Paleo Times September 2002 Newsletter

Greetings Brethren,

I pray that this letter finds you and your family well in Yahweh's protection through Messiah Yahshua. The blowing of the shofar at the next new moon starts the seventh month, the month of ethanim. The time between Yom Teruah (Feast of Trumpets) and Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) are considered to be the most holy days of the year by our Jewish brethren. It is easy to see that with the high priest going before Yahweh on the Day of Atonement that if the people were not right and had not repented and made changes accordingly that Yahweh would not let them live. This month's main article is focused on the scriptural meaning of repentance. We must all prayerfully examine our lives to determine if we need to turn from evil and move our line of sight towards Almighty Yahweh. This process is a continual one and we pray that with each measurement of our lives we make the appropriate changes to please Yahweh and reflect our affection of Messiah Yahshua.

G. A. Samuel Abraham Principal, Sir Arthur Cotton Memorial  School, PO Bag NO 1, Doddipatla-534266 W.G. AP. India

A brother recently posed the following question, "If the sacred names are required for salvation then what about those in the third world who don't have access to this information?" The question is based on a presumption that third world nations don't have access to Yahweh's word and the knowledge of the sacred names. The conclusion of the question was that since Yahweh could not be known in the third world it is not required for us to call on the Almighty by His personal name for salvation.

This would be interesting logic if it were true but the fact is that there are more sacred name brethren in the third world than there are in the so call civilized world. It is doubtful that you could find a country on the earth where Yahweh and Yahshua are not taught. The timing of the letter was kind of interesting because a sacred name brother from India had written earlier in the week before this question was asked. The fact is that Yahweh calls men and women from all walks of life and all nations.

The question was also pointed at the name, "Why do you say the sacred names are required for salvation?" It isn't me but the scriptures which stress the importance of using the sacred names.

Revelation 3:8 I know thy works (behold, I have set before thee a door opened, which none can shut), that thou hast a little power, and didst keep my word, and didst not deny my name.

Acts 2:21 And it shall be, that whosoever shall call on the name of Yahweh shall be saved.

Romans 10:12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek: for the same Master is Master of all, and is rich unto all that call upon him: 13 for, Whosoever shall call upon the name of Yahweh shall be saved.

Acts 4:12 And in none other is there salvation: for neither is there any other name under heaven, that is given among men, wherein we must be saved.

Psalms 80:18 So shall we not go back from thee: Quicken thou us, and we will call upon thy name. 19 Turn us again, O Yahweh Elohim of hosts; Cause thy face to shine, and we shall be saved.

Joel 2:32 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of Yahweh shall be delivered; for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be those that escape, as Yahweh hath said, and among the remnant those whom Yahweh doth call.

Acts 19:5 And when they heard this, they were baptized into the name of the Master Yahshua.

The only reason anyone does not call on the Creator and His son by the correct names is due to justification and not scripture. An example of the importance of a name is the book of life. Is it important that one's name is in the book of life? Then why is the Creator and His son's name treated as being so much less. The fact is that once we know the truth we must not turn from it and why would anyone want to take away from the truth. It is written that if we take away from the scriptures then our name will be taken out of the book of life. No justification will get us into the kingdom; we must do as Yahweh has given us knowledge and spirit. May our thoughts and actions be glory and honor to the Almighty King Yahweh and His Son Yahshua the Messiah.

Yahweh Bless,

James A. Meyer

Please keep the following brethren and sisters in your prayers: Anita Garbes, Anna I. Velez, Annette Dosold, Barry Wood, Blackburn Family, Brad Kissee, Bruce McCall Family - Bruce's great grandson is in desperate need of prayer., Caleb and Seth Thompson, Carl and Cheryl Meyer, Carrie McCall - has fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome and is also bi-polar manic-depressive and hasn't been able to work since last August., Castillo Family, Chloe S. Kurzon, Cindy Hogman, Cindy Nevling, Clementina and Julian Slabu, Connie Fazzi - Connie is a new believer in unbelieving household. She needs protection to study and keep the commandments of Yah., Daniel Neal, Derrick Holmes, Ella Gadson and Family, Eloise Carson, Ernestine Walls, Gary Guenther, Gladys Joyce, Hans Frederiksen Ayala, Henry Ruiz - liver problems, Holly S. Forster, Howard Eisenhauer, Inez Gholar - Inez has suffered from a head injury and has been having blackouts., James Fauth - James has a gallbladder problem which may require surgery., James Meyer Family, Jason Kissee, Jayne Crosson, Jennifer Brindley, Jenny Hopson, Jim and Alice Maring, Jonathan Kearns, Joseph Gray, Joseph Meyer Family, Larry Green, Lee Christopher Kearns, Marie Harris, Matt Nesser, Mayra Luisa Vega, Mike Cly, Norma and Clem Daulton - Norma is living with RSDA in her hand, wrist, and shoulder which is extremely painful. Clem's lower back and the two nerves that were pinched still give him a great deal of trouble., Pam and (Baby Elijah) Berthume, Pam and Jim White, Pam Fiello, Patrick Nelson, Rhonda Harris, Roger D. Thompson and Family, Roger Norman and Family, Ron Orr Family, Ronald Ritz Family, Roselia Ross, Spears' Family, Steve Foster, Tad Bennethum, Terri Krebs, The Ysidron Family - Jessica Ysidron is a believer in a non-believing household but her husband Steven is starting to show interest in the faith. Please pray that Yah'weh's Spirit is upon us and guiding us in all things., Thelma Howard, Tom (Mordecai) Mitchell, Tom Browand - Tom has a larger than golf ball sized tumor., Tori Blair, Vin Sanders, Virginia Rivera, Vivienne Martin, Walter Hoffman, and the many others striving to be better servants of Yahweh through Yahshua the Messiah.

The sixth New Moon was seen on August 9th by brethren across the US and around the world in many locations including Jerusalem, Israel. The seventh New Moon will most likely be seen September 7th but might not be seen until September 8th. Please look for this up coming New Moon and send us your report. We will share the reports with brethren around the world through the Paleo Times weekly email update. You can email your report to New Moon 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.

Romans 7:14/1-25 For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin.

The Torah is from the Spirit!

As far as you are filled with Elohim's Spirit you will keep the Torah. Yahshua came to fulfill that, what is written in the Torah. He came not to abolish the Torah, not to declare the Torah as not valid any longer, but He gave us what we were in need to fulfill and to observe the Torah too: the holy Spirit, which we were lacking, Elohim's love to observe Elohim's commands. As believers we are bought, even died together with Yahshua for the sin and the curse which is spoken over us, if we do not keep the Torah. He took our sins and transgressions and the curse on Himself for us, to ease the burden and release us to keep the Torah in His Grace.

The mistake is ours, if we have a sinful nature and misuse the Torah, that we disfigure the Torah to a system of legality instead of let the Torah be, what it is: a system of Grace!

Guilty feelings, you can get, if you measure your own behavior at the Torah, but they get healed through the trust in Yahshua's performed sacrificial atonement, followed of a steady repeated confession of sin, which is connected to reconciliation and the trust in the power of the holy Spirit.

The Messiah saved us from the curse, which is spoken out in the Torah, through Himself, who was cursed for our sake. Now are we free and not longer married to the legality but with the Messiah and are able now to bring fruit in good deeds for YHWH or that we preach the gospel, so that more unsaved will be born again.

We are saved from the aspect of the punishment for the sins we do in regard to the Torah, because we died together with Yahshua, as confidants to Him, free from our old nature, the evil tendency. We have a new life and are a new creation in Yahshua's resurrection.

The Torah is from the holy Spirit and if we have the holy Spirit through Yahshua in us, the Torah is as follows written on our hearts. Through the holy Spirit we are able to keep the Torah, which was earlier not possible as unsaved, because we wanted to do it from a outer obedience and not from an inner one, which is destined from the Spirit. Literal: in the novelty of the Spirit and not in the tradition of the letter.

So are the believers not at all saved from the Torah, if the Torah is written on their hearts.

The Torah is holy, righteous and good, life-giving, but brings death to those who reject and do not observe the Torah.

Elohim's holy Torah is destined for a holy life and will not change like Elohim do not change and holiness does not change either, because holiness is from the holy Spirit - from Elohim's Spirit.

We will be Master over the sin, we defeat it, if we do what is possible for us in Yahshua's victory to be obedient to the Torah, in Elohim's power of His holy Spirit and not in our own might, but if we accept the help of Yahshua in obedience to the Torah.

The question that has interested me for sometime is, "What is repentance?" The fact that our faith is based on principles, some laws and some examples, that gives us a strict path by which we are to live. The scriptures give us a narrow pathway that we are to live by both physically and spiritually. It is simply not good enough to avoid evil but we must repent from it. Yahshua in Matthew 5:21-48 gave many examples of a mind that even though the physical had not yet done the act of murder for example the spirit of the person was driving them to think with hate. The spirit is truly what guides a man and whether it is the spirit of Yahweh or the spirit of evil they both drive one to do something physical. Repentance is the key to cleaning the old spirit of a man and allowing the spirit of Yahweh to guide us. This is the conversion that Yahweh wanted and the spirit that Yahshua emulated to give us the example by which we are to live.

Zechariah 4:6 Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of Yahweh unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith Yahweh of hosts.

Genesis 19:15 And when the morning arose, then the angels hastened Lot, saying, Arise, take thy wife, and thy two daughters, which are here; lest thou be consumed in the iniquity of the city. 16 And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; Yahweh being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city. 17 And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.

Genesis 19:24 Then Yahweh rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from Yahweh out of heaven; 25 And he overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew upon the ground. 26 But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.

Lot and his family were comfortable in Sodom and lingered not really speedily getting ready to leave. The two messengers of Yahweh took hold of them and forced them out of the city. Lot was apparently appreciative of the city because he even asks that a city near by be saved so that he can have refuge there. Considering the blessing that Yahweh had given Lot and his family by helping them leave this is an interesting request on Lot's part. As Sodom and Gomorrah were being destroyed Lot's wife looks back and is immediately turned to a pillar of salt. This is an example of turning in the wrong direction, choosing destruction and wickedness over the blessing that Yahweh has given Lot's family. We too must be careful that as we learn more and are given more blessings and gifts that we never deny Yahweh's call.

Exodus 32:5 And when Aaron saw it, he built an altar before it; and Aaron made proclamation, and said, To morrow is a feast to Yahweh.

This angered Yahweh so much that he was willing to replace Israel with the sons and daughters of Moses. Moses in turn begs for Yahweh's mercy on behalf of Israel.

Exodus 32:30 And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses said unto the people, Ye have sinned a great sin: and now I will go up unto Yahweh; peradventure I shall make an atonement for your sin. 31 And Moses returned unto Yahweh, and said, Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them deities of gold. 32 Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin--; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written. 33 And Yahweh said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book. 34 Therefore now go, lead the people unto the place of which I have spoken unto thee: behold, mine Angel shall go before thee: nevertheless in the day when I visit I will visit their sin upon them. 35 And Yahweh plagued the people, because they made the calf, which Aaron made.

Numbers 32:10 And Yahweh's anger was kindled the same time, and he sware, saying, 11 Surely none of the men that came up out of Egypt, from twenty years old and upward, shall see the land which I sware unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob; because they have not wholly followed me: 12 Save Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite, and Joshua the son of Nun: for they have wholly followed Yahweh. 13 And Yahweh's anger was kindled against Israel, and he made them wander in the wilderness forty years, until all the generation, that had done evil in the sight of Yahweh, was consumed. 14 And, behold, ye are risen up in your fathers' stead, an increase of sinful men, to augment yet the fierce anger of Yahweh toward Israel. 15 For if ye turn away from after him, he will yet again leave them in the wilderness; and ye shall destroy all this people.

Those who made this grave sin before Yahweh and bowed to a golden calf lost more than their lives in many cases, many of them lost there place in the book of life. Moses asked that Yahweh accept his atonement for the people but Yahweh said that each man would be accountable for his own actions. It is important to note that even with the plague and warning from Yahweh that, "He would not protect Israel," there was time before the people became repentant. They removed the ornaments but it took a strong message from Yahweh to have Israel make this change. None of the Israelites except the few mentioned who were twenty or older entered the Promised Land. Once in the Promised Land the new generation was unrepentant many times too. One of the best examples of a repentant man of Israel was King David.

David having an adulterous affair with Bathsheba resulted in his loss of a son and peace within the kingdom of Israel. Uriah the husband of Bathsheba was one of David's mighty men. Somewhat a guard of David's interests but David went against this honor and had conceived a son with Bathsheba while Uriah was at war. David tried to trick Uriah into sleeping with his wife but Uriah was an honorable man and wouldn't sleep with his wife while his men were fighting. The murder and adultery displeased Yahweh and he sent Nathan to confront David about this indiscretion.

2 Samuel 12:1 And Yahweh sent Nathan unto David. And he came unto him, and said unto him, There were two men in one city; the one rich, and the other poor. 2 The rich man had exceeding many flocks and herds: 3 But the poor man had nothing, save one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and nourished up: and it grew up together with him, and with his children; it did eat of his own meat, and drank of his own cup, and lay in his bosom, and was unto him as a daughter. 4 And there came a traveller unto the rich man, and he spared to take of his own flock and of his own herd, to dress for the wayfaring man that was come unto him; but took the poor man's lamb, and dressed it for the man that was come to him. 5 And David's anger was greatly kindled against the man; and he said to Nathan, As Yahweh liveth, the man that hath done this thing shall surely die: 6 And he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity. 7 And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man. Thus saith Yahweh Elohim of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul; 8 And I gave thee thy master's house, and thy master's wives into thy bosom, and gave thee the house of Israel and of Judah; and if that had been too little, I would moreover have given unto thee such and such things. 9 Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of Yahweh, to do evil in his sight? thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken his wife to be thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon. 10 Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house; because thou hast despised me, and hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife. 11 Thus saith Yahweh, Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house, and I will take thy wives before thine eyes, and give them unto thy neighbour, and he shall lie with thy wives in the sight of this sun. 12 For thou didst it secretly: but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun. 13 And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against Yahweh. And Nathan said unto David, Yahweh also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die. 14 Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of Yahweh to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die.

Hebrews 11:26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, 27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.

Hebrews 6:4 For as touching those who were once enlightened and tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5 and tasted the good word of Yahweh, and the powers of the age to come, 6 and then fell away, it is impossible to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they impale to themselves the Son of Yahweh afresh, and put him to an open shame.

Hebrews 10 puts these scriptures into context. The continual braking of the law had no end in sight because year after year animals are sacrificed and the people continued to sin because they knew the animal sacrifices are there for a covering. Yahshua put this continual system into abeyance making one sacrifice the only sacrifice. This gives us much to rejoice about when new brethren come into the faith. They are given a fresh start, repentance and baptism. Repentance before baptism is an important part of the faith. Repentance as we have discussed means that one turns from the way of evil and turns toward Yahweh. It doesn't mean that we know necessarily all that we are to do but we focus on learning and perfecting the gift that Yahweh has given. A few examples of change can be found in Luke 15 and 16. The one that is most memorable is probably the parable of the prodigal son.

Luke 15:11 And he said, A certain man had two sons: 12 And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. 13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. 14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. 15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. 16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. 17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, 19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. 20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. 21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. 22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: 23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry. 25 Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing. 26 And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant. 27 And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound. 28 And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him. 29 And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: 30 But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf. 31 And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine. 32 It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.

The younger son left with his inheritance and wasted it away. When he returned his father was exceedingly happy because this lost son in times of trouble returned to him. The other son who had stuck with the father had all that the father had. The joy should be that those that turn from the path of destruction have a place with those who have been faithful all their life. Luke writes here that Yahshua was happy to eat these men who the Pharisees knew as sinners because they were changing. They had returned to the Almighty.

Repentance is intertwined in every aspect of our faith. If we turn from the physical and spiritual death caused by continual sinning and we whole heartedly follow Yahweh the future will be exceptionally bright. Repentance leads to a better more righteous following of our Father Yahweh. Yahshua although never sinning showed us how to turn from evil and has given us the instruction by which we can live for Yahweh.

Matthew 7:11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father who is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? 12 All things therefore whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, even so do ye also unto them: for this is the law and the prophets. 13 Enter ye in by the narrow gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many are they that enter in thereby. 14 For narrow is the gate, and straitened the way, that leadeth unto life, and few are they that find it. 15 Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves. 16 By their fruits ye shall know them. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but the corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20 Therefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

Revelation 3:19 As many as I love, I reprove and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

Revelation 2:2 I know thy works, and thy toil and patience, and that thou canst not bear evil men, and didst try them that call themselves apostles, and they are not, and didst find them false; 3 and thou hast patience and didst bear for my name's sake, and hast not grown weary. 4 But I have this against thee, that thou didst leave thy first love. 5 Remember therefore whence thou art fallen, and repent and do the first works; or else I come to thee, and will move thy candlestick out of its place, except thou repent.

We must remain faithful to our love of Yahweh; the reward of our faith is beyond anything that could be imagined within our earthly existence. May Yahweh bless and guide us in the paths of righteousness.

For the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David; when Nathan the prophet came unto him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba.

1 Have mercy upon me, O Elohim, according to thy lovingkindness: According to the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.

2 Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, And cleanse me from my sin.

3 For I know my transgressions; And my sin is ever before me.

4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, And done that which is evil in thy sight; That thou mayest be justified when thou speakest, And be clear when thou judgest.

5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity; And in sin did my mother conceive me.

6 Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts; And in the hidden part thou wilt make me to know wisdom.

7 Purify me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

8 Make me to hear joy and gladness, That the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.

9 Hide thy face from my sins, And blot out all mine iniquities.

10 Create in me a clean heart, O Elohim; And renew a right spirit within me.

11 Cast me not away from thy presence; And take not thy holy Spirit from me.

12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; And uphold me with a willing spirit.

13 Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; And sinners shall be converted unto thee.

14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O Elohim, thou Elohim of my salvation; And my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.

15 O Master, open thou my lips; And my mouth shall show forth thy praise.

16 For thou delightest not in sacrifice; else would I give it: Thou hast no pleasure in burnt-offering.

17 The sacrifices of Elohim are a broken spirit: A broken and contrite heart, O Elohim, thou wilt not despise.

18 Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: Build thou the walls of Jerusalem.

19 Then will thou delight in the sacrifices of righteousness, In burnt-offering and in whole burnt-offering: Then will they offer bullocks upon thine altar.