Printpdf Email this page


What is Truth?

 

Introduction
   Since Adam and Eve sinned in the beginning, the world has not been the same. Troubles abound and appear to have no end. Satan, it is said in Scripture, “deceives the whole world,” Rev. 12:9.
   This means everyone is susceptible to his influence and many have succumbed to it as is evident by the very evils we see people commit every day. Adam and Eve tried to rule themselves; to decide what is right in their own sight (moral relativism), but we have been learning a great lesson that man cannot rule himself.
   This is one reason the Father is allowing a certain amount of time to pass before He sends His Son to intervene and to put a stop to all the lawlessness we see in society. He is soon to return with a “rod of iron,” symbolic of His powerful and absolute rulership.


Learning From Our Mistakes
   We are to learn the lesson that we need to live according to the ways of our Heavenly Father. Sin is defined by Scripture in 1 John 3:4 as breaking, or transgressing, the law of Yahweh (His instructions, guidelines and way of life).
   The Savior obeyed these laws and taught them throughout His ministry on earth - they were those of His Father. He began His ministry by confronting Satan's temptations, quoting from the law, stating,
"... man shall not live by bread alone; but, man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of Yahweh," Deut. 8:3 and Matt. 4:4. Messiah rebuked Satan twice more, using the name of Yahweh, quoting from Deut. 6:13 and 16, that we are not to tempt Yahweh but to worship Him alone.
   He again quoted the Old Testament two more times, rebuking Satan and used Yahweh’s Name along with His instructions to do so - two things we see as a little different as many “churches” don’t use His Father’s Name nor obey all of His Commandments. Yet, we find those who fear and respect Him will use His Name. It will be on their mind and lips:
  
Then they that feared Yahweh spake one to another: and Yahweh hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for them that feared Yahweh, and that thought upon His Name. And they shall be Mine, saith Yahweh of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth Elohim and him that serveth Him not, Mal. 3:16-18. (See also Rev. 14:1; 22:4).
   What purpose is there to take the author’s name out of a book. Is not Yahweh the Author of the originally inspired Scriptures? Are we not to praise Him and give His Name honor? Isaiah 12:4; 42:8; 52:6; Ex. 20:7; Ps. 79:6; 96:8; Mal. 2:2.


Truth Covered
   Well-meaning, but misguided, people have taken it upon themselves to cover up the Name of the Father. The doctrine called ineffability of the Name, which is widely held by many Jews today, holds the belief that Yahweh’s Name is too righteous to pronounce. This was an oral tradition, no doubt, started by Pharisaical Jews historically starting around the third century before our Common Era (B.C.E.).
   Some go so far as to use HaShem ("The Name") as a substitute, stamping directly over Yahweh. The Hebrew text of the Torah, Prophets and Writings were vowel-pointed by scribes, to help aid in pronunciation, sometime as late as the ninth or tenth century of our Common Era (C.E.).
   Vowel-pointing was also applied to the name of Yahweh, using vowel- pointing to say Adonai (Master or Lord). Today, the English maintains "the cover up" by placing "the Lord" over the name of Yahweh. The title "God" normally covers up the original title of Elohim or El.
   Names are transliterated, not translated. If, for example, you hear a news broadcast in a foreign language, you may not understand any of the language, but you’ll hear names like Barack Obama or Benjamin Netanyahu come across clearly.
   Even a famous horse like Seabiscuit is pronounced clearly, while the rest of the foreign language is not understood. If respect is given to a horse's name, then why not give at least the same respect to the Creator of the universe?


Son’s Name Has Meaning
   Our Heavenly Father's name means, "I exist and will become"; in other words, "I am Eternal." The name "Donald" carries the meaning of "World Ruler," perhaps related to the name of Dan, which means "judge."
   David has the meaning of “Beloved,” but we don’t call him by the meaning of his name. We call people by their name. Names such as Donald or David, however, can be shortened to Don or Dave.
   Yahweh’s Name can also be shortened in a poetic form of “Yah.” Scripture says in Ps. 68:4,
Sing unto Elohim, sing praises to His Name: extol Him that rideth upon the heavens by His Name YAH, and rejoice before Him. This shortened form of His Name can also be found in Ex. 15:2 and Ps. 118:14. Exodus 15:2 says, “... Yah is my strength and my salvation...” It holds a bit of prophetic utterance in that the Son’s Name, a combination of “Yah” and “shua,” literally means “Yah’s Salvation.”
   Other Hebrew names hold meanings, such as the prophet Jeremiah's name means “Yah will rise.” The prophet Micah's name means “Who is like Yah?” The most recognized word in many worship songs is Hallelujah, spelled with a “j.” But there is no “j” sound in either Hebrew or Greek. It should be spelled HalleluYah and means “Praise You Yah.”
   “Jesus,” instead of “Joshua," the son of Nun (Num. 13:16), was erroneously put in Heb. 4:8 in the Kings James Version due to the lack of understanding by the translator. The Greek/Latin word Iasous, which looks to be a valiant attempt at transliterating the Hebrew Yahshua, was brought over to the English as “Jesus,” a translation that holds no meaning in any language.
   The grammar in Greek dictates an “s” be put at the end of all proper nouns that are masculine. There is no “y” in their letters, so “I” was used for the “y” sound. There is no “sh” sound, therefore only an “s” was put in its place.


Originally Not Greek
   The New Testament was most likely written in a Semitic language such as Hebrew or Aramaic. What we have are translations into Greek, Latin, German and then English.
   Scripture tells us that the message went to the Jews first, then to the Greeks, Romans 1:16. The disciples themselves were Jews. For the most part, they were fishermen and laborers. They were basically uneducated, Acts 4:13. According to many Biblical scholars, it is highly unlikely that the disciples wrote anything in Greek. Today, there are no original copies of the New Testament, either Hebrew or Greek.


Truth Is Truth
   Pilate asked the Messiah, “What is truth?” Scripture tells us that Yahweh is Truth, Deut. 32:4. His way of life for mankind is truth, Ps. 119: 142. Blessed are those that walk this way, Ps. 119:1. Yahshua the Messiah stated clearly who His brethren were. They are the ones that walk in truth by doing Yahweh’s will, Matt. 7; 21; 12:50.
   He Himself came to magnify and bring to a fullness the law of His Father, Is. 42:21; Matt. 5:17-41; John 7: 16-17. We are to walk on a higher spiritual plane today, not only not doing wrong, but not even thinking it.


Justified Through Yahshua’s Sacrifice
   We are clearly justified and saved through the shed blood of Yahshua the Messiah and not by our own works. But, this does not mean we live our lives the way we want to afterwards. Again, looking back at Adam and Eve, they tried to rule themselves and by doing so, sinned, i.e., they broke Yahweh’s law. Sin resulted in death.
   If we go on sinning, even after accepting Yahshua as our Savior, we will also die. In this case, it would be a second death:
  
For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, Heb. 10:26. (See also Heb. 6: 4-6).
   We have an opportunity to take from the Tree of Life and live forever, if we overcome and are faithful to the end.
   After the Apostle Peter had given a compelling message to those listening, they asked, “What shall we do?” Peter tells them and us the same:
  
...Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the Name of Yahshua Messiah unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For to you is the promise, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as Yahweh our Elohim shall call unto Him. And with many other words he testifies, and exhorted them, saying, Save yourselves from this crooked generation, Acts 2:38-40 (ASV).
   Are you seeking the truth? Ask, seek, and knock, and the door will be opened, Matt. 7:7.





© 2014, 2016 Yahweh's Assembly in Yahshua
2963 County Road 233, Kingdom City, Missouri 65262
View us online at: www.YAIY.org
Call Toll Free: (877) 642-4101
Main Line : (573) 642-4100