COMBINATION OF THE SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY AND THE RARE FRUIT TREES AND VEGETABLES.   With the Scripture of the Day first.
[1]       SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY [VOL. 679A]
 
He [Jesus] will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken it.   Isaiah 25:8   (Authorized King James Bible; AV)
 
Yes, Jehovah could rescue Paul.  Directly after mentioning “the covering or shroud, at Isaiah 25:7,  Isaiah showed at Isaiah 25:8 that Jehovah had made provisions for saving of all of repent mankind.  Like a father who removes the cause of his children’s suffering and dries their eyes, Jehovah takes great joy in bringing Adamic death to nothing! In this he has a collaborator.   First Corinthians 15:22 reads: “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.”  [AV]    Similarly, after Paul asked “Who will rescue me?” he continued: “I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin. (Rom. 7:25,  [AV])   Plainly, the love that moved Jehovah to create mankind did not grow cold with the rebellion of Adam and Eve. And the one who shared with Jehovah in the work of bringing the first couple into existence did not lose his special fondness for their offspring. (Prov. 8:30, 31) . 
 
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT RELIGION AND THE BIBLE, GO TO, 
 
1) http://iris89.conforums.com/ 
 
2) http://www.network54.com/Forum/403209/ 
 
3) http://religioustruths.lefora.com/ 
 
4) http://religioustruths.boardhost.com/ 
 
5) http://religioustruths.forumsland.com/ 
 
6) http://religioustruthsbyiris.createmybb3.com/ 
 
7) http://religioustruths.forumotion.com/ 
 
To enjoy an online Bible study called “Follow the Christ” go to,http://www.network54.com/Forum/403209/thread/1417398076/last-1417398076/Digital+Book+On+18+Part+Follow+Christ+Bible+Study 
 
Your Friend in Christ Iris89 
 
Francis David said it long ago, "Neither the sword of popes...nor the image of death will halt the march of truth. "Francis David, 1579, written on the wall of his prison cell." Read the book, "What Does The Bible Really Teach" and the Bible today, and go to WWW.JW.ORG!
 
[2]       Here is a Commentary on Bountiful Trees and Vegetables God (YHWH) has provided for mankind, specifically the guavaberry, Myrciaria floribunda Berg. (syns. M. protracta Berg.; Eugenia floribunda West ex Willd.), is also called the rumberry, mirto or murta in Puerto Rico; guaveberry in St. Martin and St. Eustatius; guayabillo in Guatemala; coco-carette, merisier-cerise, or bois de basse batard in Guadeloupe and Martinique; cabo de chivo in El Salvador; escobillo in Nicaragua; mije or mije colorado in Cuba; mijo in the Dominican Republic; bois mulatre in Haiti; roode bosch guave, saitjaberan, or kakrioe hariraroe tataroe in Surinam. In Venezuela the names guayabito and guayabillo blanco are applied to the related species, M. caurensis Steyerm, as well as to some other plants.
 
Description
This is an attractive shrub or slender tree reaching 33 or even 50 ft (10-15 m) in height, with reddish-brown branchlets, downy when young, and flaking bark. The evergreen, opposite leaves are ovate, elliptical, or oblong-lanceolate, pointed at the apex; 1 to 3 3/16 in (2.5-8 cm) long, 1/3 to 1 3/16 in (0.8-3 cm) wide; glossy, slightly leathery, minutely dotted with oil glands. The flowers, borne in small axillary or lateral clusters, are white, silky-hairy with about 75 prominent white stamens. The fruit is round or oblate, 5/16 to 5/8 in (8-16 mm) in diameter; dark-red (nearly black) or yellow-orange; highly aromatic and of bittersweet, balsam-like flavor; with one globular seed. In Surinam, according to Pulle, there are sometimes deformed fruits, rounded, flattened, leathery, dehiscent, and to 3/4 in (2 cm) across.
 
Origin and Distribution
The rumberry occurs wild over a broad territory–Cuba, Hispaniola, Jamaica, Puerto Rico (including Vieques), the Virgin Islands, St. Martin, St. Eustatius, St. Kitts, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Trinidad, southern Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador to northern Colombia; also Guyana, Surinam and French Guiana, and eastern Brazil. It has been occasionally cultivated in Bermuda, rarely elsewhere, but, throughout its natural range, when land is cleared for pastures, the tree is left standing for the sake of its fruits. The plant was introduced into the Philippines in the early 1900's and has been included in propagation experiments in Hawaii. There is a healthy fruiting specimen at Fairchild Tropical Garden, Miami.
 
Climate and Soil
In Puerto Rico, the rumberry grows naturally in dry and moist coastal forests from sea-level to an elevation of 700 ft (220 m). In Vieques and the Virgin Islands, it abounds in dry forests up to 1,000 ft (300 m). In South Florida it is growing well, but as a small tree, on oolitic limestone.
 
Food Uses
In Cuba, the fruits are relished out-of-hand and are made into jam, and the fermented juice is rated as "una bebida exquisita" (an exquisite beverage). People on the island of St. John use the preserved fruits in tarts. The local "guavaberry liqueur" is made from the fruits "with pure grain alcohol, rum, raw sugar and spices" and it is a special treat at Christmastime. In the past, a strong wine and a heavy liqueur were exported from St. Thomas to Denmark in "large quantities".
 
Other Uses
In Camaguey, Cuba, the rumberry is included among the nectar sources visited by honeybees.
 
(source - retrieved from   http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/rumberry_ars.html  on  1/12/2013)
In Genesis 1:11-13, "And God said, Let the earth put forth grass, herbs yielding seed, and fruit-trees bearing fruit after their kind, wherein is the seed thereof, upon the earth: and it was so. 12 And the earth brought forth grass, herbs yielding seed after their kind, and trees bearing fruit, wherein is the seed thereof, after their kind: and God saw that it was good. 13 And there was evening and there was morning, a third day. (American Standard Version, ASV)[for more details, go to  www.jw.org].
 
Another (source - retrieved from     on  //2013) says, “The guavaberry or rumberry (Myrciaria floribunda or Eugenia Floribunda) is a fruit tree which grows in the Caribbean. The guavaberry, which should not be confused with the guava, is a close relative of Camu Camu.
Guavaberry trees or shrubs grow in a variety of shapes and sizes up to 60 feet high. They have red-brown branches and small pink and white flowers. The fruit, which are roughly half the size of cherries, are yellow-orange or dark-red with tanginess of a guava containing a small amount of translucent flesh surrounding a stone. Taste of the fruit has recognizable fair sweetness.
 
Guavaberry trees can be found growing wild in Central America, South America, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, and on many islands in the Lesser Antilles. The guavaberry has also been introduced to Florida, Hawaii, Bermuda, and the Philippines.
 
Guavaberry Emporium, Sint Maarten
Guavaberry is used to make jams and drinks. Guavaberry liqueur, which is made from rum, is a common Christmas drink on many of the islands, particularly in Sint Maarten and the Virgin Islands. The colonists from Denmark and Holland found it could flavor rum by infusion similar to infused schnapps. In the Dominican Republic it is associated with the eastern town of San Pedro de Macoris which has a large population of Eastern Caribbean descent. Guavaberry is also used for medicinal purposes.  (source - retrieved from   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guavaberry  on  //2013)
 
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BIBLE AND RELIGION – BOTH TRUE AND FALSE – AT   WWW.JW.ORG  

COMBINATION OF [1]  THE SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY AND [2]    Did the Messiah say the Sacred Name?
 
[1]      SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY [VOL. 681A]
 
For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.   1 Corinthians 15:22    (Authorized King James Bible; AV)
 
Would the children of Adam and Eve be affected by what their parents had done, i.e., breaking the commandment of Jehovah God?   Yes. Romans 5:12 explains: “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:.”  [AV]    The first to die was faithful Abel. (Gen. 4:8)   Then Adam’s other offspring grew old and died.   Did they inherit sin as well as death?   The apostle Paul answers: “For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.” (Rom. 5:19,  [AV])   Sin and death inherited from Adam thus became implacable enemies of mankind, inescapable for imperfect humans. We cannot exactly describe all that was involved in passing on their sad inheritance to Adam’s immediate and more distant offspring, but passed on it was.
 
Fittingly, the Bible refers to inherited sin and death as “And he will destroy in this mountain the face of the covering cast over all people, and the vail that is spread over all nations” (Isa. 25:7,  [AV])   This suffocating covering, or shroud, this intricate webwork of condemnation, entraps all people.  The question that naturally follows is, as expressed by Paul: “O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?*  (Rom. 7:24,  [AV] ).
  
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT RELIGION AND THE BIBLE, GO TO, 
 
1) http://iris89.conforums.com/ 
 
2) http://www.network54.com/Forum/403209/ 
 
3) http://religioustruths.lefora.com/ 
 
4) http://religioustruths.boardhost.com/ 
 
5) http://religioustruths.forumsland.com/ 
 
6) http://religioustruthsbyiris.createmybb3.com/ 
 
7) http://religioustruths.forumotion.com/ 
 
To enjoy an online Bible study called “Follow the Christ” go to,http://www.network54.com/Forum/403209/thread/1417398076/last-1417398076/Digital+Book+On+18+Part+Follow+Christ+Bible+Study 
 
Your Friend in Christ Iris89 
 
Francis David said it long ago, "Neither the sword of popes...nor the image of death will halt the march of truth. "Francis David, 1579, written on the wall of his prison cell." Read the book, "What Does The Bible Really Teach" and the Bible today, and go to WWW.JW.ORG!
 
[2]       Did the Messiah say the Sacred Name?
 
There are some who believe that the Messiah only referred to Yahweh as "The Father" or believe that Yahushua also believed in the doctrine that states Yahweh's name is too holy to pronounce.
 
Let us first examine the meaning of the word "name" in scripture. It comes from the Hebrew word "Shem". Here is a definition of this word in the Strong's Lexicon:
Strong's # 8034 Shem; a primitive word [perhaps rather from 7760 through the idea of definite and conspicuous position; compare 8064]; an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character: - + base, [in-] fame[-ous], name[-d], renown, report.
 
As we can see from the above definition, Yahweh's name is not only represents His "character" but the Name Yahweh is also "His mark". Therefore the word "Shem"/Name refers to His literal written or spoken name as well as His character. If it did not refer to His literal written and spoken name then one could say that Yahweh does not have a written name at all. But we know that is not true:
Isai 42:8 (av) I am Yahweh: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.
According to the above definition, His Name is also is His "memorial of individuality". This definition goes hand in hand with scripture:
Exodus 3:15-AV And Elohim said moreover to Moses, Thus shalt thou say to the children of Israel, Yahweh Elohim of your fathers, the Elohim of Abraham, the Elohim of Isaac, and the Elohim of Jacob, hath sent me to you: this [is] my name for ever, and this [is] my memorial to all generations.
Man has set up may memorials for himself such as "The Wall" in Washington DC. If one were to go and desecrate that memorial and replace it with a bunch of different names, this person could expect to receive a great punishment for his crime. Now if we wouldn't desecrate one of man's memorials, then why would anyone want to desecrate Yahweh's Memorial - His Name? Do we have the right to change His name to a title of our own liking? Surely our Messiah would not do this, especially when reading the scriptures in the Synagogue:
Luke 4:17 (NKJV) And He was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written: 18 "The Spirit of Yahweh [is] upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to [the] poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to [the] captives And recovery of sight to [the] blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed; 19 To proclaim the acceptable year of Yahweh." 20 Then He closed the book, and gave [it] back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him. 21 And He began to say to them, "Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing."
Let's examine some of the things the Messiah said concerning His Father's name:
John 5:43 (av) I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.
Again, we must recognize the dual meaning of the word "Name" here. Not only did He come by His Father's authority, but He also came in His Father's literal written and spoken name. This is proven when we understand the Messiah's name as "Yah-shua" or "Yahweh (is) Salvation".
Peter (in Acts 3) confirmed that the following scripture was speaking of Yahushua:
Deut 18:18 (av) I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.19 And it shall come to pass, [that] whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require [it] of him.
This is a direct statement saying that Yahushua did 'speak' in His Father's name. Surely then He did not hide it, substitute it, or change it. He spoke in it. Also it was written of our Saviour:
Psal 118:26 (av) Blessed [be] he that cometh in the name of Yahweh..
So here we have 3 witnesses that Yahushua did come in His Father's name and speak in His Father's name. Nevertheless, lets examine more evidence. In Yahushua's prayer in John 17 He says:
John 17:5 (av) And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was. 6 I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word.7 Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee.
And again:
John 17:26 (av) And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare [it]: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.
This was a fulfillment of scripture in the great Psalm 22:
Psal 22:22 (av) I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee.
Scripture does not lie. If it says that Yahushua declared His name, He had to have done so. He not only declared His Father's literal and spoken name, but also His true character to the people. However, it is evident that not all had "ears to hear" concerning His Father's true character. Not unlike today, they had much baggage (traditions) left over from their Fathers. Yahushua clearly condemned the traditions that were not in line with Yahweh's word. As He had said:
Mark 7:9 (av) And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of Elohim, that ye may keep your own tradition.
One of the traditions was that Yahweh's name was too holy to pronounce.
The question might be asked "Why did Yahushua refer to Yahweh as "Father"? I believe that there are many scriptures that indicate the Messiah was also called "Yahweh" in the old testament. For instance:
Isai 44:6 (av) Thus saith Yahweh the King of Israel, and His redeemer Yahweh of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no El'.
Because of this, I believe it is possible that one reason Yahushua called Him "Father" was to distinguish Him from Himself. Perhaps I cannot directly prove this. Nevertheless, besides the fact that Yahweh was His Father and this is what He wanted all to know, this is one other possible reason Yahushua often called Him "Father". It is not a wrong thing to call Yahweh by a title that fitly describes Him. The problem lies in replacing, changing and failing to praise, exalt, bless, love, teach, preach, anoint, assemble, believe, give thanks, honor and call on His name as scripture teaches us.
Now let's examine the trial in which Yahushua was sentenced to death.
Matt 26:64 (av) Yahushua saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. 65 Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy. 66 What think ye? They answered and said, He is guilty of death.
In light of these verses, it is fascinating to study the historical context of what was going on. Based on the above scripture, it is evident that the official charge against the Messiah was "blasphemy". The word "Power" in verse 64 was a popular 'euphenism' or substitution for the divine name Yahweh. Now according to the Mishna:
"He who blasphemes is liable only when he will have fully pronounced the Divine Name. Said R. Joshua ben Qorha, "on every day (of the trial) they examine the wtnesses with a substituted name. When sentence was to be given they did not decalre him guilty of death with the substituted name, but they put everyone out and ask the most important of the witnesses, saying to him, "Say, what exactly did you hear?" And he says what he heard. And the judges stand on their feet and tear their clothing, and they may not mend them again.(m.San. 7:5)"
Therefore, it is evident that historically no man could be sentenced for blasphemy unless he had actually spoken the Divine Name. This is furthur proven when we see that the High Priest "rent his clothes" upon hearing the name since Yahushua was his own witness (as he said "what further need have we of witnesses?").
Finally, there is strong evidence that Yahushua spoke the name aloud in Mt. 4:7; 4:10; 5:33; 21:42; 22:37 & 22:44. The Hebrew version DuTillet has 3 yods in the place of the name "Yahweh" and the Shem Tob has a "Heh" in those places. These all indicate He spoke the name since there is no Hebrew word with a single Heh or 3 consecutive Yod's. This is one of the multitude of attempts to falsify His name by those who believed in the ineffable name doctrine. The ineffable name doctrine states that Yahweh's name is too holy to pronounce. Clement of Alexandria did not hold to this doctrine, but others did like Jerome:
"For no one can utter the name of the ineffable deity; and if any one dare to say that there is a name, he raves with a hopeless madness. (I Apol.,61)"
"But to the father of all, who is unbegotten, there is no name given. For by whatever name he be called, he has as his elder the person who gives him the name. But these words, Father, and Deity, and Creator, and Lord, and Master, are not names but appelations derived from good deeds and functions. (II Apol., 6)"
With this in mind, it is no wonder that the manuscripts we have today do not contain the name. We know that the 'church fathers' quickly apostated from the true Sabbath. It shouldn't be difficult to believe that they also quickly dropped the use of the true name of our Creator. It is very evident that the "ineffable name" doctrine is totally unscriptural. It flies in the face of scriptures like:
Exod 9:16 (av) And in very deed for this [cause] have I raised thee up, for to shew [in] thee my power; and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth.
Isai 52:6a "My people shall know my name.."
Psalms 116:4-AV Then I called upon the name of Yahweh; O Yahweh, I beseech thee, deliver my soul.
Psalms 116:13-AV I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of Yahweh.
Psalms 116:17-AV I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of Yahweh.
Isaiah 12:4-AV And in that day shall ye say, Praise Yahweh, call upon his name, declare his doings among the people, make mention that his name is exalted.
I think it is better to trust in what the scriptures say concerning His name rather than trusting in the reasoning that "since the greek manuscripts which we have today (which are not original) do not contain the name, it must not be important." The scriptures already have declared the importance of His name. I will close with one final scripture:
Psalms 105:1-AV O give thanks to Yahweh; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people.
I believe this last scripture is one of many commandments to call on His name. Why not do so?
[www.eliyah.com/saidname.html]
 
In addition, I found the following:
 
The Hebrew word YHWH comes from the Hebrew verb 'to be'. Since Hebrew has no vowels and most of our English sounds and words include vowels, the name has been modified to Jehovah so that we can say it. The Name of God was considered by the ancient Jews to be too sacred to speak, so no one really knows the exact pronunciation of YHWH. The most often pronunciation is "Yahweh" which is close to a simple pronunciation of the letters YHWH.
First, the name Jehovah (YHWH) tells us what God is in Himself-'I AM THAT I AM' or 'I WILL BE WHAT I WILL BE' [www.wbpc.org/knowledge_of...d-yhwh.htm]
 
Also, go to the following link to see signs with the name of God (YHWH) incorporated within them:
www.zionfire.com/page36.html
 
This Index to The Titles of Deity has been compiled to assist the reader to further his studies in the doctrine of God-manifestation. It will be found useful, not only in connection with the present work, but also in the study of Eureka, an exposition of the Apocalypse, by the author of Phanerosis. Eureka is a work which none of "the servants of God" should be without (see Rev. 1:3). Therein Dr. Thomas deals extensively with the subject of Deity in manifestation.
The Authorised Version has indiscriminately rendered many of the titles of Deity by the words "Lord" or "God." These words do not express the ideas conveyed in the name Yahweh, or the titles Eloah, Elohim, El, and so forth. By the use of this Index the student will be able to trace the places in his Bible where the different titles occur, and will thus be able to follow the reasoning of Dr. Thomas and other writers upon this subject more easily.
Much of the information contained in the following pages has previously appeared from time to time in Logos. It has been culled from various sources, mainly the writings of Dr. Thomas, and from lexicons and concordances. It is issued without any pretensions to scholarship on the part of the compiler, who claims no real knowledge of the original languages.
 
Dr. Thomas has transliterated this word as Ail, thus spelling it as it should be pronounced. He writes: "As often as this word Ail passed before the mind of the Hebrew, the idea of POWER, MIGHT, and STRENGTH, would stand out in bold relief." "It always," says Gesenius, "presented to the Hebrews the idea of strength and power." In Eureka, Vol. 1, p.95, Dr. Thomas writes: "Every member of the heavenly host is an Eloah (mighty one), but of all the Elohim (mighty ones) ONE ONLY is the original and self-existent AIL the absolute, omnipotent, and independent power of the universe. Speaking of Himself in His address to the ends of the earth He says: 'Look unto me, for I am AIL, and none else' (Isa. 45:22); and to Israel he saith: 'Ye are my witnesses, and my servant whom I have chosen, that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I, Yahweh, am He; before me AlL or POWER, has not been formed nor after me shall be" (Isa. 43: 10).
Jesus declared: "I can of mine own self do nothing" (John 5:30). This is true also of the heavenly host. However, with the aid of Ail, (which Power they manifest) "nothing is impossible" (Luke 1:37). El or Ail, therefore, refers to that mighty Power whose work is exhibited in all creation, and whose energy is the basis of all matter for "out of Him were all things made." "Lord," declared the Psalmist, "thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting thou art God (El)" -- Ps. 90:1-2.
According to Young's Index-Lexicon to the Old Testament, El has been translated "God" 212 times; "god" 15 times, "power" three times, "goodly" four times, "mighty" four times, and "idol," "might," "mighty one," "great," "mighty," "strong" once each.
 
"Another word applied to POWER INCREATE and improperly rendered 'God' is Eloah" (Dr. Thomas). The word is derived from the root El (Power). "POWER, then, is the radical idea of Eloah as well as of El. It is of the singular number and masculine gender" (Dr. Thomas).
Eloah thus signifies a Powerful or Mighty One. In regard to the doctrine of God manifestation, it signifies one who is made strong by Divine power (El). God is Himself Eloah, or a Mighty One, and so are the angels who manifest His power. This idea is expressed in the words recorded by Isaiah: "Exists there an Eloah without Me. Yea, there is no rock (metaphor for power), I know not any" (Isa. 44:8). David declared: "Who is Eloah
"save" halhaday,-- "without" or "apart from" -- see Strong's Concordance). David's question can be answered safely in the negative. There is no true strength apart from Yahweh. Man might claim to be Eloah, but his strength is but weakness compared with that of Yahweh, who, as Job remarked, can readily "gather unto Himself His spirit and breath, and all flesh would perish together."
Paul taught that believers are "in hope of the glory of God" (Rom. 5:2), and Peter that "divine nature" will be bestowed upon those who attain unto the "great and precious promises" (2 Pet. 1:4). Each saint attaining unto that position will be an Eloah, or a Mighty One; whilst combined they will constitute Elohim, or Mighty Ones. These titles will be applied to them because they will manifest El or the Divine power. Thus Isaiah represents the nations making supplication unto Cyrus (who was a type of Christ) saying: "Surely God (El - the Divine power) is in thee" (Isa. 45:14).
It is generally acknowledged that Yahweh is the correct pronunciation for the memorial name of God proclaimed at the Bush. Philologists and theologians agree that the term Jehovah, frequently used instead of Yahweh, is a spurious form of the word. In Eureka, vol 1, p.100, Dr. Thomas writes:
"Yahweh or Yah, as a noun, and signifying 'He who will be,' is the memorial name the Deity chooses to he known by among His people. It reminds them that HE will be manifested in a multitude, and that, in that great multitude which no man can number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, which shall stand before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands (Rev. 7:9) -- in each and every one of them, 'He will be the all things in all' (Cot. 15:28); or, as it is expressed in Eph. 4:6, 'there is one Deity and Father of all, Who is above all, and through all, and in you all'."
The word occurs some 6,823 times in the Old Testament. It has been translated "Jehovah" in a few instances (Exod. 6:3; Ps. 83: 18; Isa. 12:2; 26:4; see also Gen. 22:14; Exod. 17:15; Judges 6:24), but most often it has been rendered as LORD or GOD. To indicate the presence of the name of Yahweh in the original text, the translators have printed these words in small capitals. For example, in Ezekiel 38:1, the word LORD appears in small capitals, whereas two verses on (v.3) it is printed in the lower case. In the former verse, the word is Yahweh; in the latter it is Adonai. Again, in Ezekiel 37:27 the word God appears printed in the lower case, whereas four verses on, in Ezekiel 38:3, the same word is printed in small capitals. In the former place the word is Elohim; in the latter it is Yahweh.
Yahweh also occurs in a contracted form as "Yah." Usually the condensed form is used for incorporating the Divine name in proper names, such Joshua (Yahshua), but it also appears in the text of Scripture, an example being found in Psalm 68:4: "Extol Him by His name Yah."
In The Christadelphian for 1881, J. W. Thirtle wrote: "The Name is a Hebrew word of four letters, and is spelled -- Yod, he, vav, he .... Some have wondered how the letter J came to be the initial of the word among us (i.e., the word Jehovah), as well as of the shorter form Yah -- in the common version, Jah. The answer is found in the fact that early translators and commentators wrote in Latin -- a language which has no such letter as Y in it, and those scholars selected J to do duty for the letter they wanted."
These Latin translators and commentators transposed the Memorial Name from Y.H.V.H. to J.H.V.H.. Previous to this, however, the Jews, owing to a misconception of the two passages Exod. 20:7 and Lev. 24:16, placed against these four letters the vowel points of the word rendered in our Bible "Lord," but in Hebrew Adonai. J. B. Rotherham in The Emphasised Bible states: "They intentionally wrote alien words not for combination with the sacred consonants, but for the purpose of cautioning the Jewish reader to enunciate a totally different word, vis., some other familiar name of the Most High." When the Jewish reader came to the words Yahweh Elohim, he would read Adonai Elohim, thus following the vowel points annotated to the text. But in some places, such as Ezekiel 38:10, the words used are Adonai Yahweh. Here, to avoid the repetition of Adonai Adonai, the vowel points of the word Elohim were supplied, and the Jewish reader read Adonai Elohim. Combine the vowel sounds of those words with the four letters, J.H.V.H., and the following combination results: JaHoVaiH, or Jehovah.
At one time, the correct pronunciation of the Name was subject to controversy; but today it is generally accepted that Yahweh is the correct form. Unger's Bible Dictionary states: "The Hebrew tetragrammaton (YHWH) traditionally pronounced Jehovah is now known to be correctly vocalised Yahweh. New inscriptional evidence from the second and first millenia B.C. point toward this fact .... and has commended itself in the light of the phonetic development and grammatical evidence of increased knowledge of Northwest Semitic and kindred tongues .... The Name Yahweh has been found to be unique to Israel and has not been verified as the name of any deity outside Israel."
 
[Read the following and you will clearly see they are only one in unity, but two distinct spirit beings] The word Elohim is derived from El (Strength or Power) and Alah meaning to bind together as by an oath. Thus the word suggests plurality in unity, whilst Theoi only denotes plurality. The dominant feature of the Elohim is their unity not their plurality. They are made strong by One, even El. Though many, they act in strict conformity with one another as a unit. The idea is perhaps better comprehended by the common use of the word Ecclesia. The later suggests a multitude called out of "every kindred, tongue and nation" and made "one" by the blood of Christ. That unity will be brought to perfection when each member is clothed upon with Divine nature, and thus made really "one" in Christ and in Yahweh (John 17:21). The use of the word Theoi would destroy the fundamental thought of the unity of the Elohim, and would suggest that they are independent beings deriving their power from various sources.
 
Did Christ use the Divine Name and titles? We are confident that he did. Christ spake in Hebrew (Acts 26:14), and there is strong evidence to suggest that the original gospels were written in that tongue. The fact that Christ spoke in Hebrew is evidenced by the words that are still retained in the text (see Mark 5:41; 7:34, etc.). [ users.aol.com/bible3/phanindc.htm basically from Unger's Bible dictionary]
 
 
Now let's cover another topic that appears to give you a lot of problems, but from some new perspectives:
 
The Jews for Christ Prospective of when he was in heaven before coming to earth:
As Jewish believers in Yeshua, we get many interesting arguments from some of our Jewish people. Many question the Messiah being Lord. Now, we do not say that Yeshua is the Father God, he is the son, who lived over thirty years on earth as a man without sin. We know a man can not live without sin and we acknowledge that the Messiah is also deity.
In our Jewish Holy Scriptures it says that HaShem takes on a human-like form, 'seated up a throne'. Isaiah says, 'My eyes have seen HaShem. He also hears the voice of the L-rd. [" Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts." (Isaiah 6:5 AV) in King James]. We believe in Yeshua there is a single subject, a single 'person', a single 'I'. But that 'person' possesses two 'natures', one human, the other divine. They are both present in Yeshua without mixing. Many people also do not know that ever since the Holy Scriptures were recorded, Jewish people have always believed that the Messiah would be divine. Our book of Daniel in the Holy Jewish scriptures says, "In my vision at night I looked and there was one before me like the Son of Man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into His presence. He was given authority, glory, and sovereign power. All peoples, nations, and men of every tongue worshipped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed." [13 I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. 14 And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed." (Daniel 7:14-15 AV)]. He approached God, was given authority and everyone worshipped him. One like the Son of Man and God allowed him to be worshipped. A kind of worship only given a divine being in the Tanach. In Zechariah the Lord says, "they will look to me whom they have pierced."
Isn't it time you asked the God of Abraham Isaac and Jacob if Yeshua is the Messiah of Israel? [www.torahbytes.org/sechel/godman.htm]
 
As can clearly be seen from the above, Almighty God (YHWH) and Jesus (Jeshua or YHWH saves) were two separate entities in heaven before he came to earth and was born to the Virgin Mary as a flesh and blood male. In the above, Almighty God (YHWH) is pictured as the Ancient of Days [because he always existed, "2 Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God." (Psalms 90:2 AV)], and Jesus (Jeshua or YHWH saves) [a separate entity] approaches hem and was "given authority, glory, and sovereign power" by his clearly showing a superior -subordinate roles between the two. [13 I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. 14 And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed." (Daniel 7:14-15 AV)].
 
"Yosef (Joseph), son of David, do not be afraid to take Miryam home with you as your wife; for what has been conceived in her is from the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit). She will give birth to a son, and you are to name him Yeshua because he will save his people from their sins." Mattityahu (Matthew) 1:20b-21
Our Messiah was named "Yeshua" for the very thing he was sent to do: to "save [Hebrew: yeshu'ah] his people from their sins." "He was pierced for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquity..." Yeshua died for our sins; he takes sin, become sin itself. God reconciles the world to himself in Messiah, not counting men's sins against them. (Isaiah 53:5, 1 Corinthians 15:3, John 1:29, 2 Corinthians 5:21, 2 Corinthians 5:19)
You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Messiah died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Messiah died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him! For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Yeshua HaMashiach, through whom we have now received reconciliation. (Romans 5:6-11, written by a Jewish Pharisee in the first century named Sha'ul)
Yeshua died for us to ransom us for God, to reconcile us to God, thus enabling sinful man to be changed and able to approach Adonai as holy ones, our way to eternal life made clear. Messiah died for our deliverance so that we may die to our sins and live for righteousness once and for all-he did what mere animal sacrifice could picture, but never accomplish. (Hebrews 2:9, Revelation 5:9, Colossians 1:21-22, 2 Timothy 1:10, 1 Timothy 2:3-6; 1 Peter 2:24, Hebrews 9:12-14a) [ www.yeshua.com ]
 
It is clear in the above that two separate beings are being discussed.
 
By Dr. James D. Price
Forward by Guy Cramer
The Jewish community has claimed the name of Jesus in Hebrew is Yeshu the traditional Jewish spelling of Jesus. Why do others spell Jesus as Yeshua with four letters and sometimes spell it as Yehoshua with five letters ?
Before we look at the answer lets look at the origin of the name. The sixth book of the Old Testament is called Joshua.
The title of the book is appropriately named after its central figure, Joshua. His original name is Hoshea, "Salvation" (Num.13:8); but Moses evidently changes it to Yehoshua, "Yahweh (Jehovah) is Salvation" (Num.13:16). He is also called Yeshua, a shortened form of Yehoshua. This is the Hebrew equivalent of the Greek name Iesous (Jesus). (NKJV, Thomas Nelson Inc.,1980, p.190) [www.direct.ca/trinity/yehoshua.html]
 
Please carefully note how Jesus's (Jeshua or YHWH saves) came into being and how God's name was also in the name of Joshua. Also, note all references are old testament.
 
Our Rabbis have taught: Always let the left hand thrust away and the right hand draw near. Not like Elisha who thrust Gehazi away with both his hands (and not like ' Joshua b. Perahiah who thrust one of his disciples away with both his hands).11
Here, the editor's footnote reads:
[(11) MSS. and old editions read Jesus the Nazarene. R. T. Herford sees in Gehazi a hidden reference to Paul. Cf. his Christianity in Talmud and Midrash, pp. 97ff.]
Another interesting passage indicates that the Talmud regarded the changing of the spelling of a name to be a sign of divine disapproval. The following passage discusses the change of a name from Yehoshua to Yoshua. Arachim 32b
And the other?13 - He [Ezra] had prayed for mercy because of the passion for idolatry and he removed it, and his merit then shielded them even as the booth. That is why Scripture reproved Joshua, for in all other passages it is spelt: Jehoshua, but here, Joshua.14
The editor's footnote reads:
[(14) For his failure to implore the Lord to remove the passion for idolatry from the heart of the people. Just as with Abram the enlargement of his name into 'Abraham' was an expression of divine approval, so did this diminution of Jehoshua into Joshua express divine disapproval. The reason for Joshua's failure to implore the Lord to remove the passion for idolatry was his assumption that he possessed the land in its pristine holiness, so that it would in itself help Israel to overcome its idolatrous tendencies.] [ by Dr. Price is Professor of Hebrew and Old Testament at Temple Baptist Seminary in Chattanooga, TN. He holds the following degrees:
B.S. in Electrical Engineering, Purdue University
M.Div. Northwest Baptist Seminary
Ph.D. Dropsie College for Hebrew and Cognate Learning ]
 
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BIBLE AND RELIGION – BOTH TRUE AND FALSE – AT   WWW.JW.ORG
 

COMBINATION OF [1]  THE SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY AND [2]    Discourse on Matthew 12:8, "For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day." – FOLLOW UP TO VOL 682A SHOWING THAT SATURDAY IS THE TRUE BIBLICAL SABBATH.
 
[1]       SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY [VOL. 683A]
 
The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.   1 Corinthians 15:26  (Authorized King James Bible; AV)
 
WHEN they were created, Adam and Eve had no enemies whatsoever. They were perfect humans who lived in a paradise. They enjoyed a close relationship with their Creator as his son and daughter. (Gen. 2:7-9; Luke 3:38)  Their life prospects were indicated in the very commission God gave them. At Genesis 1:26, “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.” [AV]  could be accomplished in a certain amount of time. But to continue to ‘have in subjection every living creature that is moving on the earth,’ Adam and Eve would need to live forever, Adam never having to abdicate his oversight by dying.
 
However, unfortunately Adam did not get the opportunity to carry out this commission as he disobeyed by braking the command given to him at Genesis 2:16 – 17,  “And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:   But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.”  [AV] .  
 
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT RELIGION AND THE BIBLE, GO TO, 
 
1) http://iris89.conforums.com/ 
 
2) http://www.network54.com/Forum/403209/ 
 
3) http://religioustruths.lefora.com/ 
 
4) http://religioustruths.boardhost.com/ 
 
5) http://religioustruths.forumsland.com/ 
 
6) http://religioustruthsbyiris.createmybb3.com/ 
 
7) http://religioustruths.forumotion.com/ 
 
To enjoy an online Bible study called “Follow the Christ” go to,http://www.network54.com/Forum/403209/thread/1417398076/last-1417398076/Digital+Book+On+18+Part+Follow+Christ+Bible+Study 
 
Your Friend in Christ Iris89 
 
Francis David said it long ago, "Neither the sword of popes...nor the image of death will halt the march of truth. "Francis David, 1579, written on the wall of his prison cell." Read the book, "What Does The Bible Really Teach" and the Bible today, and go to WWW.JW.ORG!
 
 
[2]       Discourse on Matthew 12:8, "For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day." (Authorized King James Bible; AV).
 
This is a scripture that the un-steadfast wrestle with which is warned against at 2Peter 3:17, "Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness." (AV).   Basically it breaks down into two distinct phases with respect understanding this scripture.   They are as follows:
 
FIRST, This scripture clearly shows that Jesus (Yeshua) has been made Lord of the Sabbath day which some take to mean that he is the same individual as his Father, Almighty God (YHWH).   But of course this is not so, and the scripture in no way signifies this.   In fact, nowhere did his Father, Almighty God (YHWH) ever claim to be the Lord of the Sabbath.  Let's look at several Old Testament scriptures on this subject and learned scholars comments on them.
 
[1] Genesis 2:3, And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.
 
Now a comment on same by  Robert Jamieson, D.D. from his ". "Commentary Critical and Explanatory
on the Whole Bible."
 
"Genesis 2:2-7,  THE FIRST SABBATH.
2. and he rested on the seventh day--not to repose from exhaustion with labor (see Isaiah 40:28) but ceased from working, an example equivalent to a command that we also should cease from labor of every kind.
 
3. blessed and sanctified the seventh day--a peculiar distinction put upon it above the other six days, and showing it was devoted to sacred purposes. The institution of the Sabbath is as old as creation, giving rise to that weekly division of time which prevailed in the earliest ages. It is a wise and beneficent law, affording that regular interval of rest which the physical nature of man and the animals employed in his service requires, and the neglect of which brings both to premature decay. Moreover, it secures an appointed season for religious worship, and if it was necessary in a state of primeval innocence, how much more so now, when mankind has a strong tendency to forget God and His claims?" [source - Jamieson, Robert, D.D. "Commentary on Genesis 2". "Commentary Critical and Explanatory
on the Whole Bible".  1871].
 
[2] Exodus 16:23 "And he said unto them, This is that which the LORD hath said, To morrow is the rest of the holy sabbath unto the LORD: bake that which ye will bake to day, and seethe that ye will seethe; and that which remaineth over lay up for you to be kept until the morning.
 
Now a comment by John Wesley on Exodus 16:23.
 
"Here is a plain intimation of the observing a seventh day sabbath, not only before the giving of the law upon mount Sinai, but before the bringing of Israel out of Egypt and therefore from the beginning. If the sabbath had now been first instituted, how could Moses have understood what God said to him, Exodus 16:4, concerning a double portion to be gathered on the sixth day, without making any express mention of the sabbath? And how could the people so readily take the hint, Exodus 16:22, even to the surprize of the rulers, before Moses had declared that it was done with regard to the sabbath, if they had not had some knowledge of the sabbath before? The setting apart of one day in seven for holy work, and in order to that for holy rest, was a divine appointment ever since God created man upon the earth." [source - Wesley, John. "Commentary on Mark 2". "John Wesley's Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible". 1765.].
 
[3] Psalms 118:24, "This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it." (AV).
 
Comments by scholar A.R. Fausset from his "Commentary on Psalms 118."
 
"24. This is the day--or period distinguished by God's favor of all others." [source - Fausset, A. R., A.M. "Commentary on Psalms 118". "Commentary Critical and Explanatory
on the Whole Bible". 1871].
 
SECOND, For those who think that Jesus (Yeshua) is the same spirit being as his Father, Almighty God (YHWH) because Matthew 12:8 calls him the Lord of the Sabbath, they willfully forget the fact that after he proved himself when tempted by the Devil in Matthew the 4 th. Chapter that his Father, Almighty God (YHWH) gave him much authority such as being the Judge over all as shown at John 5:22, "For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:" (AV).
 
In addition, his Father, Almighty God (YHWH) made him the ONLY mediator between himself, God (YHWH), and man as clearly stated at 1 Timothy 2:5, "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;" (AV).   This scripture once more showing clearly that they are two distinct spirit beings.  One, Almighty God (YHWH) being superior to the other, Jesus (Yeshua) Christ.   How so?   His Father, Almighty God (YHWH) made him the ONLY mediator between himself, God (YHWH) and mankind clearly showing his Father, Almighty God (YHWH) was the superior as his Father, Almighty God (YHWH) put him into that position.
 
Last, His Father, Almighty God (YHWH) gave him authority over all things except himself as clearly shown by 1 Corinthians 15:27-28, "For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him.   28  And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all." (AV).
 
Bible Scholar Iris the Preacher in a Commentary on "Commentary on why Jesus (Yeshua) can not be God" said.
 
"A scripture just amplifying what is said at 1 Corinthians 15:21-28, "For since by man [came] death, by man [came] also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; then they that are Christ's, at his coming. 24 Then [cometh] the end, when he shall deliver up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have abolished all rule and all authority and power. 25 For he must reign, till he hath put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy that shall be abolished is death. 27 For, He put all things in subjection under his feet. But when he saith, All things are put in subjection, it is evident that he is excepted who did subject all things unto him. 28 And when all things have been subjected unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subjected to him that did subject all things unto him, that God may be all in all."  (ASV), which plainly says, "Then cometh the end, when he shall deliver up the kingdom to God, even the Father;"   Once more showing that he is a distinct individual from his Father (YHWH) and that all things he had were given to him by his Father.   How misguided can the misguided become?"  (ASV).   Once more showing that he is a distinct individual from his Father (YHWH) and that all things he had were given to him by his Father.   How misguided can the misguided become?
 
So to sum it up, we see how misguided ones are blinded to reality per 2 Corinthians 4:4, "in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should not dawn [upon them]."  (ASV), and Isaiah 6:10, "Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they sea with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and turn again, and be healed."  (ASV).   No wonder they do not see the obvious.   Therefore study the Bible with a view to understanding and not lean on your own understanding per Proverbs 3:5, "Trust in Jehovah with all thy heart, And lean not upon thine own understanding:"  (ASV)." [source - "Commentary on why Jesus (Yeshua) can not be God" by Iris the Preacher, 2001]
 
And also the following in another "Commentary on Nehemiah 9:6" said,
 
"Nehemiah 9:6  Thou Art Jehovah, even thou alone; thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth and all things that are thereon, the seas and all that is in them, and thou preservest them all; and the host of heaven worshippeth thee.  (American standard Version)
 
This scripture deals with how Almighty God (YHWH) made heaven and the earth.  To start off, he first made a master worker who was the first born or first of preeminence, the Son of God, whom we know as Jesus (Yeshua), and used him as his master worker or agent in the creation of all else, see Colossians 1:15-16, "who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation;  16 for in him were all things created, in the heavens and upon the earth, things visible and things invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things have been created through him and unto him;" (ASV); and used this master worker or agent in the creation of all else, see , Colossians 1:17-18, "and he is before all things, and in him all things consist.  18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.  19 For it was the good pleasure of the Father that in him should all the fullness dwell;" (ASV).  This is in keeping with the Jewish Law of Agencies and is basically as follows, "Jesus (Yeshua) was God's (YHWH's) appointed agent in accordance with the 'Biblical law of agency' described as, "Scripture mentions something being done by Person A, whilst another mentions it being done by Person B. This is best understood when we grasp the Schaliach Principle, or the Jewish Law of Agency, which is expressed in the dictum, "A person's agent is regarded as the person himself." Therefore any act committed by a duly appointed agent is regarded as having been committed by the principle." (The Encyclopedia of the Jewish Religion, R.J.Z. Werblowski and Geoffrey Wigoder).
 
Now let's see who the Bible says is above all else, i.e., the supreme one, at Isaiah 37:16, "And Isaiah said unto them, Thus shall ye say to your master, Thus saith Jehovah, Be not afraid of the words that thou hast heard, where with the servants of the king of Assyria have blasphemed me." (ASV); And the corresponding testimony at Revelation 14:7, "and he saith with a great voice, Fear God, and give him glory; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made the heaven and the earth and sea and fountains of water." (ASV); Now he will NOT be doing the judgment personally, but again using his only begotten son, Jesus (Yeshua) as his appointed agent to do this as recorded at  1 Corinthians 15:22-28, "For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming. 24 Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. 25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. 27 For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him. 28 And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all." (AV), testifies that God (YHWH) had given his Son, Jesus (Yeshua) over all except himself when the scripture says "it is manifest that he is excepted."  
We note that at Jesus (Yeshua) here is foretold as carrying out God's (Yeshua's) assignment to him in relation to judgment and the end of the world or system, and has given Him power over all as his agent, except over Himself as recorded at 1 Corinthians 15:27 recorded above.  Also, 1 Corinthians 15:28 shows that after Jesus (Yeshua) has subdued or subjected all, He will, "then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all."   This is very important to know as it shows, first, that Jesus (Yeshua), the Son of God, is a separate or distinct being or individual from his Father, Almighty God (YHWH), and second, he is subordinate to him as a superior one and is His agent for accomplishing all tasks related to the earth at the present time; hence, they are NOT CO-EQUAL as some misguided ones try to claim to support their false doctrine or myth of them being one-and-the-same and/or simply different manifestations of the same being." [source - "Commentary on Nehemiah 9:6" by Iris the Preacher, 2001]
 
Now, Let's look at several New Testament scriptures on this subject and learned scholars comments on them.
 
[1] Mark 2:27 "And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath: " (AV).
 
The renown reformer of the 18th. Century, John Wesley, in his "Commentary on Mark 2" said.
 
"2:27 The Sabbath was made for man - And therefore must give way to man's necessity." [source - Wesley, John. "Commentary on Mark 2". "John Wesley's Explanatory Notes
on the Whole Bible". 1765.]
 
This comment by John Wesley on Mark 2:27 was most profound as it clearly showed that the Sabbath was made for man; therefore, it was fitting that Jesus (Yeshua) be appointed over the Sabbath as well as all else, except himself, by his Father, Almighty God (YHWH), since he, Jesus (Yeshua) was made the Judge over all mankind by his Father, Almighty God (YHWH).
 
[2] Luke 6:5, "And he said unto them, That the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath." (AV).
 
Now the Bible Scholar, John Gill, in his "John Gill's Exposition of the Bible" said,
 
"Luke 6:5
And he said unto them...
He adds this at the close of the instances he gave, at the end of his vindication of his disciples, and discourse with the Pharisees, as a full answer to their cavils;
that the son of man is Lord also of the sabbath;
and may do what he will, and suffer his disciples to do whatever he pleases on that day." [source - Gill, John. "Commentary on Luke 6:5". "John Gill's Exposition of the Bible". 1999].
 
This commentary by John Gill is similar to John Wesley's on Mark 2:27 and is once more most profound as it clearly showed that the Sabbath was made for man; therefore, it was fitting that Jesus (Yeshua) be appointed over the Sabbath as well as all else, except himself, by his Father, Almighty God (YHWH), since he, Jesus (Yeshua) was made the Judge over all mankind by his Father, Almighty God (YHWH).
 
[3] John 5:17, "But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work." (AV).
 
Now the Bible Scholar, John Gill, in his "John Gill's Exposition of the Bible" said,
 
"John 5:17
 
But Jesus answered them...
Being convened before them, and charged by them with the violation of the sabbath, he vindicated himself in the following manner, saying;
 
my Father worketh hitherto:
he who is my Father, not by creation, or adoption, but by nature, though he ended all his work on the seventh day, and rested from what he had done; yet he did not cease from working at all, but has continued to work ever since, on sabbath days, as well as on other days; in upholding and governing the world, in continuing the species of beings, and all creatures in their being; in providing for them, and in dispensing the bounties of his providence to them; in causing his sun to shine, and showers of rain to descend on the earth; and in taking care of, and protecting even the meanest of his creatures: and much more men; and still more his own people:
 
and I work;
or "also I work"; as the Syriac and Arabic version reads; i.e. in conjunction with him, as a co-efficient cause in the works of providence, in the government of the world, in upholding all things in it, in bearing up the pillars of the earth, in holding things together, and sustaining all creatures: or I also work in imitation of him, in doing good both to the bodies and souls of men on the sabbath day, being the Lord of it: I do but what my Father does, and therefore, as he is not to be blamed for his works on that day, as none will say he is, no more am I. So Philo the Jew says {b},
 
 
``God never ceases to work; but as it is the property of fire to burn, and of snow to cool, so of God to work.''
 
And what most men call fortune, he calls the divine Logos, or word, to whom he ascribes all the affairs of providence." [source - Gill, John. "Commentary on John 5:17". "John Gill's Exposition of the Bible". 1999].
 
[4] Matthew 12:1 At that time Jesus went on the sabbath day through the corn; and his disciples were an hungred, and began to pluck the ears of corn, and to eat.
 
Now the Bible Scholar, John Gill, in his "John Gill's Exposition of the Bible" said,
 
"At that time Jesus went on the sabbath day through the corn,
&c.] That is, the corn fields, as the other evangelists express it. It being on a sabbath day, it is very probable, that Christ and his disciples were going to some public place of worship, the way to which lay through some fields of corn, which were now ripe: for Luke says, it was on the "second sabbath after the first", or rather "the first sabbath after the second"; that is, the first sabbath after the second day of the passover, when the sheaf of the first fruit was offered, and harvest was begun.
And his disciples were an hungered;
it being in the morning before they had broke their fast; and this circumstance is mentioned to show the reason of the following action, and to excuse it: at which the Pharisees were so much offended, and of which they accused them, as having done what was very criminal:
and began to pluck the ears of corn, and to eat;
Luke adds, "rubbing them in their hands"; and so here in the Syriac, Arabic, and Persic versions, it is rendered, "they began to rub": as they passed along, they plucked off the ears of corn, either barley or wheat, and rubbed them in their hands, to get the grain clear of the husk, or beard, and eat them; contenting themselves with such mean and unprepared food, when the Jews on that day fed on the best of dainties." [source - Gill, John. "Commentary on Matthew 12:1". "John Gill's Exposition of the Bible". 1999].
Gill, John. "Commentary on Matthew 12:1". "John Gill's Exposition of the Bible". <http://bible.crosswalk.com/Commentaries/GillsExpositionoftheBible/
gil.cgi?book=mt&chapter=012&verse=001>. 1999.
 
[5] Hebrews 4:4,  "For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works." (AV).
 
The Renown Bible Scholar A.R. Fausset, A.M. in his  "Commentary on Hebrews 4" said,
 
"God did rest the seventh day--a rest not ending with the seventh day, but beginning then and still continuing, into which believers shall hereafter enter. God's rest is not a rest necessitated by fatigue, nor consisting in idleness, but is that upholding and governing of which creation was the beginning [ALFORD]. Hence Moses records the end of each of the first six days, but not of the seventh." [source - Fausset, A. R., A.M. "Commentary on Hebrews 4". "Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible". 1871].
 
CONCLUSION:
 
As can readily be seen, Almighty God (YHWH) appointed his Son, Jesus (Yeshua) Christ over all except  himself for a period of time; therefore, he could rightly be called the Lord of the Sabbath, a title that his Father, Almighty God (YHWH) never took for himself.   That he was appointed by his Father, Almighty God (YHWH) is clearly shown by John 5:22, 1 Timothy 2:5, and 1 Corinthians 15:27-28, all of which were previously quoted and discussed.
 
Therefore, we can see two distinct things as follows:
 
[1] That Jesus (Yeshua) was appointed overall things, except Almighty God (YHWH), by his Father, Almighty God (YHWH) a superior one.   How so?   Only a superior can appoint a subordinate over things under his contro.
 
[2] That Jesus (Yeshua) is a distinct individual separate and apart from his Father, Almighty God (YHWH), and is in no way his Father, Almighty God (YHWH) as some mistakenly claim.
 
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BIBLE AND RELIGION – BOTH TRUE AND FALSE – AT   WWW.JW.ORG

 

[b]COMBINATION OF [1]  THE SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY AND [2]    The Big Muslim Lie:  [THIS IS FIRST SECTION, 2 ND. SECTION IS VOL 686A]
 
[1]    SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY [VOL. 685A]
 
Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;  1 Thessalonians 1:3   [authorized King James Bible; AV]
 
THE apostle Paul remembered those who worked hard in behalf of the good news.   : Indeed, Almighty God (YHWH) himself remembers the loving labors of all who faithfully serve him, whether their circumstances in life permit them to do much or little.—Heb. 6:10.  
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT RELIGION AND THE BIBLE, GO TO, 
 
1) http://iris89.conforums.com/ 
 
2) http://www.network54.com/Forum/403209/ 
 
3) http://religioustruths.lefora.com/ 
 
4) http://religioustruths.boardhost.com/ 
 
5) http://religioustruths.forumsland.com/ 
 
6) http://religioustruthsbyiris.createmybb3.com/ 
 
7) http://religioustruths.forumotion.com/ 
 
To enjoy an online Bible study called “Follow the Christ” go to,http://www.network54.com/Forum/403209/thread/1417398076/last-1417398076/Digital+Book+On+18+Part+Follow+Christ+Bible+Study 
 
Your Friend in Christ Iris89 
 
Francis David said it long ago, "Neither the sword of popes...nor the image of death will halt the march of truth. "Francis David, 1579, written on the wall of his prison cell." Read the book, "What Does The Bible Really Teach" and the Bible today, and go to WWW.JW.ORG!
 
[2]       The Big Muslim Lie:  [THIS IS FIRST SECTION, 2 ND. SECTION IS VOL 686A]
 
INTRODUCTION:
 
One Muslim said, <<<" The Prophet Muhammad, may God praise him, was described as a "Mercy for all the Worlds", as God said in the Quran:
"We have sent you as a mercy for all the worlds."
 
The recipients of this quality were not limited to just the Muslim nation, but it also extended to non-Muslims, some of who spent all their effort trying to harm the Prophet and his mission. This mercy and forgiveness is clearly demonstrated in the fact that the Prophet, may God praise him, never took revenge on anyone for personal reasons and always forgave even his staunch enemies. Aisha said that the Prophet never took revenge on his own behalf on anyone. She also said that he never returned evil for evil, but he would forgive and pardon. This will, God willing, become clear after a deep analysis of the following accounts of his life.
 
In the earlier portion of his mission, the Prophet traveled to the city of Taif, a city located in the mountains nearby to Mecca, in order to invite them to accept Islam. The leaders of Taif, however, were rude and discourteous in their treatment of the Prophet. Not being content with their insolent attitude towards him, they even stirred up some gangs of the town to harass him. This riff-raff followed the Prophet shouting at and abusing him, and throwing stones at him, until he was compelled to take refuge in an orchard. Thus the Prophet had to endure even more obstacles in Taif than he had had to face in Mecca. These ruffians, stationed either side of the path, threw stones at him until his feet were injured and smeared with blood. These oppressions so grievously dejected the Prophet and plunged him into in such a state of depression that a prayer, citing his helplessness and pitiable condition and seeking the aid of God, spontaneously came from his lips:
 
"O God, to You I complain of my weakness, lack of resources and humiliation before these people. You are the Most Merciful, the Lord of the weak and my Master. To whom will You consign me? To one estranged, bearing ill will, or an enemy given power over me? If You do not assign me any worth, I care not, for Your favor is abundant upon me. I seek refuge in the light of Your countenance by which all darkness is dispelled and every affair of this world and the next is set right, lest Thy anger should descend upon me or Your displeasure light upon me. I need only Your pleasure and satisfaction for only You enable me to do good and evade the evil. There is no power and no might but You."
 
The Lord then sent the angel of mountains, seeking the permission of the Prophet to join together the two hills and crush the city of Taif, between which it was located. Out of his great tolerance and mercy, the Messenger of God replied,
 
"No! For, I hope that God will bring forth from their loins people who will worship God alone, associating nothing with Him." (Saheeh Muslim)
 
His mercy and compassion was so great that on more than one occasion, God, Himself, reprimanded him for it. One of the greatest opponents of Islam and a personal enemy, was Abdullah bin Ubayy, the leader of the hypocrites of Medina. Outwardly proclaiming Islam, he surreptitiously inflicted great harm to the Muslims and the mission of the Prophet. Knowing his state of affairs, the Prophet Muhammad still offered the funeral prayer for him and prayed to God for his forgiveness. The Quran mentions this incident in these words:
 
"And never (O Muhammad) pray for one of them who dies, nor stand by his grave. Lo! They disbelieve in God and His Messenger, and they died while they were evil doers."
 
Abdullah bin Ubayy worked all his life against Muhammad and Islam and left no stone unturned so as to bring him into disrepute and try to defeat his mission. He withdrew his three hundered supporters in the battle of Uhud and thus almost broke the backbone of the Muslims at one stroke. He engaged in intrigues and acts of hostility against the Prophet of Islam and the Muslims. It was he who tried to bring shame to the Prophet by inciting his allies to falsely accuse the Prophet's wife, Aisha, of adultery in order to discredit him and his message." [source - a Muslim using the pseudonym 'peace']>>>.
 
Of course this is a big lie as reality shows that he was NOT merciful as will shortly be shown.
 
THE ROOTS OF TERRORISM - MUSLIM STYLE:
 
As one renown knowledgable modern historian and ex-Muslim, Abul Kasem, put it is his book, "The Root of Terrorism a la Islamic Style, <<<"This article investigates the very application of terror tactic that was used some fourteen hundred years ago by the very first Jihadists of Islam to gain booty and become quick-rich through plunder. The main purpose of this essay is to probe whether a direct link exists among the Modus Operandi of the Jihadists (read Islamic Terrorists) of Muhammad's time and their counterparts of today. In all, one hundred (100) cases of armed conflicts were investigated for their cause, timing, venue and the principal actor/s involved. The finding of this detail investigation is quite disturbing indeed; mind-numbing one may say. This exercise establishes, without any doubt whatsoever, the uncanny similarities that exist between those Islamic fighters of Muhammad's time and their counterparts of today. It is also found that except for two or three, all other cases of armed conflict were due solely to the aggressive terrorist acts of the Muslim perpetrators. It was invariably the Islamic Jihadists who usually initiated the conflict, in many cases without any plausible reason/s and/or without or slightest provocation. The result of these terror tactics was that the participant Muslims engaged in unbound savagery that often included gratuitous murder, genocide, ethnic cleansing, revenge killings, political assassinations, and in many cases, simply plain plunder and armed robbery. Muhammad followed this path of terror and pillage to reward his followers with easy and handsome booty, land, other goods and material benefits. The exercise of terror and its concomitant gain made the early Jihadists rich, self-supporting and this was crucial in the establishment of the authority of Islam in the entire Arabian Peninsula. Please make no mistake about it."
[source - "The Root of Terrorism a la Islamic style," by Abul Kasem, http://www.faithfreedom.org/Articles/AbulKasem40730.htm ]>>>.
 
Clearly showing he was in no way merciful to his enemies, but participated in gratuitous murder, genocide, ethnic cleansing, revenge killings, political assassinations, and in many cases, simply plain plunder and armed robbery.
 
In another book by Abul Kasem, which  looks at its very beginnings of Islam, a raid on a camel caravan with spilling of blood.   <<<" Raid on B. Qudah at Dhat al-Salasil by Amr b. al-As - September, 629CE
Having suffered a terrible defeat in the hands of B. Qudah at Dhat Atlah, coupled with the ignoble retreat of the Muslim army from Mu'tah, Muhammad's prestige was greatly affected. It is said that he also received intelligence that a number of tribes, including B. Qudah were now preparing to attack Medina. To salvage his reputation he now empowered Amr b. al-As, the new convert of Islam, to push for a decisive raid on the stubborn B. Qudah tribe. Amr b. al-As was very furious that some of these tribes had taken the side of the Byzantine party during the Mu'tah battle. It was time to punish them-Muhammad determined.
 
So with three hundred (300) men and thirty horses, Amr b. al-As set out to decimate the rebellious B. Qudah who were settled at Dhat al-Salasil. It was at a distance of ten days march from Medina. Amr b. al-As' grandmother (i.e., the mother of al-As b. Wail, the father of Amr b. al-As) was a woman from Qudah or Bali tribe and Muhammad sent Amr b. al-As to convert her and her people to Islam by force. When Amr arrived at Dhat al-Salasil he found that the enemy had heavily outnumbered the Muslims.
 
Because of the feeble Islamic forces at his disposal Amr b. al-As sought reinforcement from Muhammad. The messenger of Allah quickly sent Abu Bakr b. Quhafa with an additional two hundred (200) men to assist Amr b. al-As. Thus, the total number of men now numbered five hundred (500)." [source - "Islam Under Scrutiny by Ex-Muslims," The Root of Terrorism a la Islamic style Chapter 15, by Abul Kasem, http://www.islam-watch.org/AbulKasem/RootsTerrorism/RootsTerrorism15.htm]
 
So as we can see, Islam started out with the spilling of innocent blood of those running the peaceful caravan of commerce, and it continued that way until the present. Yet members of this sham religion claim it is a religion of peace. This false claim makes one think of what Adolph Hitler said, <<<" 'The broad mass of a nation -..will more easily fall victim to a big lie than to a small one'---Adolf Hitler (1889-1945)">>>.
 
NO RELIGION OF PEACE, EVEN THE QUR'AN SHOWS THAT:
 
This will be handled in parts due to the many things related in the Qur'an:
 
[1] Part.
 
Sura 5:33 records what is done to infidels who resist Islam, "Their punishment is...execution, or crucifixion, or the cutting off of hands and feet from the opposite sides, or exile from the land." Muhammed also burned out eyes with hot irons in Hadith vol.1 no. 234, [Translation of Sahih Bukhari Hadith by M. Muhsin Khan ] and deprived people of water until they died, vol.8 no. 796, [Translation of Sahih Bukhari Hadith by M. Muhsin Khan ].
 
005.033
YUSUFALI: The punishment of those who wage war against Allah and His Messenger, and strive with might and main for mischief through the land is: execution, or crucifixion, or the cutting off of hands and feet from opposite sides, or exile from the land: that is their disgrace in this world, and a heavy punishment is theirs in the Hereafter;
PICKTHAL: The only reward of those who make war upon Allah and His messenger and strive after corruption in the land will be that they will be killed or crucified, or have their hands and feet on alternate sides cut off, or will be expelled out of the land. Such will be their degradation in the world, and in the Hereafter theirs will be an awful doom;
SHAKIR: The punishment of those who wage war against Allah and His messenger and strive to make mischief in the land is only this, that they should be murdered or crucified or their hands and their feet should be cut off on opposite sides or they should be imprisoned; this shall be as a disgrace for them in this world, and in the hereafter they shall have a grievous chastisement,
 
In Sura 4:34, women are treated badly: "Men are the managers of the affairs of women...Those you fear may be rebellious...admonish; banish them to their couches and beat them."
 
004.034
YUSUFALI: Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because Allah has given the one more (strength) than the other, and because they support them from their means. Therefore the righteous women are devoutly obedient, and guard in (the husband's) absence what Allah would have them guard. As to those women on whose part ye fear disloyalty and ill-conduct, admonish them (first), (Next), refuse to share their beds, (And last) beat them (lightly); but if they return to obedience, seek not against them Means (of annoyance): For Allah is Most High, great (above you all).
PICKTHAL: Men are in charge of women, because Allah hath made the one of them to excel the other, and because they spend of their property (for the support of women). So good women are the obedient, guarding in secret that which Allah hath guarded. As for those from whom ye fear rebellion, admonish them and banish them to beds apart, and scourge them. Then if they obey you, seek not a way against them. Lo! Allah is ever High, Exalted, Great.
SHAKIR: Men are the maintainers of women because Allah has made some of them to excel others and because they spend out of their property; the good women are therefore obedient, guarding the unseen as Allah has guarded; and (as to) those on whose part you fear desertion, admonish them, and leave them alone in the sleeping-places and beat them; then if they obey you, do not seek a way against them; surely Allah is High, Great.
 
[2] Part.
 
Torment to Non-believers:
Sura 4.56: (As for) those who disbelieve in Our communications, We shall make them, S enter fire; so oft as their skins are thoroughly burned, We will change them for other skins, that they may taste the chastisement; surely Allah is Mighty, Wise.
 
004.056
YUSUFALI: Those who reject our Signs, We shall soon cast into the Fire: as often as their skins are roasted through, We shall change them for fresh skins, that they may taste the penalty: for Allah is Exalted in Power, Wise.
PICKTHAL: Lo! Those who disbelieve Our revelations, We shall expose them to the Fire. As often as their skins are consumed We shall exchange them for fresh skins that they may taste the torment. Lo! Allah is ever Mighty, Wise.
SHAKIR: (As for) those who disbelieve in Our communications, We shall make them enter fire; so oft as their skins are thoroughly burned, We will change them for other skins, that they may taste the chastisement; surely Allah is Mighty, Wise.
 
[3] Part.
 
Islam Acceptable:
Sura 3.85: And whoever desires a religion other than Islam, it shall not be accepted from him, and in the hereafter he shall be one of the losers.
 
003.085
YUSUFALI: If anyone desires a religion other than Islam (submission to Allah), never will it be accepted of him; and in the Hereafter He will be in the ranks of those who have lost (All spiritual good).
PICKTHAL: And whoso seeketh as religion other than the Surrender (to Allah) it will not be accepted from him, and he will be a loser in the Hereafter.
SHAKIR: And whoever desires a religion other than Islam, it shall not be accepted from him, and in the hereafter he shall be one of the losers.
 
[4] Part.
 
No friends from outsiders
Sura 3.118: O you who believe! do not take for intimate friends from among others than your own people; they do not fall short of inflicting loss upon you; they love what distresses you; vehement hatred has already appeared from out of their mouths, and what their breasts conceal is greater still; indeed, We have made the communications clear to you, if you will understand.
 
003.118
YUSUFALI: O ye who believe! Take not into your intimacy those outside your ranks: They will not fail to corrupt you. They only desire your ruin: Rank hatred has already appeared from their mouths: What their hearts conceal is far worse. We have made plain to you the Signs, if ye have wisdom.
PICKTHAL: O ye who believe! Take not for intimates others than your own folk, who would spare no pains to ruin you; they love to hamper you. Hatred is revealed by (the utterance of) their mouths, but that which their breasts hide is greater. We have made plain for you the revelations if ye will understand.
SHAKIR: O you who believe! do not take for intimate friends from among others than your own people; they do not fall short of inflicting loss upon you; they love what distresses you; vehement hatred has already appeared from out of their mouths, and what their breasts conceal is greater still; indeed, We have made the communications clear to you, if you will understand.
 
[5] Part.
 
Friends with Jews, Christians...
Sura 5.51: O you who believe! do not take the Jews and the Christians for friends; they are friends of each other; and whoever amongst you takes them for a friend, then surely he is one of them; surely Allah does not guide the unjust people.
 
005.051
YUSUFALI: O ye who believe! take not the Jews and the Christians for your friends and protectors: They are but friends and protectors to each other. And he amongst you that turns to them (for friendship) is of them. Verily Allah guideth not a people unjust.
PICKTHAL: O ye who believe! Take not the Jews and the Christians for friends. They are friends one to another. He among you who taketh them for friends is (one) of them. Lo! Allah guideth not wrongdoing folk.
SHAKIR: O you who believe! do not take the Jews and the Christians for friends; they are friends of each other; and whoever amongst you takes them for a friend, then surely he is one of them; surely Allah does not guide the unjust people.
 
[6] Part.
 
No friends with non believers
Sura 4.144: O you who believe! do not take the unbelievers for friends rather than the believers; do you desire that you should give to Allah a manifest proof against yourselves?
 
004.144
YUSUFALI: O ye who believe! Take not for friends unbelievers rather than believers: Do ye wish to offer Allah an open proof against yourselves?
PICKTHAL: O ye who believe! Choose not disbelievers for (your) friends in place of believers. Would ye give Allah a clear warrant against you?
SHAKIR: O you who believe! do not take the unbelievers for friends rather than the believers; do you desire that you should give to Allah a manifest proof against yourselves?
 
SEE SECTION 2, 686 TO READ REMAINDER.
 
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BIBLE AND RELIGION – BOTH TRUE AND FALSE – AT   WWW.JW.ORG
 [/b]

COMBINATION OF [1]  THE SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY AND [2]    
 
[1]    SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY [VOL. 687A]
 
And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.   Exodus 19:6   [American Standard Version; ASV]
 
THE first prophecy recorded in the Bible is of great significance in the outworking of Almighty God’s (YHWH’s)  purpose.   When making the Edenic promise, the true God declared: “and I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed: he shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.” (Genesis 3:15,   [ASV] )   How intense would this enmity be? “He shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.,” said Jehovah.   The enmity between the serpent and the woman would be so fierce that Satan would spare no effort to obliterate her offspring.
 
 It is no wonder that the Psalmsist cried out in prayer to God about His chosen people: “For, lo, thine enemies make a tumult; And they that hate thee have lifted up the head.   Thy take crafty counsel against thy people, And consult together against thy hidden ones.   They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; That the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance.’” (Psalmss 83:2-4,  [ASV])   The line of descent of the offspring of the woman had to be protected from extermination and contamination. To accomplish this, Jehovah made further binding legal arrangements that would protect the fulfillment of his purpose.  
 
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT RELIGION AND THE BIBLE, GO TO, 
 
1) http://iris89.conforums.com/ 
 
2) http://www.network54.com/Forum/403209/ 
 
3) http://religioustruths.lefora.com/ 
 
4) http://religioustruths.boardhost.com/ 
 
5) http://religioustruths.forumsland.com/ 
 
6) http://religioustruthsbyiris.createmybb3.com/ 
 
7) http://religioustruths.forumotion.com/ 
 
To enjoy an online Bible study called “Follow the Christ” go to,http://www.network54.com/Forum/403209/thread/1417398076/last-1417398076/Digital+Book+On+18+Part+Follow+Christ+Bible+Study 
 
Your Friend in Christ Iris89 
 
Francis David said it long ago, "Neither the sword of popes...nor the image of death will halt the march of truth. "Francis David, 1579, written on the wall of his prison cell." Read the book, "What Does The Bible Really Teach" and the Bible today, and go to WWW.JW.ORG!
 
[2]        Mercy Redefined, Muhammad the Merciful
 
INTRODUCTION:
 
Do you think you know what Mercy is?
 
The dictionary defines it as,
 
MERCY
 
Mercy (Page: 913)
Mer"cy (?), n.; pl. Mercies (#). [OE. merci, F. merci, L. merces, mercedis, hire, pay, reward, LL., equiv. to misericordia pity, mercy. L. merces is prob akin to merere to deserve, acquire. See Merit, and cf. Amerce.]
1. Forbearance to inflict harm under circumstances of provocation, when one has the power to inflict it; compassionate treatment of an offender or adversary; clemency.
Examples of justice must be made for terror to some; examples of mercy for comfort to others. Bacon.
2. Compassionate treatment of the unfortunate and helpless; sometimes, favor, beneficence. Luke x. 37.
3. Disposition to exercise compassion or favor; pity; compassion; willingness to spare or to help.
In whom mercy lacketh and is not founden. Sir T. Elyot.
4. A blessing regarded as a manifestation of compassion or favor.
[SOURCE - Webster's Revised Unabridged, 1913 Edition]
 
Another said,
 
1. compassion: kindness or forgiveness shown especially to somebody a person has power over
"The judge showed mercy and imposed the shortest sentence he could."
 
2. compassionate disposition: a disposition to be compassionate or forgiving of others
"a killer completely without mercy"
 
3. something to be thankful for: a welcome event or situation that provides relief or prevents something unpleasant from happening
"It was a mercy that no one was hurt in the accident."
 
4. easing of distress: the easing of distress or pain
"The supply convoy was on a mission of mercy."
[source - Encarta(r) World English Dictionary [North American Edition]]
 
Now of Mohammed's followers said,
 
<<" The Prophet Muhammad, may God praise him, was described as a "Mercy for all the Worlds", as God said in the Quran:
"We have sent you as a mercy for all the worlds."
 
The recipients of this quality were not limited to just the Muslim nation, but it also extended to non-Muslims, some of who spent all their effort trying to harm the Prophet and his mission. This mercy and forgiveness is clearly demonstrated in the fact that the Prophet, may God praise him, never took revenge on anyone for personal reasons and always forgave even his staunch enemies. Aisha said that the Prophet never took revenge on his own behalf on anyone. She also said that he never returned evil for evil, but he would forgive and pardon. This will, God willing, become clear after a deep analysis of the following accounts of his life.">>
 
We shall now see how Muhammad redefined mercy.
 
THE MERCY OF MUHAMMAD SHOWN BY HIS ACTIONS:
 
First consider what is written in the Sahih Hadith from Sahih Bukhari:
Volume 4, Book 52, Number 220, Narrated Abu Huraira:
Allah's Apostle said, "I have been sent with the shortest expressions bearing the widest meanings, and I have been made victorious with terror (cast in the hearts of the enemy), and while I was sleeping, the keys of the treasures of the world were brought to me and put in my hand." Abu Huraira added: Allah's Apostle has left the world and now you, people, are bringing out those treasures (i.e. the Prophet did not benefit by them).
To put his words into action, Muhammad even declared that booty or plunder (read theft and armed robbery) was lawful for him, as confirmed from this Sahih Hadith from Sahih Bukhari: Volume 4, Book 53, Number 351,
Narrated Jabir bin Abdullah:
 
Allah's Apostle said, "Booty has been made legal for me."
The following Hadith tells us that Muhammad built mosques using the proceeds of robbery, pillage and the revenue from forced Jizya on non-Muslims. Read this Hadith carefully and you will surely comprehend why many people flocked to Muhammad and his Islam-yes, it was pure greed and lust for money and wealth; Muhammad broke all laws and rules of an established contemporary civilised society just to satisfy this greed of his followers. Here is the appropriate Hadith from Sahih Bukhari: Volume 4, Book 53, Number 390, Narrated Jabir bin 'Abdullah:
 
Allah's Apostle once said to me, "If the revenue of Bahrain came, I would give you this much and this much." When Allah's Apostle had died, the revenue of Bahrain came, and Abu Bakr announced, " Let whoever was promised something by Allah's Apostle come to me." So, I went to Abu Bakr and said, "Allah's Apostle said to me, 'If the revenue of Bahrain came, I would give you this much and this. much." On that Abu Bakr said to me, "Scoop (money) with both your hands." I scooped money with both my hands and Abu Bakr asked me to count it. I counted it and it was five-hundred (gold pieces). The total amount he gave me was one thousand and five hundred (gold pieces.)
Narrated Anas: Money from Bahrain was brought to the Prophet . He said, "Spread it in the Mosque." It was the biggest amount that had ever been brought to Allah's Apostle . In the meantime Al-'Abbas came to him and said, "O Allah's Apostle! Give me, for I gave the ransom of myself and Aqil." The Prophet said (to him), "Take." He scooped money with both hands and poured it in his garment and tried to lift it, but he could not and appealed to the Prophet, "Will you order someone to help me in lifting it?" The Prophet said, "No." Then Al-'Abbas said, "Then will you yourself help me carry it?" The Prophet said, "No." Then Al 'Abbas threw away some of the money, but even then he was not able to lift it, and so he gain requested the Prophet "Will you order someone to help me carry it?" The Prophet said, "No." Then Al-'Abbas said, "Then will you yourself yelp me carry it?" The Prophet said, 'No." So, Al-'Abbas threw away some more money and lifted it on his shoulder and went away. The Prophet kept on looking at him with astonishment at his greediness till he went out of our sight. Allah's Apostle did not get up from there till not a single Dirham remained from that money.
 
Let us now make out how the early Muslim Jihadists chose their victims of terror.
Looking around for prey, Muhammad found that there were only two choices for him; rob the Medina residents, or resort to armed highway robbery for the booty of rich Meccan caravans plying the Mecca-Medina route. He could not rob his Medina companions (Ansars) as that would tantamount to his immediate destruction. So, the only other choices left were the Jews, and his nemesis, the Meccan Quraysh, who had largely rejected his call for his brand of religion. As for the Jews, he could not agitate them so soon, as he had already entered into a covenant with them. He had no legitimate reason to attack and appropriate their land and goods. Please note that, in all the first few raids, Muhammad did not want any Ansar to take part in it. It was, because he did not want to upset the Medinites by displaying his transformation to a true brigand. He was also fearful that if his plundering raids were not successful (i.e. unprofitable) then the Ansars would lose their awe and respect for him. That was why, he, at first, did not invite any Ansar to take part in his first few terror raids. He needed to demonstrate to his host country that terrorism was/is profitable indeed!
With the notion of plundering the Jews out, the only choice he was now left with was to attack and loot the Quraysh caravan. Nonetheless, with such a feeble force at his disposal at that time, he would never be able to launch a decisive strike on the mighty Quraysh army--he thought correctly. After all, in the first place, this fear of military might of the Quraysh, was the main reason for his exile from Mecca.
 
He contrived a brilliant idea. The plan was to lay siege on the Quraysh when they were the most vulnerable; that is, when they (the Quraysh) were either alone, with very few comrades, or were far away from their formidable sanctuary at Mecca. That meant, raiding the Quraysh merchant caravans, terrorising them and robbing them either on their way to trade with Syria or on their return journey to Mecca. But Muhammad was clever too; he was not hasty; he was patient in seizing the appropriate opportunity to attack the vulnerable Quraysh caravans. The plan was very smart and lucrative, no doubt, because with this assault, he could inspire his Jihadist followers to take revenge on their 'tormentors,' while, at the same time, they could also plunder a great booty that Muhammad could never offer to these destitute and famished Muhajirs.
 
With this design in mind, Muhammad was set to move. He engaged a few spies to supply him with the intelligence of the movement of Meccan caravans. However, the Quraysh caravans were always well protected with armed security guards, just to prevent it from the plunder of highway bandits. Still then, Muhammad wanted to try his luck, as those Meccan caravans were such richly laden with exquisite goods-no Jihadist could resist. Apologist biographer, like Hussein Haykal of course tries to conceal the truth by mentioning that the Muhajirs from Mecca were homesick and were looking for an opportunity to take revenge. While it is natural to feel a little 'homesickness,' the overwhelming reason for attacking the Quraysh caravan was plundering and booty-plain and simple. This premise bourns out from the fact that later, when Muhammad conquered Mecca, none of those 'homesick' Muhajirs decided to return to their former abode!
 
Let us now briefly review the first few of such many surprise/terror raids on the Quraysh caravan. There is a controversy as to which was the first raid on the Quraysh caravan by Muhammad. Ibn Ishak writes that Muhammad himself conducted the first raid, and it was the raid on a caravan at Waddan. Ibn Ishak's book is scanty in giving a reasonable dating of these operations. Waqidi writes that the first raid was the raid conducted by Hamzah. Most other biographers are quite agreeable with Waqidi's version of the dating of Muhammad's raids. I have tried to use the same approach.
 
Note: The dates are approximate and are guides only.
 
Terror One
The Raid on Quraysh Caravan at al-Is, or the Expedition of Sif al-Bahr by Hamzah ibn al-Muttalib--March, 623CE
 
The first raid/expedition against the Quraysh caravans took place seven or nine months after the Hijrah. Led by Hamzah ibn 'Abd al-Muttalib (Muhammad's uncle), with thirty or forty men of the emigrants; the purpose of this raid, as stated earlier, was to plunder the Quraysh caravan. This raiding party of Hamzah assembled at the seacoast near al-Is, between Mecca and Medina, where Abu Jahl ibn Hashim, the leader of the caravan was camping with three hundred Meccan riders. Hamza met Abu Jahl there with a view to attack the caravan, but Majdi b. Amr al-Juhani, a Quraysh who was friendly to both the parties intervened between them; so, both parties separated without fighting.
This very first adventure of Muhammad in war and plunder was not a success. Hamza returned to Medina and Abu Jahl proceeded towards Mecca. This raid failed as the Muslims were afraid to face such a formidable convoy of the Quraysh; they returned to Medina empty-handed.
 
...
 
Terror Six
Raid on a Meccan Caravan at al-Ushayrah, in the district of Yanbu by Muhammad-November, 623CE
 
This was Muhammad's third personal raid. Between one hundred-fifty and two hundred (note the increasing number of Jihadists joining in the robbery) followers joined this terror operation. They had thirty camels that they rode upon by turns. When they arrived at al-Usharayh in the direction of Yanbo, they expected to waylay upon a rich Meccan caravan towards Syria led by Abu Sufyan. Muhammad already had the intelligence report of this caravan's departure from Mecca. He waited for a month (+) for this caravan to pass. Unfortunately, it was too late; for, when Muhammad reached the intended spot of plunder, the Meccan caravan had already passed. The readers should keep in mind of this raid, as this was the same caravan that gave rise to the famous action at Badr (Badr II) during its return journey. In this operation, Muhammad entered into an alliance with Bani Mudlij, a tribe inhabiting the vicinity of al-Usharayh. He also concluded another treaty with Bani Damra. All those treaties established good political connections for him.
 
Terror Seven
Raid on Muhammad's Milch Camels at Badr (Badr I) by Kurz ibn Jabir al-Fihri-December, 623CE
 
After those six unprovoked and hostile attacks on the Quraysh caravans, the Quraysh had had enough. It was now time for them to retaliate and send a strong message to Muhammad that his highway robbery cannot go unpunished forever. With this end in view, Kurz ibn Jabir al-Fihri, allay of the Quarysh raided the vicinity of Medina where Muhammad's milch camels were pasturing. This was conducted ten days after Muhammad returned to Medina from his unsuccessful plundering attempt at the Quraysh caravan at al-Usharayh. Having heard of this attack, Muhammad swiftly went out looking for Kurz until he reached the Safwa valley, close to Badr. This was the first raid at Badr or Badr I. Kurz escaped the capture; Muhammad returned to Medina and stayed there for the next three months. It is said that later, Muhammad caught Kurz and he (Kurz) converted to Islam.
 
Terror Eight
Raid on Meccan Caravan at Nakhla by Abd Allah ibn Jahsh, the First Successful Plunder-December, 623CE
 
After his return from the first Badr encounter, Muhammad sent Abd Allah b. Jahsh in Rajab with eight emigrants and without any Ansar for another terror operation. Abd Allah b. Jahsh was a maternal cousin of Muhammad. The participants in this plunder were: 1. Abu Haudhayfa 2. Abd Allah b Jahsh 3. Ukkash b. Mihsan 4. Utba b. Ghazwan 5. Sa'd b. Abi Waqqas 6. Amir b.Rabia 7. Waqid b. Abd Allah and 8. Khalid b. al-Bukayr. Some historians say that there were between seven to twelve partakers in this raiding/plundering party of the Muslims. It will be useful to remember the names of these very first Islam's terrorists, as we shall witness, later, that their names crop up in many other terror operations.
Muhammad gave Abd Allah b. Jahsh a letter, but not to be read until he had travelled for two days and then to do what he was instructed to do in the letter without putting pressure on his companions. Abd Allah proceeded for two days, then he opened the letter; it told him to proceed until he reached at Nakhla, between Mecca and Taif; lie in wait for the Quraysh and observe what they were doing. Abd Allah b. Jahsh told his companions that whoever chose martyrdom (read terrorism) was free to join him and whoever did not could go back. All the companions agreed to follow him (a few biographers write that two Muslims decided not to be martyrs and chose to return to Medina). Sa'd b. Abi Waqqas and Utbah b. Ghazwan lost a camel that they were taking turns to ride. The camel strayed and went to Buhran. So, they went out looking for the runaway camel to Buhran and fell behind the raiding party.
As instructed by the Prophet, Abd Allah and the rest of the party then proceeded, and soon they arrived at Nakhla. Nakhla was a valley to the east of Mecca, about halfway to Taif. It was the usual route to Syria for the Meccan caravans. Muhammad had the secret information that a rich Meccan caravan, lightly guarded, laden with dry raisin, wine leather and other goods was soon to pass by the route.
 
Four Quraysh men guarded this donkey caravan. They were:
Amr b. al-Hadrami. He was the leader of the caravan.
Uthman b. Abd Allah b. al-Mughirah.
Nawfal b. Abd Allah b. al-Mughirah, Uthman's brother.
Al-Hakam b. Kaysan, the freed slave (Mawla)of Hisham b. al-Mughirah.
Soon, the Meccan caravan arrived at Nakhla guarded by the four Quraysh men. When they saw the Muslims, they were afraid of them. One of Abd Allah b. Jahsh's men, Ukkash b Mihsan, was shaven in head to hide the real purpose of their journey and to give the Quraysh the impression of lesser Hajj (Umra); for, it was the month (Rajab) when hostilities were forbidden. When the Quraysh saw the shaven head of Ukkash, they thought that the Muslims were on their way for pilgrimage and they felt relieved and safe and started to prepare food for themselves. That was how the first band of Muslim Jihadists deceived their prey.
Due to the prevalence of a sacred month, either at the beginning of Rajab or at the end of it (the opinion among the historians vary), Rajab being one of the four sacred months when there was a total ban on warfare and bloodshed in the Arabian Peninsula, Abd Allah b. Jahsh was, at first, hesitant to attack the caravan. Nevertheless, after much deliberation, the Muslims did not want this rich caravan to escape their hand. So, they decided to kill as many Quraysh as they could and take a large booty. They attacked the Quraysh while they (the Quraysh) were busy preparing their food. In the short battle that ensued, Waqid b. Abd Allah killed Amr b. Hadrami, the leader of the Quraysh caravan. Nawfal b.Abd Allah escaped. The Muslims took Uthman b. Abd Allah and al-Hakam b. Kaysan as prisoners.
.
Abd Allah b. Jahsh returned to Medina with the booty and with the two captured Quraysh men. He had already decided to give one-fifth of the booty to Muhammad, and divide the rest among them. The prevailing share of the leader of a plundering party at that time was one quarter of the booty. It is not clear why Abd Allah b. Jahsh decided on one-fifth booty, as Allah did not yet decide the provision of 'Khums' (gang leader's commission on booty of plunder/theft) for Muhammad in verse 8:41. This verse was released after the Badr war, which took place after the plunder at Nakhla.
 
Sura 008.041
And know that out of all the booty that ye may acquire (in war), a fifth share is assigned to Allah,- and to the Messenger, and to near relatives, orphans, the needy, and the wayfarer,- if ye do believe in Allah and in the revelation We sent down to Our servant on the Day of Testing,- the Day of the meeting of the two forces. For Allah hath power over all things.
Since this bloodshed took place during a sacred month, Muhammad was quite unwilling to start an un-ending cycle of revenge killings. The Quraysh also spread everywhere the news of the raid and the killing by Muhammad in the sacred month. Therefore, he rebuked them (the Muslims) for fighting in the sacred month and refused to take any share from the booty. Then verse 2:217 regarding fighting in the sacred month was revealed.
 
Sura 002.217
They ask thee concerning fighting in the Prohibited Month. Say: "Fighting therein is a grave (offence); but graver is it in the sight of Allah to prevent access to the path of Allah, to deny Him, to prevent access to the Sacred Mosque, and drive out its members." Tumult and oppression are worse than slaughter. Nor will they cease fighting you until they turn you back from your faith if they can. And if any of you Turn back from their faith and die in unbelief, their works will bear no fruit in this life and in the Hereafter; they will be companions of the Fire and will abide therein.
 
This revelation permitted Muhammad to conduct war during the sacred months.
Then Abd Allah b. Jahsh divided the booty, one-fifth going to Muhammad. He also decided to make more money by asking ransom for the two captives. However, Muhammad refused to accept the ransoms from the Quraysh until the two of his men, Sa'd b. Abi Waqqas and Utbah b. Ghazwan returned from searching the straying camel. He was afraid that the Quraysh might kill them if they found them. When Sa'd and Utbah returned unharmed, Muhammad released the two Quraysh prisoners on payment of their ransom of one thousand six hundred (1,600) Dirhams (one Dirham = 1/10 Dinar; one Dinar 4.235 gm of gold) per head. It is reported that, soon after his release, Hakam b. Kaysan became a Muslim, probably after witnessing the profitability in terrorism a la Islamic style. Later, he was killed at the battle of Bir Mauna. The other prisoner, Uthman b. Abd Allah returned to Mecca and died as an unbeliever.
The Islamic name of this first successful plunder is 'Nakhla Raid.' It was also the first raid on which the Muslims seized the first captive, and the first life they took. Rightfully, Abd Allah was called the Amir al-Mominun, that is, the commander of the faithful.
After the success of Nakhla raid, Muhammad felt militarily strong and promulgated the rule on the justification of transaction and distribution of spoils of plunder. He actually legalized and legitimized plunder.
This successful raid on the Quraysh caravans fully alarmed the Meccans, because their prosperity completely depended upon the regular and uninterrupted trade to Syria. The trading with Abyssinia and Yemen was of lesser importance. Even the trading caravan towards Abyssinia and Yemen did not look safe from the marauding army of Muhammad. The Nakhla attack also greatly unnerved the Meccans. They now believed that Muhammad had very little respect for life and absolutely no concern for the sanctity of the sacred months. So, the Meccans resolved to avenge the bloodshed. However, the Quraysh restrained their hostility. Muhammad still had a few of his followers residing at Mecca, including his own daughter, Zaynab. The Quraysh did not take any revenge on the remaining followers of Muhammad (including Muhammad's daughter) at Mecca neither did they make any attempt to harass his beloved daughter, Zaynab.
Muhammad, on the other hand, after the success at Nakhla, contemplated a more severe and mortal attack on the Quraysh. Allah now gave him the permission to fight the unbelievers in verses 22:39-42, 2:190-194. As well, the raid at Nakhla was justified by the 'expulsion' of the believers from Mecca. However, the true reason was "until the religion became God's alone". That meant, until all the Meccans (or the world) accepted Islam.
 
Sura  022.039
To those against whom war is made, permission is given (to fight), because they are wronged;- and verily, Allah is most powerful for their aid;-
 
Sura 022.040
(They are) those who have been expelled from their homes in defiance of right,- (for no cause) except that they say, "our Lord is Allah". Did not Allah check one set of people by means of another, there would surely have been pulled down monasteries, churches, synagogues, and mosques, in which the name of Allah is commemorated in abundant measure. Allah will certainly aid those who aid his (cause);- for verily Allah is full of Strength, Exalted in Might, (able to enforce His Will).
 
Sura 022.041
(They are) those who, if We establish them in the land, establish regular prayer and give regular charity, enjoin the right and forbid wrong: with Allah rests the end (and decision) of (all) affairs.
 
Sura 022.042
If they treat thy (mission) as false, so did the peoples before them (with their Prophets),- the People of Noah, and 'Ad and Thamud;
 
Sura 002.190
Fight in the cause of Allah those who fight you, but do not transgress limits; for Allah loveth not transgressors.
 
Sura 002.191
And slay them wherever ye catch them, and turn them out from where they have Turned you out; for tumult and oppression are worse than slaughter; but fight them not at the Sacred Mosque, unless they (first) fight you there; but if they fight you, slay them. Such is the reward of those who suppress faith.
 
Sura 002.192
But if they cease, Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.
 
Sura 002.193
And fight them on until there is no more Tumult or oppression, and there prevail justice and faith in Allah; but if they cease, Let there be no hostility except to those who practice oppression.
 
Sura 002.194
The prohibited month for the prohibited month,- and so for all things prohibited,- there is the law of equality. If then any one transgresses the prohibition against you, Transgress ye likewise against him. But fear Allah, and know that Allah is with those who restrain themselves.
 
Those who were reluctant to join in the war of plunder were reproved. Allah's revelation on this came down in verses 47:20-21. These verses granted paradise to those who fight (or terrorize and plunder) for Islam i.e., Jihad and are killed.
 
Sura 047.020
Those who believe say, "Why is not a sura sent down (for us)?" But when a sura of basic or categorical meaning is revealed, and fighting is mentioned therein, thou wilt see those in whose hearts is a disease looking at thee with a look of one in swoon at the approach of death. But more fitting for them-
 
Sura 047.021
Were it to obey and say what is just, and when a matter is resolved on, it were best for them if they were true to Allah.
 
Allah then asked these terrorists to "strike off the heads of the unbelievers; to make a great slaughter and bind them fast in bonds" in verse 47:3-4
 
Sura 047.003
This because those who reject Allah follow vanities, while those who believe follow the Truth from their Lord: Thus does Allah set forth for men their lessons by similitudes.
 
Sura 047.004
Therefore, when ye meet the Unbelievers (in fight), smite at their necks; At length, when ye have thoroughly subdued them, bind a bond firmly (on them): thereafter (is the time for) either generosity or ransom: Until the war lays down its burdens. Thus (are ye commanded): but if it had been Allah's Will, He could certainly have exacted retribution from them (Himself); but (He lets you fight) in order to test you, some with others. But those who are slain in the Way of Allah,- He will never let their deeds be lost.
 
Furthermore, the true believers were expected not only to fight but also to contribute materially towards the cost of war (4:66-67, 9:88, 9:111), to kill and be killed. Those who did this were promised a higher rank in paradise (4:74, 4:95). The believers were asked to prepare whatever force in their ability, troops, horses, etc. to strike terror into the hearts of the unbelievers (remember Dr. Mahathir's famous Jewish-bashing speech at OIC conference in late 2003?) (9:73, 123, 8:60).
 
Sura 004.066
If We had ordered them to sacrifice their lives or to leave their homes, very few of them would have done it: But if they had done what they were (actually) told, it would have been best for them, and would have gone farthest to strengthen their (faith);
 
Sura 004.067
And We should then have given them from our presence a great reward;
 
Sura 009.088
But the Messenger, and those who believe with him, strive and fight with their wealth and their persons: for them are (all) good things: and it is they who will prosper.
 
Sura 009.111
Allah hath purchased of the believers their persons and their goods; for theirs (in return) is the garden (of Paradise): they fight in His cause, and slay and are slain: a promise binding on Him in truth, through the Law, the Gospel, and the Qur'an: and who is more faithful to his covenant than Allah? then rejoice in the bargain which ye have concluded: that is the achievement supreme.
 
Sura 004.074
Let those fight in the cause of Allah Who sell the life of this world for the hereafter. To him who fighteth in the cause of Allah,- whether he is slain or gets victory - Soon shall We give him a reward of great (value).
 
Sura 004.095
Not equal are those believers who sit (at home) and receive no hurt, and those who strive and fight in the cause of Allah with their goods and their persons. Allah hath granted a grade higher to those who strive and fight with their goods and persons than to those who sit (at home). Unto all (in Faith) Hath Allah promised good: But those who strive and fight Hath He distinguished above those who sit (at home) by a special reward,-
 
Sura 009.073
O Prophet! strive hard against the unbelievers and the Hypocrites, and be firm against them. Their abode is Hell,- an evil refuge indeed.
 
Sura 009.123
O ye who believe! fight the unbelievers who gird you about, and let them find firmness in you: and know that Allah is with those who fear Him.
[SOURCE - "The Root of Terrorism a la Islamic style," by Abul Kasem, http://www.faithfreedom.org/Articles/AbulKasem40730.htm (9/11/2007)]
 
Now that we have seen the redefined "mercy" of Muhammad as expressed in history and the Qur'an, let's look at the Biblical forum of mercy.
 
BIBLICAL MERCY:
 
"Mercy is a frequent translation of the Hebrew ra·chamim' and the Greek e'le·os (verb, e·le·e'o). An examination of these terms and their usage helps bring out their full flavor and sense. The Hebrew verb ra·cham' is defined as meaning "to glow, to feel warm with tender emotion; . . . to be compassionate." [SOURCE - "A Hebrew and Chaldee Lexicon," edited by B. Davies, 1957, p. 590]
 
According to lexicographer Gesenius: "The primary idea seems to lie in cherishing, soothing, and in a gentle emotion of mind." [SOURCE - A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament, translated by E. Robinson, 1836, p. 939]
 
Actually, The term is closely related to the word for "womb" or can refer to "bowels," which are affected when one feels warm and tender sympathy or pity.-Compare Isa 63:15, 16; Jer 31:20."
 
In the Scriptures ra·cham' is used only once by man toward God, the psalmist saying: "I shall have affection [form of ra·cham'] for you, O Jehovah my strength." (Ps 18:1) Between humans, Joseph displayed this quality when "his inward emotions [form of ra·chamim'] were excited" toward his brother Benjamin and he gave way to tears. (Ge 43:29, 30; compare 1Ki 3:25, 26.) When people were subjected to the possibility of being dealt with harshly or unfeelingly by captors (1Ki 8:50; Jer 42:10-12) or by officials of superior authority (Ge 43:14; Ne 1:11; Da 1:9), they desired and prayed to become objects of pity or mercy before such ones, hence, to be treated with favor, gentleness, consideration.-Contrast Isa 13:17, 18.
[SOURCE - Insight on the Bible, Vol. II].
 
Compassion for the miserable. Its object is misery. By the atoning sacrifice of Christ a way is open for the exercise of mercy towards the sons of men, in harmony with the demands of truth and righteousness #Ge 19:19 Ex 20:6 34:6,7 Ps 85:10 86:15,16 In Christ mercy and truth meet together. Mercy is also a Christian grace #Mt 5:7 18:33-35 [SOURCE - Eastons's Revised Bible Dictionary].
 
The Greek e'le·os conveys some of the sense of the Hebrew ra·chamim'. Vine's Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words says: "ELEOS (?????) 'is the outward manifestation of pity; it assumes need on the part of him who receives it, and resources adequate to meet the need on the part of him who shows it.'" The verb (e·le·e'o) generally conveys the idea of feeling "sympathy with the misery of another, and especially sympathy manifested in act." (1981, Vol. 3, pp. 60, 61) Hence, the blind, the demon-possessed, the leprous, or those whose children were afflicted were among those who evoked e'le·os, the expression of mercy, pity. (Mt 9:27; 15:22; 17:15; Mr 5:18, 19; Lu 17:12, 13) In response to the plea, "Have mercy on us," Jesus performed miracles relieving such ones. He did so, not in a routine, apathetic way, but "moved with pity" (Mt 20:31, 34), the Gospel writer here using a form of the verb splag·khni'zo·mai, which is related to splag'khna, literally meaning "intestines." (Ac 1:18) This verb expresses the feeling of pity, whereas e'le·os refers to the active manifestation of such pity, hence an act of mercy.[REFERENCE - Vine's Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words].
 
As can readily be seen, Biblical use of the word mercy does NOT refer to a negative action such as holding back from punishment or something, but to a positive action - an act of kindness or consideration or pity that brings relief, not an attach, on those who are disadvantaged, i.e., in need of mercy of the Biblical type, not the Islamic type.
 
The only begotten Son of God, Jesus (Yeshua) Christ clearly showed how we should mercifully deal with others at Matthew 22:37-40, "And he said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.  38  This is the great and first commandment.  39  And a second like unto it is this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.  40  On these two commandments the whole law hangeth, and the prophets." (American Standard Version; ASV); and Matthew 5:43-48, "Ye have heard that it was said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy:  44  but I say unto you, love your enemies, and pray for them that persecute you;  45  that ye may be sons of your Father who is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sendeth rain on the just and the unjust.  46  For if ye love them that love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?  47  And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the Gentiles the same?  48  Ye therefore shall be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect." (ASV).
 
Scriptures for further investigation: #2Sa 22:26  Ps 18:25  37:25,26  85:10  Pr 3:3,4  11:17  #Pr 12:10  14:21,22,31  20:28  21:21  Ho 4:1  12:6  Mic 6:8 Mt 5:7  23:23  Lu 6:36  Ro 12:8  Col 3:12,13  Jas 2:13 [SOURCE - Nave's Topical Bible]
 
THE CHOICE:
 
Now there are two choices with regard to 'MERCY.'
 
The first is one of what I call anti-mercy offered by Islam which consist of violence and pillage as previously shown.
 
The second is the one offered by the Bible of peace and love.
 
The choice is yours, make the right choice.
 
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BIBLE AND RELIGION – BOTH TRUE AND FALSE – AT   WWW.JW.ORG