Messianic Israelite
Active Member
I'll be typing this post out myself, as I do all my posts, but I'll use an article produced by my faith called 'Proving the Sacred Name From Your Bible" as my basis for this post. Why do the members of the Assemblies of Yahweh place such heavy emphasis on a Name? Is it merely to be different, or controversial? Do we merely try to draw men after ourselves for the purpose of forming yet another splinter religious group? Could it be for individual aggrandizement? The members of the Assemblies of Yahweh have proven the importance of the Sacred Name to themselves. You can do the same. By perusing a concordance, you can personally check each instance where the majestic Name of our Heavenly Father appears in the Hebrew Scriptures.
You will find, upon checking, that the Tetragrammaton, the four-letter word that stands for the Name and appears about 7,000 times (6,823 to be exact) is usually translated the L-rd in the King James text. Occasionally, it is translated g-d, which is then rendered in small capitals. You may also check to see what such eminent Bible translators as Moffatt, Rotherham, Lamsa, and others have to say about the Sacred Name.
For instance, I once had occasion to speak with Dr. George Lamsa. In reference to the Tetragrammaton, this renowned Bible translator stated, "That is YAHWEH. It is the original name. All others were added later" Additionally, you might check any good dictionary or encyclopedia in your own home under the heading "G-d" or "L-rd".
The writer of the preface of the Complete Bible, Dr. J. M. Powis Smith, writes in reference to the Sacred Name: "Anyone, therefore who desires to retain the flavor of the original text has but to read 'Yahweh' wherever he sees L-rd or G-d" Since the translators are in universal agreement that YAHWEH is more correct than the other names and titles employed in translating the Name of our Heavenly Father, and that this is His rightful Name which appears in the original Hebrew text, let us begin immediately to read it into the text when we encounter the place where it should rightfully appear.
Let us look into the Bible together and answer some important questions which arise. Please take your own Bible and read these Scriptures for yourself so that you may begin to understand just why the brethren of the Assemblies of Yahweh obstinately insist upon the correct, revealed Name of our Heavenly Father.
You will find, upon checking, that the Tetragrammaton, the four-letter word that stands for the Name and appears about 7,000 times (6,823 to be exact) is usually translated the L-rd in the King James text. Occasionally, it is translated g-d, which is then rendered in small capitals. You may also check to see what such eminent Bible translators as Moffatt, Rotherham, Lamsa, and others have to say about the Sacred Name.
For instance, I once had occasion to speak with Dr. George Lamsa. In reference to the Tetragrammaton, this renowned Bible translator stated, "That is YAHWEH. It is the original name. All others were added later" Additionally, you might check any good dictionary or encyclopedia in your own home under the heading "G-d" or "L-rd".
The writer of the preface of the Complete Bible, Dr. J. M. Powis Smith, writes in reference to the Sacred Name: "Anyone, therefore who desires to retain the flavor of the original text has but to read 'Yahweh' wherever he sees L-rd or G-d" Since the translators are in universal agreement that YAHWEH is more correct than the other names and titles employed in translating the Name of our Heavenly Father, and that this is His rightful Name which appears in the original Hebrew text, let us begin immediately to read it into the text when we encounter the place where it should rightfully appear.
Let us look into the Bible together and answer some important questions which arise. Please take your own Bible and read these Scriptures for yourself so that you may begin to understand just why the brethren of the Assemblies of Yahweh obstinately insist upon the correct, revealed Name of our Heavenly Father.
1. Does the Almighty have only one Name? Psalm 83:18
2. Does He tell us His Name so that there can be no mistake on our part when we read His Word? Isaiah 42:8
3. Are we told to extol (praise) a specific Name? Psalm 68:4 (Note that the form "Yah" is the poetic abbreviation of the Tetragrammaton)
4. Does our Heavenly Father tell us that this Name, which He calls Himself, is to be used forever? Exodus 3:15
5. Does He say that this Name was only for the Jews rather than to all generations (every age of time for every ethnic group)? Exodus 3:15
6. Does He tell us that this personal Name is to be His memorial? (This is how He wishes to be remembered by all people. A memorial is usually cut in stone.) Exodus 3:15, along with Hosea 12:5
7. Does He tell us that this personal Name is to be known by His own people? Isaiah 52:6
8. Does He tell us not to use any other names besides the One which He himself has chosen and not even to speak others? Exodus 23:13; Joshua 23:7; Psalm 16:4 and 44:20-21
9. Does the Almighty explain that all nations also are obligated to call upon this majestic Name? Psalm 79:6
10. Does Almighty Yahweh tell us that we may find protection from the imminent tribulation by trusting in the Sacred Name? Proverbs 18:10 and Malachi 3:16-18 (An all-powerful, protecting Mighty One is certainly superior security than trying to provide an escape or shelter for ourselves.)
11. Will the Sacred Name mean salvation? Joel 2:32 and Romans 10:12-16
12. Will the Sacred Name mean an answer to prayer? Psalm 91:14-16; Isaiah 58:9; and Zechariah 13:9
13. Does the Almighty say that the day is to come when He will remove from the people the names of baal (l-rd, center column), and the baals will no more be remembered by their names? Hosea 2:16-17. (Be sure to see centre-column reference here.) See also Jeremiah 2:23 (again perusing most marginal references).
14. Does the Almighty say that a book of remembrance is to be written containing the names of those who fear YAHWEH and think upon His Name as they speak often one to another? Malachi 3:16-17. Refer to Hebrews 10:25.
15. Does the Almighty tell us who is to blame for the crime against His Name by removing it from His Word? Malachi 2:1-2 and Ezekiel 34:1-6.
16. Does peter tell us that there are many Names for our Savior by which we can be saved, or only one which will save us? Acts 4:12.
17. Does the context and center column reference of your Bible reveal the True Hebrew Name of our Savior and Messiah? Acts 7:45 and Hebrews 4:8. See also Zechariah 6:9-15.
18. Does the Bible indicate that the Heavenly Father's Name is the Name which each member of the spiritual family, both in heaven and earth, is named? Ephesians 3:14-15.
19. Does your Bible clearly indicate what is to be the seal which protects the people of the last days? Revelations 7:1-3 and 14:1.
20. Does the Son come in His Father's Name and consequently must bear His Name? John 5:43. See also Exodus 23:20-23.
21. Does the Holy Spirit come in a certain Name? John 14:26
22. Does the Almighty declare that He will sanctify (set apart for holiness) His great Name, which Israel has profaned, in the last days? Note that Yahshua tells us to pray for such sanctification. Matthew 6:9 and Ezekiel 36:20-23
23. Will the Sacred Name message (the name EliYah means My Mighty One is YAH) be the last message which is preached on this earth just prior to the Savior's return? Malachi 4:5-6.
24. Can you now answer the question posed by the writer of Proverbs in chapter 30 and verse 4?
I thinks it's a matter of how we approach the Bible. If we study the Bible with an open mind and allow the Word to speak directly to us, we will accept this timeless truth. That the Name of Yahweh and of His Son Yahshua the Messiah are important. In the Name of Yahweh we may find healing (Exodus 15:26), salvation (Acts 2:21), protection (Psalm 18:1-3) and eternal life (Isaiah 57:15). All of these attributes are embodied in the Savior's Name YAHSHUA (meaning Yahweh is salvation). By trusting in the majestic Name of our Heavenly Father Yahweh and in the saving Name of our Savior, YAHSHUA the Messiah, the members of the ASSEMBLIES OF YAHWEH are not being disagreeable, but sensible, logical, practical and obedient to the inspired Word.
With all this scriptural evidence from the Word, can you also see how using the Name is a necessary ingredient for salvation in the Word? I'm sure they are lots of people who do not care about the name they use to address Yahweh, and therefore don't care about their salvation, but Yahweh has insisted that He has one Name, and that Name should be called upon if we want salvation.
2. Does He tell us His Name so that there can be no mistake on our part when we read His Word? Isaiah 42:8
3. Are we told to extol (praise) a specific Name? Psalm 68:4 (Note that the form "Yah" is the poetic abbreviation of the Tetragrammaton)
4. Does our Heavenly Father tell us that this Name, which He calls Himself, is to be used forever? Exodus 3:15
5. Does He say that this Name was only for the Jews rather than to all generations (every age of time for every ethnic group)? Exodus 3:15
6. Does He tell us that this personal Name is to be His memorial? (This is how He wishes to be remembered by all people. A memorial is usually cut in stone.) Exodus 3:15, along with Hosea 12:5
7. Does He tell us that this personal Name is to be known by His own people? Isaiah 52:6
8. Does He tell us not to use any other names besides the One which He himself has chosen and not even to speak others? Exodus 23:13; Joshua 23:7; Psalm 16:4 and 44:20-21
9. Does the Almighty explain that all nations also are obligated to call upon this majestic Name? Psalm 79:6
10. Does Almighty Yahweh tell us that we may find protection from the imminent tribulation by trusting in the Sacred Name? Proverbs 18:10 and Malachi 3:16-18 (An all-powerful, protecting Mighty One is certainly superior security than trying to provide an escape or shelter for ourselves.)
11. Will the Sacred Name mean salvation? Joel 2:32 and Romans 10:12-16
12. Will the Sacred Name mean an answer to prayer? Psalm 91:14-16; Isaiah 58:9; and Zechariah 13:9
13. Does the Almighty say that the day is to come when He will remove from the people the names of baal (l-rd, center column), and the baals will no more be remembered by their names? Hosea 2:16-17. (Be sure to see centre-column reference here.) See also Jeremiah 2:23 (again perusing most marginal references).
14. Does the Almighty say that a book of remembrance is to be written containing the names of those who fear YAHWEH and think upon His Name as they speak often one to another? Malachi 3:16-17. Refer to Hebrews 10:25.
15. Does the Almighty tell us who is to blame for the crime against His Name by removing it from His Word? Malachi 2:1-2 and Ezekiel 34:1-6.
16. Does peter tell us that there are many Names for our Savior by which we can be saved, or only one which will save us? Acts 4:12.
17. Does the context and center column reference of your Bible reveal the True Hebrew Name of our Savior and Messiah? Acts 7:45 and Hebrews 4:8. See also Zechariah 6:9-15.
18. Does the Bible indicate that the Heavenly Father's Name is the Name which each member of the spiritual family, both in heaven and earth, is named? Ephesians 3:14-15.
19. Does your Bible clearly indicate what is to be the seal which protects the people of the last days? Revelations 7:1-3 and 14:1.
20. Does the Son come in His Father's Name and consequently must bear His Name? John 5:43. See also Exodus 23:20-23.
21. Does the Holy Spirit come in a certain Name? John 14:26
22. Does the Almighty declare that He will sanctify (set apart for holiness) His great Name, which Israel has profaned, in the last days? Note that Yahshua tells us to pray for such sanctification. Matthew 6:9 and Ezekiel 36:20-23
23. Will the Sacred Name message (the name EliYah means My Mighty One is YAH) be the last message which is preached on this earth just prior to the Savior's return? Malachi 4:5-6.
24. Can you now answer the question posed by the writer of Proverbs in chapter 30 and verse 4?
I thinks it's a matter of how we approach the Bible. If we study the Bible with an open mind and allow the Word to speak directly to us, we will accept this timeless truth. That the Name of Yahweh and of His Son Yahshua the Messiah are important. In the Name of Yahweh we may find healing (Exodus 15:26), salvation (Acts 2:21), protection (Psalm 18:1-3) and eternal life (Isaiah 57:15). All of these attributes are embodied in the Savior's Name YAHSHUA (meaning Yahweh is salvation). By trusting in the majestic Name of our Heavenly Father Yahweh and in the saving Name of our Savior, YAHSHUA the Messiah, the members of the ASSEMBLIES OF YAHWEH are not being disagreeable, but sensible, logical, practical and obedient to the inspired Word.
With all this scriptural evidence from the Word, can you also see how using the Name is a necessary ingredient for salvation in the Word? I'm sure they are lots of people who do not care about the name they use to address Yahweh, and therefore don't care about their salvation, but Yahweh has insisted that He has one Name, and that Name should be called upon if we want salvation.
What I think I see are people attempting to trap and take as theirs what is Christ's, to take us away from all the lovely people we could be fellow shipping with. That endless argument about the name I see as one more 'spirit of antichrist', attempting to divide. It is an argument which leads only to argument.