to clean it up, we violate Deut. 12:30,31. It is like putting lipstick on a pig, thinking we have changed the situation by cleaning it up. Peter told us we must avoid becoming entangled again in Paganism in exactly these terms:

"A dog returns to his own vomit" and "A washed sow returns to her wallowing in the mud." 2 Peter 2:22

The objective of his game: to divert our obedience away from serving the true Creator of the universe, and influence us to do things his way instead. In other words, by following Satan's practices, we are obeying HIM. He knows that we will not serve him consciously, so he tricks us by means of schemes, devices, or snares. He attracts us to what looks good, then convinces us that it is what we should be doing. He is a gifted entertainer, and a master of ceremonies!

Long ago, after the flood, there were relatively few humans on the Earth. The three sons of Noach had separated somewhat, and formed 3 clans or 3 large families. These eventually became the three races of mankind (mongoloid, negroid, and caucazoid). The children of Ham and Yapheth went into the region called Sumer, while the children of Shem were some distance away to the southwest. Ararat is in the area now called Turkey, so all mankind can claim to be Turkish! (Turkish American, Turkish African, Turkish Russian . . . . .). (smile)

Rulers arose in the midst of these clans, but from the clan of Ham a son of Kush came to power by means of intimidation and fear. He was a tyrant "hunter" and is given credit for becoming the first KING on the Earth. His name was NIMROD. Genesis 10 tells us the beginning of his reign was Babel, Erek, Akkad, and Kalneh in the land of Shinar. Going to Ashshur he built Neneweh, Rehoboth Ir, and Kelah. Genesis chapters 10 and 11 describe the origins of all the powerful influences we see on Earth today -- governmental, economic, and religious (these are the 3 "kingdoms" possessing authority over the whole Earth).

We can track "Satan's Seat" across the Earth over time by studying Scripture. He brought the populations together to serve him by designing a religious order or process that remains in perfect condition today. He used creation itself as a vehicle to make men follow his patterns. The cycle of the seasons, and the signs (constellations, solstices, equinoxes) and lights in the heavens became his snare for mankind. The calendar used by western civilization today represents the foundation upon which everything we think and do rests. In general, this "measurement" or "numbering" of time became the background for Astrology, Satan's original religious order. Our enemy is not flesh and blood -- but a spiritual being in control of the powers of this dark world.

Satan invented sun-worship. In the northern hemisphere, where all people lived at first after the Noachic Flood, the sun rises on the eastern horizon at its most northern point at the Summer Solstice (Sol-stice means "sun-stop"). At the winter Solstice, it is at its lowest point south, and was believed to be dying. For roughly 4,000 years, people have celebrated the "re-birth" of the SUN at the winter solstice. The principle object of worship in the ancient world was the sun (among those who were ignorant of the true Creator). Behind all Pagan deity worship stands Satan himself. He accepts honor in whatever name we wish to call him; Baal, Moloch, Marduk, Venus, Odin, Krishna, Aphrodite, Ishtar, Zeus, Amon-Ra, Mithras, Ahura-Mazda, Dagon -- male or female, it matters not. The most important day in the life of a witch or sorceror is their annual birthday. This is because the celebration of the sun's birthday was the winter solstice, which was what we call December 25th today. Originally, common people did not observe their personal birthday; the earliest birthday observances were reserved for the Pagan deities (all of these are Satan). Later, Kings observed their birthdays, as we see Pharaoh doing in the book of Genesis. Much later, common people began the practice, but only among Pagans, since that is the origin of birthday celebrations (consult the book of JOB and you'll see how each of his children had a party in their house "on their day". For roughly 4,000 years, the SOLSTICE has been -- by proxy -- the day of Satan's birthday celebration (because he is the designer of the original astrological religious pattern, and deceived mankind to cause them to worship the sun). Deut. 12:30, 31 clearly forbids the worship of YHWH after Pagan ways/methods/patterns. Many believe "All Hallowed's E'ven" (Halloween) is the birthday of Satan; but it wears no disguise as Christmas does. The deceiver uses insidious trickery to overcome us by means of traditions he's sown into our cultures.

RE-VISIONISM ("looking back", with changes)

As a master of ceremonies, Satan disguised his religious deception by what scholars call "revisionism" over time. Here is what the dictionary says about revisionism:

History shows that the Roman State religion was one of sun-worship (Mithraism) at first, then Constantine enforced a blended form of Christianity and Mithraism on the empire. He out-lawed the true Sabbath, and enforced Sun-day worship under penalty of death. He established Catholicism (Latin meaning: Universalism) by setting the dates for observing the weekly "sabbath" as Sun-day, and Easter for the empire. (Easter was already one of several vital Pagan observances, originally "Ishtar", commemorating the impregnation of the Earth-Mother nine months prior to the winter solstice!). Who designed sun-worship? The father of lies. Are any lies told around Christmas time?

In the year 525, Dionysus Exiguus came to Rome from Scythia. He was a "monk" of some sort, which all Pagan religions seem to have -- but such a term is not found in Scripture as playing a role in true worship. Coming upon the time of the Solstice festival celebrating the birthday of the sun, he witnessed all Rome in revelry. Wreaths of greenery were hung on the doors of homes as emblems of the sun. Every good sun-worshipper had a round wreath on the door of their home. Everyone exchanged gifts, and drunken partying was everywhere. The color RED was also symbolic for the sun, bringing to mind HEAT. In ancient Babylon, gifts were placed on trees of the grove as offerings to Tammuz / Nimrod on the winter solstice. Nimrod was associated with greenery, and was worshipped as the sun idol after he was slain. The "Christmas trees" represented Nimrod to the ancient sun-worshippers (Jer. 10:2-5), and sunrise worship services involving "branches" were even found in Ezek. 8:17, where the priests turned toward the sun with their backs to YHWH’S Temple. The wreaths were emblems of Nimrod, and suggested the round solar shape. Learning that these practices in Rome were in honor of the ancient sun idol, Dionysus Exiguus was shocked and dismayed. Reasoning that it was to be impossible to stand in the way of the frenzied fervor, he sought to "revise" the meaning for it by claiming it to be the celebration of the birth of the Messiah, not the Pagan sun idol, Mithras (Satan) -- thus justifying it by adopting this satanic ceremony into "Christianity" (violating Deut. 12:30,31). He invented the concept of "B.C. & A.D." The apologists call it "inculturation" when we steal a page out of Satan's book and take it as our own. When we peel back the mask or layers which conceal these truths, most people don't want to look at the pure truth straight in the eye. They are disturbed by the "attack" and only want to go back to their slumber of deception. So, they often accuse the messenger as being from a "cult", or hateful, critical, and judgmental.

When we exchange DARKNESS for LIGHT, we can expect eventual woe. The "wiles" of the devil are directed at the children, because he knows that if you train up a child in the way he should go -- he will not depart from it when he is old. "Oh, but its only for the children" they will tell you. The devices, schemes, snares, and wiles of diabolos have most people of the Earth obeying him. "Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves servants for obedience, you are servant of the one whom you OBEY, whether of sin to death, or of obedience to righteousness?" Romans 6:16

Revising, camouflaging, masking, concealing: this is the process our enemy employs to deceive us. Can we overcome the deceit, or will we drift along with the broad road to destruction? Awaken -- You are dreaming a Babylonian nightmare. There is no mask to peel away from what is True and right; there is no Pagan underpinning to the Truth -- it is clean and pure from its origins.

CHRIST'S MASS

"Christmas" is a Catholic term, part Greek, part Latin. Mixing again. We are not permitted to MIX Paganism with our faith. "Christ" is Greek for anointed, and "mas" is Latin for depart. The Roman "MASS" is another inherited satanic practice from the worship of Mithras (the sun idol again), which was associated with the passover meal called "the last supper". Again, revising things to appear Scriptural, Satan combined (mixed) elements of both religious perspectives to conceal what he was really up to. Revisionism -- modifying religious teachings to fit into a new scheme -- is Satan's best method to deceive mankind. He can make our conscience feel pure and clean as long as he can give us a good reason for something, like he did the first woman. He's still whispering lies to us from the "Christmas tree", and the leaders of Christianity are promoting them to the public. Excusing them is not what we are commanded to do; we are to EXPOSE them for what they really are (Eph. 5:11-13).

Mr. "HO-HO-HO" is another related factor to this cultural event. He's like a hero without a name of his own, an elfish creature linked to a man named "Nicholas". "OLD NICK" is a euphemism for Satan. The story of a "Nicholas" in Holland during the 3rd century who was generous to children is unsubstantiated by anything but relatively recent lore, but Christian he could not have been. Christianity made no inroads into the Norse areas until Patrick during the 8th century. The name "Santa Claus" came from the name "saint Nicholas" as it was pronounced by the Dutch, and taken down as "SAINTNI-CHOLAS" by English people attempting to spell this name. The color RED was brought in to Santa's costume by the COCA-COLA company's marketing department in the 1930's, but it is coincidentally the "seasonal color" inherited from the sun-worshipping Pagans. He flies horned beasts (by sorcery?) through the air at night, and enters homes by means of the fireplace -- the ancient Pagans' most sacred spot in their homes. Who might Santa really be? SATAN & SANTA employ the same letters, and are in perfect order right before your eyes, and all you have to do is move the "N". He's horning into the celebration, but what does he have to do with this time of year, even from the Pagan perspective? Identifying who he is, and whose birthday December 25th really is, should link up to some conclusions in your mind. He is Nimrod, Baal, Moloch, Zeus, Venus, etc., ----- and these are all really one deceiving being: SATAN.

Christmas? Yes, it's a birthday observance; It's SATAN'S BIRTHDAY

-- Our Messiah has nothing to do with it, and never has --

Regardless of what Christian teachers may tell you, Christmas was NOT a part of what the early United States of America stood for. The first 13 American Colonies all had laws against this satanic observance, and their faith in the Messiah was the basis for it. One would be fined and/or imprisoned for observing Christmas, because the early American settlers understood that this practice was one of popery's strongest promotions, and that it's origins were PAGAN (therefore satanic). (Popery is tyrannical Nimrodism, and this can be proven to anyone from the book by Alexander Hislop, The Two Babylons. Remember the account of George Washington "crossing the Delaware"? This was the day of the first successful battle in favor of the Colonies, against the Anglican / Catholic British. The enemy army was encamped across the Delaware, and George attacked with his men early in the morning and won the battle -- on CHRISTMAS DAY. The enemy had been celebrating all night, and were in a stupor.

So, when you hear a Christian talk-show host or a preacher whining about how sad it is that "Christmas" is so secularized -- or that Christians are being deprived of their rights by not being allowed to put up a decoration on public property -- or have a public school play celebrating the birth of "Jesus" (Yahushua ha Mashiach) at this time of year, remember whose birthday it really is, and try to let them know. Not many are bold enough to come out and tell them, but one day the whole Earth will know the Truth, and the Truth will set them free.

Traditions come and go; the Truth will never change.

Tania Elizabeth Jones was baptized on the Sabbath of September 27 (Feast of Trumpets) She traveled all the way from Wales in order to be brought to this momentous occasion. She was introduced to the faith by Robert Kirk. They struck up a relationship on the internet. When he informed her of his faith, she began asking questions and he directed her to various places on the internet in answer to those questions. She became convinced of the truth and was baptized as per above. Of course, she and Robert had developed a very close and personal relationship with each other and while corresponding on the internet and while she was here in America, she and Robert were united in holy matrimony. Elder Jerry Healan officiated. Sister Fran Healan was a witness.

Cranford Courtney was baptized on Sabbath October 4 at the Coffield prison unit in Tennessee Colony, Texas. He is one of the various inmates who meets with us on the first Sabbath of the month at that unit.

Please pray for the lambs of YAHshua that they will be able to endure in the faith and meet our Savior in the air upon His return.

Elders George Garner, Jerry Healan and Brother Bill Selman are planning to take a trip to the Philippines in Jan.-Feb. of 2004. The Philippines have produced many strong and faithful believers for many years. Elder Jerry Healan was able to travel to the Philippines in Jan.-Feb. of 1993, but hasn’t been blessed to be able to return since that time. That trip was of 5 weeks duration. Elder Gamino, Brother Nevado and (at that time) Brother Healan were able to travel to various places on Luzon, Mindanao, Palawan, etc.

It was such an inspiring and encouraging trip, even though it was also demanding. We were on the road so much of the time, during the day and also late at night. Many of the accommodations were rather crude when compared to what we are used to in the states. But it was so rewarding to be able to meet so many of the brethren and to be able to fellowship with them.

The brethren were so hospitable. Sometimes we would visit 5 or 6 places per day. Every place would offer food after we held our meetings and/or introductions and greetings. But Elder Healan still managed to lose 20 pounds (which wouldn’t be a bad thing if it happened this time).

This trip will not be as long in duration nor as grueling as the last one as they are only scheduled to be there for about two weeks. However, they will hopefully be able to do some limited traveling and visiting with the brethren.

The primary focus of the trip for YAIM will be to visit with Elders Blanquera and Intong and with as many of the brethren as possible. YEA"s focus will be the same, but also plans to visit with Brother George Paña and family whom they have chosen to help and support in the ministry there. They have also been involved with Elder Intong who has written many articles for the YEA Newsletter through the years.

We will also, hopefully be able to meet with Elder Dagohoy who resides in Cagayan de Oro in northern Mindanao.

Please remember them in these travels as the areas they will be traveling in have been quite volatile in recent times. As we know, some missionaries of other faiths have been kidnapped and have even lost their lives in these areas. We certainly ask you to remember them and pray for the success of the trip and for their safe passage.

If any would like to make special donations to the Philippine ministry or for the trip, you can do so by contacting YAHWEH’S Assembly In Messiah, 401 N. Roby Farm Rd., Rocheport, MO. 65279, or YAHWEH’S Evangelical Assembly, P. O. Box 31, Atlanta, TX. 75551.

May YAHWEH and YAHshua bless this trip and may They utilize it to expand the ability to do a greater work with a giant and effectual open door to our Philippine brethren. HelleluYAH!!!

It is amazing, but it has been two years since we have mailed out our subscription renewal cards. Our mailing list had grown rather large. It had become quite laborious to put it together and mail it out, not to mention that it was quite expensive.

We had wondered how many of the people were reading and enjoying the newsletter because we heard back from only a few of the subscribers. We sent the subscription renewal card out and it helped us trim back the mailing list by 50%. We feel that our suspicions were confirmed. However, there were many of you who did subscribe months later after you finally noticed that you weren’t receiving the newsletter. We found that many had intended to return the card, but simply procrastinated.

In those two years, we have just about returned to that same number of subscriptions again. We are not sending out a subscription renewal card at this time, but we would encourage you to let us know whether you desire to stay on the mailing list or not. It does take a great deal of effort to put the newsletter together, run the copies, ready it for mailing and send it out. It can also be fairly expensive. We truly don’t mind the cost as long as the subscribers are reading it, learning from it, and enjoying it. It is our desire to bear the cost and the labor that is required to put it together.

That being said, we still don’t want to send it and our other materials if they are not being utilized. That causes our labor and finances to go for nothing. Therefore, at this time we are asking any who are not reading and utilizing the materials to please be courteous enough to drop us a line and request that your subscription to be cancelled.

Thank all of you for the honor and opportunity to serve you with those things that have been freely given to us.

We at YEA want to heartily thank everyone who has been supporting and believing in this ministry. While an extremely small percentage of you who are on our mailing list (less than 10%) see fit to support and help this ministry with tithes and offerings, still, we are provided for. Our bills are paid and expenses are met. YAHWEH has been blessing and providing for us through you and your gifts and offerings. May He greatly and richly reward and bless everyone of you. We thank Him and we thank you. HalleluYah!!!

Q. Hello, I was reading through your articles tonight. They were very helpful. I wanted to ask a question regarding circumcision.

I am a black woman who recently found a congregation who calls themselves Hebrew Israelites. They claim that the black people are the Hebrew Israelites. I would be very happy to know that I am part of the chosen people or the 144,000 mentioned in Revelations. But, something is troubling me. I asked if circumcision was required. They told me that was a sticky issue. They mentioned that circumcision was to be done forever. Based on the scriptures I have been reading, I do not feel this is necessary.

I believe YAHWEH is helping me. It is through this congregation that I was baptized in YAHshua’s name. But, I do not agree with everything they say. I don't know anything about my past...except for slavery. So, I am a little skeptical about them telling me I am a Hebrew Israelite. I guess it is possible when they compare the curses in Deuteronomy with the things our people went through. Anyway, that isn't nearly as important to me as is pleasing my father YAHWEH and doing his will. Can you help? Thank You, N. S.

A. Shalom (peace) N. S., While it is true that the Israelites were to be dispersed into all the world, the fact of the matter is that the Northern tribes of Israel under the Ephraimite kings were taken North into the Caucasus region. There are plenty of books, which document this fact. They were held as captives in that area for 390 years, according to the prophet Ezekiel. Their final overthrow occurred in 721 BCE. 390 years later brings us to 331 BCE. 331 BCE is another very historical year for it is the very year that the Macedonian General named Alexander the Great defeated the Persian king Xerxes thereby releasing the hoards of Celts, Gauls, Goths, etc. who began to migrate into Europe, the British Isles, Spain, Galatia, etc. Thus, the prophecy of Ezekiel was fulfilled.

We know that the Jews were taken to Babylon while the city of Jerusalem lay desolate for a period of 70 years, but some of the people were allowed to migrate back into the land after the prophesied period of 40 years again by the mouth of Ezekiel. (See Ezekiel chapter 4)

Concerning circumcision: According to Acts 10, and 15, as well as the writings of Paul, uncircumcised, peoples were not required to be circumcised. YAHWEH had made a covenant with Israel, which was a carnal covenant. In other words, this covenant was a covenant in which the works of man's hands were recognized. For example, the tabernacle with all of its appurtenances were made by the hands of man, the Aaronic priesthood with its sacrifices (made by the hands of man), outward circumcision (made by the hands of man), the making of tassels (made by the hands of man) in order to remind them to keep the covenant, tablets written in stone (made by the hands of man) and promises made by YAHWEH and by man were all a part of the first covenant. YAHWEH promised to bless them if they would obey the covenant. Man promised to obey the covenant under his own strength. That covenant failed because of the unfaithfulness of man. The general theme of Scripture from the Torah, to the prophets, to the Psalms, to the New Testament is that YAHWEH is faithful, but man is not.

When we look at the Promise of the New Covenant (Jer. 31 & Heb. 8) we find that there is only one promise which is YAHWEH’S. Man's promise is left out of the mix.

The New Covenant is, therefore, better all the way around because YAHWEH doesn't fail. Therefore, there is a new tabernacle. The new tabernacle or dwelling place of YAHWEH is in man, no longer in the works of men's hands. Man is the works of the hands of YAHWEH.

There is a new priesthood, which is the heavenly priesthood of Melchizedek. There are new sacrifices. The greatest sacrifice of all is YAHshua. We are to present our bodies as living sacrifices. Our sacrifices are the praise of our lips. The Levitical priesthood has no right to eat of our altar (Heb. 13:10-11).

Circumcision is a requirement of the New Covenant, but it is the circumcision of the heart, made without hands. The tables of stone are replaced with the tables of the heart.

As for the comment that circumcision was to be done FOREVER, the Hebrew word is "olam." "Olam" doesn't necessarily mean forever, in some cases it only had to do with an end of an age. There is another term "olam olamim." This would be more correctly rendered as to the age of ages but is generally translated as forever and ever. Circumcision was for "olam" an age.

You are a Hebrew Israelite in YAHshua, so am I. While I may be a white man, I can't really trace my lineage back to Israel either. But even if I could, my family had been broken off to become "Not My people." You and I can both be grafted into the Hebrew tree through the Messiah YAHshua. The middle wall of partition has been broken down. All in YAHshua become children of Abraham, the Hebrew, HalleluYah!

I have walked among those who call themselves the black Hebrews, I developed a loving relationship with many of them. I did find that some do sow hatred toward whites, just as there are whites that sow hatred toward blacks. I have also found some Jews who sow hatred toward all other races. Hatred is not of the Spirit of YAHWEH, it is of the spirit of the devil. Joyfully and happily, not all of the black Hebrews are prejudiced as not all white Hebrews are prejudiced and not all Jewish Hebrews are prejudiced.

Welcome to YAHWEH’S family, sister, and may YAHWEH greatly and richly reward and bless you. Elder/Evangelist Jerry Healan

Q. When I first came to the knowledge of the Holy Name of YAHWEH, all of my knowledge came through the House of YAHWEH. But this is what is getting me, Elder Yisrayl showed strong evidence that YAHWEH never called Himself a G-d (El or Elohim [Gods]). He showed that the word El, Eloah, Elohim is a Canaanite word derived from Yl or Wl. Plus he showed that the Hebrews took the Canaanite tongue and mixed it with their own, following the ways of the Canaanites. Well, the Northern Kingdom did. But this is what’s so confusing, all the other assemblies believe in Elohim as the title for YAHWEH even though I have read some material stating that the "J" source is the oldest and that the "J" source didn’t take up the Canaanite

tongue, thus not using El, Eloah, or Elohim. So, if you can, please clear this problem for me.

A. You say that the J Source is the oldest of the writings. I have "The Book of J" and frankly, this book is so incomplete to the point of being ridiculous if a person desires to utilize it as any kind of authority. The Book of J doesn’t include the creation account in Gen. 1, nor does it even have the account where Abram’s name is changed to Abraham and Sarai’s to Sarah. It doesn’t even record the ten commandments.

Here are some few excerpts from The Book of J, "Now the snake was smoother-tongued than any wild creature that YAHWEH made. ‘Did the God really mean,’ he said to the woman, ‘you can’t eat from any tree of the garden? ‘But the fruit of the trees we may,’ said the woman to the snake. ‘Just the tree in the middle of the garden, the God said. You can’t eat from it, you can’t touch - without death touching you.’ ‘Death will not touch you,’ said the snake to the woman. ‘The God knows on the day you eat from it your eyes will fall open like gods, knowing good and bad." (p. 63)

"Now Adam still knew his wife in the flesh; she bore a son, called him Seth - ‘God has settled another seed in me, reaching beyond Abel, whom Cain cut down’ - which became his name." (p. 68)

"A blessing on YAHWEH, Shem’s God,’ he (Noah) said. ‘But Canaan - His servant.’ ‘God will fatten Yafat, make him welcome in Shem’s tents. but Canaan - his servant." (p. 73)

"YAHWEH had spoken to her (Hagar) and the name she called him was ‘You are the all-seeing God,’ having exclaimed, ‘You are the God I lived to see - and lived after seeing." (p. 81)

"Now Abram was very old, his better days - thoroughly blessed by YAHWEH - behind him. ‘Please put you hand under my thigh,’ said Abram to the senior servant, head of all under his roof. ‘Swear for me, by YAHWEH, God of sky and earth, that you will choose no wife for my son from Canaanite daughters, though I’m settled among them. Instead, visit my homeland, my birthplace, bring out a wife for Isaac, my son." p. 89)

There are countless other places where YAHWEH is referred to God or the God, etc. I realize that I am reading the English version, which is translated from the Hebrew version. While I don’t have copies of the Hebrew version to confirm this, I would have to say that the word God would have been translated from the Hebrew terms El, Eloah or Elohim, wouldn’t you?

You mentioned in your letter that you have been taught that the Northern Kingdom mixed their tongue with that of the Canaanites, but keep in mind that it is the Jews from the Southern Kingdom who have preserved the oracles of YAHWEH (the Old Testament), and those oracles give a far more complete picture of the history of the Torah. It is the Jews who have preserved the Scriptures which contain the terms El, Eloah, Elohim, etc., not the Israelites of the Northern Kingdom. It appears to me that someone has been attempting to mislead you and has sought to establish their own cultic belief upon you and others to their own benefit. Yes, they have published their own Bible which they attempt to make it say what they want it to say in order to fit their own doctrines. Shame on them.

They try to claim that the J Scriptures were blended in with the Elohim Scriptures in an attempt to take YAHWEH’S name out of the Scriptures entirely, but someone miserably failed since the texts that have the terms El, Eloah and Elohim contain the Tetragrammaton 6823 times which is far more often than the occurrence of the other terms. And what about the areas where YAHWEH and Elohim occur together, or the El YAHWEH, etc.?

After reading The Book of J, I do not detect the inspiration of the Spirit as I do when reading the Scriptures. Too much is left out of the mix. Therefore, we will continue to utilize the terms El, Eloah and Elohim as titles of YAHWEH as we find in His word that has been handed down to us. We won’t take anything from nor add anything to it in accordance with the command. Hope this helps.

Don Parker and Dana Butler were united in holy matrimony on Oct. 17th. It was a simple ceremony with only immediate family members present. Don and Dana have been dating for quite some time. They finally decided to tie the knot on Oct. 17th.

Dana has a 9 year old daughter named Megan by a previous marriage. The couple will reside in Woodworth, Louisiana. May YAHWEH bless them and their marriage.

The family of Jeremy and Mandy Bohanan are rejoicing over the birth of their son Joseph Ray. Joseph was born on Oct. 29th and weighed in at a whopping 9 lbs. 12 oz.

Joseph’s grandparents are Dennis and Dee Clinch. They live in Rocheport.

Brethren if you have anything that has happened, is happening or going to happen in your area, try to remember to let us know here at YEA. We will be more than happy to run your announcements, assembly news items, etc. in the newsletter if we have the space available. Give us a call or write to us.

Prayers have been specifically solicited for the following: Calvin Amos & Family, Sharon Amos, Gina Baez, Leah Baird, Bruce Balfour, Mona Baylon & Family, Sheleah Bradley, Nadine Brown, Evelyn Cooper, John I. Cox, Serena Cusson, Elaine Daniel, Dana Davis, Ennis Dewayne Davis, Fern Davisson, John & Loretta Dellipizzi, Emaleigh DeVaney, Michael J. Fegans and family, Alice Findling, Brad & Christine Folford, Dorothy Grifford, Lisa Haufler, Frances Healan, Elder G. D. U. Intong & Family, Paul and Mary "Jolene" King, Elder George & Clara Kinney, Wendy Kinney, Evelyn Kacos, Dirk R. Lemcke, Infant Anna Linebaugh, Norene Looker, Pete Markunas, George McKenzie Jr., Rodney Miles, Marjorie L. Moore, Margaret Nogales & Family, Jesus Oñate, George Paña & Family, Danny Perkins, Mona Perry, Jim Thompson, Floy Rynard, Mary Schimke, Mary Warren, Harold & Gayle Watkins, Ethel Watson, Judy Williams, Mike & Adelia Williams family, and Stephen Yeakel.

Please remember these brethren in your daily prayers, lifting their names before YAHWEH’S throne of grace and mercy for the intervention that is needed in each case.

While we do not know the specifics in each and every case, there are some whose condition we do know of and would like to enlist the specifics of their problems here so that your prayers for them can be broken down a little smaller and more specifically. Pete Markunas suffers from diabetic neuropathy and fibromyalgia. Evelyn Kacos suffers from diabetic neuropathy and has recently broken a foot. Her condition has improved somewhat and we rejoice in this, but she still needs our prayers. We are not sure what his problem is. Emaleigh DeVaney is an 8 year old who has cancer of the kidney.

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