Evidence of Salvation… 3 Witnesses
by Paul Sides
The answer is found in the book of 1 John. This book is rarely taught however because the “Church” with it’s false doctrine of Replacement Theology that the Church replaced Israel and the New Testament rendered the Torah/Prophets “Old”… does NOT like the answer to the question. Because the answer is clearly that we are to keep the Torah! Without that obedience, you cannot have the witnesses required to be saved.
That is a powerful statement. But is it true? Let us see.
I am going to prove that as a child of God there are 3 witnesses in Heaven and 3 witnesses on Earth that PROVE your salvation. They are:
3 Earthly witnesses:
3 Heavenly witnesses recorded in the Book of Life:
Now… line upon line, precept upon precept let us examine the Word of God…
1 John 1
1 That which was from the beginning (the Light, the
Logos, the Plan of YHWH to send a Messiah), which we have heard (through
the Prophets who foretold of the Messiah), which we have seen with our eyes,
which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled (the
human Messiah Yahshua has come in the flesh), of the Word of life (YHWH’s
promise of redemption through His Messiah);
2 For the life (promised in His Word) was manifested (on Earth, born human), and we have seen it (the Salvation of YHWH… Yahshua), and bear witness (through
the Spirit of Truth inside us), and shew unto you that eternal life, which
was with the Father (the Plan was
YHWH’s, the Light of the World, Yahshua), and was manifested unto us (born human in the flesh, the Plan/Purpose/Prophets of YHWH has been
fulfilled in Yahshua);
3 That which we have seen (in the flesh) and heard (declared by His Prophets) declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us (in Elohim, the family of God): and truly our fellowship (brotherhood) is with the Father (of Elohim, YHWH), and with his (first born) Son Yahshua the Messiah (our brother and High Priest).
Now… 1 John is a TESTAMENT to the reality of the Messiah, the fulfillment of YHWH’s Plan revealed in the beginning prophesied through His Prophets. 1 John goes on to discuss how we must walk in the Light of His revealed Messiah, how we now have forgiveness of sin, transgression of His Commands) through the blood sacrifice YHWH made for us of His First Born Son and Messiah.
THE
TEST… First you must “know” YHWH.
Before the witnesses are introduced as proof, 1 John lays down the TEST to know if you truly know the Living God… YHWH. That test is ‘do we KEEP HIS COMMANMENTS (Torah, Feasts, Sabbath)?’. The 10 Commandments were summed up by Yahshua as LOVE. The first 5 commandments teach us how to love YHWH. The next 5 how to love our brother…
1 John 2:3
1 My
little children (writing to the
spiritually immature), these things write I unto you, that ye sin not (by
breaking the Commandments of YHWH). And if any man sin (falling
short of keeping the Commandments), we have an advocate (High Priest) with the Father (of
Elohim, YHWH), Messiah Yahshua the righteous (anointed and perfect human image or proxy of YHWH):
2 And he (Yahshua)
is the propitiation (substitution)
for our sins (violating YHWH’s Commands):
and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world (those
who know Yahshua and are one with YHWH through marriage).
3 And hereby we do know that we know him (here
is the test), if we keep his commandments (we
obey and Yahshua said if you love YHWH, keep His Commandments, not ONE JOT OR
TITLE is done away with).
4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his
commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. (the sign of the sons of YHWH are those that keep the Sabbath/Feast/Torah).
5 But whoso keepeth his word (Yahshua said that not ONE JOT OR TITLE is done away… Yahshua commanded
us to Keep the Commandments of YHWH), in him (those who keep the commandments) verily is the love (of
YHWH) perfected (we pass the test and
it is recorded in the Book of Life): hereby know we that we are in him (we are in covenant with Yahshua if we keep YHWH Commandments).
Now, the “Church” teaches us the Old Testament is, well “Old”. That is a Catholic Doctrine and declared outright in the Word as the doctrine of Satan. We are to keep every word that progressed out of the Mouth of YHWH and Yahshua. Yahshua clearly told us that anyone who teaches otherwise… is a false teacher. Paul agreed. And so did every other writer from Gen. to Rev.
Now we see more proof as 1 John goes on to clearly teach that the “old” commandments are to be kept. And only 1 to be added:
6 He that saith he abideth in him (is
in covenant with Yahshua) ought himself also so to walk (be
doers not talkers), even as he walked (follow
Yahshua’s example… by keeping YHWH’s Commandments).
7 Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but
an old commandment which ye had from the beginning (at the time there was no New Testament, 1 John is teaching the Torah).
The old commandment (Torah) is the
word which ye have heard from the beginning (given in covenants, commandments, feasts, Sabbath and that word is the
Commandments of YHWH).
8 Again (here
is the only new one), a new commandment I write unto you (you
must believe in and be in covenant through Yahshua the Messiah), which thing
(Spirit) is true in him (Yahshua)
and in you (the Spirit of Truth):
because the darkness (of Law without Grace) is past (shadows/portraits/prophesies concerning the coming Messiah), and the
true light now shineth (the Messiah has
COME! And shown us the way unto
salvation providing Grace to fulfill and make whole the Law/Torah).
So, John is teaching the spiritually immature that the Messiah has come, and to be in covenant with Yahshua, you must keep YHWH Commandments. If you fall short, however, John proclaims a NEW COMMAND… Yahshua is our High Priest and we now have forgiveness for transgression against the Law! That is the ONLY new command. And that is the commandment to be in the New Covenant of Grace while keeping ALL the old commandments of YHWH to cover your transgressions.
Now 1 John expands on this ONE new command so that we fully understand its implications and meaning.
Next let me draw your attention to 1 John 3:4-24
4 Whosoever
committeth sin transgresseth also the Torah/Law: for sin is the transgression of
the Torah/law (Paul clearly teaches this
exact same thing. The Law was given
so that we may know what is Holy and identify sin).
5 And ye know that Yahshua was manifested (created
human by YHWH) to take away our sins (as
the Passover Lamb providing Grace in light of transgression making whole the
Torah); and in Yahshua (our High
Priest) is (present tense) no sin
(Yahshua has been perfected through a
life on Earth of trials and tribulations).
6 Whosoever abideth in Yahshua (are
in covenant by the blood of Yashua) sinneth not (by
keeping the Commands of YHWH): whosoever sinneth (present
tense, does not keep the Commands of YHWH) hath not seen him (Yahshua),
neither known him (are NOT in covenant
with Yahshua).
7 Little children, let no man deceive you (by
teaching that the Commands of YHWH are done away): he that doeth
righteousness (obeys the Will of YHWH) is righteous, even as he (YHWH)
is righteous (as we, through covenant of
marriage with Yahshua, are one in Will/Mind/Purpose with YHWH as Yahshua is).
8 He that committeth sin (transgresses the law) is of the devil (the Old Testament is not Old after all, that is a false doctrine of
devils); for the devil sinneth from the beginning (violated the Commands of YHWH). For this purpose the Son of God (Yahshua)
was manifested (born in the flesh),
that he (Yahshua) might destroy the
works of the devil (defeat sin/death upon
resurrection and FULFILL the Law providing Grace for our transgressions).
9 Whosoever is born (again) of YHWH doth not commit sin (transgress YHWH’s Commands/Law); for YHWH’s seed (Spirit
of Truth) remaineth in him (we are
Elohim, sons of God): and he cannot sin (habitually),
because he is born of God (we too are
sons of God as is our elder brother Yahshua).
Wow! Pretty
clear if you ask me. The doctrine
that we are no longer to keep the Sabbath/Feasts/Torah is a doctrine of devils!
The “Old” testament is not “Old” as the Catholic Church
proclaimed and the
10 In this (keeping
the Commandments of YHWH) the children of God (Elohim) are manifest (made
known to the world), and the children of the devil (are made known also because…): whosoever doeth not righteousness (LOVE
YHWH - keep the Commandments of YHWH) is not of God, neither he that loveth
not his brother (again summing up the 10 commandments of Love… Love YHWH and Love your
Brother).
11 For this (10
Commandments) is the message that ye heard from the beginning (love YHWH and
your brother), that we should love one another (Law of Love).
12 Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew
his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his
brother's righteous (the world will hate
us for keeping His Law).
13 Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you (for
keeping the Commandments of YHWH).
14 We
know that we have passed from death unto life (the Torah is LIFE), because we love the brethren. He that loveth not
his brother abideth in death.
15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer (John
understood that Yahshua elevated the Laws/Commands from physical acts to
attitude of heart): and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding
in him.
16 Hereby perceive (understand the meaning through the example of Yahshua) we the love
of YHWH, because Yahshua laid down his life for us (Elohim, the sons of God):
and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren (again elevating the laws of love (10 Commandments) to a higher level NOT
doing away with them. No just
keeping from lying and stealing and adultery but now true love of YHWH is dieing
for our brothers).
17 But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his
brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how
dwelleth the love of God in him?
18 My little children, let us not love in word (don’t
just talk), neither in tongue (the
talk); but in deed (walk the walk
brotha… physical action of keeping the Commandments) and in truth (found
in the Torah, and the Spiritual
attitude of Messiah Yahshua).
19 And hereby we know that we are of the truth (Spiritual
attitude of Messiah), and shall assure our hearts (attitudes
are righteous) before YHWH.
20 For if our heart (attitude) condemn us, YHWH is greater than our heart, and knoweth
all things.
21 Beloved, if our heart (attitude) condemn us not, then have we confidence toward YHWH.
22 And whatsoever we ask (in prayer to YHWH), we receive of YHWH, because we keep YHWH’s
commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in YHWH’s sight.
Ok, pretty heavy meat here. We are supposed to be keeping His Commandments… the OLD ones. That is the entire conversation of 1 John. Only ONE new one listed below again:
23 And this is YHWH’s (new) commandment (I am
bringing to you), That we should believe on the name of (enter
into covenant of marriage and become one with Him through) His Son Messiah
Yahshua (the Passover Lamb), and love one another, as YHWH gave us
commandment (in the beginning to do).
24 And he that keepeth YHWH’s commandments
dwelleth (abides in covenant) in YHWH
(through believing in His Son), and
YHWH (abides) in him (that
keeps the Commandments and is in covenant through the blood of Yahshua). And
hereby we know that YHWH abideth in us, by the Spirit (of
Truth) which YHWH hath given us.
And there you have it, the Truth and the Way in a nutshell clearly taught by 1 John. And not at all what we are taught in 99.99999% of our Churches. We are taught not to keep the Law and by doing so we are damned as children of the devil. This should be a very sobering teaching in deed. One I would confront my pastor with immediately.
Alright, I think we get a flavor for what John is TEACHING the spiritually immature. If you are a son of God you will keep the Feasts/Torah/Sabbath as commanded. If you fail and transgress His Laws you are in covenant with Yashshua the Messiah who was perfected and is currently interceding on your behalf as High Priest and is now without sin.
And we see a clear picture of how we are to know we are sons of God:
I have to go through the meaning of 1 John in order to demonstrate how POORLY we have been taught and how badly we have been misled before I get to the 3 witnesses on Earth and the 3 in Heaven. You see, keeping the Law/Torah is just the first step to demonstrate you even have a clue who YHWH is! Beyond that you must have witnesses to testify you are Elohim… a son of God.
Now that John has clearly taught us to keep the Commandments and when we fail we demonstrate a righteous mindset through WATER baptism for the remission of sin and we are in covenant with Yahshua our High Priest through his BLOOD and we who have the witness of the SPIRIT of Truth are forgiven for our transgressions. This is the New Covenant.
These 3 are in AGREEMENT that the ONE they are bearing witness of is a son of God. A born again member of the family of Elohim. A brother of Yahshua the eldest son.
Now we are taught by 1 John that as these three witness confirm we are sons of God, we too become a WITNESS ourselves through the Spirit of Truth that YHWH has sent (passed tense) the Son to be (future tense) the Saviour of the World.
1 John 4:13-15
13 Hereby
know we that we dwell in YHWH, and YHWH in us, because YHWH hath given us of His
Spirit (of Truth and
sonship whereby we cry Abba Father).
14 And we have seen (YHWH’s Salvation/Yahshua) and do testify (are witnesses) that the Father (of Elohim has) sent the (first
born) Son (of Elohim) to be the
Saviour of the world (those who are in
covenant with YHWH).
15 (and this
is the covenant and new command) Whosoever shall confess (before
men/WATER baptism) that Yahshua is the Son of YHWH (are
in covenant through Yahshua’s BLOOD), YHWH dwelleth (SPIRIT of Truth) in him (that
are in covenant), and he (who is in
covenant dwelleth) in YHWH.
OK. 1 John has driven the point home over and over what the New Covenant is all about. It is all the OLD commands of the Torah/Feasts/Sabbath plus ONE that we be in covenant with Yahshua WATER/BLOOD/SPIRIT.
It is interesting to me, that in addition to not teaching or dealing with 1 John much, the “Church” usually mis-quotes the next chapter to prove the false doctrine of the pagan Trinity when 1 John teaches us the 3 witnesses in Heaven. Some pagan translations of the Bible even translate Water/Blood/Spirit as Father/Son/Holy Ghost. A mistranslation born out of men who take 1 John 5 out of context completely.
Now. Let’s press on to MATURITY and deal with what 1 John 5 REALLY says.
1 John 5
1 Whosoever believeth that Yahshua is the Messiah is
born (again) of YHWH: and every one
that loveth YHWH (first 5 commandments)
that begat (the family of Elohim)
loveth him (their brother in Elohim)
also that is begotten of YHWH (again summing up the Commandment so Love YHWH and your BROTHER).
2 By this we know that we love the children of God (our
brothers in Elohim), when we love YHWH, and keep YHWH’s commandments (pretty
clear. The old ones and the ONE new
one).
3 For this is the love of YHWH, that we keep
YHWH’s Commandments (again restated for
emphasis): and His Commandments are not grievous (to us, we keep them out of love. The
Law is grievous to the children of the devil, the Roman Church, are to those
false teachers and false prophets who practice sin which is the transgression of
the law of YHWH and teach others not to keep the Feasts/Torah/Sabbath)
4 For whatsoever is born (again) of YHWH overcometh the world (we live in, we are Elohim): and this is the victory that overcometh
the world, even our faith (in the
promises of YHWH found in the Torah/Prophets/Messiah).
5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that
believeth that Yahshua is the Son of YHWH (faith in the Messiah)?
Now, the ENTIRE BOOK of 1 John is describing how you know you are son of YHWH. And as we have seen, you know by 3 concurring witnesses.
Now John provides again further explanation of our Assurance of Salvation:
6 This is he (Yahshua, the EXAMPLE, The WAY we
follow) that came by water (was
introduced to the world when baptized by John the Baptist for remission of sin,
1rst Witness) and blood (2nd
Witness: Yahshua offered as High Priest the final sacrifice of his own blood, to
consummate the New Covenant), even Yahshua the Messiah; not by water only (as
the Law commanded concerning washing without redemption), but by water and
blood (two witnesses MUST be complete, the Torah was fulfilled with the Grace
of the blood of the Passover Lamb) . And it is the Spirit (of
Truth the 3rd Witness that then descended as YHWH declared ‘This is
My Son’) that beareth witness (that
Yahshua was the Son of God), because the Spirit is truth (2
witnesses are not good enough, you must have the witness of the Spirit of Truth
to confirm).
So we1 John lays out the example, The Way, whereby we too can be assured of salvation. Yahshua had 3 witnesses as an example for us to follow that we must too have 3 witnesses as our assurance of salvation. We must be baptized for the remission of sin WATER, we must be in covenant with YHWH through the BLOOD of Yahshua, and we must be baptized in the Holy SPIRIT of Truth as confirmation.
Next, 1 John described the deep spiritual truth that we not only have 3 witnesses, we have 3 in Heaven before YHWH and 3 on Earth before men that confirm we are truly sons of YHWH…
You see, YHWH Himself declares our sonship as He did Yahshua and that is recorded in the Book of Life as the first witness. Then there is the witness that we kept YHWH’s Word, His Commandments. That is the second witness recorded on our behalf in the Book of Life. And then, we must have been baptized in His Spirit of Truth as a guarantee of eternal life. The Spirit is the third witness recorded in the Book of Life.
7 For there are three (eternal witnesses of our salvation) that bear record (in the Book of Life that is) in heaven, the Father (who begets us), the Word (that we kept all His Commandments including the New command to be in covenant with Yahshua), and the Holy Spirit (of Truth that we have the guarantee of eternal life): and these three (witness together) are one (in agreement before YHWH that we are saved!).
That is the 3 in Heaven that witness to our salvation and are documented in the Book of Life. Next, John describes the 3 on Earth…
8 And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit (of Truth given to us as a guarantee), and the water (the witness repentance and confession), and the blood (of the Lamb that consummated the marriage covenant of Yahshua that we are ONE with YHWH): and these three (witnesses on Earth) agree in one (testimony that we are sons of God… Elohim).
Now 1 John proclaims as before the World will HATE us for keeping His Commandments, but don’t worry, the witness of men IS NOT VALID…
9 If we receive the witness of men (not even mentioned as a true witness on Earth or in Heaven, if we seek the approval of man that is our reward we have none in heaven), the witness of God (water/blood/spirit) is greater: for this (repentance/covenant/spirit) is the witness of YHWH which He hath (given to us and) testified (as a witness Himself) of His Son (Yahshua was baptized for repentance/water, given the Spirit of Truth, and shed his blood to consummate the covenant).
So… this is the New Covenant clearly defined in detail by 1 John and the clear evidence of your sonship in the family of Elohim.
10 He that believeth on the Son of YHWH (the
New Covenant…Water/Blood/Spirit) hath the (3)
witness (on earth to prove it) in
himself: he that believeth not (in the
Messiah), YHWH hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record (of
3 witnesses) that YHWH gave of his Son (the
demonstration of repentance/water, the Spirit of Truth, the sacrifice of the
Lamb/blood).
11 And this is the (result of the) record (kept
in Heaven, the 3 witnesses kept in the Book of Life), that YHWH hath given
to us (Elohim, the sons of God)
eternal life, and this life (eternal)
is (found) in (water/blood/spirit covenant with) His Son (Yahshua the Passover Lamb of God that fulfills the Torah).
12 He that hath the (same record in heaven and witness on earth of the) Son hath (obtained
eternal) life; and he that hath not the (3 required witnesses in heaven and on earth of the) Son of God hath
not (eternal) life (and
will perish).
13 These things have I written unto you that believe
on the name (identifying the covenant of
Yahshua) of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life (the
promise of that covenant), and that ye may believe (be
confident by the 3 witnesses) on the name (Yahshua,
the covenant) of the Son of God.
14 And this is the confidence that we (who
have the 3 witnesses, repentance/covered by blood covenant/filled with Spirit)
have in Yahshua (the High Priest),
that, if we ask any thing according to YHWH’s will, He (YHWH) heareth us (because we are found in the Book of Life as well):
15 And if we know that YHWH hears us (who
are found in the Book of Life), whatsoever we ask (of
our Father), we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him (our prayers are answered).
Next thought… the power we have as men of God… we are Righteous Judges. And we are trained in judgment by His Torah:
16 If any man (of YHWH) see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death (Torah standards), he (the man of God) shall ask (of YHWH), and he (YHWH) shall give him (the man we prayed for) life for them that sin not unto death (Torah standards, we the men of God are RIGHTEOUS JUDGES). There is a sin unto death (we are to know the Torah, that is the standard): I do not say that he (the man of God) shall pray for it (because a sin unto death must be covered by the blood of the Lamb and only Yahshua the High Priest can intercede for such sin).
Summary of 1 John…
17 All unrighteousness (transgression of the law) is sin: and there is a sin not unto death
(by the standards of His Torah).
18 We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not
(habitually but keeps the Law of God);
but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself (we keep the Commandments), and that wicked one toucheth him not (we
become righteous with no sin and out of range of the enemy).
19 And we know (the TEST) that we are of God (because
we keep His Commandments), and the whole world lieth in wickedness (transgressing
His Laws).
20 And we know that the Son of God is come (and
shown us THE WAY), and hath given us an understanding (of
the 3 witnesses we need), that we may know YHWH that is true, and we are in
(abide in the example of) Yahshua
that is true, even in his Son Yahshua the Messiah. This (what I have described to you in this letter of the witnesses required
and obedience to the Commandments) is the true God (don’t fall for any other gospel), and (the way to) eternal life.
Final thought
21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.