Yahweh's Restoration Ministry

How misused: Misinterpreted to suggest that these verses support the continued mandatory observance of Old Testament feast days and Sabbaths, rather than understanding them as a shadow fulfilled in Christ. The summaries imply that YRM views Paul's admonition against judgment 'in regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath' as an endorsement of these practices, or as referring to external judgment *against* their observance, rather than acknowledging that these were shadows of things to come, with the substance found in Christ. They often interpret 'shadow' as a 'rehearsal' that is still necessary.

Scripture's answer: Colossians 2:16-17 states: 'Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.' This passage teaches that these practices were prophetic shadows, and their substance/fulfillment is found in Christ, rendering external judgment based on their observance or non-observance inappropriate. The passage frees believers from legalistic adherence to these shadows, as Christ is the reality.

How misused: Misapplied to argue *for* the continued mandatory observance of specific 'days, months, seasons, and years' (referring to Old Testament feast days and Sabbaths), rather than understanding Paul's concern that the Galatians were returning to a legalistic observance that obscured the freedom found in Christ. The speaker implicitly rejects Paul's concern about believers becoming enslaved to these elements.

Scripture's answer: Galatians 4:10-11 says: 'You are observing special days and months and seasons and years! I fear for you, that somehow I have wasted my efforts on you.' Paul here expresses concern that the Galatians were returning to a legalistic observance of Jewish ceremonial laws, which he viewed as a regression from the liberty of the Gospel. It warns against a works-based righteousness centered on such observances, not against their rejection.

How misused: Misinterpreted as a promise for the *continued literal adherence* to the Mosaic Law (Torah) in the New Covenant, rather than an internal, spiritual transformation where God's law is written on the heart, empowering obedience through the Spirit. The speaker conflates the internalizing of the law with maintaining its external ceremonial requirements.

Scripture's answer: Jeremiah 31:33 states: '“This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time,” declares Yahweh. “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.”' This prophecy, quoted in Hebrews 8:10, speaks of an *internalized* law, where God empowers believers to obey through the Holy Spirit, rather than an external code requiring ritualistic adherence. It points to a transformation of the heart that enables obedience, not a continuation of ceremonial law as a means of justification.

How misused: Cited to enforce mandatory material 'gifts' or financial 'offerings' during feast days for New Covenant believers, legalistically applying Old Covenant requirements for temple worship to Christian giving.

Scripture's answer: Deuteronomy 16:16-17, part of the Mosaic Law for ancient Israel, details offerings required when appearing before Yahweh at the central sanctuary. For New Covenant believers, giving is described in passages like 2 Corinthians 9:7 ('Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.'), emphasizing willing and cheerful giving, not legalistic obligation tied to specific Old Testament feasts or material gifts.

How misused: Interpreted legalistically to demand exactly 72 hours ('three days and three nights') in the tomb, leading to a Wednesday crucifixion and late Saturday resurrection theory, in opposition to the traditional Friday crucifixion and Sunday morning resurrection.

Scripture's answer: Matthew 12:40 ('For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.') reflects an idiomatic expression in ancient Jewish reckoning where any part of a day was counted as a full day. Thus, a Friday afternoon death and Sunday morning resurrection (e.g., Friday, Saturday, Sunday) could be considered 'three days and three nights' by this reckoning (e.g., part of Friday night, all of Saturday day/night, part of Sunday day).

How misused: Misinterpreted to assert that the 'taken' group in the Noahic analogy refers to those 'taken to death' (the unrighteous in judgment), rather than the righteous being 'taken to be with Jesus' (as in the Rapture). This is used to reject the concept of the Rapture.

Scripture's answer: Matthew 24:37-39 states: 'As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.' While the context emphasizes judgment on the unprepared, the analogy of Noah and his family being saved while others are 'taken away' by the flood is often interpreted differently regarding the 'taken' and 'left' in parallel rapture passages (e.g., Matthew 24:40-41, 1 Thessalonians 4:17). The traditional understanding for the 'rapture' refers to believers being 'taken' to Christ, while the 'left' face judgment.

How misused: Misinterpreted as a direct prohibition against modern Christmas trees, equating them with ancient pagan idol worship described in the passage.

Scripture's answer: Jeremiah 10:2-5 describes the pagan practices of cutting down trees, decorating them, and then carving and overlaying them with silver and gold to make idols to be worshipped. This passage condemns the *worship* of carved wooden idols, not the modern practice of decorating evergreen trees as a festive, non-worshipped item, particularly when done in celebration of Christ's birth. The historical context and purpose of the passage are crucial for accurate interpretation.

How misused: Claimed to be a later interpolation ('did not exist for 1600 years') used to discredit the King James Version and Trinitarian doctrine, oversimplifying textual criticism.

Scripture's answer: The 'Comma Johanneum' (1 John 5:7-8: 'For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.') is widely recognized by textual critics as a late addition to the Greek New Testament. It is absent from nearly all early Greek manuscripts and versions. Its absence does not, however, invalidate the doctrine of the Trinity, which is supported by numerous other biblical passages (e.g., Matthew 28:19, John 1:1, 14:16-17, 2 Corinthians 13:14).