God's name is surprisingly despised by many Christians preachers.

What is God's name? Is it God, GOD, LORD, Creator, etc? If you are one of the many who claim to be Christians, then we must be talking about the God of Israel. The God written about in the Old Testament or Tanakh to the Jews.

Does he have a name?

Yes.

taken from the website on top corner of the image.

According to this website. God's name is Jehovah. However, there is much dispute about this claim by opponents of Jehovah's Witness adherents. And rightly so, because the letter J with its corresponding phonetic sound does not appear in the modern and even in ancient Hebrew characters. Hence, it is most likely that God's name is not [J]ehovah.

The point here, is that God indeed has a name.






So if it isn't Jehovah, then what is it?

YHVH, so it says on this website. Others even contend IHVH, YHWH, IHWH, or even IEUE as being the correct transliteration. Nevertheless, their claim of the name being ineffable, meaning, cannot be spoken or pronounced, appears to be correct. Nobody seems to be able to say this name correctly.






There are even ones who are quite militant who spread that this name is of an pagan god Yaw, it shouldn't be used at all, according to them, the right name is Lord or Adonai.

I am not going into a full discussion on how wrong these people are right now. Am citing the website as proof that there indeed are people who believe that God shouldn't and that he doesn't have a name, i will be using this later on.

We are aware that there are shorter variations of this name i.e. Yehu, a one time King of Israel who annihilated Ahab's wife Jezebel, among others.

So how is Jehu/Yehu formed if the Yeh/Yah isn't YHVH/JHVH? Should it not have read Adonihu or Lordhu instead?

Another even shorter variation of YHVH is this one:

Now why are we certain that those opposing the existence of this name are wrong?

First and foremost, they admit that the Messiah's name is Jesus.

Now, how did this English name for the Saviour came about when Jesus is not a Hebrew name?

This website states that Jesus, Joshua, and Yeshua are basically the same name. Notice the meaning of this name:

So as you can see, the name which is accepted as the name of Christ by opponents of the Divine Name are clearly wrong. Otherwise the name of Christ would have read LORDsus and not Jesus.

This is nothing new, because even in the first few chapters of Genesis, there appears to be One who omitted God's name.

The contempt for this name is not new.

Remember that the Name was given to the Son:

Hence, i have noticed in the prayers during worship service of the Iglesia Ni Cristo [Church of Christ], there is always praise and worship rendered to the Most Holy Name of God the Father, also to the Son, for he carries the Name. The Name given him by God himself.

Yeshua/Joshua/Jesus means YHVH saves.

Exodus 3:14 'I AM WHO I AM' vs 'I WILL BE WHAT I WILL BE'

Most english bibles translate Exodus 3:14 in this manner:

This verse conveniently coincides with the I am in the New Testament from Jesus' speech. See John chapter 8 verse 58. Thereby implying that he is the same I AM in Exodus 3:14, which to their mind proves that Jesus is the God who was speaking to Moses in the second book of the Tanakh.

However, information is now free, especially on the internet. Did God really say I AM in Exodus 3:14? Before we answer this questions, lets take a look at a much maligned alternative rendition of the same verse by a sect which almost every mainstream brand of Christianity despises - the Jehova's Witness. I am not promoting this sect for I do not subscribe to their teachings. Let's see their rendition below.

Interesting indeed. It is quite different from most renditions of English bibles. Trinitarians loathe this version as it takes away one of their proofs that Jesus is indeed God. Most people know that this sect does not agree with a trinitarian view of Christianity. If you look at it from an interlinear translation of the bible from Hebrew to English, you will notice that Jehovah's Witness rendition of Exodus 3:14 is in fact closer to the truth.

What's missing here is the word 'Choose' which appears to be added in the Jehovah's Witness bible. The opponents of this rendition will argue that this does not make sense. What doesn't make sense is the fact that Ehyah which translates to I WILL BE can also be found in Exodus 3:12

Notice how the King James bible renders it just as it is in Exodus 3:12 - I WILL BE and not I AM. So why the change from I will be to I am in verse 14?

To put an end to this argument. Let's take a look at the rendition of the verse in dispute from a Jewish perspective. After all, the first five books of the Old Testament also known as the Torah was handed to them.

So there you are. It isn't I AM at all, but Do you still wish to believe the Lie?

  

Sinkholes everywhere, is the earth literally going to implode?

John Calvin's Errors

I have been reading about religious history lately, then I came upon a chapter dealing with John Calvin and Martin Luther, pioneers of the Protestant movement. I particularly dislike the fact that these two were also involved in murder as was the Roman Church. Going back to John Calvin, it was rather sad to have known that he was responsible for the death of a doctor who disagreed with him in theological issues, his name was Servetus. Calvin and Servetus had a heated argument regarding the nature of Christ, this led to Servetus death by being burnt at the stake at Calvin's instigation.

But that is not what I'm on about. I'm more concerned about the Five Points of Calvinism, let me just talk about the first of the Five Points of Calvin which is:

Total Depravity (also known as Total Inability and Original Sin)

Is it really true that man is totally depraved? Let's go and examine what God says:

Eze 18:4 For every living soul belongs to me, the father as well as the son—both alike belong to me. The soul who sins is the one who will die.[NIV]

Eze 18:5 "Suppose there is a righteous man who does what is just and right.
Eze 18:9 He follows my decrees and faithfully keeps my laws. That man is righteous; he will surely live, declares the Sovereign Lord.[NIV]

Clear enough. First, Enoch did not die:

Gen 5:24 Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away.[NIV]

Then Elijah also did not experience death:

2Ki 2:11 As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind. [NIV]

What then does it say of these two people after having read what was written in Ezekiel 18:4,5-9? How have them managed to evade death?

Another point to consider is that which is written in Ecclesiastes:

Ecc 7:29 Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.[KJV]

Calvin does not believe in Free Will. But is this scriptural? Did God not really give man the free will to choose to obey or otherwise?

Isa 1:19 If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:[KJV]

Amo 3:3 Can two walk together, except they be agreed?[KJV]

Thus, as we can see, Calvin's doctrine of total depravity is out of touch with the Scriptures.

Why did Yehoshua/Jesus have to die?

Why did Jesus/Yehoshua die when in fact he didn't sin at all? For many, Jesus being their god, it would have been easier if he'd done away with the crucifixion, and just pardoned the whole world's sin and save us all, wouldn't it? But the simple answer is that Jesus is not Truly God, he had to submit to the Will of his Father, this is the True God.

Jhn 17:1

These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; ...

Jhn 17:3

And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.[KJV]

Anyways, going back to the question why it was necessary for Yehoshua/Jesus to die for sins he did not commit. 
What was the reason why He had to die?

Eze 18:20

The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.[KJV]

Num 14:18  'The LORD is slow to anger, abounding in love and forgiving sin and rebellion. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation.[NIV]




It is clear what YHWH said. 'The soul that sin, it shall die'. He will not leave the guilty, unpunished. So how is Jesus supposed to pay for the sins he did not commit?

Eph 5:31

For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.

Eph 5:32

This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.[KJV]

Jesus is the head of his body, the Church. One head, one body - one Flesh/Man.

Eph 5:23

For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.[KJV]

It did not say there 'he[Jesus] is the saviour of the World, but the body, which is the Church'. Is it ever possible for a man/woman to be born and live without a body or a head? Now going back to Punishment, Jesus was united to his body, the Church, which is a sinner, thus he had to be Punished for his body's sin. But all along Jesus' life on earth, he obeyed his Father, thus fulfilling the scriptures.

Eze 18:21

"But if a wicked man turns away from all the sins he has committed and keeps all my decrees and does what is just and right, he will surely live; he will not die.

What? Jesus a wicked man? Hang on a minute. That doesn't sound right! Ofcourse not, Jesus himself didn't sin at all, but his body did, thus by uniting with sinners, he was made sin.

2Cr 5:21

For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.[NKJV]

Was it Jesus' will to come and be united to his body, the church?

Jhn 6:38

For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me[KJV]

Isa 53:10

Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put [him] to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see [his] seed, he shall prolong [his] days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. [KJV]

This was done so that the Law spoken by God in Numbers 14:18 is fulfilled. Thus, the Guilty is punished. But by Jesus, who was made sin, obeying his Father[God] - he had fulfilled what's written in Ezekiel 18:21.
Again for purpose of emphasis, it is by his union with the Guilty, his Church, being the head of it, he was made responsible for the body and he had to pay for its sins.

Psa 69:4

Those who hate me without a cause Are more than the hairs of my head; They are mighty who would destroy me, Being my enemies wrongfully; Though I have stolen nothing, I still must restore it.[NKJV]

Now that the sin of his body is paid in full, what then is Jesus' invitation to all people -whoever and whatever race, nationality, sex they may be?

Jhn 10:7

Then Jesus said to them again, "Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep

Jhn 10:9

"I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.[NKJV]

Yes we have to Enter the Door and be counted among his Sheep. Thus, the Church of Christ [Iglesia ni Cristo], through the Door which is Jesus, is open to all people whoever they may be. 

http://www.iglesianicristo.ws/

Patch Adams: 'You rested on the seventh day. Maybe you should've spent that day on compassion.'

 

It strikes me how most Hollywood movies seem to be bent on blaming the Creator for everything that has happened to man. I was watching this classic film - Patch Adams [1998] on TV the other night, and what the main character said about the Creator just wasn't right.



Patch Adams: 'You rested on the seventh day. Maybe you should've spent that day on compassion.'

Gen 2:3

And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done [NIV]

Yet the Patch Adams has all but forgotten about the other part of the story which says of God's warning, the warning itself was a manifestation of the Creator's caring attitude towards his creation:

Gen 2:17

but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die."[NIV]

It was man's fault then, the word is Disobedience. The government prohibits murder, but man has is free to kill, yet he must pay the consequence of not abiding by the law, and I hear no one complaining why this is so.

But bear in mind that the first who disobeyed was the serpent or nachash/burning one, it was not Man nor the Woman who sinned first.

Gen 3:1

Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, "Did God really say, 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden'?"[NIV]

Before the law/command was, sin was already in the world:

Eze 28:13

You were in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone adorned you:...

Eze 28:14

You were anointed as a guardian cherub, for so I ordained you. You were on the holy mount of God; you walked among the fiery stones.

Eze 28:15

You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created till wickedness was found in you.

Rom 5:13

for before the law was given, sin was in the world. But sin is not taken into account when there is no law.[NIV].

A murderer he was in the beginning, he did not hold on to the truth:

Jhn 8:44

You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.[NIV]

Indeed the murderer/devil was not taken into account before the law. Which law?

Gen 2:17

but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die."[NIV]

And God's words are truth according to his Son:

  Jhn 17:17     Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. [NIV]

However, the murderer did not hold on to the truth, instead he lied:

Gen 3:4

"You will not surely die," the serpent said to the woman.[NIV]

By this lie, Man died, thus, he, the devil, was indeed a murderer in the beginning, for God says the Truth, and what he says will happen,

Gen 3:19

By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return."[NIV]

If it didn't, then what would that put out God to be? A Liar?

Hbr 6:18

God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged.

But they say, 'why did God create the forbidden tree in the first place? If it wasn't there none of it would have happened' But how can you have Free Will if you cannot choose?

 Isa 1:19  If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land; [NIV]


None of them obeyed. Thus, what Patch Adams was saying about compassion on the 7th day, was compassion for the real sinner -

Jhn 8:44

You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.[NIV]

Notice how God passed judgement on the First Sinner:

Gen 3:14

So the Lord God said to the serpent, "Because you have done this, "Cursed are you above all the livestock and all the wild animals! You will crawl on your belly and you will eat dust all the days of your life.[NIV]

Compassion on a Murderer who premeditated on his crime? Nonsense. The Murderer shall die.

Num 35:17

Or if anyone has a stone in his hand that could kill, and he strikes someone so that he dies, he is a murderer; the murderer shall be put to death.[NIV]

Gen 3:15

And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel."

  Rev 20:14   Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death.

Rev 20:10

And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever