12/09/2005 Sabbath Meeting Transcript

Praise Ye Yahweh!

Few people know the true meaning of the word "HalleluYah"

Within this word that is common in so many languages, we have the name of the Heavenly Father. Hallelu = "Praise You" and "Yah" = "Yahweh"!

In this, we will find the name of Yahweh in the book of Revelation

Revelation 19:1 - After these things I heard a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, "HalleluYAH! Salvation and glory and honor and power [belong] to YAHWEH our Elohim!

The King James has "Alleluia" but the Greek actually does pronounce it "HalleluYAH"

In spite of the fact that it is such a common word, few people know the meaning of it and few know our Father's Name.

When sharing the name with others, I will often come across those who like to make excuses for continuing in their traditions.

In the scriptures we are told to praise, exalt, bless, love, teach, preach, anoint, assemble, believe, give thanks, honor and call on His name.

In spite of this, people look diligently for a way to avoid doing so.

The reason is not that it's all that difficult to understand, for even a child can understand it

I have a name, you have a name.. and so does the Creator of all things

When I was about 8 years old, I heard that the Father's name was "Yahweh" and when I was told that "HalleluYah" meant "Praise you Yahweh"... I said to myself, "Well that proves it then!"

From that time I used "Yahweh" even though I did not make a full confession and get baptized until I was 19 years old

To me, it goes to show how simple the truth of His name is. An 8 year old can understand "That's His name.. so that's what we call Him." Simple, yes?

It is. But there are those who want to throw in confusion.

And that's why I need to write so many studies and respond to so many letters from those who feel a need to continue in their traditions

One of the common excuses to not use the name "Yahweh" is the belief that the Messiah never spoke the Heavenly Father's name.. but that He just called Him "Father"

Tonight I would like to share some things that will prove otherwise

Let us first examine the meaning of the word "name" in scripture. It comes from the Hebrew word "Shem".

Here is a definition of this word in the Strong's Lexicon:

Strong's # 8034 Shem; a primitive word [perhaps rather from 7760 through the idea of definite and conspicuous position; compare 8064]; an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

- + base, [in-] fame[-ous], name[-d], renown, report

In the Strong's concordance, everything before the "-" is the definition. Everything after the "-" is how the word is used in the King James Version

As we can see from the above definition, a name not only represents "character" but also a "an appelation, as a mark or memorial of individuality".

Therefore the word "Shem"/Name refers to His literal written or spoken name as well as His character.

Some say that the definition of the word 'name' only means character (e.g. "I come in the name of peace")

Others who take the sacred name to the extreme seem to think it only refers to His literal written and spoken name, and not character

The definition above, as well as many scriptures bear the truth that it means BOTH

If it did not refer to His literal written and spoken name then one could say that Yahweh does not have a literal written and spoken name at all.

But we know that is not true. It is written nearly 7,000 times in the "Old Testament" alone. And in every single instance, most translations subsitute the Father's name with a title such as "The LORD" or "GOD". They do this even though in one place it says:

Isaiah 42:8 - I am YAHWEH: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.

So the word "Name (Shem)" also refers to the literal written and spoken name.

Some translations lie and say in this verse "I am the LORD: that is my name:"

But no lie is of the truth!

We saw in the above Strong's definition that His Name is also is His "memorial of individuality". This definition goes hand in hand with scripture:

Exodus 3:15 - And Elohim said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, YAHWEH Elohim of your fathers, the Elohim of Abraham, the Elohim of Isaac, and the Elohim of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations.

It is Yahweh's desire that His name would be a memorial unto all generations. ALL generations.. not just until Yahushua arrived

Now we know that man has set up may memorials for himself. Take for instance "The Wall" in Washington DC.

"The Wall" in Washington DC has the names of all the men who died in the Vietnam War

Now what if one were to go and desecrate that memorial and replace it with a bunch of titles like "Colonel" or "General" or "Private"?

This person could expect to receive a great punishment for desecrating man's memorial

And rightly so!

But if we wouldn't desecrate one of man's memorials, then why would anyone want to desecrate Yahweh's Memorial - His Name?

Do we have the right to change His name to a title of our own liking? Who gave us the authority to change His words?

The Creator chose to be remembered by the name "Yahweh". It is His memorial. We don't have the right to replace it with something we like better

So we can be certain that the Messiah would not do this either, especially when reading the scriptures in the Synagogue:

Luke 4:17 - And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written,

Luke 4:18 - The Spirit of YAHWEH is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,

Luke 4:19 - To preach the acceptable year of YAHWEH.

Luke 4:20 - And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him.

Luke 4:21 - And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.

When Yahushua spoke, I believe He spoke the words of Yahweh.. exactly the way Yahweh inspired them. We can be certain that He didn't see a need to improve on what Yahweh already had spoken!

Yet, others believe that they must change what Yahweh has spoken

Do they believe that Yahweh made a mistake by placing His name there almost 7,000 times?

Who are we to correct HIM?

Are we greater than Yahushua? Let's demonstrate that He did not sin but He did proclaim Yahweh's name.

He said:

John 5:43 - 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.

We who know that the Messiah's name is "Yahushua" can clearly recognize the dual meaning of the word "Name" here. In the case of Yahushua, not only did He come by His Father's authority, but He also came in His Father's literal written and spoken name.

The name "YahuShua" means "Yahweh saves, or Yahweh is salvation"

Thus the prefix "Yah"

In the Torah, there is a prophecy about Yahushua's coming. Peter (in Acts 3) confirmed that the following scripture was speaking of Yahushua:

Deuteronomy 18:18 - I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.

Deuteronomy 18:19 - And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him.

This is a direct statement saying that Yahushua, a true Prophet from Yahweh, did 'speak' in His Father's name. Surely then He did not hide it, substitute it, or change it.

Again it is written in the Psalms concerning Messiah:

Psalms 118:26 - Blessed be he that cometh in the name of YAHWEH: we have blessed you out of the house of YAHWEH.

When Yahushua entered Jerusalem:

Luke 19:37 - And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise YAHWEH with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen;

Luke 19:38 - Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of YAHWEH: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.

In these verses He is entering Yerushalayim for the final time, knowing that He would be nailed to the tree

He was given this entrance as a declaration that He is the true Messiah and King

But some of the Pharisees didn't like it:

Luke 19:39 - And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples.

Luke 19:40 - And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.

Perhaps they didn't like this declaring of the Father's Name, but Yahushua told them that if they held their peace.. the rocks would be crying out "Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of YAHWEH!"

When Yahushua enters Jerusalem, He laments:

Matthew 23:37 - O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!

Matthew 23:38 - Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.

Matthew 23:39 - For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of YAHWEH.

Here we have a declaration that until THEY SAY "Blessed is he that cometh in the name of YAHWEH", they will see Him no more.

I believe it will happen brethren, and many are recognizing Yahushua as the Messiah in this generation

So here we have many witnesses in scripture which clearly demonstrate Yahushua came in His Father's name and spoke in His Father's name

Nevertheless, in case you aren't convinced.. lets examine more scriptural evidence.

In Yahshua's prayer in John 17 He says:

John 17:5 - And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.

John 17:6 - I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word.

Yahushua Himself makes a very plain statement that He manifested Yahweh's name.

He says it again:

John 17:26 - And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.

This was a fulfillment of scripture in the great Psalm 22:

Psalms 22:22 - I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee.

Scripture does not lie. If it says that Yahushua declared and manifested the name of Yahweh, we need only believe it!

We know that He not only declared His Father's literal and spoken name, but also His true character to the people.

It is evident that not all had "ears to hear" concerning His Father's true name/character. Not unlike today, they had much baggage (traditions) left over from their Fathers which resulted in a failure to recognize the truth. Man is so many times his own worst enemy

Yahushua clearly condemned the traditions that were not in line with Yahweh's word. At one He point said:

Yahushua clearly condemned the traditions that were not in line with Yahweh's word. At one point He said:

Mark 7:9 - And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of YAHWEH, that ye may keep your own tradition.

One of the traditions held by some was that Yahweh's name was too holy to pronounce.

But Yahweh said to proclaim and praise and exalt His name, not hide it and avoid speaking it!

Psalms 34:3 - O magnify YAHWEH with me, and let us exalt his name together.

Isaiah 25:1 - O YAHWEH, thou art my Elohim; I will exalt thee, I will praise thy name; for thou hast done wonderful things; thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth.

Psalms 116:17 - I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of YAHWEH.

The question might be asked "Why did Yahushua refer to Yahweh as "Father"?

One obvious answer would be, "Because Yahweh is His Father"

But why with such frequency?

Certainly He came to declare that He was the Son of Yahweh. Being born of a virgin, He had Yahweh as His true Father

Another reason to consider..

If you look at various Messianic prophecies, there are many scriptures which indicate the Messiah was also called "Yahweh" in the old testament. For instance:

Isaiah 44:6 - Thus saith YAHWEH the King of Israel, and his redeemer YAHWEH of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no Elohim.

Notice that there are two called "Yahweh" in this verse. 1) Yahweh, King of Israel and 2) Yahweh's Redeemer, "Yahweh of Hosts".

Also:

Jeremiah 23:5 - Behold, the days come, saith YAHWEH, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.

Jeremiah 23:6 - In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, YAHWEH OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.

Here the Messiah is called "Yahweh Tzidkenu". Yahweh the Father is in other places called "Yahweh Ropheka, Yahweh Nissi, etc"

This is because the Father's name is in Him.. not because He is the Heavenly Father

Because of this, I believe it is possible that one reason Yahushua often called Him "Father" was to show that He is to be distinguished from Yahweh the Father

This would assist in disproving any teaching that may later creep in that Yahushua was the Father (e.g. the "oneness" doctrine") rather than He being distinct from the Father

Perhaps I cannot directly prove that this is one of the reasons Yahushua frequently called Yahweh "Father", but I'm certainly glad that Yahushua clearly made the distinction that He has a Father.. and His Father is called "Yahweh".

Nevertheless since He was the Son of Yahweh, there would naturally be a greater frequency of Yahushua calling Yahweh "Father".

Now here is an important point: The fact that He often called Him Father doesn't mean that He never called Him by His name, Yahweh!

He called Him "Father" and He also called Him "Yahweh". Just as we do both.

Of course it is not a wrong thing to call Yahweh by a title that fitly describes Him.

He is our Father, our Creator, our Master, our King.

But Yahweh is His Name.. and His memorial to all generations. We have no business trying to change that!

Rather, we will praise, exalt, bless, love, teach, preach, anoint, assemble, believe, give thanks, honor and call on His name as scripture teaches us.

For those who still have a little bit of doubt.. let's prove from history that Yahushua used His Father's name.. "Yahweh"

Let's examine the trial in which Yahushua was sentenced to death:

Matthew 26:64 - Yahushua saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.

Matthew 26:65 - Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy.

Matthew 26:66 - What think ye? They answered and said, He is guilty of death.

In light of these verses, it is fascinating to study the historical context of what was going on.

Based on the above scripture, it is evident that the official charge against the Messiah was "blasphemy".

The word "Power" in verse 64 was a 'euphemism' or substitution for the divine name Yahweh. Now according to the Mishna:

"He who blasphemes is liable only when he will have fully pronounced the Divine Name. Said R. Joshua ben Qorha, "on every day (of the trial) they examine the witnesses with a substituted name.

When sentence was to be given they did not decalre him guilty of death with the substituted name, but they put everyone out and ask the most important of the witnesses, saying to him, "Say, what exactly did you hear?" And he says what he heard. And the judges stand on their feet and tear their clothing, and they may not mend them again.(m.San. 7:5)

The Mishna is the oral traditions that existed amongst the Jews in the first century AD

So here we have historical evidence that no man could be sentenced for blasphemy unless he had actually spoken the Divine Name.

This is further proven when we see that the High Priest "rent his clothes" upon hearing the name since Yahushua was his own witness (as he said "what further need have we of witnesses?").

Matthew 26:65 - Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy.

Thus, it can be shown even from historical record that Yahushua used the Heavenly Father's Name, and that the Greek manuscripts have substitions in place.

There is strong manuscript evidence that Yahushua spoke the name aloud in Mt. 4:7; 4:10; 5:33; 21:42; 22:37 & 22:44

The DuTillet, Hebrew version of the Book of Matthew has 3 yods in the place of the name "Yahweh" in those verses. The Shem Tob version of the Hebrew Matthew has a Hebrew letter "Heh" in those places

These all indicate He spoke the name in those verses because there is no Hebrew word with a single Heh or 3 consecutive Yod's. This was a substitute for the Heavenly Father's Name

This is one of a multitude of attempts to falsify His name by those who believed in the ineffable name doctrine. The ineffable name doctrine states that Yahweh's name is too holy to pronounce. Clement of Alexandria did not hold to this doctrine, but others did like Jerome:

Correction, Justin Matyr..

"For no one can utter the name of the ineffable deity; and if any one dare to say that there is a name, he raves with a hopeless madness. (I Apol.,61)"

"But to the father of all, who is unbegotten, there is no name given. For by whatever name he be called, he has as his elder the person who gives him the name. But these words, Father, and Deity, and Creator, and Lord, and Master, are not names but appelations derived from good deeds and functions. (II Apol., 6)"

Justin appears on the scene as early as 150 AD

Thus, the ineffable name doctrine seems to be well established in Christianity by that time. They were even saying things that were totally false.

Did Yahweh Himself rave with hopeless madness when He said "This is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations." in Exodus 3:15? Was the psalmist raving with hopeless madness when saying "I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of Yahweh." in Psalm 116:17?

With this in mind, it is no wonder that the Greek manuscripts we have today do not contain the name.

We know that the 'church fathers' quickly apostated from the true Sabbath. It shouldn't be difficult to believe that they also quickly dropped the use of the true name of our Creator.

It is very evident that the "ineffable name" doctrine is totally unscriptural. Justin said that "if any one dare to say that there is a name, he raves with a hopeless madness".

It amazes me that anyone could say such a thing

Exodus 9:16 - And in very deed for this cause have I raised thee up, for to shew in thee my power; and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth.

Isaiah 52:6 - Therefore my people shall know my name: therefore they shall know in that day that I am he that doth speak: behold, it is I.

Psalms 116:4 - Then called I upon the name of YAHWEH; O YAHWEH, I beseech thee, deliver my soul.

Psalms 116:13 - I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of YAHWEH.

Psalms 116:14 - I will pay my vows unto YAHWEH now in the presence of all his people.

Psalms 116:15 - Precious in the sight of YAHWEH is the death of his saints.

Psalms 116:16 - O YAHWEH, truly I am thy servant; I am thy servant, and the son of thine handmaid: thou hast loosed my bonds.

Psalms 116:17 - I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of YAHWEH.

Isaiah 12:4 - And in that day shall ye say, Praise YAHWEH, call upon his name, declare his doings among the people, make mention that his name is exalted.

In the end, Yahweh's word will be the determining factor in what is right and what is wrong.

Let's walk in a perfect way, let's call upon the name of Yahweh!

Psalms 105:1 - O give thanks unto YAHWEH; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people.

Let's also establish His name in righteousness and holiness! Let it be that when those around us say, "These are the people of Yahweh" that our actions truly glorify His name

For we want His name to be associated with all the is right and good and just

(all that is)

When His name "Yahweh" is associated with all that is right and good and just, then Yahweh's desire is accomplished in fullness. For He is the one who chose to be called by the name "Yahweh", and He desires that it be associated with righteousness and truth

Let's do that, shall we?

O Yahweh, magnify Your great Name!!

We know that the Perfect One, Yahushua the Messiah did just that.

Allow Him do that in You.. if indeed Yahushua lives in you

May it be so, in Yahushua's name. And may Yahweh bless you and have mercy on us all!