a publication of Assemblies of Yahweh An Assemblies of Yahweh publication. Assemblies of Yahweh, The Narrow Way Newsletter, The Sacred Name Broadcaster, The Sacred Name ­Broadcast, The Sacred Scriptures, The Sacred Name Telecast, and WMLK Radio are Service Marks and Trade‑ marks of ­Assemblies of Yahweh, Bethel, PA 19507

January 2012 Volume XXXXIII, Number 10 CONTENTS

1 What Must We Do to Be Saved? Part 4 “Are they few that are saved?” asked a follower of Yahshua the Messiah in Luke 13:23. What are the steps to salvation? This thought-provoking article reveals the important steps that we must take to receive the free gift of salva‑ tion. Will you struggle to enter in through that narrow door as our Savior 1 admonishes in verse 24?

13 The Sacred Scriptures, Bethel Edition—1981-2011 Remembering the past three decades of distributing the best translation of the inspired Scriptures that is available. With nearly 50,000 volumes in circulation, have you obtained your own personal copy? 13

18 The Sacred Scriptures, Bethel Edition Elder Jacob O. Meyer explains the need for a translation that restores the Sacred Names of Yahweh and His Son, our Savior, Yahshua the Messiah. 18

Looking through the gate The Sacred Name Broadcaster is published monthly by the Our Cover: Assemblies of Yahweh, Bethel, PA 19507. Your subscription has been paid of Megiddo out toward the by the willing co-workers of this ministry who are concerned that this Jezreel Valley, one can envi‑ message of salvation should be made available free of charge to all the sion those men of old who world as a witness before the Second Coming of Yahshua the Messiah. While no charge is ever placed upon this publication, CONTRIBUTIONS entered through this gate. (all of which are tax deductible) are gratefully accepted to help Megiddo is where Ahaz‑ defray ­expenses. We hope you will share in making this information iah, king of Judah, died in available­ to others. 2 Kings 9:27, and King ­Josiah also met his end here in All quotes in The Sacred Name Broadcaster are from The 2 Kings 23:29. Sacred Scriptures, Bethel Edition, 1981, Assemblies of Yahweh, Bethel, PA 19507, unless otherwise stated. All translations of the Bible quoted Strategically located in herein have been corrected to be consistent with the oldest available the Jezreel Valley, Megiddo manuscripts. Copies of The Sacred Scriptures, Bethel Edition, will again see bloodshed in are available. For information about purchasing your copy, write to the final battle that will take Assemblies of Yahweh. place in this area when our

© Copyright 2012 Assemblies of Yahweh. All rights reserved. Periodical Savior, Yahshua the Messiah, postage paid at Reading, PA 19612 (ISSN 879320). Telephone (717) returns in just a few short 933‑4518. POSTMASTERS: Send form 3579 to Assemblies of Yahweh, years from now. PO Box C, Bethel, PA 19507. Will you be an iconoclast as was King Josiah, a re‑ Founder and Author: Elder Jacob O. Meyer former who turned to Yahweh wholeheartedly? SNB photo What Must We Do to be Saved? Part 4

To continue our series on this by gone backward. Why will you important subject, let’s read Isaiah Elder Jacob O. Meyer be still stricken, that you revolt chapter 1. “The vision of Isaiah more and more? The whole head the son of Amoz, which he saw is sick, and the whole heart faint. concerning Judah and Jeru- owner, and the ass his master’s From the sole of the foot even to salem, in the days of Uzziah, crib; but Israel does not know, the head there is no soundness Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, my people does not consider. Ah in it; but wounds, and bruises, kings of Judah. sinful nation, a people loaded and fresh stripes: they have not “Hear, O heavens, and give ear, with iniquity, a seed of evil-doers, been closed, neither bound up, O earth; for Yahweh has spoken: children who deal corruptly! neither mollified with oil. Your I have nourished and brought up They have forsaken Yahweh, they country is desolate; your cit- children, and they have rebelled have despised the Holy One of ies are burned with fire; your against me. The ox knows his Israel, they are estranged and land, strangers devour it in your

The Sacred Name Broadcaster, 1/2012 1 presence, and it is desolate, as full of justice! Righteousness We stand in respectful awe of the overthrown by strangers. And lodged in her, but now murder- great Majesty on High as we read the daughter of Zion is left as a ers. Your silver has become dross, His Word and comprehend His plan booth in a vineyard, as a lodge your wine mixed with water. of salvation. The manifold aspects of in a garden of cucumbers, as a Your princes are rebellious, and the subject of this series of articles besieged city. Except Yahweh of companions of thieves; every one are awesome. We are considering hosts had left to us a very small loves bribes, and follows after the various facets of the require- remnant, we should have been rewards: they judge not the fa- ments that we must fulfill in order as Sodom, we should have been to be saved. The instructions in the like Gomorrah. He tells us to sacred Scriptures tell us of the love “Hear the word of Yahweh, you that Yahweh has for His creation; rulers of Sodom; give ear to the wash and make therefore, He sent a Savior to this law of our Elohim, you people earth to redeem all those who repent of Gomorrah. What to me is the ourselves clean, of sin. Yahweh’s instructions are not multitude of your sacrifices? says to put away difficult to perform, as we have seen Yahweh: I have had enough of the in the past several articles. We have burnt-offerings of rams, and the the evil of our previously examined several facets. fat of fed beasts; and I delight We have looked carefully at the not in the blood of bullocks, or doings from word repent, which means to think of lambs, or of he-goats. When before His eyes. differently and, thereupon, to decide you come to appear before me, to change from a worldly attitude who has required this at your and carnal pursuits into an attitude hand, to trample my courts? therless, neither does the cause of thinking like Yahweh. Bring no more vain oblations; of the widow come to them. incense is an abomination to “Therefore says the Sovereign me; newmoon and sabbath, the Yahweh of hosts, the Mighty One A Cleansing from Sin calling of assemblies,−I cannot of Israel, Ah, I will ease myself Our inclinations are redirected, endure iniquity along with the of my adversaries, and avenge from gratifying human desires to solemn meeting. Your new moons myself of my enemies; and I will pleasing the Almighty who created and your appointed feasts my turn my hand upon you, and us. Isaiah sounds this instruction soul hates; they are a trouble to thoroughly purge away your very clearly in the first chapter me; I am weary of bearing them. dross, and will take away all of his prophecy. “COME NOW,” And when you spread forth your your tin; and I will restore your he says, “LET US REASON TO- hands, I will hide my eyes from judges as at the first, and your GETHER.” you; yes, when you make many counselors as at the beginning: Are we thinking quite clearly prayers, I will not hear: your afterward you shall be called and reasoning logically as we read hands are full of blood. Wash The city of righteousness, a the Word of Yahweh? He tells us to yourselves, make yourselves clean; faithful town. Zion shall be wash and make ourselves clean, put away the evil of your doings redeemed with justice, and her to put away the evil of our doings from before my eyes; cease to do converts with righteousness. from before His eyes. Cease to do evil; learn to do well; seek justice, But the destruction of trans- evil, learn to do well, seek justice, relieve the oppressed, judge the gressors and sinners shall be relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow. together, and they that forsake fatherless, plead for the widow (in “Come now, and let us reason Yahweh shall be consumed. For other words—obey the Covenant together, says Yahweh: though they shall be ashamed of the Law of Yahweh), He tells us. your sins are as scarlet, they shall oaks which you have desired, The people of Yahweh must not be as white as snow; though they and you shall be confounded rely upon sacrifices to maintain a are red like crimson, they shall for the gardens that you have relationship with the Most High, be as wool. If you are willing chosen. For you shall be as an while they continue to practice sin. and obedient, you shall eat the oak whose leaf fades, and as We cannot in any way purchase our good of the land: but if you refuse a garden that has no water. salvation. Conversely, new thought and rebel, you shall be devoured And the strong shall be as tow, patterns must be engendered within with the sword; for the mouth of and his work as a spark; and our minds and hearts. A different Yahweh has spoken it. they shall both burn together, direction must be taken in our per- “How has the faithful city and none shall quench them.” sonal lives. Thereupon, a cleansing become a harlot! She that was (Isaiah 1:1-31). becomes necessary.

2 The Sacred Name Broadcaster, 1/2012 Therefore, the next step along the Let us turn to Leviticus 14 for that he shall shave all his hair road to salvation appears. Here we scriptural evidence that taval off his head and his beard and find the central idea related to the means nothing except immersion. his eyebrows, even all his hair term baptism—a cleansing. “Come “And Yahweh spoke to Moses, he shall shave off: and he shall now, and let us reason together, saying, This shall be the law wash his clothes, and he shall says Yahweh: though your sins of the leper in the day of his bathe his flesh in water, and are as scarlet, they shall be as he shall be clean.” (Leviticus white as snow; though they are The first step 14:1-9). red like crimson, they shall be If one carefully analyzes this pas- as wool. If you are willing and taken after a sage, he can plainly see the steps obedient, you shall eat the good person becomes an individual must take preced- of the land: but if you refuse ing baptism, which allows him to and rebel, you shall be devoured disgusted with his reenter the camp of Israel. Let us with the sword; for the mouth of scrutinize the text more carefully. Yahweh has spoken it.” (Isaiah sin and wants to Leprosy, in scriptural times, was 1:18-20). make a change considered to have been caused by First must come the symbolic, sin. This is why the author leans spiritual cleansing by washing in is to come to in the direction that the original the water of Yahweh’s Word, but, disease might actually have been thereafter, each individual should the priest—to something similar to a venereal desire to be cleansed by the physical Yahshua. disease caused by immorality. If the washing of the water of baptism. individual contracted leprosy, but After repentance, the next logical then he was cleansed—healed—he step should be cleansing, which cleansing: he shall be brought had to accomplish an additional the sacred Scriptures call baptism. to the priest: and the priest physical cleansing. To understand We found earlier in this series that shall go forth out of the camp; this passage better, and to under- baptism means immersion. It can- and the priest shall look; and, stand baptism better, let us equate not mean anything else. behold, if the plague of leprosy this leprosy to the meaning of sin. In Acts 2:38 we read, “And is healed in the leper, then shall We can interpret the symbols of Peter said unto them, Repent the priest command to take for this sacrificial ceremony so we and be baptized every one of him that is to be cleansed two may acquire a broadened spiritual you in the name of Yahshua living clean birds, and cedar outlook. the Messiah to the remission of wood, and scarlet, and hyssop: Notice that verse 1 reads, “And your sins; and you shall receive and the priest shall command he shall be brought to the priest.” the gift of the Holy Spirit. For to kill one of the birds in an We understand from the book of to you is the promise, and to earthen vessel over running Hebrews that Yahshua the Mes- your children, and to all that water. As for the living bird, siah is our High Priest for this age. are afar off, even as many as he shall take it, and the cedar Therefore, the first step taken after Yahweh our Elohim shall call wood, and the scarlet, and the a person becomes disgusted with his to him.” (We are certainly as far hyssop, and shall dip them and sin and wants to make a change is off from that period of time as the living bird in the blood of to come to the priest—to Yahshua. anyone could be.) the bird that was killed over The priest, of course, goes outside of The levitical cleansings in the the running water: and he shall the camp, meaning he comes toward Scriptures serve as an example, or sprinkle on him that is to be the person to meet him. In this a type of purification, of baptism. cleansed from the leprosy seven scene is portrayed what we read in Remember, the term baptism con- times, and shall pronounce him Revelation 3:20: “Behold, I stand cretely means immersion. In the clean, and shall let go the liv- at the door and knock.” Septuagint, the word bapto or ing bird into the open field. And Yahshua has sought for the lost baptiso has been used to translate he that is to be cleansed shall sheep, and He has gone outside the the Hebrew word taval, and this wash his clothes, and shave off camp looking for him. The priest Hebrew term means nothing other all his hair, and bathe himself looks at the individual and exam- than immersion. Additionally, the in water; and he shall be clean: ines him. Isn’t that what we do? We Hebrew translators of the New and after that he shall come look at the sacred Scriptures, and Testament used the term taval into the camp, but shall dwell we learn what Yahshua the Mes- to translate the Greek words for outside his tent seven days. And siah demands of us in exchange for baptism. it shall be on the seventh day, a cleansing from our sinful lives.

The Sacred Name Broadcaster, 1/2012 3 Before allowing us into the Body on the past and on the new life to an example. Last spring I planted of His spiritual believers, we must begin. This introspection is to make some beans in my garden. I can’t go be cleansed from sin. While outside certain that the individual wishes out after one day and harvest the the camp of Israel, the priest was to enter the Faith and remain a beans. A period of time is necessary to look and, if the plague of the dis- dedicated True Worshiper. for the beans to grow and develop ease was healed in the leper, then In Leviticus 15:1-2 the same until I can go out and, hopefully, the priest would command to take type of system is employed. “And pick a bucket of beans out of those a sacrifice of two living birds from Yahweh spoke to Moses and to rows that I planted. him that was to be cleansed. The Aaron, saying, Speak to the The same is also true here. When one was sacrificed, which provided children of Israel, and say to an individual stops sinning, between a blood offering demanded for the the time that the issue of the flesh forgiveness of sin. The living bird Before allowing stops, the emission coming out that was dipped in the blood was of your carnal nature and a new meant to represent the leper who us into the Body spiritual life begins to bear fruits, was released into the open field of His spiritual a proving time is demanded. (meaning the world). He was re- Now continue with the passage: leased to return to the community believers, we “And wash his clothes; and he after having been segregated from shall bathe his flesh in running the obedient community, because must be cleansed water, and shall be clean.” Isn’t of sin. from sin. that exactly a picture of baptism? Then the instruction reads: We change our garments—from “And he that is to be cleansed garments soiled by sin to clean shall wash his clothes, and them, When any man has an garments. Baptism, remember, shave off all his hair, and bathe issue out of his flesh, because was interpreted as “an outward himself in water; and he shall of his issue he is unclean.” Isn’t sign of an inward cleansing.” Clean be clean.” (Leviticus 14:8). By that where sin originates—it issues garments represent the fruits of way of interpretation—we cannot out of the flesh, the carnal nature? commandment keeping. bring any of our old lives into True When there is an issue out of an Please see Revelation 19:8. “And Worship, even to the point where individual’s flesh, when his carnal on the eighth day he shall take our bodies must be scraped down nature overrules his spiritual life, two turtle-doves, or two young to the very skin. The reader might he becomes unclean. pigeons, and come before Yahweh think it of no importance to bring Drop down to verse 13, “And to the door of the tent of meeting, his hair into the camp. when he that has an issue is and give them to the priest: and Here we may observe a great cleansed of his issue, then he the priest shall offer them, the spiritual lesson for us. How much shall number to himself seven one for a sin-offering, and the of our old sinful lives do we wish days for his cleansing.” Again other for a burnt-offering; and to bring along into the True Assem- a waiting period occurs. In other the priest shall make atonement bly? The lesson there is, one must words, we must make certain that for him before Yahweh for the unburden himself of everything he intends to continue bearing good issue.” So this sacrificial ceremony that is sinful. And then a waiting fruits. Therefore, a period of time represents a spiritual type, an ex- period must occur before a person is demanded between the instant ample for us of what baptism must can finally be accepted (a seven- the individual repents until he is represent. day period for the leper who was finally completely cleansed. To understand the subject of cleansed), in which he is supposed baptism, we must not neglect the to be reflecting on his new life. Then The Scriptural incident recorded for us in 2 Kings he goes through this final cleans- Requirements 5. This is the incident where Naa- ing ceremony. He shaves off all the man, the commanding general of hair of his head, his beard, even his Sometimes people will say As- the Syrian army, sought healing eyebrows; he must shave his body, semblies of Yahweh ministers should for his leprosy. wash his clothes, bath his flesh in baptize people immediately after During one of Syria’s forays to water, and then he is clean after they repent. Yahweh’s true ministers conquer, this man had taken captive the approval of the priest. From respond—we are required to look a maiden to serve as his wife’s maid. that point, he is admitted into the for good fruits, and that requires a She was concerned about her master, camp—back into the community. period of time. because he must have treated her For the repentant person, there If you are a gardener, you will well. She told him about a prophet is also a period of time for reflection understand what I mean. Here is who lived in Samaria and suggested

4 The Sacred Name Broadcaster, 1/2012 that if Naaman would only go there, to be immersed, whether it is in a traveled there seeking a cure, but that prophet would be able to heal stream or a baptistry? Was dipping the clinic personnel were not able him. Finally, Naaman prevailed seven times in the Jordan too much to help him. Is it too much to ask of upon the king of Syria who forthwith to ask of Naaman? Was that too us to be immersed in water baptism commanded him to go and request much to ask in order to be cleansed after all that Yahweh has done in healing of this renowned prophet. and healed of this deadly leprosy? providing salvation for us? Naaman took quite a sum of money Think about how many people have Naaman was told to be immersed with him to pay for the healing. traveled thousands upon thousands and promised cleansing from of the Naaman visited Elisha. But, of miles to be healed of a disease, yet sinful issue of his carnal nature. when Elisha heard that this great some people will not fulfill a simple No, it is too much to ask Naaman military figure was waiting outside requirement like baptism. to travel to the Jordan River and be his door, he sent a messenger to I heard mention on a radio pro- immersed. After Naaman became Naaman saying, “Go and wash gram not long ago that a suite of angry, his servants stepped up and in the Jordan seven times, and rooms was being prepared in a said, “Wait a minute, General! If the your flesh shall come again to Cleveland hospital to receive the prophet had told you to do something you, and you shall be clean.” entourage of the king of Saudi Ara- fantastic, wouldn’t you have done it This simple command angered Naa- bia. He was to visit President Bush to be healed? Now, all he has said man. The instruction seemed much and then travel to Cleveland to have is for you to go and wash seven too trivial to him. “Why must I do an operation. He had come seven times in the Jordan River.” With something so simplistic!” he must thousand miles to seek a cure for his such logical reasoning, Naaman have thought. illness. Occasionally, people from the went down to the Jordan River. One Sometimes people who neglect United States travel to Europe, to can almost see him and the Syrian to see the importance of immersion Russia, to Mexico, to South America, military retinue in their chariots baptism neglect to perceive that to the Bahamas, seeking a healing for going down the Faria‘ Valley and Father Yahweh has already done their ­illness. An acquaintance from drawing up to the Jordan River. (We so much for them, in sending His the author’s youth died suddenly at have seen this area on a number of only begotten Son, the Messiah, a rather young age not long ago in occasions.) There Naaman dipped to be their Savior. He has done so the Bahamas where there is a clinic himself in the Jordan, his flesh came much in forgiving us of our sins; specializing in trying to find a cure again like the flesh of a little child, therefore, is it too much to ask us for rare types of leukemia. He had and he was cleansed.

The Sacred Name Broadcaster, 1/2012 5 There are many points in that and all his company, and came, Naaman said, “I wish to take passage that we don’t want to miss. and stood before him; and he with me two mules’ burden of Our spiritual lives, after cleansing said, Behold now, I know that bagged earth. I’m going to take it in baptism, should become like a there is no Elohim in all the home and offer sacrifices.” Actually, little child’s, innocent, without the it means that he probably spread visible scars of the ravages of sin out the soil and used it as a floor having taken their toll. where he intended to be worshiping Is our baptism that powerful? Yahweh. “I will offer from now on, How about you? Are you trying to Mankind neither burnt-offering nor sacrifice keep your flesh, your robe, pure to other elohim, but to Yahweh,” and unspotted from the world? This cannot dictate says Naaman. is exactly what I think Yahweh He makes a puzzling statement: wants us to understand from this to Yahweh the “But, if on state occasions I am re- incident. quired to attend religious services We cannot get angry and insist terms of the where Rimmon is worshiped, may that we don’t want to get immersed. Yahweh forgive me. Even though That is the height of foolishness! forgiveness I am required to bow down in the Why is sprinkling unacceptable? house of Rimmon because I am a Mankind cannot dictate to Yahweh of sin. servant to the king, pardon me for the terms of the forgiveness of sin. this.” Elisha says, “Go in peace.” I He can only accept the terms out- presume Elisha thought, you can’t lined in the sacred Scriptures and really force anyone to do what he obey them. Then, after the repentant doesn’t want to do, and so Elisha sinner has obeyed, Yahweh will earth, but in Israel: now there- sent Naaman on his way. Did honor His word. He will forgive the fore, I pray you, take a present Naaman really comprehend the sins of the individual, and the life of your servant. But he said, importance of separating himself of that individual will convert into As Yahweh lives, before whom I from paganism? Obviously not! that of a little child. He will be like stand, I will receive none. And Yahweh had blessed him; there- a child entering into a kingdom way he urged him to take it; but he fore, Naaman owed his worship to of life, learning, without having his refused. And Naaman said, If Yahweh. Rimmon could not heal life all ravaged by the effects of sin not, yet, I pray you, let there be Naaman. Only Yahweh healed him. and the actual ingrained judgments given to your servant two mules’ Naaman considered the cleansing that sin incurs. burden of earth; for your servant waters that removed his plague of In the account of the healing of will from now on offer neither leprosy to have also removed from Naaman, one can clearly perceive burnt-offering nor sacrifice to him the worship of the pagan mighty Judaism’s doctrine of the mikvah. other elohim, but to Yahweh.” one of Syria, Rimmon. Here, the This incident, however, occurred (2 Kings 5:15-17). reader can grasp the concept that at an early date in Israel in the You see there is more to this the one who saves you from death ten northern tribes. When Elisha, incident than just a physical heal- and gives you salvation is your Yahweh’s prophet, commanded ing. Naaman had also been healed mighty one. For in this instance, a cleansing for this Syrian per- spiritually. Upon dipping himself Naaman would have died from his sonage who had leprosy, and the in the Jordan, Naaman had been debilitating disease over a period healing occurred, Naaman con- cleansed of the pagan religion that of time. sidered himself, thereafter, to be had dominated him. In the mean- There is no other savior except a worshiper of Yahweh. Not only time, Elisha refused to accept a gift Yahshua the Messiah, who was sent was he cleansed of pagan worship, of Naaman, because the healing was to earth from Yahweh the Father. but, because of this miracle, Naa- of Yahweh. Consequently, we are baptised into man now accepted Yahweh as his What must we do to be saved? Messiah’s Name. This is what Peter mighty one. Yahweh had touched The answer is, ACKNOWLEDGE said, “Be baptised into the name of his life, and the evidence was NO OTHER ELOHIM IN ALL the Savior,” Acts 2:38. plain. Since Yahweh had touched THE EARTH, BUT WORSHIP his life, healing him, Yahweh had THE TRUE AND LIVING MIGHTY Worshipers of Yahweh apparently received this gentile, ONE OF ISRAEL WHOSE NAME was his belief. IS YAHWEH. Trust in His Son Why is this Name so important? Verse 15 continues, “And he re- Yahshua, whose blood cleanses “For neither is there any other turned to the man of Elohim, he from sin. name under heaven, that is

6 The Sacred Name Broadcaster, 1/2012 given among men, in which we issue, the author discussed the the True Faith as a proselyte to must be saved.” Acts 4:12. The baptism of John. John was a Yahweh? Circumcision of the heart Name Yahshua means “Yahweh is rabbi. He is called Teacher, which must be a personal decision. One Salvation.” On the other hand, J-sus transferred into Jewish terminol- might bear the fleshly marks of cannot save anybody or anything. ogy would be Rabbi. John was a the Covenant, circumcision of the J-sus cannot save you, because J-sus priest also. He was the son of covenant of Abraham, but you and is a name derived from idolatry. Zachariah, a priest. I as spiritual people must bear the Only Yahweh’s salvation can save In Old Testament times, the marks of Yahweh through circum- anyone. priesthood was inherited. Did John cision by the sword of the Spirit Naaman said, “I’ll be worship- teach a new concept in the doctrine upon our HEARTS and that is a ing Yahweh from henceforth.” of baptism? Although the Jews had decision we make—personally and Isn’t that the purpose of cleansing been circumcised eight days after individually. ourselves from our former lives birth, few of them had actually Circumcision in the flesh is de- of sin in the water of baptism? made a full spiritual commitment cided and arranged for us by our We are now cleansed from all the to serve Yahweh. Now think about forefathers. Our father, our mother, idolatry of the past. Now we are it. Was John teaching the concept our grandfather, grandmother, or worshipers of Yahweh, because that circumcision of the heart is whoever it might be who takes the He is the only True and Living superior to that of circumcision baby at the age of eight days and Elohim. We are separated from in the flesh? Undoubtedly he has it circumcised, has made the our sinful past to serve the True was. Was he also teaching that decision for that baby. That some- Elohim Yahweh. In a previous everyone voluntarily must enter times doesn’t bear any significance

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The Sacred Name Broadcaster, 1/2012 7 or relevance for the individual after both describe an EliYah, as well as forgiven, repent of your sins, have he grows up and makes his own de- the ministry of EliYah in the last your sins remitted, because the cisions. He may be taught that it is days. “John came, who baptized Messiah is soon to come.” And all important, but far more important in the wilderness and preached those who will be with the Messiah are the decisions that we make the baptism of repentance to re- must be voluntarily admitted into voluntarily. To step down into the mission of sins.” (Mark 1:4). the Covenant. water and be immersed and have While pondering these passages, our sins symbolically washed away it just suddenly becomes plain is a personal commitment we It is only a that JOHN WAS MAKING PROS- ourselves make. Physical circum- determined ELYTES OUT OF EVERYBODY, cision will never keep anyone from not just foreign people, gentiles, sinning. Routine daily washing in mind making goyim, but Jews also had to yield water will never keep anyone from themselves voluntarily as proselytes sinning. It is only a determined mind a commitment with a circumcised heart. Sud- making a commitment in baptism in baptism that denly, while transported back into that keeps someone from sinning, that time, I perceived this great since circumcision of the heart en- keeps someone Truth! Everybody in the Apostolic sures our love for Yahweh. Please Assembly, everybody who waits see Deuteronomy 3:6-8. from sinning. for Yahshua, regardless if they are Turn to Mark 1. “The beginning gentiles or Jews, has to make this of the good tidings: of Yahshua same decision. the Messiah, the Son of Yahweh.” What was John doing preaching Now what does a proselyte do if You will notice that the first verse in the wilderness? Why in the wil- he approaches a Jew and asks to of Mark 1 is not a sentence. In Eng- derness of Judea along the Jordan become a part of Jewish religion? lish grammar it is called a sentence River? Why was he preaching there? First of all, he is taught, and then, fragment. Usually, I point this out Why wasn’t he preaching in Jerusa- secondly, he is challenged at least as I am teaching Obadiah School lem where many people lived? Do three times to make his confession of the Bible classes in Bible Study you think he would have achieved that, indeed, he wants to enter Ju- Method. It is probably intended to success, telling the religious estab- daism voluntarily. He is not being be the title of the book. lishment that they had to go further coerced into this decision; he is not Today we call the book the than merely mutilating the flesh of taking this step lightly, because of Evangel according to Mark. The an eight-day-old child to prove to the persecution of the Jews over the beginning of the good tidings of Yahweh that they were a part of centuries. The Jews hearing John Yahshua the Messiah, the Son of His Covenant. preach are making the decision Yahweh, began with the preaching voluntarily. and announcement of His coming. So, we read, “There went out to “EVEN AS IT IS WRITTEN IN Leaving the him ALL.” If you want to read the THE PROPHETS. Behold, I Establishment verse literally, everybody, all up send my messenger before your and down the area, the territory face, Who shall prepare your Not only was he telling his Jewish of Judea and every one of the in- way; The voice of one crying, In listeners that circumcision as a baby habitants of Jerusalem, went to the the wilderness Make ready the was required in the Law (because Judean wilderness at the Jordan way of Yahweh, Make his paths that is what their religion teaches), River to hear John. Do you mean straight.” (Mark 1:2-3). but they must voluntarily become to say that even the invalids went Two passages of Scripture are a spiritual proselyte to Yahweh down there to the Jordan? Every- combined in this quote from the through a circumcised heart. Preach- body! Is this term a hyperbole, a Old Testament: Malachi 3:1 and ing the baptism of repentance, John figure of speech, an over-statement Isaiah 40:3. Each of them points made himself very plain. “And there of the fact, that not one person was toward the prophetic ministry of went out to him all the country omitted? What Mark is trying to Yohannon (John’s Hebrew name) of Judea and all they of Jerusa- tell us is that John had a very ef- the Immerser, John the Baptist. lem; and they were immersed of fective ministry. He couldn’t preach “John came.” This is a very simple him in the river Jordan, confess- as strongly up in Jerusalem as he statement. John came—what? John ing their sins.” (Mark 1:5). John could preach down by the Jordan, came in fulfillment of these two preached the coming of the Messiah, by the river in the wilderness, prophesies: Malachi 3:1 and Isaiah as we read a little further on. He away from any influence of the 40:3. They both describe John. They was preaching, “Have your sins establishment.

8 The Sacred Name Broadcaster, 1/2012 Give That Others May Learn!

The Sacred Name Broadcaster that you are holding in your hands has never had a sub- scription price. Published for the past thirty-nine years, some subscribers have received this magazine for a decade or more, yet have never contributed anything towards its publication— not even anything to pay the postage. Yet, it is a first-class magazine that most subscribers value very highly! No, we arenot rich so that we can afford luxury, nor are we funded by a rich corporation. This ministry has always been a labor of love and sacrifice. Frequently, we literally exist on what other larger organizations waste. Someone sent in their tithes and offerings so that we might give you a gift of knowledge that (if followed) will lead you to eternal salvation. We hope to place the sound doctrines we teach, beginning with the Sacred Name message, in the hands of every person on earth who desires to receive it. Consequently, since someone already paid for your subscription, will you bless someone else by helping to place the ­Sacred Name Broadcaster in their hands? Both they—and we—will greatly appreciate your sincer- ity, and Almighty Yahweh will reward you in His Kingdom Age, when Yahshua the Messiah returns.

For example, could the As- What must we do to be saved? The prophet who wore a hairy garment semblies of Yahweh, could I answer is, you must voluntarily and a leather girdle, as did EliYah personally, preach sermons like I come out of worldly religion and (2 Kings 1). He ate average food have preached over the past quar- practice the converted lifestyle of a for the area, locust (perhaps locust ter of a century, were I a Roman True Worshiper based on Yahweh’s beans) and wild honey. “And he Catholic, or Lutheran, or Method- commandments. preached, saying, There comes ist, or Baptist, or Presbyterian? No! So the people came and were after me he that is mightier than It would be impossible to satisfy baptized, confessing their sins. A I, the string of whose sandals I the establishment! So John was certain period of time had to elapse am not worthy to stoop down and preaching by the River Jordan and for the people to hear John, to unloose. I baptized you in water; all of the people understood that comprehend his message, to get his but he shall immerse you in the this step toward a more spiritual teaching, and then to confess their Holy Spirit.” (Mark 1:7-8). commitment was something im- sins. This represents the seven-day We are told by Peter that the portant, that we must make our period that we find in the types in Messiah had no sin (1 Peter 2:22). own voluntary decision to accept Leviticus. Why should He want to be baptized? the Messiah and to prepare for “And John was clothed with “And it came to pass in those His coming. In order to accomplish camel’s hair, and had a leather days, that Yahshua came from their goal, they had to “come out,” girdle about his loins, and did Nazareth of Galilee, and was leave behind the establishment! eat locusts and wild honey.” immersed of John in the Jordan. Again, we want to take the reader (Mark 1:6). John the Baptist, also, And straightway coming up out back to the subject of this series. was seen as an extension of the of the water, he saw the heavens

The Sacred Name Broadcaster, 1/2012 9 rent asunder, and the Spirit as a yet spoke these words, the Holy people associated with him had dove descending upon him: and Spirit fell on all them that received the Holy Spirit, they didn’t a voice came out of the heavens, heard the word.” The Holy Spirit reject immersion, water baptism. You are my beloved Son, in you will only come into a cleansed ves- They humbly submitted to the I am well pleased.” (Mark 1:9). sel. Up until this point, Cornelius instructions of the Apostles. They Why should the Messiah wish to and all of his associates had been had the same attitude as Yahshua, be baptized? He had no sin. Why listening to the cleansing Word of the same kind of humble, sincere should He have to be immersed mind and heart. and confess His sin, as we see in Now, turn to 1 Corinthians 10. Matthew 3:15? Baptism for Yahshua Yahshua never What must we do to be saved? the Messiah represented the fulfill- Is it merely to say, “I am here, ment of all righteousness. He had wavered. Father Almighty, take me as I am no sin, therefore, had no need to and then I will go back to my old cleansing immersion, but He did so life?” Just exactly what does salva- anyway as an example to all who He was the tion mean? What MUST we do to follow Him. be saved? “ For I do not wish, If immersion is meant to be the True Messiah. brethren, to have you ignorant, sign of a circumcised heart, then, that our fathers were all under Yahshua would have drawn the the cloud.” The cloud here would conclusion that, “As I dedicate my- Yahweh, and they had cleansed signify the Holy Spirit of Yahweh. self to Yahweh to be His Messiah their hearts; therefore, the Holy Surely, they were under the cloud. (this is why Yahweh sent me), then Spirit could come upon them. “And Symbolically Israel was baptized people will see that dedication and they of the circumcision that while going through the sea, and all recognize it as circumcision of the believed were amazed, as many were baptized to (or by) Moses in heart.” Yahshua never wavered. as came with Peter, because that the cloud and the sea. While going He was the True Messiah. But, on the Gentiles also was poured over the Red Sea, all Israelites who He also wished to make a correct out the gift of the Holy Spirit. walked between the walls of water outward impression for sincere For they heard them speak with were baptized in the sea. They came people to follow. Thus, He desired tongues, and magnify Yahweh. up out of the sea into the cloud, a John to baptize Him—to fulfill all Then answered Peter, Can any type of Holy Spirit. Consequently, righteousness. man forbid the water, that these the Holy Spirit was with them, Yahshua was righteous in heart should not be baptized, who but after immersion, baptism, the and righteous in life, but how would have received the Holy Spirit as spirit should have been within people know that was the case, well as we?” (Acts 10:45-47). them. Israel had a sign from unless He followed the established Suppose these inquirers would Yahweh in that they were spared system by accepting physical im- have said, “Oh, we don’t need to from a return to bondage in Egypt. mersion in water? By this act He be baptized now. We have already The Egyptians were destroyed, and demonstrated His dedication to received the Holy Spirit.” (The Israel was saved. In the physical Yahweh. This is why the voice spoke author heard that comment from salvation of Israel we may notice from heaven: “You are my beloved several individuals during the a type of salvation from the sins of Son, in you I am well pleased.” course of this ministry: “Oh, I re- the flesh and the world. The act of baptism didn’t matter ceived the Holy Spirit, I don’t need to Yahweh, because Yahshua had to be baptized.”) Examples of Obedience no sin, but it was meaningful to Can that notion be scriptural? and Faithfulness show His people the outward sign “And he commanded them to be of what was in the heart and to baptized in the name of Yahshua Continuing in the same passage Yahweh this meant total, absolute, the Messiah. Then they prayed (1 Corinthians 10:1-5), we find the irrevocable dedication—total obedi- him to stay certain days.” (Acts examples portraying the errors ence as the Messiah. 10:48). These Roman soldiers knew of the Israelites described for our Now, let us turn to Acts 10:44. they needed more education, more admonition. “For I do not wish, Peter had been summoned to teaching. They were submissive brethren, to have you igno- the home of Cornelius, a Roman to be taught by the Apostolic True rant, that our fathers were all military officer. In the course of Worshipers Yahshua had sent. The under the cloud, and all passed discussion He had discovered that outward sign of a circumcised heart through the sea; and were all Cornelius pursued a desire to be is always that one is teachable. baptized to Moses in the cloud a righteous person. “While Peter Even though this individual and and the sea; and did all eat the

10 The Sacred Name Broadcaster, 1/2012 same spiritual food; and did some of them murmured, and thought nothing will ever happen to all drink the same spiritual perished by the destroyer. Now that canopy up there; therefore, they drink: for they drank of a spiri- these things happened to them lived licentiously. They didn’t realize tual rock that followed them: by way of example; and they they were in prison, and Yahweh’s and the rock was the Messiah. were written for our warning, judgment awaited them. However, with most of them upon whom the ends of the ages How were they disobedient? Read Yahweh was not well pleased: have come. Therefore let him the fourth and sixth chapters of for they were overthrown in the Genesis. These passages record the wilderness.” whole sordid history of that genera- What was the spiritual food Baptism tion. They were destroyed for their eaten by the Israelites? It was licentious sins against Yahweh. manna, the food of heaven. What represents Only the eight souls in the ark was the spiritual drink? It was only the new built by Noah were preserved from water provided from the rock to destruction. Do people today realize quench their thirst. Both of these beginning, the they are in prison? This current were supernaturally supplied and world is reserved to the judgment had a spiritual application for putting away of fire falling from heaven. They Israel. of the filth of are also imprisoned—but in their That rock represented the Rock sin they mock at Yahweh! The of Ages, a selah, the foundation the flesh. The number eight indicates a new be- stone, the chief cornerstone, the ginning, and it was indeed a new rock of our Faith; from Him flowed next step is beginning for this earth to be rid the spiritual drink that came out of conversion— of the corruption of evil men. Only the rock. That water represented eight people were saved through doctrine, teaching. See Ephesians a change. water. 5:26. Baptism represents only the All of the Israelites of the older new beginning, the putting away generation were overthrown, with that thinks he stands watch of the filth of the flesh. The next the exception of the teachable young out, lest he fall.” (1 Corinthians step is conversion—a change. children who could be directed 10:6-12). Baptism was a true likeness (com- in righteousness. The exceptions The conclusion of this passage has parison) to Noah and his family were Yahshua and Caleb and all a two-fold message. We are warned coming through the waters of the those who were under the age of against making the same errors as great deluge. What kind of an ark twenty. The mature Israelites were the Israelites, and we are encour- have you constructed that will overthrown in the wilderness, be- aged to overcome as the end of the bring you through the waters of cause they lusted after evil things, age approaches. Yahweh’s judgment? What kind idolatry, committing fornication, Baptism purges our past sin and of an ark do you have that will making trial of Yahweh, murmur- should focus our attention on the save you, or set you apart, from ing, and so on. These are things resurrection and salvation made this world? that are legislated against in the possible through the shed blood of The Ark of the Covenant was Word of Yahweh. Yahshua. small, certainly not like the mas- “Now these things were our Turn to 1 Peter 3:18-22. “Because sive ark built by Noah. It was a examples, to the intent we should the Messiah also suffered for chest about three feet wide and five not lust after evil things, as they sins once, the righteous for the feet long and three feet deep and also lusted. Neither be idolaters, unrighteous, that he might bring it contained the tablets of the Law as were some of them; as it is us to Yahweh; being put to death of Yahweh. That is the ark today written, in the flesh, but made alive in that will separate us from this “The people sat down to eat and the spirit; in which also he went worldly system and these sinful drink, and rose up to play. and preached to the spirits in people all around us. That is what “Neither let us commit fornica- prison . . . . ” will convey in us safety through tion, as some of them committed, The imprisoned spirits, who the impending judgment upon this and twenty-three thousand fell were they? Those were the people world by Almighty Yahweh. The in one day. Neither let us make in Noah’s day that were inside the Ark of Yahweh will be opened in trial of Yahweh, as some of them rokea‘, the water canopy around heaven and it will be visible in made trial, and perished by the the earth (2 Peter 3:7). They didn’t these times in which we are now serpents. Neither murmur, as realize they were in prison. They living. When Yahweh’s judgment

The Sacred Name Broadcaster, 1/2012 11 begins to fall, we are told in the heart. And there is no creature shall give account to him that book of Revelation that He will that is not manifest in his sight: is ready to judge the living and manifest His Ark. but all things are naked and laid the dead. For to this end were Review verse 21: “Which also open before the eyes of him with the good tidings preached even after a true likeness does now whom we have to do.” (Hebrews to the dead, that they might save you, even baptism, not the 4:12-13). be judged indeed according putting away of the filth of the to men in the flesh, but live flesh, but the interrogation of a according to Yahweh in the good conscience toward Yahweh, There is nowhere spirit.” (1 Peter 4:1-6). through the resurrection of Isn’t that what Yahshua did Yahshua the Messiah.” else on earth when He inspired Noah to preach You see it is not just the putting that this end- to the spirits in prison? Today, also, away of the filth of the flesh, but the good tidings are being preached it is the interrogation of a good time message is to the spiritually dead, because conscience. Interrogation means they will, indeed, be judged ac- questioning. Who does the question- being preached cording to men in the flesh, but ing? In the book of Job we see that and faithfully the True Worshipers are the ones Satan questioned the dedication of who live according to Yahweh in Job, whereas Yahweh defended Job, lived, but in the the spirit. saying, “I don’t believe you, Satan.” “But the end of all things is But who had the good conscience Assemblies at hand: therefore be of a sound toward Yahweh in Job’s instance? of Yahweh. mind, and be sober to prayer: It was Job. above all things being fervent When Satan questioned his in your love among yourselves; dedication, the conscience of Job for love covers a multitude of remained steadfast in serving Remember that to be saved we sins: using hospitality one to Yahweh in humble obedience. must begin with repentance, reject- another without murmuring.” “Renounce Elohim and die,” Job’s ing the lusts of men and doing the (1 Peter 4:7). Murmuring—lashon wife demanded. “What? Shall Will of Yahweh. We must be sepa- hara’ (in Hebrew), means the fruit we receive good at the hand of rate from the world. We cannot be of the evil tongue, gossip, slander, Elohim, and shall we not receive like our worldly neighbors who are and all of that emits from the evil?” Job replies. Shouldn’t we given to licentiousness. We must heart of unconverted people (Mark also receive evil sometimes? be converted so as to give account 7:17-23). Satan the Adversary questions to our Creator at the judgment. It is the purpose of this article to our commitment to Yahweh. He We must do the Will of Yahweh as cement in our minds the sound doc- questions our sincerity. But our Peter admonishes the Assembly in trines that will bring us to eternal conscience must be honorable his time. life, salvation. This being done, our toward Yahweh and this means “Since then that the Mes- Faith will never suffer and whatever salvation. Job was blessed for siah suffered in the flesh, arm happens in this world, Yahweh will His sincerity, because Yahweh yourselves also with the same keep us in the Narrow Pathway. eventually saved him from the mind; for he that has suffered There is nowhere else on earth clutches of the Adversary. in the flesh has ceased from that this end-time message is being Our interrogation must be sin; that you should no longer preached and faithfully lived, but in based upon the understanding live the rest of your time in the Assemblies of Yahweh. that Yahshua the Messiah was the flesh to the lusts of men Reader, are you preparing your- resurrected and that His salvation but to the will of Yahweh. For self for the beginning of a new age is the Will of Yahweh. The Word of the time past may suffice to of righteousness? We are not that Yahweh examines us and we must have worked the desire of the far away from Yahweh’s Kingdom be in harmony with the Word. “For Gentiles, and to have walked age. It is the author’s belief that the word of Yahweh is living, in lasciviousness, lusts, exces- Yahshua is coming soon, and it is and active, and sharper than sive wine drinking, revellings, incumbent upon us to make our any two-edged sword, and pierc- carousings, and abominable calling and election sure. Why not ing even to the dividing of soul idolatries: in which they think prepare yourself to meet Him in the and spirit, of both joints and it strange that you run not with air when He returns? You will never marrow, and quick to discern them into the same excess of regret it—throughout all future ages s the thoughts and intents of the riot, speaking evil of you: who of eternal life. nb

12 The Sacred Name Broadcaster, 1/2012 The Sacred Scriptures Bethel Edition 1981-2011

Isaiah 42:8, “I am Yahweh, that by Meyer thought it most appropriate is my name; and my glory will I Deacon Solomon E. Meyer to title the program “The Sacred not give to another, neither my Name Broadcast” and began to praise to carved images.” share that understanding with an not adopted its use in everyday Bible ever-increasing audience. Sacred Name is Key study or worship. From that mo- ment on, Elder Meyer found himself Early Sacred Name “If you know the Sacred Name, convicted to use the Sacred Name Bibles why don’t you use it?” This simple without exception. In fact, the more query from an acquaintance, posed to he studied the biblical message, he In the early years of his ministry, Jacob O. Meyer during an informal began to understand that it was the Elder Jacob O. Meyer would preach bible study, came in the early days proper use of the Name Yahweh for and teach from his well-worn copy of his spiritual journey and brought our Heavenly Father, and Yahshua of the King James Version he him up short, because he had no for His Son, our Savior, that held had carried for many years. Simply answer with which to reply. Indeed, the key to fully understanding the substituting the Sacred Names and he had learned the Sacred Name of Sacred Scriptures and the message correcting the erroneous terms found our Heavenly Father Yahweh years of salvation contained therein. Just throughout the text as he read, Elder before while taking a course in Bible a few years later, in 1966 when the Meyer was able to instruct from the instruction, but to this point he had radio ministry was launched, Elder Word and work around the deficiencies

The Sacred Name Broadcaster, 1/2012 13 Above: The Sacred Scriptures, Bethel Edition, is available in hard cover, vinyl, and leather covers. of the text. The KJV was originally Anchor Bible, as well as the Am- of the Assemblies of Yahweh. In the produced in the early 17th century plified Version mentioned above. early days of the ministry, Elder in England and for more than 250 The Holy Name Bible, produced Jacob O. Meyer brought focus to years had been the accepted English by A.B. Traina and the Scripture developing his understanding of translation of the original (sic) texts Research Association, began to gain the biblical languages in order to of the Bible. For many years, though, in popularity as it was, at the time, better understand the fundamental Bible scholars had pointed out there the only full-volume, English language teachings of pure biblical doctrine. were numerous errors contained in translation available with the Sacred He realized, as his understanding of the translations of the King James Name inserted throughout the text. Hebrew and Greek grew, that many Authorized Version of the Sacred However, the Holy Name Bible was of the common false doctrines found Scriptures. During the latter years simply another volume based on the in modern religious teaching were of the 19th century and into the early King James Version, and it retained based on simple misapplication and years of the 20th century, a wide array much of the doctrinal errors and misinterpretation of the Bible, rooted, of English language Bible translations misinterpretations of the underlying not in the underlying Hebrew and had come into prominence. These texts, as well as the difficult Shake- Greek texts, but in the translation of included the American Standard spearean English common to KJV the Bible into modern language. One Version (ASV), the New Inter- bibles. Throughout this time, Elder example he would commonly point national Version (the NIV), the Meyer longed for the opportunity to to was the English translators use Amplified Bible, the NASB, and produce a scholarly version of the of the word cross in reference to the others. Of certain significance was Bible, with correct use of the Sacred death fixture of the Messiah at the the 1966 publication and release of Names and with translation errors hand of the Roman army. The term the Jerusalem Bible by the Roman corrected to give a good representation in the Greek text is #4716, stauros, Catholic Church. The editors of the of the historically accepted Hebrew and is better understood to be stake Jerusalem Bible, in their efforts and Greek base texts. or pole. An analysis of the word his- to be literal with their Old Testa- torically showed that it was never ment translations, had retained the American Standard 1901 used to represent a cross, but rather Sacred Name Yahweh. The Sacred a pole—a single piece of timber. Name Yahweh was also retained in The sound doctrines of the Bible An analysis of history showed that the Old Testament portions of the are the foundation of the teachings the Roman army commonly used

14 The Sacred Name Broadcaster, 1/2012 Above left: Receiving the first shipment of Bibles. Not shown: Above: First copy of The Sacred Scriptures, Bethel Edition, in hand, WMLK RCA transmitter that was also loaded to the front of trailer. January 2, 1982. a torture stake or pole, and there duce. As Elder Meyer wrote in the that Yahweh’s hand was upon Elder is no reference to a two-piece cross preface of the Sacred Scriptures, Jacob O. Meyer and the Assemblies ever being used. By misinterpreting Bethel Edition, “The American of Yahweh. It was at that Feast, with the term as cross, the translators Standard Version published in the largest gathering to that time, were inserting the false use of the 1901 was probably the most accu- that the confusion in the congrega- sun-worship symbol (a crucifix) into rate translation work of the Bible tion became most evident. When the biblical text. (For more on this ever put into print. It maintains the assembled brethren would read study, write to the Assemblies of the delicate balance of providing from the Bible, in unison, there was Yahweh and request the article “The a very accurate literal translation anything but a unified sound. Some Death of the Messiah—Was it on while simultaneously preserving would be reading from the KJV, a Cross or on a Tree?”) During his a fair amount of the ethnic idiom some from the Holy Name Bible, studies in biblical languages, Elder evident in the text.” and several from other available Meyer often would be assigned to translations. Rather than a unified do free-hand literal translation of An Ambitious Proposal voice of praise reading from Yah- the Hebrew and Greek texts. At weh’s Psalms, what was heard could the completion of each passage, The Feast of Tabernacles in 1980 almost be described as cacophony. the class would check their work was very inspiring to the members This became most evident during the by comparing several translations of the Assemblies of Yahweh. Hav- reading of the book of Deuteronomy, to verify their work. Elder Meyer ing sustained and endured through since 1980 was a Sabbatical-year noticed, and his professors would organizational crisis just months be- Feast. As each man came forward to often comment, that the English fore, there was a feeling at that fall read chapter by chapter, it became language translation that would convocation that the ministry was on evident that now, more than ever, consistently provide the closest and the threshold of great advancement. there was a great need for a new best approximation of the original The meeting was held at a new site Bible translation that the Assem- text was the American Standard that year, the surroundings were blies could use—a text that would Version produced in 1901. It was very inspiring, and the assembled be correct in translation and true to for this reason several years later brethren were determined to push the use of Yahweh’s Name. Just a Elder Meyer chose this version of the the ministry forward. A record num- few days later, in his annual report Bible to serve as the foundation text ber of new members were baptized to the assembled brethren, Elder of the Bible he endeavored to pro- that year, and it was evident to all Meyer announced that work would

The Sacred Name Broadcaster, 1/2012 15 begin in the forthcoming months to the text and making thousands of period, as he would go word-by-word produce an edition of the Sacred corrections. Beginning with a peti- through the manuscript, judging Scriptures that would fulfill this tion for special donations at the each word and each term against need—a version produced with accu- 1980 Feast of Tabernacles, there the underlying Hebrew and Greek rate scholarship and dedicated to the were many special donations that texts. The editing work was being glory of Almighty Yahweh. Indeed, came in from all over the world as done in a time before the computer this was an ambitious undertaking brethren made diligent effort to sup- technology we now take for granted for a small organization with limited port the work of producing the new had come to prominent use. The resources, but Elder Meyer assured Bible. However, even when these editorial changes were all done by all that were present that Yahweh donations were combined with the hand on printed manuscript copies. would provide and the work would proceeds of advance-selling copies of The text would then be updated press forward in faith. the Bible, there was still a gap in the into the word processor, and a fresh funding for the project. Elder Meyer manuscript could be printed. As for Dedication and Diligence was able to secure a personal loan the text itself, the proper Sacred from the bank to cover that gap, so Names of Yahweh for the Heavenly that by the time the payments had Father, and Yahshua for His Son, To complete the work of produc- to be made, Yahweh had provided our Savior, were restored to the text ing a new Bible translation would the means necessary to accomplish as they were written. The poetic take accomplishing two very siz- the publication. abbreviation Yah was reinserted, as able ­aspects of the project. First, Throughout the spring and sum- well as the proper use of the titles the funds would need to be raised mer months of 1981, the work of Elohim, Eloah, and El—among to print the first edition. This cost editing the text was in full swing. others—were restored as they are would include the typesetting, Assisted by a handful of the office found in the Hebrew and Greek. printing, and binding expenses, as staff and Obadiah School of the The difficult Shakespearean English well as the cost of time spent ac- Bible students, Elder Meyer himself was edited to read with updated complishing the second aspect: the read through the text of the Bible language more reflective of the late time spent reviewing and editing at least seven times during this 20th century. Additionally, areas of

Above: Elder Jacob O. Meyer supervises the unloading of the fifth printing of the Sacred Scriptures, Bethel Edition, upon its arrival in Bethel in 1997.

16 The Sacred Name Broadcaster, 1/2012 Above: Elder Jacob O. Meyer’s beaming smile reveals how joyful he was to receive the fifth printing of the Sacred Scriptures, Bethel Edition, in 1997. textual controversy were reviewed it was a day of great joy when the Edition. With more than 50,000 and editorial decisions were made truck carrying the pallets of new copies in circulation, the SSBE to make the text as accurate as the Bibles arrived at the headquarters has become the preeminent Sacred English language allows approxi- complex. The next day, the first Name Bible. With the elimination of mation of the Greek and Hebrew. Sabbath of January 1982, was a the awkward Old English, and along By the time the manuscripts were very memorable point in the history with a special selection of paper completed and forwarded to the of the Assemblies of Yahweh. As and newly improved laser-imaged typesetters, everyone involved Elder Meyer opened the first case text, perhaps the most common agreed that a great work had been of Bibles, the joy of the moment was comment from individuals who done and much praise was offered evident on his face. Giving praise to are handed their first copy of the to Almighty Yahweh for His guid- Almighty Yahweh, he took the first Bethel Edition is that the Bible ance and blessings throughout the copy out of the box and carried it to is “very readable.” This month, entire project. the altar table at the front of the we remember the 30th anniversary Bethel meeting hall. A prayer of of the publication of the Sacred Bethel Edition Publication and praise to Yahweh and dedication of Scriptures, . The Distribution the new Bible was offered, and the Assemblies of Yahweh have been congregation read in unison from blessed by having this volume as a By fall of 1981, the manuscripts their new Bibles. To this day, a copy resource in our Bible study. Gone were completed and in the hands of the Sacred Scriptures, Bethel is the confusion of disparate trans- of the typesetters and publishers. Edition remains displayed on the lations of the Bible. The Sacred Elder Meyer had found a publisher altar table of the Bethel Meeting Scriptures has been the standard in Florida that was family-owned Hall and similarly in the sanctuary and accepted Bible used in all As- and very sympathetic to the project. of Assemblies of Yahweh meeting semblies of Yahweh worship services It was with great joy after the Feast halls around the world. The Bible, and publications since its release in of Tabernacles in 1981 when the opened to Psalm 101, reminds the 1982. Now, when passages are read proof copies of the signature sheets congregation that we are a “people aloud by the congregation, the joy- were received for review and ap- of the Book,” and the message of the ful sound of a unified voice is heard proval. With these signature proofs Psalmist David is that we must not and an inspiring moment is enjoyed completed, it was just a matter of a only read the Word, but live it every by all. Have you ordered your copy few more weeks until the new Bible day of our lives. Since that Sabbath, of the Sacred Scriptures Bethel went to press. A completion date in there have been seven re-prints of Edition yet? Do so today, and join s December 1981 was projected, and the Sacred Scriptures, Bethel us in the joy of the Word! nb

The Sacred Name Broadcaster, 1/2012 17 The Sacred Scriptures Bethel Edition

The answer to this question lies embedded in Preface the ages of antiquity. Mortal man realizes that he is a created being. Something from within impels the human being to seek communication with the by Higher Power from which stems his antecedents. The Elder Jacob O. Meyer search for communication with the Eternal Being eventually must lead to a study of the Bible, the book that informs the reader concerning his reason The inspired Scriptures have capably proven their for existence and revealing what each human being veracity throughout the entire book. The student must do to find everlasting salvation. The biblical who reads the Bible in its original languages (as text cannot remain locked in an unintelligible for- closely as we can return to them) cannot help but eign language if communication between heaven and be greatly impressed by the internal cohesiveness earth is to be viable, but must be comprehended in which is evident throughout. the tongue of each person seeking to do the Will of The Bible proves itself quite convincingly to be the the Most High. true, authentic, and authoritative Word of Yahweh. Many passages of Sacred Scripture could never The Biblical Setting merely be the thoughts and ideas of the human mind. These passages internally demonstrate that The Bible has come down to our time from they far transcend human intelligence, wisdom, and the Semitic, Israelite, and Jewish culture. Both comprehension. They could only be the product of Old and New Testaments bear the unmistakable the intelligence of a supernatural Being whose broad imprint of Semitic background. When we study overview of this world derives from the boundless the Bible, we must carefully consider this Middle vantage point of eternity. Eastern ethnic culture, because it will assist us Whenever a new version of the inspired Scriptures to understand the Bible with a greater degree of emerges from the press, the question comes forth, “Is accuracy. it really necessary to produce yet another version of Israel was chosen by Almighty Yahweh to provide the Bible?” a human witness of His way of life to the people

18 The Sacred Name Broadcaster, 1/2012 of this earth. The Israelite forefathers (Abraham, why some traditional doctrinal misunderstandings Isaac, Jacob) immigrated to the land of Canaan have occurred. (Palestine) from the eastern Fertile Crescent and Over the centuries, many attempts have been settled there. Later, Jacob and his descendants made to render the inspired texts of both Old and migrated to Egypt. Upon their release from Egyp- New Testaments into the vernacular of all people tian bondage, the Almighty brought them forth and on this earth. The intention of our Heavenly Father situated them astride a major land bridge linking Yahweh was that His Truth should be witnessed to three continents, an area criss-crossed by ancient, all people on this earth. Since Israel vacated their heavily traveled commercial routes. The land of Ca- calling, the written Word will testify for Him. naan, now inhabited by Israel, lay between the two The first attempt to translate the Old Testament great political giants of ancient times—Mesopotamia was the Septuagint Greek version. In our common and Egypt, later to be joined by Greece and Rome. era, translation of the New Testament was made into Therefore, it becomes obvious why Almighty Yahweh Greek and Latin and, ultimately, the entire Bible chose Israel and settled them as He did. From this appeared in Latin. Jerome brought into existence situation came our Bible. his translation of the Latin Vulgate, although he When the Israelites entered the land of Canaan sustained severe criticism for his translation, both and conquered the territory Almighty Yahweh as- from the ecclesiastical authorities as well as from signed them, they remained faithfully committed the layman. for only a relatively brief period of time to the True With the advent of the printing press, impetus Worship the Almighty had revealed to them. Before increased to present the inspired Scriptures to the long, the succeeding generations forsook the Truth. average person. Before this momentous invention, This caused the Almighty to reject them and send Bibles were laboriously copied and remained confined them away into corrective captivity. to the houses of worship, read only by the ecclesias- Later, some of the Israelite Jewish people of tical clergy. Now, a concerted attempt was made to the Babylonian captivity returned and provided place the inspired Scriptures in the hands of every the foundational family from which emerged the individual. The first book published by Johannas Messiah. Those who went into Assyrian captivity Gutenberg with moveable type was the Latin Vulgate from the 10 northern tribes (2 Kings 17) never Bible in two volumes. returned. This volume, The Sacred Scriptures, Bethel Edition, is the culmination of more than five centu- The Language of ries of translation work. The Assemblies of Yahweh the Bible joyfully presents this volume to you, our reader, as what we consider the best translation of the inspired It is plain that the people who wrote and preserved Scriptures available in the world today. After reading the inspired Scriptures spoke Hebrew. The Old Testa- it, we hope you will agree. ment came down to us in this language. The prophet The English translation of the Bible has an inter- tells us a pure language will be restored to the people esting history. The early Bibles used in Britain were during the Kingdom age and that He intends to have produced in the Latin language. In the 10th century, us understand that this pure language is Hebrew Abbot Aelfric translated much of the Old Testament (Zephaniah 3:9, 10). into English. The venerable John Wycliffe, with his During the Messiah’s sojourn on this earth, the disciple Jan Hus, translated the Bible into English. predominant language of the Near East, includ- John Purney put this into idiomatic English. W. ing the people of Palestine, was Aramaic. Few of Tyndale did a great deal of work on the English text the natives could speak Greek, although several, of the Bible to “make the boy who drives the plough like Josephus, could understand it. Through their in England know more of the Scripture ‘than a man worship in Temple and synagogue, these Jew- of learning.’” Myles Coverdale and John Rogers (the ish people remained familiar with the Hebrew Matthew’s Bible) revised the English text. In the Scriptures. Latin was only an incidental tongue reign of Queen Elizabeth, the Geneva Bible ap- in Palestine, because of its use by the occupation peared. The Bishop’s Bible appeared in two editions Roman armies. (1568 and 1572) and immediately preceded the King The reader of this volume should peruse a booklet James translation of 1611 (the English text that has available from the Assemblies of Yahweh, Bethel, endured the longest). Pennsylvania, 19507, U.S.A., entitled, “Exploding The Sacred Scriptures, Bethel Edition, is the Inspired Greek New Testament Myth.” This based upon the translation work of the American scholarly research booklet will help you understand Standard, 1901. During the late 19th century, an the Semitic background of the New Testament and effort was made to correct and update the obsolete

The Sacred Name Broadcaster, 1/2012 19 King James translation of 1611 (known also as the term Jehovah, which was quite familiar to many Authorized Version). Since the American schol- people. They recognized the inescapable fact that it ars concluded that their research had been largely is important to have the reader personally realize spurned by the British revisers, they produced their that the Tetragrammaton (the four letter word that own version, a revision of the King James Bible represents the Sacred Name of the Almighty in the here in the United States. The American Standard Hebrew text) is of vital importance if one is to com- Version published in 1901 was probably the most prehend the distinctive flavor of the original text. accurate translation work of the Bible ever put into They knew that the term “Lord” is not a name, but print. It maintains the delicate balance of providing a title which cannot represent the unique word that a very accurate literal translation while simultane- stands for the Name of the Almighty. ously preserving a fair amount of the ethnic idiom However, the form Jehovah is proven to be a evident in the text. monstrosity. Although widely known for about four The problems a Bible translator encounters are hundred years, nevertheless, it originated as a cor- manifold. Simultaneously, he must preserve the lit- ruption by the scribes who introduced foreign vowel eral message of the inspired Scriptures as nearly as points and attached them to the Tetragrammaton. possible, while also transmitting the idiomatic sense The vowel points selected were those of the word of the material. He must take into account the sitz Adonai. By adding these foreign vowel points to the im leben (life setting) in which it was written. Tetragrammaton, the Sacred Name cannot be pro- The translator who takes the course of rendering nounced. The English hybrid monstrosity “Jehovah” a more literal translation usually takes the safer resulted when Peter Galatin published this form in approach, since he will avoid the greater volume 1520. He did not understand what the scribes had of technical criticism. Regretfully, the Hebrew and done in applying these vowel points so that the reader English languages do not reflect a great similarity would pronounce “Adonai” instead of Yahweh. The between each other in syntax. Consequently, a totally Talmud (Sanhedrim 10:1) explains that the Name Yah, but pronounced (יה) literal translation will take the form of slavishness, of the Almighty is written .Adonai (אד) especially if it faithfully reproduces such forms unique to Semitic grammar as the very frequent Hebrew Dr. J. B. Rotherham, in the introduction to his conjunction. This is one of the obvious failings ex- Emphasized Bible, had this to say about the form hibited by the Septuagint translation. Jehovah: Nevertheless, the translator who intends to “The pronunciation Jehovah was unknown until transmit only what he believes to be the idiomatic 1520, when it was introduced by Galatinus; but was sense of the text will immediately open himself contested by Le Mercier, J. Drusius, and L. Capellus, to other valid criticism, since another student of as against grammatical and historical propriety. the original texts will often derive a very different “Erroneously written and pronounced Jehovah, understanding from the material. We must sadly which is merely a combination of the sacred Tetra‑ conclude that no inspired translation is possible, grammaton and the vowels in the Hebrew word for because all translation work must, of necessity, be Lord, substituted by the Jews for JHVH, because they done by fallible man. shrank from pronouncing The Name, owing to an old The best mode of translation, then, is to strive to misconception of the two passages, Ex. 20:7 and Lev. achieve a perfect balance between the two methods 24:16. To give the name JHVH the vowels of the word under discussion. The American revisers were able to for Lord (Heb. Adonai) and pronounce it Jehovah, do this masterfully. To this very day, scholars marvel is about as hybrid a combination as it would be to at the majesty of expression exhibited by this text. spell the name Germany with the vowels in the name However, one of the major drawbacks to the American Portugal—viz., Gormuna. The monstrous combination Standard Version was its continued employment Jehovah is not older than about 1520 A.D. of Shakespearean terminology, which has died to “From this we may gather that the Jewish scribes common usage hundreds of years ago. are not responsible for the ‘hybrid’ combination. They intentionally wrote alien vowels—not for combination with the sacred consonants, but for the purpose of The Sacred Names Restored cautioning the Jewish reader to enunciate a totally One of the most prominent differences between different word, viz., some other familiar name of the the American Standard Version, 1901 and the Most High.” King James Version was the use of the attempted For almost two centuries, the Name Yahweh has transliteration of the Heavenly Father’s Name in- grown in acceptance, now being commonly used in spired in the Hebrew Scriptures. Those who produced theology. The Encyclopedia Judaica makes the the American Standard Version relied upon the following statement, “The true pronunciation of the

20 The Sacred Name Broadcaster, 1/2012 Name YHWH was never lost. Several early Greek or YHVH, Which?; Seven Ancient Witnesses, writers of the Christian church testify that the name Seven Thousand Witnesses, Testifying to the was pronounced Yahweh.” (“God, Names of,” Ency- Name Yahweh; and The Exclusive Source of clopaedia Judaica, vol. 7, p. 679, 1971). Truth. Additionally, we publish a regular monthly Many renowned Jewish and Christian authorities magazine, The Sacred Name Broadcaster, that such as the Jewish Encyclopedia, Bible translators is available free of charge to all who have a desire such as James Moffatt, and Dr. J. M. Powis Smith, to serve our Heavenly Father and learn more about many Bible encyclopedias, lexicons, and grammars, His Truth. declare without reservation that the Tetragrammaton The Sacred Name of our Heavenly Father Yahweh in the Hebrew) should have been transliter- was removed from the text of the Bible, because of יהוה) ated “Yahweh.” a misguided desire to preserve it from desecration Although several other Bible translations (such by the heathen. Therefore, the scribes, through a as the Rotherham Emphasized Bible, the Anchor misapplication of the third commandment, began Bible, and the Jerusalem Bible) have retained about the year 300 B.C.E. (Before this Common Era) the name Yahweh in the Old Testament, no Bible to insist upon the use of the foreign term Adonai translation has restored all of the sacred titles to that they considered less holy. This misguided zeal an accurate text. eventually carried over into New Testament times. No translation has accurately restored the Name Even after Yahshua the Messiah came and restored Yahweh to the New Testament text where it undoubt- the Truth of the Sacred Name, following the death edly appeared when the apostolic authors produced of the Messiah’s Apostles, the Nicolaitanes won the their works, nor is there a translation that has faith- victory over the laity. Thereafter, the Hebrew Name fully restored the Savior’s true Name, Yahshua the of the Messiah, which alone will bring us salvation Messiah, to the text of the Bible. (Acts 4:12) became Greek in character. No longer The common Chr-stian designation “Jes-s could Messiah’s Semitic Name, with its intrinsic Chr-st” cannot be verified scripturally or linguis- meaning of Yahweh’s Salvation, be recognized by tically. First of all, Chr-stians today actually use what He today is called in ch-rchianity. a fourth-hand, attempted transliteration of the The Assemblies of Yahweh present this volume to Savior’s True revealed personal Name as found the reader in our humble endeavor to present you in Numbers 13:16. The Ante-Nicene fathers have with a special gift of greater knowledge. We have repeatedly indicated that the Messiah of Israel, restored the Sacred Name and the sacred titles to the described in the New Testament, was called by English text of the Old Testament, as well as return- the same Name as the Israelite general (Joshua) ing the Name of Yahshua the Messiah our Redeemer in the Old Testament. Ἰησοῦς cannot serve as a to the text of the New Testament. We have sought transliteration of that Hebrew Name. Please see to eliminate the Shakespearean English, which is no also Acts 26:14 where Paul heard the resurrected longer employed in modern usage. We have tried to Messiah speak His own Name in the Hebrew be faithful in rendering the original texts (as closely language. as we can return to them). Since the Assemblies of Yahweh of Bethel, However, the text of this volume was maintained Pennsylvania, have a singular desire to learn in strict majesty of expression as befits the Word the Truth of the Bible and then obey it, we have of our Heavenly Father Yahweh and His Son, sought to go back to the source to find a proper Yahshua the Messiah. We have not resorted to transliteration of the Messiah’s Name which He the modern corrupt slang common in American bore during His earthly sojourn. Eliminating English. While striving to make the text of the the vowel points from the name found in Num- Bible more understandable for the modern reader, bers 13:16, it is conclusively confirmed that the the majesty with which the Bible should be com- best transliteration into English is Yahshua prehended was not sacrificed; therefore, this text emphasizes our need to think of our Heavenly .(יהושע) The Assemblies of Yahweh of Bethel, Pennsylvania, Father and Messiah on a higher level. We hope 19507, U.S.A., publishes extensive research mate- you will enjoy The Sacred Scriptures, Bethel rial on the Sacred Name of Yahweh and the Name Edition. Read and accept it as the very Word of of Yahshua the Messiah. We invite you to write our Heavenly Father Yahweh. to us and receive this literature on the dynamic May Almighty Yahweh by His Holy Spirit bless all subject of the Sacred Name. Among the books and who read His Word and come to love it more deeply articles you may receive are The Memorial Name— with each passing day. In Yahshua the Messiah’s Yahweh; Proving the Sacred Name from Your Name, HalleluYAH! Bible; What is the Messiah’s Name?; YHWH Jacob O. Meyer, Editor

The Sacred Name Broadcaster, 1/2012 21 The Sacred Name Broadcaster Bethel, PA 19507 PERIODICAL

Reading, PA

The Seven Lamps of Yahweh by Elder Jacob O. Meyer

“ D e c l a r i n g t h e e n d from the ­beginning.”

(Isaiah 46:9-10)

The book of Revelation is an unveiling of events that will occur at the end of the age. Its 22 chapters, containing only 404 verses, need not terrify the Bible student with descriptions of beasts, major wars, martyrdoms, famines, and destructive earthquakes.

Will you familiarize yourself with the Author of the book of Revelation? A blessing awaits each Bible student who reads, hears, and does the words of the prophecy of this book! Write for more information on this first volume of ­Commentary on the Book of Revelation by Elder Jacob O. Meyer. Write to: Assemblies of Yahweh P. O. Box C Bethel, PA 19507

(717) 933-4518

www.assembliesofyahweh.com