Who would fall away
from the true faith, except religious hobbyists?
The ministry of the Assemblies of Yahweh was founded
exclusively upon Bible truth. See John 17:17. We teach the whole counsel
of Yahweh (Acts 20:27). It has been the intention of the editor to search
deeply into the inspired, sacred texts to determine what Almighty Yahweh
demands of us to obtain our eternal salvation. Whatever is to be found in
the Scriptures and absolutely proven from the Word is genuine doctrine in
this organization. In my youth, my parents taught me to revere the sacred
Scriptures (the Bible) as the true Word of the Almighty. Later the
veracity of the Bible manifested itself through a deep study of the sacred
Scriptures. Therefore, I made up my mind that I would never swerve from
the truth of the written Word to defend error.
Errors in teaching and errors in judgment have been
made over the centuries since Apostolic times by numerous people who have
been involved in the field of religion. Some of these errors are made
intentionally, while others took root through ignorance. Generally, when
statements are uttered and decisions are made, people cannot step back at
some point and determine to chart a different course (if proven to be in
error).
Almost since the very beginning of the Assemblies of
Yahweh ministry, there have been people who entered the organization, and
later for one reason or another, became dissatisfied with the strictness
which we teach and practice. Soon they decided to go in a different
direction. They liberalized their principles and they made decisions that
were contrary to Bible teachings. Some searched around for diverse
doctrines to use as a crutch to justify their departure from the
organization. Usually we discovered there were more deeply rooted problems
that these individuals harbored in their hearts which they were unable to
(or did not intend to) solve for themselves so they could remain obedient
to the Word. Therefore, they felt more comfortable outside this fraternal
body.
Several years ago the author was speaking to a local
businessman who commented that he was surprised that I would be involved
with criminals. Incredulously, I demanded to know what he meant. He said
he had seen a newspaper report that an individual who used the Name Yahweh
had been sentenced to a prison term for racketeering. I requested to see
this newspaper article. Several days later, when I again stopped at his
establishment he had the article available. After skimming the article, I
immediately explained what I had learned of the background of that
individual and affirmed that the Assemblies of Yahweh had ABSOLUTELY NO
FELLOWSHIP with people of such dubious reputation. Actually, the
Assemblies of Yahweh has borne "guilt by association" far too
many times since the inception of this ministry since people generally
group into one category those who use the Sacred Name.
Time and time again it seems that people go off the
track and they make dubious decisions. We all recall the recent Waco
situation, wherein a former Seventh Day Adventist decided he was the
Messiah (or the Holy Spirit); that he was going to fight against the
United States government in an armed rebellion and take over the
governments of the world before the Messiah returns. Of course, such ideas
are gross false doctrine, and the proof of his evil fruits (and deeds) led
to the deaths of 80 people and the destruction of his compound.
Interestingly, the Assemblies of Yahweh organization
here at Bethel had received some communication from the previous
administrators of Mount Carmel. However, we could not agree with them (nor
cooperate), for a number of different reasons. One of the false doctrines
they espoused at that time was that the spirit of Almighty Yahweh is a "feminine"
spirit. The apparent reason for this doctrine being promulgated was that
the wife of their leader had decided she would become the prophetess, like
the founder of the Seventh Day Adventist religion; and therefore, she had
to justify her position.)
As we recall individuals who came into the Assemblies
and later departed, another incident stands out in our mind. One family
once decided they needed to be the watchmen over the author. Never
understanding that the author is himself the watchman to the Assemblies of
Yahweh and modern-day Israel, in a short time, they demanded of the author
that he begin teaching that the world was already one year into the great
Tribulation! This incident occurred in 1981! Where do you think the
Assemblies of Yahweh would be today if the author had accepted such
reprehensible false doctrine? Undoubtedly only a handful of people would
have remained. Boldly the author has had to stand against false teachings
on a number of occasions over the past 31 years.
Periodically, as we indicated above, various
individuals or groups who harbor false doctrines arise, using the Sacred
Name, and through guilt by association, people imagine that all Sacred
Name believers comprise one association. Such was the case recently when
an individual went off the track doctrinally and cast aspersions upon the
TRUE WORSHIP. Teaching polygamy, that Satan is a female, and other
fallacious ideas, he made several national media expose programs. Once
again, the Assemblies of Yahweh organization suffered through no fault of
our own. Therein lies one of the reasons for this article, and our
endeavor to set the record straight!
Such incidents are prophesied in the Scriptures to
occur in the last days. Turn to Jacob (James) chapter 3 where people are
warned against seeking to be preachers or teachers inasmuch as the
leadership will receive the heavier judgment. .
Peter describes the appearance of false prophets and
false teachers at the end of the age in the second chapter of his second
epistle. "But there arose false prophets also among the
people, as among you there shall be false teachers, who shall privately
bring in destructive heresies, DENYING EVEN THE MASTER THAT BOUGHT THEM,
bringing upon themselves swift destruction. And MANY shall follow their
LASCIVIOUS doings; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be EVIL SPOKEN
OF. And in covetousness they shall with feigned words make merchandise of
you: whose sentence now from of old lingers not, and their destruction
slumbers not." (2 Peter 2:1-3)
The Assemblies of Yahweh has been founded upon the
concept of giving. We offer free subscriptions to The Sacred Name
Broadcaster magazine. We offer all our reprint literature of doctrinal
teaching free of charge. We make available the truth of Yahweh without
cost or obligation, just as Yahshua the Messiah instructed His disciples
in Matthew 10:8 to freely give as we have freely received from Yahweh the
gift of eternal life. See John 3:16.
How could any true representative of the Messiah
stand for false doctrine such as polygamy or avarice? How could it be that
any one would follow such false doctrines taught by charlatans and
pseudo-ministers, when Yahweh's truth is freely avail-able in the
Assemblies of Yahweh? The sincere regret in the heart of the author is
that so few people wish to remain stable and steadfast in the faith, while
so many allow themselves to be deceived.
Peter, the Apostle, and Judah, the Messiah's own
brother, in their warnings to the assembly regarding the end of the age,
make absolutely plain that Yahweh is in control. When He sends His only
begotten Son back to this earth to reign over this entire earth and to
judge the world in righteousness, then the true faith will be upheld.
Judgment will befall those who have forsaken the right way. Justice will
eventually prevail!
"And he says to me, Seal not up the
words of the prophecy of this book; for the time is at hand. He that is
unrighteous, let him do unrighteousness still: and he that is filthy, let
him be made filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him do
righteousness still: and he that is holy, let him be made holy still.
Behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to render to each man
according as his work is. I am the Aleph and the Tau, the first and the
last, the beginning and the end. Blessed are they that do his
commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter
in by the gates into the city. Outside are the dogs, and the sorcerers,
and the fornicators, and the murderers, and the idolaters, and everyone
that loves and makes a lie." (Revelation 22:10-15)
The writer of Hebrews candidly explains that when
Yahshua returns and judges this evil, Babylonish world, it will be a
fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living Elohim. "For
if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth,
there remains no more a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful
expectation of judgment, and a fierceness of fire which shall devour the
adversaries. A man that has violated Moses' law dies with-out compassion
on the word of two or three witnesses: of how much more severe punishment,
think you, shall he be judged worthy, who has trodden underfoot the Son of
Yahweh, and has counted the blood of the covenant with which he was
sanctified an unholy thing, and has done despite to the Spirit of grace,
For we know him that said, Vengeance belongs to me, I will repay. And
again, Yahweh shall judge his people. It is a fearful thing to fall into
the hands of the living Elohim. "But call to remembrance the former
days, in which, after you were enlightened, you endured a great conflict
of sufferings; partly, being made a gazing stock both by reproaches and
afflictions; and partly, becoming par- takers with them that were so used.
For you both had compassion on them that were in bonds, and took joyfully
the spoiling of your possessions, knowing that you have for yourselves a
better possession and an enduring one. Cast not away therefore your
boldness, which has great recompense of reward. For you have need of
patience, that, having done the will of Yahweh, you may receive the
promise.
"For yet a very little while, he
that comes shall come, and shall not delay. But my righteous one shall
live by faith: and if he shrink back, my soul has no pleasure in him. But
we are not of them that shrink back to perdition; but to them that have
faith to the saving of the soul." (Hebrews 10:26-39)
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