YHVH Elohim/God
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. (Genesis 1:1 ASV) ...the LORD God (YHVH Elohim) made the earth and the heavens. (Genesis 2:4 ESV)
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Paul Saw the Light and Heard the Voice of Jesus
According to the book of Acts, Saul, before he came to be known as Paul, had an illuminating experience on the road to Damascus. He describes it like this: “and it came to pass, in my going on and coming nigh to Damascus, about noon, suddenly out of the heaven there shone a great light round about me, I fell also to the ground, and I heard a voice saying to me, Saul, Saul, why me dost thou persecute? `And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? and he said unto me, I am Jesus the Nazarene whom thou dost persecute– and they who are with me the light did see, and became…
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The Finished Work of Creation
When I began voicing my objections to the Virgin Birth doctrine, stating there was no precedent in the Old Testament for such an occurrence, I was met with the claim that the Creation of Adam is the needed precedent for the Creator to create again. Let’s evaluate what took place in the beginning and test that claim. In the Beginning… Genesis 1:1 establishes the notion of a Creator God when it records: In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth land. (Genesis 1:1 KJV, adaptation mine) For six days, the author lays out the creation or fashioning of the heaven and the land and seas with vegetation, seed-bearing…
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The Power to Lay It Down and Take It Again
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers. This…
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In the Beginning was the Word – Part 1
Too often we either assume or take the words of others concerning various matters as truth without applying proper investigation for ourselves. In this series I’m calling, “In the Beginning was the Word”, I’m going to break down what I have come to understand concerning John 1:1-18. This first installment will focus on the first five verses, which I believe to be the foundation of not just the first chapter of John, but the entire book. The second installment will cover the remaining verses. It appears to me that this opening passage is laid out in a precept upon precept manner, one thing building upon another, therefore it seems logical that we study and receive it…
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The Alpha and Omega or Aleph Tav
Christianity identifies Jesus as being the “Alpha and Omega” (in Greek). And in much of the Messianic community, there’s the understanding that Yeshua is the “Aleph Tav” (in Hebrew). This is based on a few passages found in Revelation. But is it really Yeshua that is speaking there or someone else? Let’s take a closer look. The Book of Revelation The first reference to “the Alpha and Omega”, or likely “Aleph Tav” in Hebrew, is found early on in the book of Revelation. Let’s look at this reference starting from the beginning. I’ve color coded this passage identifying to whom I believe references are being made throughout. The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which…
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Shepherds and Herdsmen
Have you ever noticed all the references in the Bible to shepherds and sheep? The Hebrew word most often translated as “shepherd(s)” in the KJV is “ra’ah” (H7462) and means “to pasture, tend, graze, feed” according to Brown Driver Briggs. While it is only translated as “shepherd” or “shepherds” a total of 61 times, the word “ra-ah” appears almost 3 times as often (172). The first mention appears in Genesis 4, addressing the occupation of Abel, the younger brother of Cain, who was a “ra’ah” of sheep: Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, saying, “I have gotten a man with the help of the…
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The Son of God vs. God, the Son
There is a teaching of man, commonly referred to as the Trinity Doctrine that says God is one, in three Persons: Father, Son and Holy Ghost/Spirit. This is a fundamental tenet in Christianity. As a result, many believe that Jesus is God, but what does the Bible say? Below is a list of every verse in the New Testament that includes the Greek words for “son” (G5207 “uihos”) and “God” (G2316 “theos”). Notice, that Jesus is never referred to as “God, the son”, but is consistently referred to as “the Son of God”. (Also note that there are other “sons of God” mentioned as well.) See for yourself.
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Where Is Your Father?
In John 8:12-59, a discussion ensues over who the Father of Jesus/Yeshua is. I believe there are a total of four “fathers” being referenced in this passage: 1. The Father, which art in heaven, who the Jews claimed to be their God 2. Jesus’ earthly, biological father 3. The Jews’ earthly, biological father: Abraham 4. The father of lies, the devil Let’s look at the passage and break down each of these fathers as they are mentioned. Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” So the Pharisees said to…
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When a Man Knows a Woman
According to Scripture, what happens when a man knows a woman, and what part does the LORD (YHVH) God play in it all? Adam (Genesis 4:1 ESV) Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, saying, “I have gotten a man with the help of the LORD.” (Genesis 4:25 ESV) And Adam knew his wife again, and she bore a son and called his name Seth, for she said, “God has appointed for me another offspring instead of Abel, for Cain killed him.” Cain (Genesis 4:17 ESV) Cain knew his wife, and she conceived and bore Enoch. When he built a city, he called the name…
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YHVH’s Relationship to Israel
Some believe that Israel is YHVH’s bride/wife, others believe Israel is being prepared to be Yeshua’s bride; Some believe Israel is both, others believe Israel is neither. In this post I’d like to share what I see the Torah (Genesis-Deuteronomy), in particular, is saying regarding Israel’s relationship to YHVH. Who Is YHVH in Relation to Mankind? YHVH: Maker of Heaven and Earth Gen 2:4-7 (4) These are the generations of the heavens and the earth when they were created (H1254), in the day that the LORD (H3068) God made (H6213) the earth and the heavens. (5) When no bush of the field was yet in the land and no small plant of the…