Paleo Times December 2000 Newsletter

Greetings Brethren,

News from Israel is very troubling. The Palestinians want more and more land and the Israelites have given them so much already. The recent violence has killed hundreds of Palestinians and many Jews. Israel is one of the strongest military powers in the Middle East. Each day though their Arab neighbors rich with black gold continue to buy arms from countries around the world. The Islamic people truly hate the Jews. The US and other countries that fought World War II have forgotten their promise to help form the Jewish state of Israel. Even worse a large amount of the Jewish population completely rejects Yahweh.

One of the worst roles that the US has played recently is its support for the Palestinians while it is the Palestinians causing the violence. It seems that our support follows popular opinion and as the news media shows the violence we don't always see both sides. The Palestinians have found a way to upset the west. Show children in the frontlines being killed. It is sickening to see what this conflict has become.

Yahweh's prophets have warned against what is happening right now in Israel. Most of which is caused by Yahweh's people's unwillingness to follow His laws.

Even though there is so much conflict in Israel these days we must never forget to keep Yahweh's people in our prayer. We strive to be better servants following after the knowledge of Yahweh's chosen people. Yahweh has given us many tools so that we may look at the history of Israel hopefully to learn from their mistakes and to learn from our own. Hind site is 100%. The tools and understanding that is given must be utilized. Life is a lesson though because without war we don't really appreciate peace. As I think of Yahweh's coming kingdom I think of the peace, joy, and love that will be felt. When I think of Yahweh's kingdom I pray for cleansing because I know that this world pollutes me every day.

When a child is first born his mind is so blank. Everything that he learns over the next twenty years is because of the way that I taught him and allowed him to come in contact with. I am not saying that we shouldn't expose our children to the world but I wish that he could survive with the innocence of childhood. As Yahweh's people we must teach our children to be as Yahshua. He was slow to anger and patient with those he taught. He was merciful in all things. Yahshua was also just in every thing that he did and was able to quote scripture to back up his position.

Yahshua was not naive but kept the quality of childlike innocence. What a beautiful combination! This relates back to Israel in that unless we are as a little child we will not be able to enter the kingdom of Yahweh. Israel has been given by Yahweh all the land that the State of Israel has now and much more. In fact with the return of Yahshua the whole world will be Yahweh's kingdom. For now though we will have to endure this world. Yahweh's people are loosing ground both in Israel and in the world. This world's wickedness continues to grow at an alarming rate. Lets stay watchful. The only way that this can all be set righteously is for Yahshua to setup Yahweh's kingdom on earth.

I pray brethren that we all live spiritually to see the day of Yahshua's return. As John wrote, "Blessed are they who have part in the first resurrection." "Upon such the second death has no power." Let's strive to be Yahweh's chosen!

One of the things setting us apart is that we don't keep the pagan festivals. This month many keep the pagan festival of Christmas. "The Christmas Fable," is a short article explaining why we should not keep Christmas. Also we have included a couple pocket calendars and wall calendars. Please lets keep those on the prayer list in our prayers.

Yahweh Bless,

James Meyer

Sabbath was coming to a close and Jim and I were discussing the possibility of making a calendar for the brethren who did not have access to the Internet. Time and money under consideration we decided to go for it. We went to our local office supply store for the necessary equipment and supplies.

I would have chosen the cheapest paper but Jim explained to me that the weight of the paper is an important factor in choosing paper. He pointed out that heavy weight paper would be more durable. Next, we found a stapler that reached 12 inches and a rotary paper trimmer that was reasonably priced. However the inks were on the pricey side.

Once our two children were a sleep, around 9:00 pm, Jim doubled checked his calculations and I prepared a workspace in our dinning area. In the first test calendar we worked out the calendar measurements and an assembly line method. It looked better than we imaged Praise Yah!

I operated the color printer while Jim printed the calendar on the other printer. Two months was printed on each sheet so we had to use the paper trimmer to cut the printed sheet in half. Once the photo back was dried I stapled the calendar on to them.

After several paper jams, one ink cartridge change, and a printer break down that caused lines in several of the pictures we finished 40 calendars by 3:00 am. By then we were tried and giddy. What a great feeling.

I think back now and it was great because it was two people husband and wife, brother and sister in the faith focus on one goal to edify Yahweh. No arguments over little meaningless issues or power struggle for position. Our personal gain was never an issue.

We thank Yahweh for giving us a chance to use our gifts to spread is truth and for the tithes from brethren that paid for the materials. We pray that the Paleo Times calendar edifies Yahweh's commandment to observe His feasts.

James 2:18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

May Yah smile upon you,

Laura Meyer

Death of a Sister

Mary Jean Vacca passed away Tuesday, December 5th. The many that were pricked in the heart by Mary Jean saw her as bright light in this dim world. Mary Jean had been fighting cancer for the last few years. Please keep Mary Jean's family in your prayers. Mary Jean wanted peace among the brethren and fought hard along side her husband Elder Pete Vacca for such. Her warm smile and conversation will be dearly missed. One of her favorite scriptures would have been Psalm 133 verse 1: Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!

Prayer List

Please keep the following brethren and sisters in your prayers: Gary and Norma McDaniel, Anisa Norwood, Laura Pillars, Samuel Ndoumbe, Samm Morales, Steve Bock, Niyoka Carter, Rick Goldsmith, Mayra Solis, Yochann An'dersen, Kathy Stoner, Eva Vega, The Thomas Family, Donna Rose, Thelma Miller, Elizabeth L. Bryant, Deacon Joseph Butcher, Thomas James Hurley, Floriano Abenojar, Anita Garbes, Patrick May, Lesley Brom, Tyrone Baker, Bob Bryant, Veronica Corlew, Celestino Villalta, David Higgins, Robert D. Klagues, Christian David Collins, Andrew Pailate, Katie Brandenberg, Kara Newberg, Sarah Nevils, David Cannon, Elna Madge (Bassette) Newberg, Christopher Cannon, Barbara Boss, Rosy Maria Henness, Elder Pete Vacca and Family, and the many others striving to be better servants of Yahweh through Yahshua the Messiah.

The last New Moon was seen on November 26th by a few brethren in the southwest US. The next New Moon will most likely be seen December 26th. Please look for this up coming New Moon and send us your reports. We will share them with brethren around the world through the Paleo Times weekly email update. You can email your report to newmoon@paleotimes.org or call 573-896-8090.

The following compositions are articles and short stories submitted by brethren and sisters to edify the Assembly. If you have written a composition that you would like included please submit it through email or postal mail.

British rulers are crowned over the ancient rock known as the "stone of Scone" or "stone of destiny." It sits beneath the coronation chair in England's Westminster Abbey. A centuries-old legend says it is the stone pillow that Jacob rested his head on while he had his dream of angels on a stairway to heaven (Gen. 28:10-16). No real proof exits that this is the actual stone.

A census is taken for many reasons, such as for taxation or for counting the available fighting men. The Old Testament mentions a census of the Israelites at Mount Sinai (which is where the book of Numbers got its name). David, for military purposes, made a census of Israel (2 Sam. 24:1-4). The most famous census was that ordered by the Roman emperor Augustus, a census that resulted in Joseph and Mary being in Bethlehem, where Yahshua was born (Luke 2:1-5).

Readers find the regulations in the Old Testament Law bewildering. How, we wonder, could people live with so many stifling rules? In fact, some of the rules were quite sensible--and humane. There were laws, for example, to ensure the happiness of newlyweds and engaged couples: "What man is there who is betrothed to a woman and has not married Her? Let him go and return to his house, lest he die in war and another man marry her" (Deut. 20:7). "When a man has taken a new wife, he shall not go out to war or be charged with any business; he shall be free at home one year, and bring happiness to his wife whom he has taken" (Deut. 24:5). What is so wrong about these regulations?

In many translations, Genesis 6:4 reads, "There were giants on the earth in those days." The Hebrew word translated "giants" is Nephilim, and it is used in (Numbers 13) to describe the hulking inhabitants of Canaan, who so impressed the Israelite reconnaissance men. Nephilim does not mean giants of supernatural origin, but simply a tribe of large-framed, powerful men. When military strength was a man's most important asset, such men were feared with grudging respect.

Modern medicine can cure or alleviate most skin diseases, but in ancient times there were few cures. People feared that leprosy (a generic name for a variety of loathsome skin diseases) was infectious, and probably the ugliness of it made people more fearful. Leviticus 13 gives detailed instructions on quarantining lepers. A leper had to call out "Unclean! Unclean!" to warn others of his presence. He had to live in isolation, "outside the camp."

The prophet Elisha caused the healing of Naaman, the Aramean military man, by having him bathe in the Jordan River. Leprosy could sometimes be a punishment from Yahweh. Miriam, Moses' sister, was struck with leprosy for opposing Moses. (Num. 12) Gehazi, servant of the prophet Elisha, became a leper after stealing and lying to his master (2 Kings 5). King Uzziah dared to burn incense on the altar (something only priests were allowed), so Yahweh afflicted him with leprosy 2 Chron. 26.

Yahshua healed several lepers. In one notable instance, He healed ten lepers at once, but only one bothered to thank Him, falling upon his face at His feet giving thanks: and he was a Samaritan. (Lk.17:11-19)

Before the days of gas chambers, lethal injections, and electric chairs, the Israelites used what was available: mostly stones. The Old Testament prescribed execution by stoning as the punishment for blasphemy, idolatry, profaning the Sabbath, human sacrifice, occultism, and other offenses. Yahshua lamented that Israel had also stoned true prophets (Matt. 23:37, John 8:1-11) records the story of a woman about to be stoned for adultery; Yahshua uttered His famous words, "He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first," and the mob dispersed. More than once the Jews decided to stone Yahshua Himself for blasphemy. If His execution had been Jewish instead of Roman, He would have been stoned instead of impalement.

Stephen, was stoned for strong teaching concerning Yahshua. On one occasion Paul was stoned and left for dead, though he recovered (Acts 14:19-20). Stoning was a type of "community execution," with the people as a group stoning the offender.

by Mona Perry

The poor will be here forever as Deuteronomy 15:11 says: For the poor shall never cease out of the land: therefore I command the, saying, thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to the poor, and to thy needy in thy land.

He who helps out the poor as Yahweh commanded is blessed as Psalm 41:1 says:

One way of opening your hand to them is by helping them (Psalm 72): He shall judge the poor of the people, he shall save the children of the needy, and shall break in pieces the oppressors.

You should help the poor for a two of reasons:

1. Zephaniah 3:12 says: I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people and they shall trust in the name of Yahweh.

2. Even during the time when Yahshua was here, the poor gave up their money for the assembly: (Mark 12:41-44) And Yahshua sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. 42: And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in 2 mites. 43: And he called unto him his disciples, and said unto them, verily I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury. 44: For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.

And Yahshua lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor; for yours is the kingdom of Yahweh. Luke 6:20

compiled by B. Meyer

How happy the man, who hath not walked in the counsel of the lawless,--and, in the way of sinners, hath not stood, and, in the seat of scoffers, hath not sat; But, in the law of Yahweh, is his delight,--and, in his law, doth he talk with himself day and night. So doth he become like a tree planted by streams of waters,--that yieldeth, its fruit, in its season, whose leaf, also doth not wither, and, whatsoever he doeth, prospereth. Not so, the lawless,--but as chaff which is driven about by the wind: For this cause, shall the lawless not stand in the judgment,--nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. For Yahweh doth acknowledge the way of the righteous; but, the way of the lawless, shall vanish. (Psalms 1:1-6 ROTHRHAM)

One of the largest holiday celebrations in the world is the Christmas holiday. More than half of the world's population keeps Christmas as a holiday which supposedly celebrates the birth of Yahshua. As with any holiday we must refer to the Scriptures and find if it is sanctified. Is Christmas the doctrine of men or of Yahweh? For there is no respect of persons with Yahweh. (Romans 2:11) If we can prove that its origin is from the doctrine of men we must not keep Christmas. Paul taught that we must prove all things and hold fast to that which is good. In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, (Titus 2:7)

First Christmas

The study of Christmas is rather interesting. The first Christmas celebration according to the Harper's Bible Dictionary was kept on December 25, 336 CE in Rome. This shows that when the Catholic Church initiated the Christmas celebration that the other Bible believers of the time didn't keep this holiday. The fact that it was first kept in Rome also points to a non-scriptural start of this observance. Neither the patriarchs nor scriptures refer to either the disciples or Yahshua keeping this observance. The idea of keeping one's birthday was a pagan custom which we will discuss later.

The origin of Christmas is from paganism. The December 25th celebration refers back to the Egyptians who worshipped the Sun (not the Son) as Amen Ra. The worship of the sun is perhaps as old as Nimrod and the destruction of the tower of Babel.

During the time of the Messiah the Romans controlled Jerusalem. The Romans had many deities. One of the worships was called Zoroastrianism. Zoroastrianism had a cult that worshipped the rebirth of the sun, Mithraism. The myth states that Mithras was born on December 25 as the unconquerable sun whose final conquest was the destruction of darkness. A bull that Mithras sacrificed represented darkness. Mithras was born in a cave as the myth goes. The followers of Mithras came together for a meal on December 25. December 25th is not Yahshua's birthday but the winter solstice. The tradition of worshiping the sun was not lost and over time even was brought into Christianity as a worship of the Messiah.

Christmas has helped the Christian churches grow because it gave them a holiday in common with the many religions around the world. The problem still remains that it is not a holiday that Yahweh has sanctified. Should birthdays be celebrated? Two examples in scripture of birthday celebrations were very destructive. One of the best-known examples is of Herod's birthday where he was pleased by the daughter of Herodias and offered her what ever she wanted. She asked for the head of John the Immerser on a platter. Herod kept his word and John was executed. Another example is of Pharaoh where on his birthday hung the baker and restored the butler to his former duties. There are no examples of a righteous person keeping a birthday in the scriptures.

The idea of worshipping Yahshua for his birthday is just the opposite of what he asked us to remember of him. He told us to remember his sacrifice. And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. (Luke 22:19) Nowhere in the scriptures is a birth considered to be a holy day except maybe by non-believers like Pharaoh and Herod.

Another important point is that December 25th is not mentioned or implied as the Savior's birth anywhere in scripture. Yahshua's birth is considered to be around the Feast of Tabernacles. One way of figuring this is that according to John Yahshua's family returned to Galilee for a tax. Taxes were usually collected during feast times because that is when people came together. Plus the fall feasts are after all the crops would have been harvested. The best time for the tax would have been right after the harvest leaving less chance for the tax money to be squandered.

Another way of figuring Yahshua's birth is from the birth of John the Immerser. Yahshua was 6 months younger than John and John's birth is calculated to be around the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Either way though there is no way of telling for sure what day Yahshua was born. The reason that this fact is not alluded to in the scriptures is because of the problem that we find today with birthday celebration.

Many admit that Messiah was not born on December 25th and thus the holiday is only kept for the children. Is Christmas something that we want to teach our children? The Christmas holiday is supposed to be a joyous time where family comes together. The problem is not with a family gathering but with the fact that this holiday is not allowed by Yahweh's law. Think of the damage that Christmas causes to so many. Debt, suicide, murders, and thefts are all on the rise during the Christmas season. Television programming turns to the "Perfect" Christ celebration causing depression among the millions that don't find such happiness. Christmas also draws away from the worship of Yahweh. Thou shalt have none other deities before me. (Deuteronomy 5:7)

Yahweh's Feasts

Yahweh's feasts are much different in that they are meant to bring Yahweh's people together. We come together to serve Yahweh. Yahshua and the disciples keep the feasts of Yahweh. Yahweh's feasts do not have the burdens of giving gifts to others. There is no competition to see who gives the best gift. Yahweh's feasts are a time when we give of ourselves to Yahweh and the brethren. The beauty of Yahweh's family is that the gift is not something that will rot or brake. It is a gift that will last forever. The gift of love of the brethren and hopefully the gift of eternal life is eternal. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! (Psalms 133:1)

"Christmas," Harper's Bible Dictionary, Miller, 1961

"Christmas," The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume III
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/03724b.htm

"Christmas," Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2000
http://encarta.msn.com/find/Concise.asp?ti=01509000

"Mithraism," Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2000
http://encarta.msn.com/find/Concise.asp?ti=068F4000

"Mithraism," West Asian Traditions
http://www.clas.ufl.edu/users/gthursby/rel/mithras.htm

"Let's Keep Christ Out of Xmas!" Greg Wilson
http://users.aol.com/libcfl/xmas.htm

"Mithraism", The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume X
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10402a.htm

"How Christmas Works," Marshall Brain
http://www.howstuffworks.com/christmas1.htm

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