"In this manner says Yahweh, Where is the bill of your mother’s divorcement, with which I have put her away? Or which of my creditors is it to whom I have sold you? Behold, for your iniquities were you sold, and for your transgressions was your mother put away. Why, when I came, was there no man? When I called, was there none to answer? Is my hand shortened at all, that it cannot redeem? Or have I no power to deliver? Behold, at my rebuke I dry up the sea, I make the rivers a wilderness: their fish stink, because there is no water, and die for thirst. I clothe the heavens with blackness, and I make sackcloth their covering.

"The Sovereign Yahweh has given me the tongue of them that are taught, that I may know how to sustain with words him that is weary: he awakens morning by morning, he awakens my ear to hear as they that are taught. The Sovereign Yahweh has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned away backward. I gave my back to the strikers, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair; I hid not my face from shame and spitting. For the Sovereign Yahweh will help me; therefore, have I not been confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame. He is near who justifies me; who will contend with me? Let us stand up together: who is my adversary? Let him come near to me. Behold, the Sovereign Yahweh will help me; who is he that shall condemn me? Behold, they shall all wear out as a garment; the moth shall eat them up.

"Who is among you that fears Yahweh, that obeys the voice of his servant? He that walks in darkness, and has no light, let him trust in the name of Yahweh, and rely upon his Elohim. Behold, all you that kindle a fire, that gird yourselves about with firebrands; walk in the flame of your fire, and among the brands that you have kindled. This shall you have of my hand; you shall lie down in sorrow." (Isaiah 50:1-11).

A Light to the World

Almighty Yahweh is the source of light for the True Worshiper. Indeed, the commandment of the Creator as His first creative act brought forth light to a universe that had been turned into the chaos of a churning, dark abyss. Light constitutes the surrounding environment of the Most High. Notice the description contained within the passage of 1 Timothy 6:16: "Who only has immortality, dwelling in light unapproachable; whom no man has seen, nor can see: to whom be honor and power eternal. Amen." Yahweh cannot be seen by man because of the brightness of the light emanating from Him (Shekinah Glory). We also learn that Yahshua came as the light of the world (John 1:9; 8:12). He revealed the light of Yahweh to a world that had been plunged into sin and darkness through disobedience to Yahweh’s commandments.

In Isaiah 50, the subject of the prophecy can be either the prophet Isaiah himself or, by extension, the Messiah Yahshua who is guiding this prophet as he speaks. Isaiah is speaking of Almighty Yahweh. Especially is the Messiah apparent in the context of verse 10: "Who is among you that fears Yahweh, that obeys the voice of his servant? He that walks in darkness, and has no light, let him trust in the name of Yahweh, and rely upon his Elohim." The servant referred to in this verse is the great Obadiah, Yahshua Messiah. He obediently kept Yahweh’s commandments perfectly (without sin), as His faithful son (1 Peter 2:21-22).

Yahweh’s Torah is Light

The True Worshiper is intended to represent a light that is regulated completely by Yahweh’s commandments. We must recall again that the Law of Yahweh is light, as we see from Proverbs 6:23 and Psalm 119:105. The True Worshipers are called to be like Yahshua—lights to the world—as is stated in John 8:12: "… I am the light of the world." In Matthew 5:14 we read the instruction: "You are the light of the world." We must reflect the light of Yahshua’s life by emulating Him as our example. He was without sin, since He kept the commandments of Yahweh perfectly (see 1 John 3:4, 9-11).

Last month we concentrated upon the first mini-epistle, the one written to the Ephesian brethren, contained in Revelation 2:1-7. The term "epistle," of course, means a letter. In looking over one of the expository treatments upon this passage recently, I read that the author believed that the Ephesian Assembly’s emphasis on doctrinal purity had hardened them and cooled their brotherly love (philadelphia). Could such a conclusion by the commentator be accurate?

A Call to Repentance

The Ephesian brethren receive commendation for their good qualities, while conversely, Yahshua also criticizes them for their faults. Consequently, Yahshua the Messiah balances His criticism (if necessary) with compliments in almost each one of these mini-epistles. However, He commands these people to repent and put an end to their backsliding.

Genesis 3:22-24 tells us that man was driven out of gan-‘eden (the garden of Eden) because of sin. "And Yahweh Elohim said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil; and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life [me’ets hachayyim], and eat, and live for ever; therefore Yahweh Elohim sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from where he was taken. So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden the Cherubim, and the flame of a sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life [from Adam]." It is necessary to insert an ellipsis here for a more precise understanding.

The Assembly at Smyrna

The next assembly (the Second) that we encounter is Smyrna. The name is related to the term "myrrh," which is a bitter substance. Notice Revelation 2:8-11: "And to the angel of the assembly in Smyrna write:

"These things says the first and the last, who was dead, and lived again: I know your tribulation, and your poverty (but you are rich), and the blasphemy of them that say they are Jews, and they are not, but are of the synagogue of Satan. Fear not the things which you are about to suffer: behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, that you may be tried; and you shall have tribulation ten days. Be faithful to death, and I will give you the crown of life. He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies. He that overcomes shall not be hurt of the second death."

It had been the author’s intention to discuss all these assemblies in one installment; nevertheless, the more deeply we study into these mini-epistles, the more it becomes apparent that one Sacred Name Broadcaster article could be written from each one of these letters. Smyrna, however, appears as the smallest letter among these seven. It is mostly complementary, as a parallel with Philadelphia, which is also complemented and not criticized.

Meaning of the Aleph-Tau

If we restore these Greek letters back to the Hebrew alphabet, the reading becomes aleph and tau. The letters Aleph-Tau also appear together in the first chapter of Genesis. Grammatically, it is the sign of the definite direct object in Hebrew. It connects heaven and earth in the first verse of Genesis 1 and it specifies the object of Yahweh’s creative power. In Revelation 3:14, we read, "These things says the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of El."

The Aleph-Tau has several functions in the Hebrew language. To reiterate, one of them is to serve as the sign of the definite direct object. The definite direct object of the biblical message is Yahshua. He is the One who is spoken about in the prophecy of Genesis chapter 3. When man sinned, the promise of a Savior was given in Genesis 3:15.

The Aleph-Tau also serves as a preposition which means "with." Consequently, both of these interpretations are very appropriate where Yahshua the Messiah and the Apostolic Assembly are concerned. We should always remember that Yahshua the Messiah is the object, the definite direct object from Yahweh, of everything that is contained in the Scriptures. He is the focal point, the great Obadiah, the Savior, the Redeemer, our High Priest, the firstborn from the dead, the one who died and lived again, and the Head of the Assembly of Called Out Ones. Revelation 1:5 says, "And from Yahshua the Messiah, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth." Revelation 22:13 reads, "I am the Aleph and the Tau, the first and the last, the beginning and the end." Yahshua served as the Creator according to Yahweh’s plan. He was the beginning and He will be the end, because He will be the final Judge of humankind and will ultimately return the Kingdom of Yahweh (1 Corinthians 15:24-26).

The Image of Yahweh

Through Yahshua’s blood we have forgiveness of our sins and He is the image of the invisible Yahweh. Yahshua the Messiah is the member of the Elohim family who could be seen, whereas the invisible Yahweh could not be seen. If we can understand this fact clearly, we will never go wrong concerning how the Great Majesty on High functions. Notice in Genesis 15:1, "After these things the word of Yahweh [dibber Yahweh], came unto Abram in a vision." This statement seems quite paradoxical unless we understand it properly. How could a word (a spiritual thing) be seen? The Word of Yahweh was seen; thus, the dibber Yahweh was the image (visible representation) of the invisible Yahweh. "No man has seen Yahweh at any time; the only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he has declared him." (John 1:18). No man has seen Yahweh at any time because the Father cannot be seen. He always remains invisible! However, it is the Son who declared (revealed) the Father. Therefore, the Son had to be the firstborn or the first begotten of all creation. He was the beginning, the first, for in Him were all things created. He was the Creator who was first created for this purpose by Yahweh.

Bible Teaches One Faith

There is only one True Faith that is outlined for us and taught in the Bible; therefore, the author is convinced that the Assemblies of Yahweh holds to that very faith. Of course, you can conclude that all people have access to the Bible also, and they might have some of the truth since they read the Bible. They could have some of the doctrines correct, but not all of them. The Assemblies of Yahweh is being led completely by Yahweh’s Holy Spirit. We follow the Word, live by every Word, and harmonize the texts from Genesis to Revelation. Consequently, we have the Faith that will lead us to salvation; I am convinced of that. This is why Paul is so insistent. "If so be that you continue in the faith," he wrote in Colossians 1:23.

What happens if someone will not continue in the Faith? Suppose one decides, "This certain doctrine taught by Assemblies of Yahweh does not appeal to me, so we are going to go in another direction. We are going to reinterpret that doctrine." This is a wrong approach! The doctrines of the Bible are all interconnected and interdependent. One cannot merely change one doctrine, without changing principles intrinsically contained in other doctrines. If you follow wrong concepts and principles, you will eventually be led away from the Faith. All of the scriptural doctrines (teachings) are indeed interdependent. Furthermore, notice what we read in verse 23: "… Grounded and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the GOOD TIDINGS WHICH YOU HEARD, which was preached in all creation under heaven; of which I Paul was made a minister."

A Correct Understanding

Why should it be so important to emphasize this doctrine? The answer is because the Smyrna Assembly evidently understood this doctrine accurately. Let us consider 1 Corinthians 15, beginning with verse 20: "But now has the Messiah been raised from the dead, the first fruits of them that are asleep." Exodus 34:26, for example, tells us, "The first of the first-fruits of your ground you shall bring to the house of Yahweh your Elohim." This commandment is what we memorialize every year on the first day of the week after the Sabbath that falls on Passover or within the Feast of Unleavened Bread. "For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead." Yahshua the Messiah emptied Himself, we read in Philippians 2:7, so he could take upon Himself the form of Adam (man), a servant.

Judgment Comes by the Law

The time described in Revelation chapter 20, verse 12, relates to the time when Yahshua sits on the great white throne for His final judgment of the nations of the earth. "And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of the things which are written in the books, according to their works." Remember, they are "judged out of the things written in the books." Yahshua the Messiah has received the assignment to serve as the Judge of all mankind. All things are judged by the Son. John 5:22 says, "For neither does the Father judge any man, but he has given all judgment to the Son." Consequently, when the books are opened (one of the books is the Bible and the other book is the record of the lives of each one of us) and the lives of everyone will be compared to what the Bible teaches us, it will be Yahshua the Messiah who will determine our future. The Greek word here translated as books is biblia. The Bible is opened and our lives, which are recorded in another book, are compared to what the Bible teaches, to the Covenant Law. Furthermore, we find written in Revelation 20:12, "which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of the things which were written in the books." Again, we note that the word "books" is plural.

Are You an Overcomer?

People like to pursue a rather easy life. We endeavor to have a calm and peaceful existence. This is what everybody seeks, but once anyone takes up the true faith he must expect a battle day after day. Satan, the enemy of Yahweh, seeks to overthrow the faith of the elect. "These things have I spoken to you, that in me you may have peace." (John 16:33). Yahweh is the author of peace and Yahshua the Messiah is the Sar Shalom, the Prince of Peace. It is not to this present world that Yahshua brings peace, but that we may, through Him, have peace and by faith have no anxiety in our hearts about what the future holds. In the world we will have tribulation, because the worldly system of Babylon, Satan’s system, is the enemy of Yahweh and of His truth and of His people.

What Is Blasphemy?

What can we give in exchange for our lives? In Smyrna, not many people were temporally rich, yet they were spiritually wealthy. Yahshua, however, declared them to be very rich in faith and works. They were poor in the way of this world’s goods, but rich in faith.

"And the blasphemy of them that say they are Jews, and they are not, but are of the synagogue of Satan." (Revelation 2:9). The key word in this passage is the term blasphemy. In the Greek Dictionary of Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible it is #987 and #988. Blasphemeo is the verb, while blasphemia is the noun. It means "to vilify, especially to speak impiously" (against [Yahweh]). Blasphemia is defined as #988, "vilification, (especially against [Yahweh])." The comparable prime root in Hebrew is listed in Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible as #5007 and #5006. The feminine noun ne’atsah comes from #5006, which is ne’ats. It means "to scorn." It is translated "abhor, give occasion to," and also "blaspheme, condemn, and despise."

Smyrna Commended

Smyrna had rejected the blasphemy of those who said they were Jews, but they were not, but were of the synagogue of Satan. We should respect and revere the Name of the Almighty. We should present it always in the best light. In Acts 26:11, Paul writes, "And punishing them constantly in the synagogues, I strove to make them BLASPHEME; and being exceedingly MAD AGAINST THEM, I persecuted them even to foreign cities." This sounds almost like what happened to Smyrna. When you read this passage knowing the importance of the Sacred Name, you immediately notice the implication that these messianic brethren of the Assemblies of Yahweh were worshiping in the synagogues at that time, worshiping along with the Jews. They believed in and revered the Name of Yahweh.

Knowing Yahweh

Isaiah 52:5-6 reads, "Now therefore, what do I here, says Yahweh, since my people is taken away for nothing? They that rule over them howl, says Yahweh, and MY NAME CONTINUALLY ALL THE DAY IS BLASPHEMED. Therefore my people shall know my name." Consequently, blasphemy indeed is interpreted as a rejection of the knowledge of the Name of Yahweh, or standing in the way of the people knowing the Name of Yahweh and understanding its meaning.

"Therefore they shall know in that day that I am he that does speak: behold, it is I."

This is what you read about in the book of Revelation. The angel message of Revelation 14, the first message that is preached, proclaims: "Worship him that made the heaven and the earth and sea and fountains of waters," This has been our intention on Radio Station WMLK, to preach that message so that all the world will know that unique Holy Name. When the voice of the archangel cries out of heaven, all the people on earth must know that it is the genuine heavenly message by the Name that is used.

Overcoming for Salvation

John 10:27-39 informs us, "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: and I give to them eternal life; and they shall never perish, and no one shall snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father, one we are. The Jews took up stones again to stone him. Yahshua answered them, Many good works have I showed you from the Father; for which of those works do you stone me? The Jews answered him, For a good work we stone you not, but for BLASPHEMY." (Now what does the Synagogue consider blasphemy? Notice the following:) "Because that you, being a man, make yourself Elohim. Yahshua answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, you are Elohim? [Refer here to Psalm 82:6.] If he called them Elohim, to whom the Word of Yahweh came (and the Scripture cannot be broken), do you say of him, whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, You BLASPHEME; because I said, I am the Son of Elohim? If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. But if I do them, though you believe not me, believe the works: that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father. They sought again to take him: and he went forth out of their hand." He quickly slipped away from those who would accuse Him falsely and escaped from their custody.

Let us remember to follow the directions of the voice that speaks: Yahshua, the Messiah’s voice. "He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies."

In the face of persecution, let us not become bitter. In the face of persecution, let us persevere, be patient and overcome the trials of the Adversary. Let us never accuse Yahweh when things seem to go wrong. Let us always sanctify the Name of Yahweh. Let us never attack Yahweh in any way, shape, or form. Yahweh knows best, and we can notice this fact being verified within His Word. His Word is true and it is supernatural! It is the wisdom of eternity that is bound up for us in a book that we can read and study, so that we may grow in the grace and knowledge of Yahshua the Messiah. Dear reader, let us be faithful as was the assembly of Smyrna so that we may be granted eternal life in the Kingdom of Yahweh.