Friday, July 12, 2013

Yahshua is the New Testament

   


    By the first century, some Jews became bilingual specially in Hebrew and Greek, and some spoke more Greek than Hebrew (Acts 6:1).  Centuries earlier many Jews settled in Alexandria (city in Egypt founded by Alexander, Acts 2:10; 18:24) and over time many of their descendants came to the point of being unable to read or write Hebrew, so this was partly a reason to translate the Tanak (Hebrew Bible) into Greek known as the Septuagint (LXX).

   Miriam (Mary), mother of Jesus was a pure blood Hebrew of the lineage of King David (Romans 1:3) and perhaps spoke only Hebrew because she lived in a Jewish community.  So when angel Gabriel appeared to announce the name of Jesus (Matthew 1:21) she must have heard it in the Hebrew tongue.  Since neither Hebrew nor Greek has the letter "J", she must have called His name Yahshua (Yah saves, or God is Savior, Isaiah 12:2).  (or Yahushua).  Remember when we exclaim "halleluyah" we are praising God --- hallel (praise) Yah (God), says Psalm 102:18.  HalleluYAH!

    Please do not be confused or sucked into debate with people who wish to imply error into those wishing to call Jesus by His Hebrew name: Yahshua.  Whether one wish to say Burma or Myanmar, it is referring to the same country --- likewise, Jesus or Yahshua is referring to the same Son of God in the Bible.  As for the name of our Savior, biblically, not translated version, Yahshua should be preferred.  Yah is the shortened or poetic name of God (Isaiah 12:2; Psalm 68:4), and it is only right that our Lord bear the name of His Father (John 5:43):  Yahshua! (But if you wish to continue by the nickname "Jesus" it is alright.  God will look at the heart, not the spelling or pronunciation).

   Yahshua lived and preached the Torah (first five books of the Bible).  Paul wrote to Timothy that studying the Tanak (Old Testament) will make one wise unto "salvation" in Christ (2 Timothy 3:15-17).  For example, in the Tabernacle the only way to the presence of the Holy God is through one door (John 10:9) by way of animal sacrifice (John 1:29; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4).

   See, if you knew the Torah it deepens your understanding and strengthen the faith.  No wonder as the Lamb of God (Revelation 5) Yahshua can claim to be the only way to God the Father:  "I am the Way and the Truth and the Life, no one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6).  This rules out any other way.  This will keep you from thinking like the New Agers that there are many ways to God (deception of Oprah and others).  Please study the Torah to strengthen your foundation (Matthew 7:24-27) and practice what you learn.

     Upon entering the Tabernacle, the first service consist of burning the offering at the bronze altar, where the fire never goes out.  This is a picture of  Yahshua taking away our judgment and hell; because in Christ we find eternal life, passing from death to life (John 5:24).  No turning back (Backsliders, Hebrews 10:26-39).  The journey continues on to the presence of God (holy of holies) who says: Be holy for I am holy! (1 Peter 1:15-16; Hebrews 12:14).

   In the Tabernacle, worship commences only inside the tent where the 'shewbread' (presence of Yahshua, Word of God) and the  Golden Lampstand (Menorah... Holy Spirit, Revelation 1:12-13) are.  If you stop after the brazen altar, you are not growing in faith and your worship is insincere and unacceptable.  You must wash yourself with water from the laver and enter the tent (presence/fellowship of Jesus and the Holy Spirit) to offer acceptable worship in 'spirit and truth' (John 4:24).  It is here that the incense (praise and worship) is burnt.  It is here that the Holy God (Isaiah 6; Revelation 4; etc) will receive true worship and bless/answer prayers.

   (Understanding the Tabernacle will enrich your prayer life.  Someone has written about prayer following this pattern.  Ask Father wisdom to understand and your spiritual eyes will begin to open, Ephesians 1:18; Colossians 1:9-10).  (Under the Old Covenant only the High Priest is allowed to enter the tent to burn incense at the altar (no strange fire allowed, Lev 10:1-2) --- no windows and the sweet fragrance fills the whole room --- but now in Christ true believers are made priests and are allowed to come to the throne of grace in His Name: 1 Peter 2:9; Hebrews 4:14-16).

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