YAHUSHUA
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Messiah or Christ?

Which Title are we to use?

We first have to realize that these expressions are not names but Titles.

Who do need the definite article "the" in English. We should really use the title The Messiah in English to indicate the Jew YAHUSHUA HaMoshiyach, who actually is YAHUVEH who became a human, to enable reconciliation between mankind and its Creator. Which he did by taking upon Him the guilt of our sins.

Why this title is more appropriate then the Title The Christ has to be Proven from Scripture. It has also to be proven from Scripture that the use of the expression Jesus Christ as a name, is not giving full glory and honor to our redeemer. We must consider that the use of Jesus Christ as His name, has its origin in the early Church who was determined to do away with anything that sounded even remotely Hebrew. The earliest New Testament manuscripts we have to day, are copies made in a period that this Anti-Jewish feeling was well and truly established. It is therefore very likely that translators and copyists have substituted other expressions for the Hebrew names that might have been in the originals. We have therefore to concentrate on the Tanach (mistakenly called the Old Testament) in our study.

We can not rely on the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Tanach, because the original has authority and a translation has no authority. Also, later editions of the Septuagint have notable alterations and the originals are lost.

One thing we can establish and that is that the Greek Christos comes from the Greek Chri, which means to rub with an oily or greasy substance and can be translated as anointed. That raises the question, why use a Greek word in the English language when there is a perfect English word available? Let us have a look at the Tanach for the use of the word anointed. It comes from the verb mashach, which means, "to smear with oil" . It appears 66 times in about 18 different grammatical forms. One of the forms is mashiyach, meaning anointed with oil and we find this used about 38 times.The main occurrences are about people and objects connected with the Temple service. We find, HaCohen HaMashiyach for a person anointed as a priest. Kings also were anointed.

Also articles can be anointed and are revered to as meshoochim. It can also be used to indicate some one appointed by YAHUVEH for a special task who is not actually anointed with oil on behalf of YAHUVEH. We find this in Isaiah 45:1 There YAHUVEH says: "limshiycho ligoresh" translated this is:

"to my anointed to Cyrus (Cores)." We probably should translate this to as "to my deliverer to Cyrus." Cyrus was never anointed with the special oil, (Exodus 30:23-25) but he was appointed by YAHUVEH to deliver Israel from exile.

We find nowhere in the Bible that YAHUSHUA actually was ceremonially anointed with the special oil required for this purpose or that it was required for Him, to enable Him to act as Saviour. Some people say that His Baptism was a symbolic anointing. One of the main problems in Bible teaching is that people find, or are trying to find, to many symbolic references in the text. YAHUVEH uses, to talk to us through His word as it is written, plain language with no hidden meanings. From the foregoing we can say that Masheeyach, anointed, does not really fit YAHUSHUA. There is however a title that fits Him better and that is mosheeyach, meaning a deliverer or, one who delivers.

We can show this from the Tanach. MosheeYach is a form of the verb yasha meaning, to save or to deliver. It is found in its different forms 198 times in the Tanach. Also from yasha comes yesha which means salvation and occurs 35 times in the Tanach. Let us examine the use of this expression in Isaiah 43:3 It says in the first part:

Kee anee YHVH eloheyach kedosh yisrael mosheeyech translated, Because I am YAHUVEH your deity, holy one of Israel, your deliverer. The literal meaning of mosheeyech as a form of yasha is, "The one talked about causes to be salvation to you"

We find the same expression in Isaiah 49:26 and in Isaiah 60:17 When we read Isaiah chapter 60, we see that this talks about the final delivering of Israel. It also states clearly that YAHUVEH does the delivering.

Isaiah Chapters 58 through 63 are interesting reading, because they pertain to Israel today and in the near future. In Isaiah chapter 19 we find a prophesy against Egypt that not yet has been fulfilled and in verse 20 we read that YAHUVEH will send them a Saviour and here we find in the original Hebrew, the word moshiya. Now I would like to point out a very very important statement. It says in Isa. 44:11:

I, I, am YAHUVEH and apart from me there is no moshiya

In Isa.45:15: Elohey yisrael moshiya The context of these verses indicates that YAHUVEH stretches the point that He is YAHUVEH and does not call Himself Lord or any other name and He is the only moshiya. Moshiya is the hiphil form of yasha = caused to deliver, the mood of the verb is particle = unbroken continuity. We could therefore say it means, The one causing deliverance There is an other very important text which ties in YAHUVEH with the Moshiya.

Zechariah chapter 12 talks about the final attack on Jerusalem and chapter 14, talks bout the final delivery and the beginning of YAHUVEH's reign of shalom. Unfortunately our translators have muddled up this bit, by not translating the proper names, but substituting titles that could be any one's. I shall show some of the verses with the proper names inserted to make this a clear message. Zech. 12:1

"The utterance of the word of YAHUVEH concerning Israel, prophetically declares YAHUVEH"

Zech. 12:4

"In that day prophetically declares YAHUVEH I will ...."

Here is established that YAHUVEH is the one involved and where ever You read Lord in your translation fill in YAHUVEH.

Zech. 12:10

" And I (YAHUVEH) will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me (YAHUVEH) whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for [his] only [son], and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for [his] firstborn."

Now this clearly indicates that YAHUVEH, earlier in Isa.44:11 called moshiya (Messiah), is one and the same as He that died for our sins. We now read further in Zech. 14:3

3 Then shall YAHUVEH go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle. 4 And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which [is] before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, [and there shall be] a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.

Zech. 14:9

" And shall be YAHUVEH the king over all the earth, on that day shall be YAHUVEH one and His name one.

This leaves no doubt that YAHUSHUA the man is also YAHUVEH. This is something we cannot comprehend because our reasoning is limited to our environment. However mankind is not satisfied with this and like the first sin was wanting to know everything, the continuing sin is that is bringing the Creator down to their own level and seek to explain the almighty in terms that they can comprehend.

They therefore, have come up with the concept of the trinity and they made YAHUVEH, who clearly states that He is ONE being (Deut. 6:4), in to three persons. When we look at it objectively, we must conclude that they retired God the father to heaven and called Him the God of the Old Testament, the God of the Jews.

They took God the Son away from His Jewish background, Called Him Jesus Christ and made Him in to a New Testament God. They created a new religion, with all the trimmings of the old pagan religions, even the word God is from pagan origin. They called the new religion Christianity. They also said there is a third person to the Godhead and called Him the Holy Spirit. But! The Scriptures clearly state that YAHUVEH is ONE and therefore He is also YAHUSHUA and also the Spirit the Holy One.

I do not understand it yet, but when I see Him face to face I shall. You to will understand if and when you are going to see Him face to face. Until that time we simply have to accept and believe and this will be counted to us as righteousness From the foregoing, it is clear that we can not call YAHUVEH, "Mashiyach," that is anointed or Christ, because He Himself is the one that orders the anointing. Therefore we can neither call YAHUSHUA, "Mashiyach." However, we can call Him "Moshiya", since that is what He called Himself.

He is Moshiyeach, that means, your deliverer. From all this it is apparently clear that the Greek word Christ is not a proper title and surely not a proper name for YAHUSHUA. That leaves us with a bit of a puzzle about some New Testament entries. However, we know that the Church wanted to do away with everything Jewish andcopyists biased by Church doctrine made their own adaptations to the manuscripts of the New Testament. Remember we do not have the originals. Let us have a look at the New Testament as we have it today. In John 1:41 we find:

He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ. {the Christ: or, the Anointed} (AV)

and in John 4:25:

25 The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things. (AV)

Let us have a look at this. In John 1 :38.

Here they call YAHUSHUA,"Rabbi" and they are therefore speaking in Hebrew/Aramaic.

For clarification the translator/copyists added that this means teacher. Now while he is at this adding bit, he added at verse 41 the note that this means Christ. Can you imagine that a Hebrew speaking fellow is explaining to his Hebrewspeaking brother, who might not even have known any Greek, the meaning of a Hebrew expression in Greek? Not very likely is it? Therefore this bit definitely was not in the original document. The Hebrew idiom used in the Greek text is Messian and this can not explicitly being referred to as a Hebrew form of Mashach nor of Moshiya. But taking in consideration Isaiah 44:11, it most likely was the word Moshiya that was used by Andrew when he spoke to his brother Simon.

About John 4:25.

YAHUSHUA was talking to the Samaritan woman. YAHUSHUA did not speak in Greek at any time because He would have lost His credibility as a Jewish teacher if He did. It is very unlikely that a Samaritan woman spoke Greek. It is therefore very unlikely that in the original manuscript the Greek word christos was used. Unfortunately there is no direct proof of it, but it is very likely from indirect proof from the Tanach, that the original manuscripts used the Hebrew idiom Messian or Messias and that this later has been replaced with Christos to take away the Jewish identity of YAHUSHUA.

From all this we get an indication of the wisdom of YAHUVEH. He did not take any measure against this deception. We can see why. The expressions God and Jesus Christ are very often used as an expletive and swear words. But since they not really pertain to our Creator and Saviour it is actually not blaspheming. On the other hand, He will always hear any one who genuinely seeks Him, whatever name they are using. He knows the heart and what the person is after. He shall in His own time and in His own way make Himself and His name known to anyone who is genuinely trying to get to know Him. Have you ever noticed that the short and guttural sounds of Jesus, Christ and God are very easily taken as expletives. However the Names YAHUVEH, YAHUSHUA and the titles Elohiem and Moshiya are smooth flowing sounds that not easily Are used as a short expletive. They but lend themselves more, for an adorable way of expression. Hallelu'Yah

"Redemption & Salvation"

The word Geullah (Redemption) means to 'purchase back'. YHVH (in the person of YAHUSHUA) purchased adulterous Israel back with his own lifeblood. He paid the price for her adulteries - death. He has done this for all time. Its an eternal Redemption. Whether Israel recognizes it or not, or whether she knows who redeemed her, is irrelevant to the Redemption. It is done, and it was done NOT on Israel's merit (because she in fact merited death), but on YHVH's love for His bride.

The word Y'shuah (Salvation) literally means restoration, deliverance, healing, wholeness etc. YHVH enabled Israel to be blessed with all of these things by giving them the Torah. Throughout Deuteronomy this is clear: "IF you obey my Commandments, then none of these diseases shall come upon you... you shall be blessed in the field and in the womb.... I will destroy your enemies, etc etc. So, we walk in the Torah, we are continually being 'saved'. The fulness of our salvation will come with King Messiah, when we shall receive immortality - the salvation of our bodies.

** All these promises are a definition of the word 'y'shuah' (salvation). And the basis for receiving these promises (y'shuah) is keeping Torah. As Paul says, "Y'SHUAH (SALVATION) IS THE GOAL OF THE TORAH". Very important. Salvation is the goal of the Torah.

Now, my view....

1. The Bride of YAHUSHUA can only be she who has and observes the Kettubah (Torah), which was given at Sinai. The Bride MUST be in possession of the Kettubah. This Bride will rule with Messiah, bringing Torah to the world, during the Messianic Age.

2. Because Israel is Redeemed, the good news is that Gentiles can now enter into the Redeemed Household, taking hold of Torah and becoming part of that Bride (like Ruth). Also, like Ruth, they do not remain Gentiles, but are 'grafted into the Torah Framework of YHVH'. The story of Ruth is a perfect analogy. She fully entered into the Household of Israel, was Redeemed by the Kinsman Redeemer and he became her Bridegroom.

However, Boaz could not have married Ruth, unless she had 'converted' (taken hold of Torah).

3. The Scriptures also speak of Righteous Gentiles who will be judged according to their DEEDS at the END of the Messianic Age, and receive a place in the world to come. See Revelation 20:11-15 and Matthew 25 asan example.

I believe these Gentiles will not rule with Messiah, nor be raised immortal at the beginning of the Messianic Age, as you cannot teach Torah if you haven't observed Torah. Non-observant people are not in possession of the Kettubah and therefore cannot be 'Bride'. This applies to both Jew and Gentile.

Written by:

Launa Fabri

"What Does Colossians 2:14 Teach Us?"

Colossians 2:14 is often used as a proof text to support the idea that the Law of God was nailed to the cross and that we are therefore under no obligation of obedience. Without God's law there is no understanding of sin.

I Jn 3:4

Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness. (NAS)

To understand Colossians 2:14, we have to understand the context of Paul's teaching. The church addressed in Colossians was under attack much as the church is under attack today by those who want to impose the "laws of men" over the "laws of God." There is also a sense that the new age movement was alive and well in the Colossian church. The context of chapter 2 is Colossian heresy which included a misunderstanding of circumcision, (verse 11-13) angel worship (verse 15, 18), and the laws of men (verses 8-9, 22) separate and distinct from the law of God.

Colossians 2:13-15

13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; 15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. (KJV)

"What does blotting out the handwriting of ordinances" mean? Does it mean that the Law of God was nailed to the cross never to be applied to our lives again? Does it redefine John's teaching that sin is transgression of the law? Does it mean that the law is divided, some good, some bad, a "moral law" that stands while the "ceremonial law" was nailed to the cross? Is verse 14 even talking about the law of God?

Clearly verse 14 is NOT talking about the Law of God but specifically circumcision. The circumcision issue was resolved at the Jerusalem counsel, which upheld the law. Verse 14 is talking about "dogma"…a belief system that included circumcision as factor in salvation. The word used as "ordinances" is Strongs 1378, "dogma" which is never interpreted as law in the New Testament. In fact, the word is used only 5 times. Luke 2:1, Acts 16:4, Acts 17:7, Eph 2:15, Col 2:14. If you read these five verses there is no support for interpreting "ordinances" in verse 14 in the same way one would interpret "nomos."

The Greek word used in speaking of the law is Strongs 3551, "nomos" and is the root word used in every case where the word Law appears with the exception Matthew 5:40, Matthew 10:35 and Acts 19:38. It is also the root of the word "anti-nomian" which refers to those who are against the Law. Anti-nomianism is prevalent in the church today.

In this case the reference is to "dogma" or "ordinance" or "decree" or belief system that is against or contrary to "us" the believer and particularly the ordinance of circumcision (v. 14) and the laws and traditions of men. (Chapter 2 as a whole.) Is the Law of God against us? Was it given to us For our "bad?"

The Colossians thought that their uncircumcision set them apart from the circumcised. Paul taught that they were included with the circumcised, which sheds much light on the following verses including verse 16. They misunderstood fleshly circumcision in light of the cross and the work of the Messiah bringing the "heathen" or "other nations" or "gentiles" into the kingdom. Paul and Moses both told us that true circumcision is of the heart.

Deut 30:6

6 And the LORD thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live. (KJV)

Moses understood the covenants, including the new "refreshed" Covenant spoken of by Jeremiah and the writer of Hebrews. If one studies the writings of Moses, it is clear that he did not pursue circumcision of the flesh with zealous fervor. Joshua's big circumcision party prior to entering the Promised Land attests to the fact.

Circumcision was never a requirement for salvation. No doubt circumcision was nailed to the cross. However, to interpret Colossians 2:14 as teaching about or against the law of God generally is poor exegesis and is withoutBiblical merit.

May the God of the House of Judah and the House of Israel richly bless your study of the Word of God.

Copyright ?1998 Messiah's Promise

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Colossians 2:16

We recommend you read the Colossians 2:14 lesson first.

Colossians 2:16 is a favorite passage for those who like to speak against the law of God, the Festivals, or the Sabbath. First let me say that the Bible never encourages believers to be lawless. In reality the Bible teaches us to be lawful, to be righteous, to repent and turn away from sin.

Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness. I Jn 3:4 (NAS)

I generally use the New American Standard Version. In this case, the NAS has included a word that is not in the original manuscript. My NKJV, KJV, and NIV do not include the word {mere}. It shouldn't be there just as the word Easter should not appear in old KJV in Acts 12:4.

Therefore let no one act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day-- things which are a {mere} shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ. Col 2:16-17 (NAS)

Look at your NIV, KJV, or NKJV or your interlinear Bible to verify what I have said about the word {mere}. It substaintially alters the tone or sense of the passage.

Paul is not saying "let no man judge you in your LAWLESSNESS" because it is just a mere tutor. He is saying "let no man judge you in your LAWFULLNESS" because it is a good tutor. Verse 16 and 17 contrast with verse 18 where Paul clearly identifies pagan and some would say "new age" practices.

Let no one keep defrauding you of your prize by delighting in self-abasement and the worship of the angels, taking his stand on {visions} he has seen, inflated without cause by his fleshly mind, Col 2:18 (NAS)

He is not lumping God's laws with pagan ritual. Look at verse 8 of the same chapter.

See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ. Col 2:8 (NAS)

You can see that the context of the passage is worldly philosophy and traditions of men. In verse 22, Paul reaffirms that this is the context that he is speaking.

"Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!" (which all {refer to} things destined to perish with the using)-- in accordance with the commandments and teachings of men? Col 2:21-22 (NAS)

Paul continues in verse 22 to make it clear what he, Paul, is talking His warnings caution against the submission to the commandments and teachings of men. They are NOT warnings against obedience to the commandments and teachings of the Holy and Almighty God. Perhaps in principle, even man made commandments such as "keep the 1st day of the week Holy." It is not a valid assertion that Paul is condemning the Sabbath and obedience to the law. My Bible tells me that Paul was lawful and did not speak against the law. His grand opportunity was in Acts 21.

If Colossians 2:16 abrogates or abolishes the seventh day Sabbath observance then it equally destroys any contention of a first day Sabbath observance. It is for this reason that many churchmen contend that this scripture is only pointing to festival Sabbaths, not Sunday Sabbaths. Somewhat twisted logic which again is an "out of context" understanding of scripture used to destroy the importance of the law and God's festivals which teach us of the person and work of the Messiah.

And the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea; and when they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily, {to see} whether these things were so. Acts 17:10-11 (NAS)

Copyright ?1998 Messiah's Promise

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"The Law Gets A Bum Rap!"

Anytime we discuss the Law of God we must remind our readers that we are redeemed by repentance and faith and not by our deeds or actions or even our obedience. God provided our atonement for sin in the sinless life, death, and resurrection of His only begotten son, Jesus.

Mention the Law of God in a group of more than a couple of Christians and see how long it takes for one of them to remind you that the Law was given to the Jews and not the Gentiles., that the Law is Old Testament. It also won't take long for some misinformed person to suggest that the Apostle Paul was against the Law. It is because of these misunderstandings that the law gets a bum rap! There is a sense among Christians that the Law is bad. That it is a plan gone sour. That somehow God miscalculated the ability of man to keep the Law. That it was some sort of redemptive trickery.

How unfortunate that Law and Grace cannot coexist in the hearts and minds of believers for that is exactly where it belongs, on our hearts and on our minds. Let's look at what God's word says in Hebrews 8:8-10.

Because finding fault with them, He says: Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and withthe house of Judah--not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they did not continue in My covenant, and I disregardedthem, says the Lord. "For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. (NKJ)

This is the familiar new covenant passage upon which many a grace sermon has been preached, and praise God for it. However, the passage doesn't end with "Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a newcovenant". . . does it? First God tells us who He will make this new covenant with: the house of Israel and the house of Judah. (See What is the Restoration of the Kingdom? in this issue.) Secondly, he tells us He disregarded them, meaning the house of Israel and the house of Judah, fortheir disobedience, and then He tells us the nature of His promise regarding the new covenant. I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. I recommend that you read this passage for yourself from your Bible. Regardless of the translation, the message is clear. . I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts.

So what Law is God talking about here? Could it possibly be the Old Testament law? Surely not, you say! Let's look at the passage in your Bible. If youhave a reference Bible, there will be a note or an indication here that the writer of Hebrews, commonly thought to be the Apostle Paul, is quoting this passage from the Old Testament. Jeremiah 31:31-33

Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah - not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, though I was a husband to them, says the LORD. But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. (NKJ)

Same passage, same words, same promise, same grace. It should be clear at this point that the Law referenced here is "Old Testament Law" but let's explore it further. How can we learn more? By looking at the original text in Hebrew. What word is used for law?

The Strongs word 8451 towrah (to-raw'); or torah (to-raw'); from 3384; a precept or statute, especially the Decalogue or Pentateuch: KJV-- law.

The Decaloque is the Ten Commandments and the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Bible. The traditional understanding of Torah among the Jewish people is that the word torah means any precept or statute or teaching of God. Another interesting understanding of torah among the Jewish people isthat the Torah is the tree of life....that a life in obedience to God's word is the very essence of life itself. How is it those blessed with the grace and mercy of God view the Law as something that is second rate, mere history, a foiled plan rejected by God? This was not the perspective taught by Jesus and his disciples.

The words of Jesus in Matthew 5:16-19

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. "Do not think that I came to destroy the Lawor the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. "For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. "Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. (NKJ)

In my reading of this passage, I find nothing unclear in the Words of Jesus. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.. . . why are these words interpreted to mean that Jesus did away with the law by his perfect life? Jesus left no room for this interpretation for He says clearly I did not come to destroy. He further clarifies His position on the law with the words jot or tittle. They are clear references to the written law, the law given by God personally to Moses. Are not God and His Son one? Heaven and earth have not passed away, nor has the law of God. The reference to law in Matthew is the Strongs word: 3551 nomos (nom'-os). Interestingly, it is also the same word used in Hebrews 8 which we have shown clearly refers to the Torah.

Are we justified by keeping the Law? No! Is the Law bad? NO! The law is our standard. Without the Law, we cannot recognize our sin. Romans 3:20 Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin. (NKJ)

I Jn 3:4 Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness. (NKJ)

Are believers to be lawless, against the law? Are believers to sin?

Romans 6:1-4 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. (NKJ) [emphasis added]

Copyright ?1998 Messiah's Promise

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"I Know You Love Jesus.......But Do You Love YAHUSHUA /YAHUSHUA?"

I frequently get e-mail from our websites with a signature line or comment, which reads, "I love Jesus." I often think to myself, I know you love Jesus, but do you love YAHUSHUA? One might think that question makes a mute point, but after giving it considerable thought, I think not.

Most people readily recognize the name "Jesus." To some the name is identified with the gold crucifix hanging from the necklace or bracelet. To others, it brings forth memories of Christmas or Easter, and to others the children's tune "Jesus Loves Me." Many recognize the name Jesus as the name of their Savior and Lord. Others recognize Jesus as the Messiah of Israel whose life and works are detailed in the New Testament. My question is this: Is our understanding of the name of Jesus important to our faith? We will see that it is important, very important, for we must know in whom we have believed.

The name "YAHUSHUA" or "Jehoshua" or "Yehowshuwa" is foreign to many. These Hebrew renditions of the name of the Messiah. God commanded his name through His angel to Joseph.

"And she will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for it is He who will save His people from their sins." Matthew 1:21

The name "Jesus" comes from the Greek not the Hebrew. In fact, the Greek name

"Iesous," Strong's 2424, which is translated "Jesus" has its origins in the gods of Greek mythology. It is far removed from God's appointed name givento Mary for the Messiah. Why are we more familiar with the Greek name for Jesus than his proper Hebrew name? Proper names are normally not translated. Isaiah remains Isaiah. Zechariah remains Zechariah. Malachi remains Malachi. Micah remains Micah. Why have we changed the name of the prophet whose is far greater than these? By removing the Messiah's Hebrew name, we risk altering His Hebrew identity and His Deity.

The most accurate representation of the name of the Messiah in the English Is Jehoshua, which corresponds with the Hebrew pronunciation of "Yehowshuwa" which means in the Hebrew "YAHUVEH-saved." Look at how much meaning this passage in Matthew has if we use the Hebrew name of the Messiah:

"And she will bear a Son; and you shall call His name "Yehowshuwa," for it is He who will save His people from their sins."

A related Hebrew word to "Yehowshuwa" is the word "YAHUSHUA." "YAHUSHUA" means salvation. Let's look at Exodus 14:13

But Moses said to the people, "Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of the LORD which He will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you will never see them again forever.

The Hebrew word translated "salvation" is yeshuw` ah (yesh-oo'-aw), Strong's word 3444.

The phrase "salvation of the LORD" reminds us that "Jehovah saves" or that God provides salvation or "YAHUSHUA" for his people, just as God provided salvation of the Israelite bondage in Israel.

Matthew reminds us of another name for the Messiah as told by the prophet Isaiah. In Matthew 1:23 we read:

"Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and shall bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel," which translated means, "God with us."

It was this name, Immanuel, that was so rejected by the religious men of the Messiah's day. The Messiah's claim as being one with God was a foreign and blasphemous concept to the scribes and Pharisees. But we know from John 10:30 the Messiah said, "I and the Father are one." The Messiah declared Himself God, Immanuel, God with us. The Judeans responded by picking up rocks to stone Him.

The Bible teaches us that our understanding of the name of the Messiah is important and not merely an academic exercise. It is relevant to our faith. Let's look at some scriptures, which tell us why.

"And in His name the Gentiles will hope." Matt 12:21

The New International Version offers us a more accurate rendering:

In his name the nations will put their hope." Matt 12:21.

You see the name "Gentiles" refers to those outside the kingdom, those who are pagan by definition. It means the other nations. When our hope is found in Messiah, we become a part of God's covenant people, the family of God. Israel. We are no longer Jew or Greek but Israelites, the seed of Abraham through Isaac and Jacob. The Apostle Paul tells us:

And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise. Galatians 3:29

So it is in His name that we find our hope. The Apostle John gives us great insight to the deity of Messiah and the importance of His name.

But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name, who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. John 1:12-13

John makes the corollary that receiving Him is one with believing in His name. He goes on to tell us that we receive Him, we believe in His name, not out of our own will but out of the will of God. John goes on to tell us in John 2, verse 23:

Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name, beholding His signs which He was doing.

Note that John identifies believers as those who believe in His name. Also please note that John clearly places the Messiah in Jerusalem at the Passover during the feast as prescribed by God's own commandment. Remember His name: Immanuel, God with us.

John 3:16 promises eternal life to those who believe and we know that those who believe in His name are characterized as believers. John 3:18 teaches us more about those who do not believe.

He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

Once again we see that one must believe in the name, the name of the only begotten Son of God. The Messiah's prayer in John 17:11-12 teaches us more.

"And I am no more in the world; and they themselves are in the world, and I come to Thee. Holy Father, keep them in Thy name, the name which Thou hast given Me, that they may be one, even as We are. "While I was with them, I was keeping them in Thy name which Thou hast given Me; and I guarded them, and not one of them perished but the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.

God and Messiah are one. It is His name that binds and protects us. We must have a proper understanding of our Redeemer's name so that we might believe and receive eternal life.

YAHUSHUA, the Messiah, our Redeemer is not one born on Christmas and raised on Easter. YAHUSHUA, the Messiah, did not attend Sunday school and church every Sunday. YAHUSHUA, the Messiah, did not abrogate the law given by God to Moses on Mt. Sinai. YAHUSHUA, the Messiah did not teach us to ignore the commandments of God. YAHUSHUA, the Messiah did not come to start a new religion for the Gentiles or the "other nations." YAHUSHUA, the Messiah, did not promise health, wealth, and prosperity in our earthly existence. These are false attributes frequently associated with the name Jesus, attributes which are separate from the God of the Bible.

YAHUSHUA, the Messiah, is not the "second person" of the trinity, but is "echad" or one with God. He was obedient to the law. He observed the commandments of God. He upheld all the law and the prophets and participated in the Feasts of the Lord. His practice was to go to the synagogue on the Sabbath day. He declared Himself Lord of the Sabbath. He taught us that eternal life comes by believing in His name, and that belief itself is a gift of God and not by the will of man. YAHUSHUA, the Messiah taught us that we would be hated on account of His name. This is the sovereign God we worship…the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob…the God of the Bible…the God who gave Himself for our sin.

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