We proclaim what we believe through words. Words are more powerful than we can comprehend. Eg. The Most High created all matter through the speaking of words:
“Let there be light” and then there was light. (Genesis 1:3)
This is why the enemy has used them to work against us.
If you ask any Christian if they know what the “Tetragrammaton, YHWH” is, they will say it is the Sacred Name of The Most High. So why doesn’t anyone use it? Does everyone think it is optional, like The Most High doesn’t care what name we use to speak to Him?
Let me ask you: Do you like it when people get your name wrong? If your name is Sally do you think it’s fine if someone calls you Fred? And not only calls you Fred once, but over and over again for their whole life? Would you think that they know or understand or cared about you if they did that? Then why would you do it to literally the Creator of all things including you?
Let’s go over some of the possible arguments/excuses and see if they hold up.
Excuse #1: Do you think that it is a translation so it is fine to use the translated form of his Name?
Firstly, the word “God” does not mean “YHWH”. That is for sure (read about here)
But more to my point: When I go to another country that speaks a different language, I still introduce myself by my name. The name I respond to does not change just because I went to another country and they may speak a different language. I do not identify by anything else. So why would we not use The Most High’s Sacred Name as it has been given us?
Excuse #2: Is it because your church minister doesn’t use it, so you think that means you don’t have to use it?
Let no man deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition (2 Thessalonians 2:3)
And let me ask you: Who is in charge of your life, your salvation – you or your minister?
Know this: there will be punishment for church leaders who denied the use of The Most High’s Sacred Name.
“And now O priests this commandment is for you. If you will not hear, and if you will not take it to heart, to give glory to My Name, I will send a curse upon you” (Malachi 2:2)
How long do the prophets delight to prophesy lies, even prophesying the deceit of their own heart? Think they to cause my people to forget my Name by their dreams, which they tell every man to his neighbor, as their forefathers have forgotten my Name for Lord (Baal). (Jeremiah 23:25-27)
Excuse #3: Is it because you don’t know how to pronounce it?
It is true it is hard to know how to pronounce the Name because the Hebrew alphabet did not use vowels. But do you think that is a good excuse to never consider seeking out HOW to pronounce it, and then if you still don’t know, giving it your best attempt at it? Do you not think that would count more than not trying at all?
Eg. Christians act like Jehova’s Witnesses are not true Christians. But you cannot claim that they did not read the Bible, because in the Bible YHWH says many, many times what He thinks of how we should treat His Name.
The Jehova’s Witnesses don’t have it completely right, because they use the Greek version of the Name, which uses “J”s and “v”s (which did not exist in the time of Moses when he received the Name). But they are attempting to follow the Bible and the Word himself as to what He wants us to do. And it is more accurate than using completely different words, such as God or Lord. (It would appear in this case, the JW are trying harder to remember His name, as the Bible says to do, than all others professing to be Christians.)
“Thus you shall say to the children of Israel YHWH has sent me to you. This is My Name forever and this is my remembrance to all generations. ” (Exodus 3:13-15)
After all, YHWH incarnate as The Savior, said that the Sacred Name of YHWH should be hallowed, meaning kept in the highest esteem, praised, worshipped. YHSHA says that we should begin our prayers to YHWH with:
“Our Father in Heaven, hallowed be your Name” (Matthew 6:9, Luke 11:2))
Are we revering His Name if we let it disappear from the world through disuse?
In the prayer, it states that the Father’s Name, specifically “YHWH”, is hallowed, meaning revered, honored, consecrated, holy. This goes along with the Ten Commandments which states,
“Thou shalt not take the Name of YHWH in vain: for I will not hold him guiltless that taketh his Name in vain.” (Exodus 20:3-7)
Thou shalt not take the Name of the YHWH the Iloah in vain: for YHWH will not hold him guiltless that taketh his Name in vain…Thou shalt have none before my face. ” (Deuteronomy 5:6-11)
The word here translated as “in vain” is לָשָׁוא ( ’empty, ‘of nothing’, ‘worthless’, ‘vanity’, ’emptiness of speech’, ‘lying’)1
Literally:
Names have meaning
Understand: In Hebrew, names are words in the Hebrew language. So names have meaning. The name of a person denotes attributes or “character” of the person. So if you call someone by the wrong name, you are denying or removing their character from them, what is used to recognize what they are all about, and putting some other meaning upon them.
The term “Semitic” literally means “People of The Name”.
Shem’s blood line (ie. Semitic=shemitic) was supposed to carry the Name to all of the earth.
“But indeed for this purpose I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth.” (Exodus 9:16)
There are two more major reasons why Christians are not using the Name of the Most High YHWH.
So far, this is the most compelling and disturbing reason for the loss of The Most High’s Name, which was also aided by the fact that much of the population was illiterate and relied heavily on the clergy for what they knew of The Bible. But we do not live in those times. We live in an age of unprecedented access to information. And with it, we have increased responsibility for our actions.
So do you think that is a good excuse to YHWH? After all we all have been told what The Most High’s Name is, and the Jehovah’s Witnesses knew how to try to use it.
So what does the Bible say about using His Name? What does The Most High say?
Nowhere in the Bible does it say not to use His Sacred Name. It says the opposite, and speaks much of the punishment to those who use other words instead of His Name, and blessing for those who remember His Name.
“I am YHWH, that is My Name, and my glory I will not give to another, neither My Praise to carved images.” (Isaiah 42:8, Dead Sea Scrolls)
“But you who forsake YHWH, who forget my holy mountain, who set a table for Gad (pronounced God, who is the mighty one of fortune) and fill cups of mixed wine for Meni, I will destine you to the sword, and all of you shall bow down to the slaughter, because, when I called, you did not answer; when I spoke, you did not listen, but you did what was evil in my eyes and chose what I did not delight in.” (Isaiah 65:11-12)
What is the reward for remembering His Name?
So a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who revere YHWH and who meditate on His name. (Malachi 3:16)
“He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.” (2 Samuel 7:13)
I know of a mystery. I have read the sky tablets. I have seen the sacred books. I found written therein an inscription about the ones For whom all goodness, joy, and admiration is prepared; Written down for the ruachim of those who died in obedience. Manifold good will be given you in exchange for your work; Your fate is abundantly better than that of any living soul. In a blazing light, I will bring forth Those who love My Sacred Name. I will seat them upon sky-thrones. There will they dazzle timelessly, For YHWH judged them obedient. (1 Enoch 103:2,3; 1 Enoch 108:13)
“If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. “ (2 Chron 7:14)
The Gift of Forgiveness and Salvation Comes from YHWH
YHSHA said: “I have come in My Father’s name”, (John 5:43)
“The works that I do in My Father’s name, they bear witness of Me. “(John 10:25)
…whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. Until now you have asked nothing in My name. (John 16:23)
YHSHA said: “And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. (John 14:13)
And how do we get saved? We call upon The Most High’s Name.
“Whosoever shall call upon the Name of YHSHA shall be saved. ” (Romans 10:13)
So I ask you: Does it sound like Our Father in Heaven is lukewarm on this issue?
References:
1 – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thou_shalt_not_take_the_name_of_the_Lord_thy_God_in_vain
