The Assemblies of Yahweh is a nonprofit religious organization with its international headquarters in Bethel, Pennsylvania, United States. The organization developed independently out of a radio ministry begun by Jacob O. Meyer in 1966.''History of Bethel and Tulpehocken Townships'', p. 227. Published by Bethel and Tulpehocken Townships, Berks County PA, 1976, Boyer Printing Co., Lebanon PA The Assemblies of Yahweh is the largest sacred name group, but it is not part of the Sacred Name Movement.

Origin

The Assemblies of Yahweh consider themselves to be the reconstituted Apostolic Assembly that went into dormancy in

AD 70 AD 70 ( LXX) was a common year starting on Monday of the Julian calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Vespasian and Titus (or, less frequently, year 823 ''Ab urbe condita''). The denomination AD 70 for this year ...

. The founder, Jacob O. Meyer, learned about the name

Yahweh Yahweh was an Ancient Semitic religion, ancient Semitic deity of Weather god, weather and List of war deities, war in the History of the ancient Levant, ancient Levant, the national god of the kingdoms of Kingdom of Judah, Judah and Kingdom ...

while he was taking a biblical theological course. As a result, he became convinced of the importance of exclusively employing the names Yahweh for God and later, Yahshua for

Jesus Jesus (AD 30 or 33), also referred to as Jesus Christ, Jesus of Nazareth, and many Names and titles of Jesus in the New Testament, other names and titles, was a 1st-century Jewish preacher and religious leader. He is the Jesus in Chris ...

. Meyer went on to found the Assemblies of Yahweh in 1969. The organization sometimes refers to itself as "Modern Day

Elijah Elijah ( ) or Elias was a prophet and miracle worker who lived in the northern kingdom of Israel during the reign of King Ahab (9th century BC), according to the Books of Kings in the Hebrew Bible. In 1 Kings 18, Elijah defended the worsh ...

", because , means "My El is

", also alluding to Malachi 4 and Mark 9:12, concerning the return of the worship of Yahweh in the "

latter days ''Latter Days'' is a 2003 American Romance film, romantic comedy drama film about the relationship between a Coming out#Closeted, closeted Mormon missionary and his openly gay neighbor. The film was written and directed by C. Jay Cox and stars ...

". The Assemblies leaders call their faith 'True Worship', rather than

Christianity Christianity is an Abrahamic monotheistic religion, which states that Jesus in Christianity, Jesus is the Son of God (Christianity), Son of God and Resurrection of Jesus, rose from the dead after his Crucifixion of Jesus, crucifixion, whose ...

Judaism Judaism () is an Abrahamic religions, Abrahamic, Monotheism, monotheistic, ethnic religion that comprises the collective spiritual, cultural, and legal traditions of the Jews, Jewish people. Religious Jews regard Judaism as their means of o ...

. They are less commonly known as

Messianic In Abrahamic religions, a messiah or messias (; , ; , ; ) is a saviour or liberator of a group of people. The concepts of '' mashiach'', messianism, and of a Messianic Age originated in Judaism, and in the Hebrew Bible, in which a ''mashiach' ...

(or Spiritual)

Israelites Israelites were a Hebrew language, Hebrew-speaking ethnoreligious group, consisting of tribes that lived in Canaan during the Iron Age. Modern scholarship describes the Israelites as emerging from indigenous Canaanites, Canaanite populations ...

, possibly based on John 4:23.

Mission statement

In 1969 the Assemblies of Yahweh received its charter from

Berks County, Pennsylvania Berks County (Pennsylvania Dutch language, Pennsylvania Dutch: ''Barricks Kaundi'') is a County (United States), county in the Commonwealth (U.S. state), Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. As of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, the coun ...

. The core of this charter reads:

Beliefs

The Assemblies of Yahweh profess to follow the Old and

New Testament The New Testament (NT) is the second division of the Christian biblical canon. It discusses the teachings and person of Jesus in Christianity, Jesus, as well as events relating to Christianity in the 1st century, first-century Christianit ...

s as closely as possible. This causes the group to be viewed as an admixture of

and

, although they do not actually mix Christian or Jewish doctrines with the teachings of the Scriptures.''Encyclopedia of American Religions'', 6th edition, p. 553. Melton, J. Gordon. Detroit: Gale Research 1999 They believe that in order to understand the will of Yahweh, the Bible must be harmonized and adhered to as

infallible Infallibility refers to unerring judgment, being absolutely correct in all matters and having an immunity from being wrong in even the smallest matter. It can be applied within a specific domain, or it can be used as a more general adjective. Th ...

. Members believe it is integral to keep the commandments of Yahweh including the seventh day Sabbath from Friday sundown to Saturday sundown (Exodus 20:8), the holy days as defined in Leviticus 23 and Deuteronomy 16, and a diet of clean foods as defined in Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14.

Eschatology

The Assemblies of Yahweh believes in a

Great Tribulation In Christian eschatology, the Great Tribulation () is a period mentioned by Jesus in the Olivet Discourse as a sign that would occur in the time of the end. At , "the Great Tribulation" () is used to indicate the period spoken of by Jesus. us ...

, a Beast System which is interpreted to mean a world ruling government and synchronistic religion on this earth opposed to Yahweh's commandments (Revelation 12:17) and finally, a millennial 1,000 year Kingdom of Yahweh (Revelation 20:4) on this earth which will usher an era of productivity, miracles, love, peace and tranquillity through the universal keeping of the commandments with Yahshua the Messiah ruling as King over Earth.

Organizational structure

Leadership consists of: * A "Directing Elder", responsible for the spiritual direction of the Assembly. * "Teaching Elders", ordained to serve as instructional leaders. * "Deacons", ordained to serve in the needs of the assemblies. * "Senior Missionaries", consecrated to serve Yahweh in local areas; many times used as local leader and (or) a new-inquirer contact point. * "Missionaries", consecrated to serve Yahweh in local areas to help spread their Faith. The Assemblies of Yahweh is led by a Directing Elder, originally Jacob O. Meyer. In accordance with his will and last testament, the Assemblies of Yahweh has since been led by two followers: Teaching Elder Jonathan S. Meyer and Deacon Nathaniel A. Meyer. They are assisted by a group of individuals called "the Work of the Ministry" who assist in practical matters and provide counsel on questions of doctrine.

Educational

The Assemblies of Yahweh has two educational institutions located in Bethel, Pennsylvania, Obadiah School of the Bible and Dalet School.

Obadiah School

Begun in 1973 as Obadiah Assembly, a class concentrating on public speaking, Obadiah School has continued to grow and today has an extensive biblical curriculum. Centered on the Bible class, each course is biblical in nature. Today the graduates form the core of the Assemblies of Yahweh with many of the graduates going on to lead local Assemblies.

Dalet School

From its rudimentary beginnings in 1976, Meyer designed the Dalet School in the reflection of a one-room schoolhouse. The students are given the ability to hear the instruction of underclassmen (as a review) and overclassmen (as a preview). The school today teaches over 40 children and contains classes from kindergarten through 12th grade.

Witnessing

The Assemblies of Yahweh witness in nearly every format available to them. They believe that radio station

WMLK WMLK (9.275, 17.525 & 15.15 MHz), is a shortwave radio prominent outreach tool of the Assemblies of Yahweh, based in Bethel, Pennsylvania. The station’s call sign, "WMLK," reflects the Hebrew word (MLK) " malak" (מַלְאָךְ), meani ...

will be instrumental in reaching people all over the world and especially those countries that censor their networks or resist religious programs. The Assemblies of Yahweh uses many tools to spread their message across the world and contact individuals.

Monthly

* ''The Sacred Name Broadcaster'' * ''The Narrow Way Magazine'' * ''The Narrow Way Newsletter''

Books

* The

Sacred Scriptures Bethel Edition The Sacred Scriptures Bethel Edition (SSBE) is a Sacred Name Bible which uses the names Yahweh and Yahshua in both the Old and New Testaments (''Chamberlin'' p. 51-3). It was produced by Jacob O. Meyer, based on the American Standard Ve ...

Bible LCN-81-69752 * ''Psalms, Anthems and Spiritual Songs'' * ''The Memorial Name Yahweh'' LCN-87-072550 * ''Commentary on Galatians'' LCN 83-82474 * ''Commentary on Micah'' LCN-2006901945 * ''Commentary on Revelation'' Vol. 1 LCN-2006901947 * ''Biblical Ecclesiastical Assembly Administration'' LCN-2006908256

Radio

* The Sacred Name Broadcast * WMLK Shortwave * Simulcast of WMLK Shortwave (Internet) * 24/7 Internet radio

Television

* The Sacred Name telecast * Online telecasts

Internet

* AOY websiteAOY website
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Sabbath services

* Local Assemblies around the world * Live Internet streaming (audio and video) * Cassette tape lending program

Ministerial trips

* Periodical Bible conferences * Baptism, marriage, funeral requests, prison visitation, personal contact

Local target areas

* Tract distribution * Radio and TV spots

References

External links

Assemblies of Yahweh official website
{{DEFAULTSORT:Assemblies Of Yahweh 1969 establishments in Pennsylvania Yahweh Religious organizations based in Pennsylvania Religious organizations based in the United States