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Don't Go Along With
 
Negative Changes
 
             
                 
                                                 

Now in my 70’s, I am a living witness to the appalling changes in human values and behavior that happened in less than a generation of time. In the Philippines before World War II, traditional moral, cultural and social values held a tight grip on society. Honesty and integrity was held in high esteem. Parents and teachers alike consistently emphasized the adage “Honesty is the best policy.”
    Community life was relaxed and leisurely. Even in the cities, one could walk alone without apprehension or fear in dark alleys at night. Throughout the Asian region, chastity before marriage was the norm. A broken family was as rare as the white water buffalo. And PARENTAL AUTHORITY WAS SUPREME.
    People were generally honest, law-abiding and very hospitable even to strangers. Admirably, an atmosphere of peace and camaraderie prevailed during those days; and in times of emergencies, cultural and religious differences disappear as families rushed to help each other.
    Reminiscing on the days of my youth, I cringed in horror as I compared it to the modern society we humans now live in. During fine weather it was customary then to go to bed and sleep with the windows wide open. Not anymore. Such practice in modern times is an invitation to crime and violence. So before I go to bed, I see to it that the windows and doors are securely closed and locked.
    Meanwhile, TV Newscasts show scenes of terror-bombings, murders or homicides, armed robberies and rapes with murder, kidnappings for ransom, etc. Indeed, how times have changed. And it happened in less than the average lifespan.
    Let’s see what change is all about. There are two realities of change. Either it’s a positive or negative change. Respectively, the latter is the root cause of mankind’s continuing troubles, and there seems to be no relief in sight. There are many negative changes in a man’s life, and to discuss them all requires the writing of a book. So space constraint limits this study to the following three negative changes, and the adverse effects that plunged mankind into the quagmire of spiritual decadence and lawlessness.

 
   
The Father’s Holy Name-Changed
Unbiased scholarship as attested by encyclopedias, commentaries, Bible dictionaries and other references reveals that the true name of the Supreme Being Is YAHWEH. That is why many of the new translations of the Bible have restored the sacred Name Yahweh into the texts, where it was supplanted by the title LORD, GOD or the name JEHOVAH. Now the question is: Are these titles or names appropriate for the Most High? Consider the origin of these two titles.
    I.  1). GOD, God, god. Way back In the 5th century A.D. the Anglo-Saxons, a gentile white member of the several Germanic tribes, moved to England. This tribe worshipped an image, an idol they call “god.” (Webster’s New World Dictionary, Concise Edition p. 327). It is clear then, that god, capitalized or not, is of pagan origin. Worst, god is a cognate word of ‘giddy’ .
        2). Giddy [<AS. gydig , insane <base of AS. god (i.e., “possesed by a god”)], having a whirling, dazed sensation: dizzy (Webster’s New World Dictionary p. 316).
    II. LORD (Lord). [<AS. hlaford < hlaf, loaf+weard, keeper,
        1). a person having great power: ruler; master; 2). the head of a feudal state’; 3). in Great Britain, a) a nobleman holding the rank of baron, viscount, earl, or marquis; member of the House of Lords; b) a man who by courtesy or because of his office is given the title of Lord, etc. ( Webster’s New World Dictionary p.443)
    Unlike today, calling anyone or a thing with a name or title that is truly descriptive of what they are is customary in ancient times. That’s why in the Hebrew or Greek language, a name or title corresponds with their meaning. Accordingly, it is quite clear that the title Lord, capitalized or not, befits more a human ruler, e.g., the Lords of the British Empire who have limited powers. So, ascribing this title to the Omniscient or Omnipotent Being is tantamount to relegating Almighty Yahweh down to the level of human lords. Furthermore, as if to add insult to injury, the name of the Canaanite deity Baal is translated Lord in English. This brings to mind the name Baal-gad. Incidentally, Gad is also a pagan deity worshipped by the Canaanites. And surprisingly, Gad is a euphemism for god, (Webster’s New World Dictionary p. 305). Hence, translated into English the name Baal-gad virtually becomes Lord-god. Coincidentally, Gad is the name of one of Jacob’s sons, whose tribe, along with the other nine tribes that became the northern Kingdom of Israel under Jeroboam, deserted Yahweh and drifted into pagan ways.
    What about the name Jehovah? The hard fact is that this name is nowhere to be found in the Hebrew Scriptures. And even in the original Septuagint Version, the four sacred letters (Tetragrarnmaton) was retained in Hebrew script within the Greek texts. So the question is: Where did the name Jehovah came from?
    The Hebrew alphabet has no vowels, which means that the Hebrew Bible was written only with consonant letters. But, around 600 A.D. Jewish scribes known as the Masoretes developed a system of vowel-points, designed as an aid to pronunciation. So in line with the prohibition strictly enforced in Judea not to enunciate the sacred name since the return from the Babylonian exile, the Masoretic scribes vowel-pointed the four sacred letters with the vowels of Elohim and Adonai to caution or warn the reader not to utter the name. Thenceforth, whenever the Jews see the sacred letters, they change the reading to Adonai or Elohim.
    During the Middle Ages, a Christian scholar named Petrus Galatinus (circa 1520), in transliterating the four sacred letters into Latin letters came up with IHVH. Seeing the vowel-points, he mistakenly mixed them with the letters and the result was IeHoVaH. This name was carried over into the original 1611 King James Bible. Later, after the invention of the letter J (the last letter added to the English alphabet), this name became the modern Jehovah. The question now is: ” what’s wrong with the name Jehovah?”
    Bible scholar Joseph Bryant Rotherham, in the introduction to his translation (Emphasized Bible) p. 24, rejected the form Jehovah because “it is too heavily burdened with merited critical condemnation as modern, as a compromise , as a “mongrel” word, “hybrid,” “fantastic,” and “monstrous.” More shocking is the following revelation.
    Author Errol Mueller, in the introduction to his book, “The Mystical Rites of Our Creator,” p. XV, wrote,
    “Jehovah is a modern mispronunciation of the sacred name, introduced by Christian theologians during the middle ages. Until 1565 C.E. there was no letter J in the alphabet. Jehovah is a hybrid name; the suffix ‘hovah’ in Strong’s Hebrew Dictionary is #1943 and means ruin, mischief. ‘Havvah’ is another form of hovah #1942 which means ruin, calamity, iniquity, mischief, mischievous, perverse, very wicked. In the Bible, names, to put it simply, become a type of job description of the person to whom the name is given, and Jehovah is more the definition of Satan then Yahweh,”
    These are the shocking truths about the name Jehovah. Nonetheless, a well-known religious organization claiming to have more than nine million members worldwide, continues to call and sing praises to this name whose meaning, based on Strong’s Hebrew Dictionary, is more descriptive of the attributes of Satan.
    Amazingly, the top leadership of this religious group knew the truth about the sacred name. In the introduction to their New Testament translation p. 25, we find this admission:
    “While inclining to view the pronunciation Yahweh as the MORE CORRECT way, we have retained the form Jehovah because of people’s familiarity with it since the 14th century.”
    Still, they resort to other clever arguments to circumvent the importance and use of the true name Yahweh, obviously to justify and perpetuate their obstinate adoration of the hybrid name Jehovah, which was a mere invention of the Catholic priest Galatinus.
 
   
The Messiah’s Name - Hellenized
Strange as it may seem, Christians believe in a Jewish Messiah; but one with a Latinized Greek name, i.e., Jesus. Amazingly, even the so-called intellectuals have taken this name for granted. No wonder, then, that the name Jesus is enshrined not only in adoring religious songs, but in the hearts and minds of Christian devotees. But wait, is the name of the Messiah really Jesus? The apostle Paul reminds us,
    Prove all things; hold fast that which is good,” 1 Th. 5:21.
    Thanks to diligent scholarship, the etymology of the name Jesus is well documented. Encyclopedias, Bible dictionaries, concordances, Webster’s, etc., reveal that the name Jesus was taken from the Greek name Iesous. In fact, in the original 1611 King James Bible, the name was printed either Iesvs or Iesus - dropping the letter 0. Evidently, this form of the Savior’s name was taken from Jerome’s Latin Vulgate Bible. You see, Jerome (Eusebius Hieronymus 340-420 A.D.) never knew the letter J which only appeared in the alphabet more than a thousand years later.
    One thing that is largely ignored by Christianity is the fact that the Messiah was born amidst Hebrew culture and customs. This being the case, isn’t it inconsistent and bizarre that the Jewish Messiah should have a Greek name? Doesn’t common sense and logic demand that the Messiah should have a Hebrew name?
    For the sake of truth, let’s probe a bit deeper. All Christian scholars admit the Greek nature of the name Jesus - equating it with the Aramaic name Yeshua. Well, Aramaic is a variant Semitic dialect commonly spoken along with Hebrew during that time in Palestine. And the scholars say that Yeshua is the name of the Savior in Judea. An interesting question is: What name did Pilate really write on the sign placed above the impaled Savior?
    The records say that Pilate wrote the sign in three languages i.e. Hebrew, Latin, and Greek. Well, we now know that Jesus is the Latin name; and in Greek it’s Iesous. What about the other name? Except for the New International Version (NIV), we read it’s in Hebrew. With due respect to the translators, I believe it’s a simple case of generalizaton. In Strong’s Greek Dictionary the word for Hebrew in John 19:20 is #1447, Hebraisti; from #1446, Hebrais, the Hebraistic (i.e., Hebrew) or Jewish (Chaldean) language. Specifically, the word for Hebrew (Php. 3:5) is #1445 Hebraios . From the SDA Bible Dictionary p. 68, and the insight on the Scriptures p. 144, Aramaic is formerly called Chaldee or Chaldaic. So the NIV is right.
    Many of the Jews read this sign, for the place where (?) was impaled was near the city, and the sign was written in Aramaic, Latin and Greek,” John 19:20 NIV.
    That means Pilate wrote the Aramaic name Yeshua. This makes sense - considering the strict prohibition prevailing at the time against enunciating even the short or poetic form of the Father’s name Yah. Note also that the Jews’ protest to Pilate concerns only the title “King of the Jews” and has nothing to do with the name. Now we have come closer to the Savior’s true name.
    Regardless of what mankind chose to call Him, the Savior Himself is the real authority when it comes to His Name. In one of His encounters with the religious leaders He rebuked them, saying,
    “I am come in my Father’s name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive,” John 5:43.
    Here the Savior hinted as to what His real name is. Another clue is in the Savior’s prayer for His disciples.
    “ ... Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name - the name you gave me - so that they may be one as we are one,” Jn l7:11 NIV.
    Compare this with an Old Testament Scripture.
    See, I am sending an Angel ahead of you to guard you along the way, and to bring you to the place I have prepared. Pay attention to him and listen to what he says. Do not rebel against him; he will not forgive your rebellion, since my name is in him,” Ex. 23:20-21.
    It is the heavenly Father speaking. And who is the Angel? Adam Clarke and Matthew Henry in their commentary point out that since this Angel has the power to forgive and pardon sins, it could refer only to the Messiah in his preincarnate existence. This is corroborated by the International Bible Commentary.
    Consider also Philippians 2:9,
    Wherefore Elohim also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name.
    No other name could be above the name YAHWEH. Clearly, the Savior carries His Father’s Name, as is the custom among us humans.
    Now let’s take another look at the name Jesus. Try shifting the five letters any way, but there is no possible way or combination that reflects the name YAHWEH. Maybe that’s why the eminent French scholar Ernest Renan writes that the Savior was never called Jesus during His lifetime. Since Yeshua, is Aramaic, what is the Savior’s Hebrew name?
    In the Emphatic Diaglott, an interlineary word for word translation from the Greek manuscripts, Bible translator Benjamin Wilson resolved the issue. In the Appendix, p. 397, Mr. Wilson clarifies that the Savior’s Name is composed of YAH, and SHUA, i.e., YAHSHUA. There it is! For Yahshua means Yahweh saves (salvation).
    Yah is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation,” Ex. 15:2 TSS.
    And she shall bring forth a son, and you shall call His name YAHSHUA; for he shall save his people from their sins,” Matt. 1:21 TSS.
    Regrettably, Christians prefer to call him Jesus - in effect placing their hopes and aspirations on a Greek Savior. What a tragic choice!
 
   
Yahweh’ s Perfect Law - Rejected
Most of mankind, especially Christians, vehemently oppose the keeping of the Decalogue. Typical of this attitude is depicted in the following scene.
    With no more vacant seats in the jampacked bus many passengers have to endure standing. But as an elderly, I was privileged to be seated at the rear. As the bus was speeding along the highway, two women in their 40’s began talking about the series of horrible crimes being shown on TV newscasts.
    “It seems that no one is safe anymore,” one woman said, “even in the privacy of our homes. It’s frightening. I can’t understand why so much wickedness is happening nowadays.”
    In the Visayan dialect, it’s common to address a woman Day (i.e., Dai) if you don’t know her name. Politely, I volunteered an opinion.
    “Day, it’s easy to understand why. You see, most religious leaders today continue teaching that there’s no more need to comply with the Ten Commandments. If only...’’
    A neatly dressed man in his 30’s sitting beside me discourteously interrupted, and said,
    “You mean to say your Pastor still teaches you to obey the Ten Commandment?” the young man asked derisively.
    “We don’t have a Pastor,” I replied.
    “Is that so? Then who is feeding you - I mean, teaching you?”
    “Well, in our Assembly, we have an EIder.’’
    “Oh, I see. What a stupid elder you have. Why - the Ten Commandments have been abolished long ago. Doesn’t your elder know that?”
    “Dong,” (counterpart of Day), “I think it’s my turn to ask you a question. Please don’t be offended. Suppose your wife gets attracted to another guy, then has sexual relations with him. Isn’t that adultery? If adultery, along with the other nine commandments, has been abolished, does that mean you or your wife can also commit murder, steal, or dishonor your parents and still remain sinless?”
    Red-faced, the young man’s cockiness melts down; and instead of answering my question, he placed his left arm on my upper back then slightly hugged me and blurted,
    “Tay,” (Tai, i.e., Pop), “I wish we are still friends,” eliciting uproarious laughter among the other passengers listening around us. It turned out the young man is a Christian religious worker.
    For quite a long time the “no law” doctrine has been reverberating from the pulpits, radio and TV programs all over the world. Regrettably, most people believed it - leading to the continuous deterioration of the old moral, spiritual and social values.
    The popular concept that the commandments have been abolished after the death of Yahshua has lulled the Christian world. Therefore, it behooves Yahweh’s people today, who know the truth, to unmask the great deception. That is the very purpose, mission or calling of this publication, YAIY Beacon, to proclaim to the whole world only the truths, that Yahshua Messiah did not abolish His Father’s commandments.
    Consider carefully Yahshua’s words,
    Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commandments will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you that until your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven,” Matt. 5:17 20 NIV.
    Why can’t Christianity believe Him?
    They made their hearts as hard as flint (stone) and would not listen to the law...” Zechariah 7:12 NIV.
    Sadly, Yahweh’s perfect law (Ps. 19:7) or perfect law of liberty (James 1:25) is rejected by mankind. Man chose to make his own law - laws that caters to man’s whims and carnal desires. No wonder lawlessness abounds on earth.
 
   
Go For Positive Change
When Yahshua did nothing to liberate Israel from Roman rule, the Jewish leaders did not recognize Him as their promised Messiah. Instead, they treated Him with contempt.
    Then said they unto him, ‘Where is thy Father?’ Yahshua answered, ‘Ye neither know me, nor my Father: If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also,’” John 8:19.
    Throughout the centuries mankind neither really knew the Father Yahweh, nor Yahshua the true Messiah. Likewise, mankind was kept ignorant of Yahweh’s laws and commandments - believing that upon the Savior’s death there’s no more need to comply with the law. How did it happen? Several years back, I read something like this:
    “Even a lie, often repeated, appears to be the truth.”
    Shrewd businessmen knew this very well. And so there is “fraudulent advertising” to promote even inferior products. Or, astute politicians resort to “black propaganda” to undermine their opponents.
    The author and pioneer of this technique is no other than the greatest propagandist of all time, i.e., Satan, the “father of lies,” John 8:44.
    Today, Satan has thousands of agents who appears as “ministers of righteousness” (Col. 11:15), speaking from the pulpits, on radio and TV programs exhorting people to forget about the law, and sing praises to Jehovah and Jesus.
    Dear reader, if you were a victim of this satanic deception, your time has come for a positive change in your life. As the saying goes - “better late than never.” Think it over, rationalize, weigh the facts you have just learned, and make use of your Yahweh given faculties to do what is right.
Begin to ascribe honor, glory and praises to the Most High, calling on Yahweh’s awesome, majestic and wonderful Name. And you’d better begin to obey and observe Yahweh’s laws and commandments. Acknowledge and have FAITH in Yahshua the true Messiah.
    Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved,” Acts 4:12.
    Go for a positive change and enjoy a restored right and happy relationship with your Creator.
    HalleluYAH.
 
               
-Elder A. S. Untalan, Sr.
                   

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