This week begins what is called "The High Holy Days" or what the scriptures call the "Days of Awe." Rather than answer a specific question on this, I want to deal with the whole concept and meaning of these holy days and how they fit the prophetic scenario. Prophecies can have numerous fulfillments.
Many make the mistake of thinking that something was fulfilled in the 1st century so it can't happen again, but that is not G-d's way. I can show you many prophecies that have numerous fulfillments, sometimes many years apart. This will be very brief ,but the main concepts will be brought out.
The scriptures teach that there is a 7000 year plan of G-d. 6000 years are equal to 6 days, and the last 1000 years is the L-rd's day, or Day of the L-rd. You will see this time period referred to as "in that day" or "that day" hundreds of times. That last 1000 years starts out on a Rosh Ha Shanah, 6001.
Rosh Ha Shanah: The term Rosh Ha Shanah means "head of the year", but the biblical term for this day is "Yom Teruah" , day of the awakening blast. Tewruah can means shofar or shout. Themes for this day include resurrection, coronation of the King, judgement and Wedding of the King. Scriptural idioms for this day are "the day no man knows", last trump", "door is open" plus many, many more. How does this fit the coming of Messiah?. The resurrection of the dead and the catching away of the believers to be with the L-rd will occur on that day. Isa 26, Rev 4, 2 Thes 2, 1Thes 4, 1 Cor 15 are written with Rosh Ha Shanah idioms and themes, clearly teaching these concepts.
Yom Kippur: The 10 days between Rosh Ha Shanah and Yom KIppur are called "the Days of Awe". Yom Kippur, 6001 will be the first day of what is biblically called the "birthpains" of the Messiah. Yom Kippur means "Day of Atonement" and is known as "the Great Shofar", "the Day of Redemption", "face to face" and many more. The "birthpains" will last 2520 days and will end on a Yom Kippur with the 2nd coming of Messiah to Jerusalem. The Yom Kippur ceremony teaches this. There are 2 goats that are a part of this ceremony. One goat is called "L'Adonai", or to the L-rd and is sacrificed. The second goat is called "L'Azazel" and means to the wilderness. The term Azazel is used in the book of Enoch and other writings of the 1st century to be a symbol of the False Messiah/Satan. That goat is not sacrified but is killed. This goat is a picture of the False Messiah meeting his doom at the coming of Yeshua on Yom Kippur.
Sukkot: The final feast in the fall is the feast of Sukkot, or booths, which teaches the coming of the Messianic Kingdom and the reign of Messiah. There were Temple ceremonies for all of these festivals. In Lev 23, G-d gave 7 festivals to Israel and any Gentile who aligned himself with them in faith. These are not "Jewish" festivals because G-d clearly says that these are His "appointed times" and HIs "holy convocations.". The word "convocation" is the Hebrew word for "rehearsal". By observing these festivals, you are rehearsing the coming of the L-rd.
Spring Festivals: The spring festivals are Passover, Unleavened Bread, Firstfruits and concludes with Pentecost (Shavuot). Yeshua died on Passover, was buried on Unleavened Bread, rose of Firstfruits and sent the power of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost. The fall festivals ,just mentioned, will be fulfilled by HIm by raising the dead and taking the living believers to Him for the wedding, coronation and judgement, He will return on Yom Kippur , enter into judgement and set up the Messianic Kingdom on Sukkot. For the last month, our congregation has been taught the meanings of these things in detail with hundreds of scriptures and sources to study. Paul taught these things and told the Thessalonians that they were not in darkness and that these things would not overtake them unaware.
But many are unaware today because they have forsaken the Torah and the Prophets and have no knowledge of these things. Find a Torah teacher who can show you the whole counsel of G-d before it is too late. The coming of these things is very near, are you ready? G-d has an appointment with you on these days. Now, go and study!
The La Quinta meeting room in Alvarado, 1165 Hwy 67W Alvarado, TX. 76009. (Behind Sonic)
For information Email at wmriley17@yahoo.com
Olive Tree Image
upon whom the ends of the ages have come.
1 Corinthians 10:11 (NASB95)
Friday, September 15, 2006
Friday, September 8, 2006
Argument on Romans 14 Cont'd...
This week we are going to conclude last week’s question on whether you can use Rom.14 to justify the belief that the Law has been done away with. So, let’s go back and review a few things first. Paul is writing to the congregations in Rome. The synagogues were made up of 3 different groups we will call the synagogue Jews who did not believe in Yeshua and were referred to as “weak” on the point that they have not come to faith in Yeshua yet.
The second group was made up of Messianic Jews who did believe in Yeshua, and the third group believing Gentiles referred to as “strong” because of their faith in Yeshua. In the book of Romans Paul is addressing all three groups and dealing with a variety of issues. In Rom. 14 Paul is telling the believing Gentiles to accept the ways of the synagogue Jews and some of the particular opinions they have on eating and local celebrations. This is not talking about keeping the Torah and eating kosher food or not. The subject is how to deal with each other about non-Torah binding opinions. So, let’s pick up in verse 13 which is saying that they were not to judge others on how they serve God especially if what they are doing is not specifically forbidden in the Word.
In verse 14 the word “unclean” is “koinos” in Greek and it means common. Paul is talking about common, everyday food. If he was talking about unkosher items he would have used “akathartos” meaning ritually unclean. So, he not talking about someone eating pork and they shouldn’t say something, he is talking about common food. If someone doesn’t want to eat common, everyday food allowed in the Torah for some reason, don’t make it an issue and don’t eat it in front of him if it offends him (v15). The faith is not about food and drink allowed by the Torah, but being led by the Holy Spirit and not making an issue about things that the Torah does not specifically address. If the synagogue Jews don’t believe they can eat biblically kosher food and wine from a Gentiles because of their “halacha” or opinions, don’t get all upset. So, pursue peace with others and don’t tear down unity and the chance to bring these unbelieving Jews (weak) in the congregation to Yeshua for the sake of a stupid food argument that doesn’t even matter. So, if you are eating something permitted by God in His Word but eating it would offend someone else than it is evil to do it. This is not talking about going to someone’s house and they serve pork, and you have to eat it so they won’t get offended.
This is talking about people who are Torah observant, but their way of expressing it may differ. For instance, there are many today who will not eat meat and dairy products together because of a particular interpretation of a verse in Exodus. On the other hand there are others who do not interpret it that way and have no problem with a cheeseburger. What Paul is saying in these verse is don’t eat a cheeseburger in front of the one would be offended. It is better not to eat the cheeseburger if doing it would make someone else stumble (v21). Faith is acting on the Word as you understand it and your conviction (v22) and your faith will be revealed by what you approve of. So, if a person eats common meat and it fills him with doubts he is not acting faith in regards to what he thinks he should do and he thinks he has sinned. Faith is knowing what the Scripture says and doing it and unbelief is knowing what the Scripture says and not doing it. This chapter is not talking about the Law and how people shouldn’t judge another for eating things not allowed in the Scripture.
That interpretation is wrong and it is usually by people who know what the Scripture says about these creatures but they don’t want to do it. That is unbelief and that should be addressed. The truth about Rom. 14 is that all the groups in the congregation eat biblically allowed food, but some believe that they cannot eat meat or drink wine from a Gentile. Paul is telling these believing Gentiles to go along with this opinion when in their presence and to not let this become an issue because these synagogue Jews are watching how they react and to see if their faith was for real. Any contention or strife on their part would harm the most important goal of the believing Gentiles which was the presentation of the good news that Yeshua is the Messiah which is reflected in their changed lifestyle and the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives.
The second group was made up of Messianic Jews who did believe in Yeshua, and the third group believing Gentiles referred to as “strong” because of their faith in Yeshua. In the book of Romans Paul is addressing all three groups and dealing with a variety of issues. In Rom. 14 Paul is telling the believing Gentiles to accept the ways of the synagogue Jews and some of the particular opinions they have on eating and local celebrations. This is not talking about keeping the Torah and eating kosher food or not. The subject is how to deal with each other about non-Torah binding opinions. So, let’s pick up in verse 13 which is saying that they were not to judge others on how they serve God especially if what they are doing is not specifically forbidden in the Word.
In verse 14 the word “unclean” is “koinos” in Greek and it means common. Paul is talking about common, everyday food. If he was talking about unkosher items he would have used “akathartos” meaning ritually unclean. So, he not talking about someone eating pork and they shouldn’t say something, he is talking about common food. If someone doesn’t want to eat common, everyday food allowed in the Torah for some reason, don’t make it an issue and don’t eat it in front of him if it offends him (v15). The faith is not about food and drink allowed by the Torah, but being led by the Holy Spirit and not making an issue about things that the Torah does not specifically address. If the synagogue Jews don’t believe they can eat biblically kosher food and wine from a Gentiles because of their “halacha” or opinions, don’t get all upset. So, pursue peace with others and don’t tear down unity and the chance to bring these unbelieving Jews (weak) in the congregation to Yeshua for the sake of a stupid food argument that doesn’t even matter. So, if you are eating something permitted by God in His Word but eating it would offend someone else than it is evil to do it. This is not talking about going to someone’s house and they serve pork, and you have to eat it so they won’t get offended.
This is talking about people who are Torah observant, but their way of expressing it may differ. For instance, there are many today who will not eat meat and dairy products together because of a particular interpretation of a verse in Exodus. On the other hand there are others who do not interpret it that way and have no problem with a cheeseburger. What Paul is saying in these verse is don’t eat a cheeseburger in front of the one would be offended. It is better not to eat the cheeseburger if doing it would make someone else stumble (v21). Faith is acting on the Word as you understand it and your conviction (v22) and your faith will be revealed by what you approve of. So, if a person eats common meat and it fills him with doubts he is not acting faith in regards to what he thinks he should do and he thinks he has sinned. Faith is knowing what the Scripture says and doing it and unbelief is knowing what the Scripture says and not doing it. This chapter is not talking about the Law and how people shouldn’t judge another for eating things not allowed in the Scripture.
That interpretation is wrong and it is usually by people who know what the Scripture says about these creatures but they don’t want to do it. That is unbelief and that should be addressed. The truth about Rom. 14 is that all the groups in the congregation eat biblically allowed food, but some believe that they cannot eat meat or drink wine from a Gentile. Paul is telling these believing Gentiles to go along with this opinion when in their presence and to not let this become an issue because these synagogue Jews are watching how they react and to see if their faith was for real. Any contention or strife on their part would harm the most important goal of the believing Gentiles which was the presentation of the good news that Yeshua is the Messiah which is reflected in their changed lifestyle and the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives.
Friday, September 1, 2006
Argument against Rom 14
Q. How do you counter an argument for doing away with the Law using Romans 14?
A. First of all remember that anyone who teaches you that the Law has been “done away with” is a false teacher. Secondly, you can’t use Paul to prove that because he was Torah observant himself (Acts 28.17) and taught others to follow it (1Cor 11.1-2). So, the problem is their premise in saying Rom 14 is saying that the Law was done away with, and it isn’t saying that at all. Christian teachers and their followers have little understanding of what the Scriptures really say and this chapter is a good example of that, so in order to answer your question I think I’m going to do the chapter verse by verse so that we can understand the chapter the way it was written and understood in the 1st century. Paul is writing to the congregations in Rome. The congregations at that time were made up of three types of people. The synagogue Jews I will use as a designation for the Jewish people in the congregation that don’t believe in Yeshua. The second group I will call the Messianic Jews, who did believe in Yeshua. The third group will be called the Messianic non-Jews and are gentiles who believed in Messiah. All three groups worshipped together in synagogues in the 1st century (Acts 15.21). The book of Romans was written addressing certain problems in the congregation and how believers in Yeshua should deal with them. Let’s jump all the way to Chapter 14. This chapter is dealing with gentiles who have come directly into the faith and to accept the ways of the synagogue Jews in the congregation. I am going to go verse by verse to give you a feel for what is going on:
V1…”accept the one who is weak in faith” …the weak in faith are those who do not believe in Yeshua due to a lack of knowledge (Rom 4.19-20,10.2) and that their opinions were still valid.
V2…”one man has faith that he can eat all things”….this verse is talking about eating common food (Gk “koinos) as opposed to eating vegetables. The synagogue Jews would not eat meat or drink wine of the gentiles. This is still done today and it is called “halachah” or how to walk. The salvation of the “weak” (synagogue Jews) is directly related to how the “strong” (messianic gentile) deal with the issue of food. This has nothing to do with the clean and unclean list of Lev 11. The issue of eating pigs and unclean animals would never have been an issue. The synagogue Jews or the messianic gentiles would have never eaten pig or any animal on the unclean list. The issue of “eating” is over clean foods that the synagogue Jews considered unclean halachically not biblically, and there is a difference. The issue is not over the food with Paul, but whether it is an act of love to eat this in front of someone who considers it a sin. For an example, an orthodox Jew would not eat a cheeseburger because they do not eat milk and meat products together. That is not biblical halachah but rabbinical. So, I would not eat a cheeseburger in front of an orthodox Jew because it offended him, even though I have the freedom to do it).
V3 … “let not him who eats (common food) regard with contempt him who does not eat (common food for some halachic reason), and let not him who does not eat (common food) judge him who eats (common food) for God has accepted him (He accepts the actions of the weak and the strong).
V4…”who are you to judge the servant of another? “The Lord is able to make him stand” meaning to make the weak (unbelief) strong (believe).
…”one man regards one day above another, another regards every-day”…There is nothing to indicate that this is the Sabbath or any biblical holy day. This has to do with certain halachically mandated days unique to the synagogue in Rome. They may have had certain fast days (Luke 18.11-12) or certain days that were considered special due to local tradition just like congregations do today.
V6… He who observes the day (whatever fast day/special day of the synagogue) observes it for the Lord…so leave them alone if it’s not a big issue. If he eats vegetables and observes certain days, so what, as long as they are not replacing biblical foods or holy days!
V7-12…these verses go on to say that the Lord died for all men and we should not look to another in contempt over non-biblical mandates and traditions and it all is going to get sorted out someday by the Lord anyway so don’t get all worked up over it. This again is not talking about not observing the Torah. This has to do with things that are just traditions or man- made local synagogue laws, not biblically binding commandments of God. We are to keep in mind the greater law in the scriptures, which is love of your neighbor.
People serve God different ways within the context of scripture. This is not referring to someone who does not keep the Sabbath and says we shouldn’t judge them. We are to judge that situation. This also is not referring to someone who eats pig and catfish as opposed to someone who doesn’t. I have heard it said that the “weak’ in this verse is someone who is Torah-observant and the “strong” is someone who isn’t bound by the Law. That is not what is being referred to here. Next week we will pick up in v13 and finish this important chapter on how to treat others when their opinions (not Torah commands) are not like ours in the faith.
A. First of all remember that anyone who teaches you that the Law has been “done away with” is a false teacher. Secondly, you can’t use Paul to prove that because he was Torah observant himself (Acts 28.17) and taught others to follow it (1Cor 11.1-2). So, the problem is their premise in saying Rom 14 is saying that the Law was done away with, and it isn’t saying that at all. Christian teachers and their followers have little understanding of what the Scriptures really say and this chapter is a good example of that, so in order to answer your question I think I’m going to do the chapter verse by verse so that we can understand the chapter the way it was written and understood in the 1st century. Paul is writing to the congregations in Rome. The congregations at that time were made up of three types of people. The synagogue Jews I will use as a designation for the Jewish people in the congregation that don’t believe in Yeshua. The second group I will call the Messianic Jews, who did believe in Yeshua. The third group will be called the Messianic non-Jews and are gentiles who believed in Messiah. All three groups worshipped together in synagogues in the 1st century (Acts 15.21). The book of Romans was written addressing certain problems in the congregation and how believers in Yeshua should deal with them. Let’s jump all the way to Chapter 14. This chapter is dealing with gentiles who have come directly into the faith and to accept the ways of the synagogue Jews in the congregation. I am going to go verse by verse to give you a feel for what is going on:
V1…”accept the one who is weak in faith” …the weak in faith are those who do not believe in Yeshua due to a lack of knowledge (Rom 4.19-20,10.2) and that their opinions were still valid.
V2…”one man has faith that he can eat all things”….this verse is talking about eating common food (Gk “koinos) as opposed to eating vegetables. The synagogue Jews would not eat meat or drink wine of the gentiles. This is still done today and it is called “halachah” or how to walk. The salvation of the “weak” (synagogue Jews) is directly related to how the “strong” (messianic gentile) deal with the issue of food. This has nothing to do with the clean and unclean list of Lev 11. The issue of eating pigs and unclean animals would never have been an issue. The synagogue Jews or the messianic gentiles would have never eaten pig or any animal on the unclean list. The issue of “eating” is over clean foods that the synagogue Jews considered unclean halachically not biblically, and there is a difference. The issue is not over the food with Paul, but whether it is an act of love to eat this in front of someone who considers it a sin. For an example, an orthodox Jew would not eat a cheeseburger because they do not eat milk and meat products together. That is not biblical halachah but rabbinical. So, I would not eat a cheeseburger in front of an orthodox Jew because it offended him, even though I have the freedom to do it).
V3 … “let not him who eats (common food) regard with contempt him who does not eat (common food for some halachic reason), and let not him who does not eat (common food) judge him who eats (common food) for God has accepted him (He accepts the actions of the weak and the strong).
V4…”who are you to judge the servant of another? “The Lord is able to make him stand” meaning to make the weak (unbelief) strong (believe).
…”one man regards one day above another, another regards every-day”…There is nothing to indicate that this is the Sabbath or any biblical holy day. This has to do with certain halachically mandated days unique to the synagogue in Rome. They may have had certain fast days (Luke 18.11-12) or certain days that were considered special due to local tradition just like congregations do today.
V6… He who observes the day (whatever fast day/special day of the synagogue) observes it for the Lord…so leave them alone if it’s not a big issue. If he eats vegetables and observes certain days, so what, as long as they are not replacing biblical foods or holy days!
V7-12…these verses go on to say that the Lord died for all men and we should not look to another in contempt over non-biblical mandates and traditions and it all is going to get sorted out someday by the Lord anyway so don’t get all worked up over it. This again is not talking about not observing the Torah. This has to do with things that are just traditions or man- made local synagogue laws, not biblically binding commandments of God. We are to keep in mind the greater law in the scriptures, which is love of your neighbor.
People serve God different ways within the context of scripture. This is not referring to someone who does not keep the Sabbath and says we shouldn’t judge them. We are to judge that situation. This also is not referring to someone who eats pig and catfish as opposed to someone who doesn’t. I have heard it said that the “weak’ in this verse is someone who is Torah-observant and the “strong” is someone who isn’t bound by the Law. That is not what is being referred to here. Next week we will pick up in v13 and finish this important chapter on how to treat others when their opinions (not Torah commands) are not like ours in the faith.
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Ephraimite/Two House Theory Cont'd...
This week we continue with our study of the Ephraimite/Two House theory and the flaws in that line of thinking. Let’s start with Jeremiah 31.31 which refers to the Brit Chadasha or “new” Covenant. This covenant is not new in the sense that most Christians have been taught. The word new is “chadash” in Hebrew and it means renewed, rebuilt, restored and is referring to the Covenant of Moab that God gave in Deut. 29.1 -30.10. What is renewed about this covenant is that the Torah will be written on our hearts which is another way of saying “born again” or “live.” Christian theology says the new covenant is a different covenant but that is impossible because the Torah is written on our hearts, not done away with. It is this change in us that allows us to obey the Torah. The problem is us, not the Torah. But notice that this covenant is given to Israel in Deut. and Judah and Israel in Jeremiah which is the same thing. Ephraimites/Two House, modern Judaism, Messianic Judaism teach that this covenant was only given to Israel.
But, the truth is that Israel was chosen to make this covenant with the Lord representing all the family of the Lord who would ever live. They were the “priests” who were to draw the people (including Gentiles) near. This was not exclusively given to just the Jewish people. That is an important concept to remember and figures into why Yeshua sent His followers in the 1st century unto “all the nations.” We all have come to know the Lord through the work of these people empowered by the Holy Spirit long after they have died. Israel was the ambassadors, recipients, priests of this covenant on behalf of the world. Jer. 31.34 says that when this covenant comes, you won’t need to teach his neighbor anymore. Now, we all know who the Lord says is our neighbor (Lk 10). When Israel came out of Egypt there was a “mixed multitude” and this is sometimes taught in a negative way. But, in Hebrew “mixed multitude” is “erev rav” and it means a large group of people “knitted, woven” together. Sound familiar? Non-Jews were always woven into the fabric of God’s plans and the new covenant was given to Israel as representing them, not exclusively for Israel alone.
They were to go out and tell the world the “good news” (basar) that the world has been reconciled and the promise to the Fathers (Messiah) has come. Well, I said all that to come to this. Non-Jews do not understand this, and for that matter neither do many Jewish people, but that is another story. Gentiles have tried to steal Israel’s identity for 1000’s of years because they don’t understand the whole role of Israel to begin with. Replacement Theology has been around along time. The Kings of Scotland had a stone that they said Jacob used as a pillow in Gen. 28. It is called the “stone of destiny” because the rulers believed they had a right to set up kings by the will of God. Well, the English Kings thought the same thing so they can’t have competitors out there so King Edward took the stone from the Scots. This stone has been recently returned to Scotland. The main issue here is the propaganda surrounding this stone and the need of the people to have their kings anointed on this stone to give them legitimacy.
This is what the Ephraimites/ Two House/ British Israelite/ Christian America movements have done, only without “the stone.” They have to “borrow” something in order to give themselves legitimacy so it’s the “we are the lost tribes” or “we are Ephraimites” or whatever to make them-selves feel important. To gain the acceptance of the leaders and those involved you have accept their teachings on this. They make you feel “special” or part of some “elite” group. There is no difference between all these different groups who try to convince people they are “the seed of Abraham.” The Scriptures are clear about how God feels about this physical “seed of Abraham” issue. He says that He can turn rocks into seeds of Abraham (Mt. 3.9). Being a physical descendent was not the point. The point the Lord makes is that it takes faith to be a seed of Abraham, not blood (Rom 4.13-16). Next week we will finish up with this question and hopefully tie up some loose ends.
This week we will conclude with this issue about The Ephraimite/Two House theory. It is the latest adaptation of the old Scottish-British Israelite theories, and it even goes back to the Book of Romans where Paul warns against arrogance by the nations (Rom 11). But, a rose by any other name is still a rose. Speaking of names, the Two House people prefer to be called Hebrew instead of Jew because they say Judah never existed until much later. Their publications will have names like “Hebrew Roots” and have subtle ways of getting you to see them in the right way, according to their theology. To these people Abraham was a “Hebrew” so they don’t like the term Jewish.” I’d like to ask them when did these “Hebrews” become Hebrews and just exactly how did they know? But I suspect they “knew” when someone told them they were and how they know is a little fuzzy. But I do know it didn’t come from the Lord. In Judges 12.1-6 the Ephraimites were driven so low that they had to falsify their identity. Now, people calling themselves Ephraimites are doing the same thing. Again, there is nothing new under the sun. Another problem with this is Jacob made up a small percentage of the world’s population and always has, until now. If you believe the Ephraimite/Two House movement they now make up 10% of the world’s population, and some say up to 33%. There is another question.
How did these “Ephraimites” come to speak so many languages and develop a different culture and lose the “Hebrew” roots all across the board. Go to any big city in America and you will see a variety of cultural expressions there. Where is the “Ephraimite” culture? It’s not there because it doesn’t exist except in the minds, books, CD’s, tapes and conventions of these people. There is no evidence in Josephus, a 1st century historian, to back any “lost tribes” theory and he ought to know. The New Testament mentions Anna from the tribe of Asher and James was written to the twelve tribes dispersed (not lost). Peter writes to them as well. Other Jewish historical writings do not support this theory either. These writers knew where they were and how to contact them. Ancient nations have all made war on the Jews (the name of one of Josephus’ books by the way). They have been tracked through history, from the Exodus from Egypt to the Hezbollah. Satan has made sure the “locals” have found out who they were and persecuted them.
Need I mention the Canaanites, Babylonians, Medo-Persians, Greeks, Romans, Moslems, Spanish, English, Russians and the Germans to name a few? This whole “identity” nonsense is for one reason and one reason only, to increase the flock so they can be sheared! It’s the same thing that can be found at the heart of any false movement… power and money. There is nothing new to what they are teaching and saying if you look back in history. So, in conclusion I hope this has answered the initial question from several weeks ago about why people call themselves this. The same evil thread holds it all together, can be found going back to the time of the Judges and all the way up to the present time. There is so much more that can be said about this but we will move on to other things and other questions next week.
But, the truth is that Israel was chosen to make this covenant with the Lord representing all the family of the Lord who would ever live. They were the “priests” who were to draw the people (including Gentiles) near. This was not exclusively given to just the Jewish people. That is an important concept to remember and figures into why Yeshua sent His followers in the 1st century unto “all the nations.” We all have come to know the Lord through the work of these people empowered by the Holy Spirit long after they have died. Israel was the ambassadors, recipients, priests of this covenant on behalf of the world. Jer. 31.34 says that when this covenant comes, you won’t need to teach his neighbor anymore. Now, we all know who the Lord says is our neighbor (Lk 10). When Israel came out of Egypt there was a “mixed multitude” and this is sometimes taught in a negative way. But, in Hebrew “mixed multitude” is “erev rav” and it means a large group of people “knitted, woven” together. Sound familiar? Non-Jews were always woven into the fabric of God’s plans and the new covenant was given to Israel as representing them, not exclusively for Israel alone.
They were to go out and tell the world the “good news” (basar) that the world has been reconciled and the promise to the Fathers (Messiah) has come. Well, I said all that to come to this. Non-Jews do not understand this, and for that matter neither do many Jewish people, but that is another story. Gentiles have tried to steal Israel’s identity for 1000’s of years because they don’t understand the whole role of Israel to begin with. Replacement Theology has been around along time. The Kings of Scotland had a stone that they said Jacob used as a pillow in Gen. 28. It is called the “stone of destiny” because the rulers believed they had a right to set up kings by the will of God. Well, the English Kings thought the same thing so they can’t have competitors out there so King Edward took the stone from the Scots. This stone has been recently returned to Scotland. The main issue here is the propaganda surrounding this stone and the need of the people to have their kings anointed on this stone to give them legitimacy.
This is what the Ephraimites/ Two House/ British Israelite/ Christian America movements have done, only without “the stone.” They have to “borrow” something in order to give themselves legitimacy so it’s the “we are the lost tribes” or “we are Ephraimites” or whatever to make them-selves feel important. To gain the acceptance of the leaders and those involved you have accept their teachings on this. They make you feel “special” or part of some “elite” group. There is no difference between all these different groups who try to convince people they are “the seed of Abraham.” The Scriptures are clear about how God feels about this physical “seed of Abraham” issue. He says that He can turn rocks into seeds of Abraham (Mt. 3.9). Being a physical descendent was not the point. The point the Lord makes is that it takes faith to be a seed of Abraham, not blood (Rom 4.13-16). Next week we will finish up with this question and hopefully tie up some loose ends.
This week we will conclude with this issue about The Ephraimite/Two House theory. It is the latest adaptation of the old Scottish-British Israelite theories, and it even goes back to the Book of Romans where Paul warns against arrogance by the nations (Rom 11). But, a rose by any other name is still a rose. Speaking of names, the Two House people prefer to be called Hebrew instead of Jew because they say Judah never existed until much later. Their publications will have names like “Hebrew Roots” and have subtle ways of getting you to see them in the right way, according to their theology. To these people Abraham was a “Hebrew” so they don’t like the term Jewish.” I’d like to ask them when did these “Hebrews” become Hebrews and just exactly how did they know? But I suspect they “knew” when someone told them they were and how they know is a little fuzzy. But I do know it didn’t come from the Lord. In Judges 12.1-6 the Ephraimites were driven so low that they had to falsify their identity. Now, people calling themselves Ephraimites are doing the same thing. Again, there is nothing new under the sun. Another problem with this is Jacob made up a small percentage of the world’s population and always has, until now. If you believe the Ephraimite/Two House movement they now make up 10% of the world’s population, and some say up to 33%. There is another question.
How did these “Ephraimites” come to speak so many languages and develop a different culture and lose the “Hebrew” roots all across the board. Go to any big city in America and you will see a variety of cultural expressions there. Where is the “Ephraimite” culture? It’s not there because it doesn’t exist except in the minds, books, CD’s, tapes and conventions of these people. There is no evidence in Josephus, a 1st century historian, to back any “lost tribes” theory and he ought to know. The New Testament mentions Anna from the tribe of Asher and James was written to the twelve tribes dispersed (not lost). Peter writes to them as well. Other Jewish historical writings do not support this theory either. These writers knew where they were and how to contact them. Ancient nations have all made war on the Jews (the name of one of Josephus’ books by the way). They have been tracked through history, from the Exodus from Egypt to the Hezbollah. Satan has made sure the “locals” have found out who they were and persecuted them.
Need I mention the Canaanites, Babylonians, Medo-Persians, Greeks, Romans, Moslems, Spanish, English, Russians and the Germans to name a few? This whole “identity” nonsense is for one reason and one reason only, to increase the flock so they can be sheared! It’s the same thing that can be found at the heart of any false movement… power and money. There is nothing new to what they are teaching and saying if you look back in history. So, in conclusion I hope this has answered the initial question from several weeks ago about why people call themselves this. The same evil thread holds it all together, can be found going back to the time of the Judges and all the way up to the present time. There is so much more that can be said about this but we will move on to other things and other questions next week.
Tuesday, August 8, 2006
Are Birthdays Pagan Celebrations?
Q. Does the Bible attach any significance to birthdays?
A. That is a good question and it comes up every now and then. There are some denominations and believers in general who feel birthdays and their celebrations are wrong, but let’s see what the Scriptures say.
Two biblical holidays celebrate birthdays. Rosh Ha Sha-nah means “head of the year” and is biblically known as “Yom Teruah” (day of the awakening blast). This term is found in Num 29.1 and is the first day of creation while others believe it was the day Adam was created.
It begins the civil year and it is how the years were counted from creation, so at least it is the “birthday” of the world and it is celebrated every year.
The other is Passover which is the collective birthday of Israel according to Ezek 16.1-14.
A birthday can be a day to express thanksgiving to God for another year, for bringing you into this world to experience life with Him, entrusting you with a calling to know Him and to be a light to the world. This day is like a personal ”Rosh Ha Sha-nah” and it is a good time to recommit to the calling God gave you and realizing with another year of experience you can accomplish things better. Birthdays are not “evil” and everybody has one.
You don’t learn about birthdays from the pagans. Birthdays were recognized by Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses and anyone who had a genealogy and age mentioned in the Scriptures. If they didn’t keep track of them, how would a priest know he was 30 to enter service in the Temple? Yeshua knew how old He was and marked the time.
In Luke 2.42 it says He “became 12” so He had a birthday.
In Luke 3.23 it says He began His ministry when He was “about 30” so He had to know when His birthday was. Genesis 5.1-2 makes reference to Adams birthday. In Genesis 12.4 it says Abraham was 75 years old when he departed from Haran so he knew how old he was.
In Genesis 15.9 it gives the ages of animals, which you would have to keep track of in order to have a proper sacrifice to God. Exodus 30.11-15 gives a command to give a half shekel by those 20 years old and older.
A widow can be put on the list for help at 60 years old in 1 Tim 5.9 and the list can go on.
There is no connection between the birthdays in the Bible and the evil which happened.
Job’s children were not struck down for celebrating a birthday. Is it any surprise Pharaoh and Herod had ungodly birthday celebrations?
Bad things happened at weddings in the Bible too so does that mean we shouldn’t have weddings? Birthdays are part of our life-cycle so let the Lord lead you about celebrating birthdays or not, but there is no command against it. What it comes down to is it really doesn’t matter whether you have a celebration or not, it’s up to you.
A. That is a good question and it comes up every now and then. There are some denominations and believers in general who feel birthdays and their celebrations are wrong, but let’s see what the Scriptures say.
Two biblical holidays celebrate birthdays. Rosh Ha Sha-nah means “head of the year” and is biblically known as “Yom Teruah” (day of the awakening blast). This term is found in Num 29.1 and is the first day of creation while others believe it was the day Adam was created.
It begins the civil year and it is how the years were counted from creation, so at least it is the “birthday” of the world and it is celebrated every year.
The other is Passover which is the collective birthday of Israel according to Ezek 16.1-14.
A birthday can be a day to express thanksgiving to God for another year, for bringing you into this world to experience life with Him, entrusting you with a calling to know Him and to be a light to the world. This day is like a personal ”Rosh Ha Sha-nah” and it is a good time to recommit to the calling God gave you and realizing with another year of experience you can accomplish things better. Birthdays are not “evil” and everybody has one.
You don’t learn about birthdays from the pagans. Birthdays were recognized by Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses and anyone who had a genealogy and age mentioned in the Scriptures. If they didn’t keep track of them, how would a priest know he was 30 to enter service in the Temple? Yeshua knew how old He was and marked the time.
In Luke 2.42 it says He “became 12” so He had a birthday.
In Luke 3.23 it says He began His ministry when He was “about 30” so He had to know when His birthday was. Genesis 5.1-2 makes reference to Adams birthday. In Genesis 12.4 it says Abraham was 75 years old when he departed from Haran so he knew how old he was.
In Genesis 15.9 it gives the ages of animals, which you would have to keep track of in order to have a proper sacrifice to God. Exodus 30.11-15 gives a command to give a half shekel by those 20 years old and older.
A widow can be put on the list for help at 60 years old in 1 Tim 5.9 and the list can go on.
There is no connection between the birthdays in the Bible and the evil which happened.
Job’s children were not struck down for celebrating a birthday. Is it any surprise Pharaoh and Herod had ungodly birthday celebrations?
Bad things happened at weddings in the Bible too so does that mean we shouldn’t have weddings? Birthdays are part of our life-cycle so let the Lord lead you about celebrating birthdays or not, but there is no command against it. What it comes down to is it really doesn’t matter whether you have a celebration or not, it’s up to you.
'Two-House' Theory
This week we are going to continue dealing with the question concerning a concept taught in Messianic circles concerning what is the “Ephraimite/Two House” theory and how it is affecting believers. Those in Christian Churches may not be familiar with this, but the roots of Gentile Christianity have similar concepts, and some Christian denominations still hold to some of it but it is known by different names. We ended last week with 4 major flaws of the teaching, which will be abbreviated to “E/TH” for convenience. First of all the main premise of this theory is that there are “lost tribes” and this is a myth. There are lost “sheep” or people but not lost tribes. They were not lost after Assyria and Babylon deported some of them to Mesopotamia. Many remained in the land and participated in Hezekiah’s Passover. They were known up to the first century and came to Jerusalem in Acts 2. Much of the information sent out by the adherents of the E/TH theory get their information from the old British Israelite teachings, so there is nothing new under the sun. Because the mainstream Messianic Movement teaches that Gentiles have less status than Jews, many came out of those congregations thinking they were not “up to par” with Jewish believers.
There had to be a reason they had a desire to follow the Torah, so it had to be they were “lost Jews/Israelites” and so the theory was resurrected, painted with a different brush and packaged different and then sold to unsuspecting believers. They began to emphasize bloodline lineage (which they can’t prove anyway) rather than faith and that always appeals to the flesh. For some, and I have personally experienced this many times, this theory became a litmus test. Either you were for them or against them. This teaching is racist and designed to make adherents feel special and give them the “upper hand” over other believers. Rather than see their desire to come out of pagan beliefs and follow the Messiah and His Torah as a fulfillment of the Spirit’s work reaching Gentiles, they disregard their Gentile roots and say they are “Ephraimites” or “Israelites” and play a semantic game.
They avoid being called “Jewish” because that is “Judah” and they see themselves as from the “lost” ten northern tribes even though for hundreds of years before Yeshua all these terms were synonymous, as history will attest to. Their leaders teach that the union of Judah and Israel, led by “Ephraim” (themselves) is one of the most significant prophecies concerning the work of the Messiah. They believe that Yeshua died on the cross so that the “two houses” may become one, quoting John 10.14-17. But this verse has nothing to do with their false teaching about two houses. He is referring to those who are not yet in the Kingdom of God, whether they are Jew or gentile.
Ephesians 2.11-22 speak of the Gentiles as being “afar off” but they have been brought near by Yeshua’s death and are “one man” with the Jewish believer and an heir to the same promises, which had always been God’s plan. It has nothing to do with seeking people with a particular blood-line and it has to do with faith in Him. When the Lord speaks of sheep He means people not tribes. Yeshua, John the Baptist, Paul and every New Testament writer knew full well that bloodline does not save anyone and it was not the purpose of the Messiah to save a certain ethnic group. God created the nation of Israel to fulfill His promise to the fathers that through them the nations of the earth would be blessed. They are to be the ambassadors of the Kingdom of God, the bearers of “good news” (gospel) to the world that all men have sinned but now have forgiveness in the Messiah by faith. Israel is to be “little lamps” in a dark world reaching the lost sheep in humanity not a particular tribe or tribes.
The lost sheep includes gentiles. E/TH teachers have twisted these Scriptures to say something it doesn’t. Volumes have been written about the grafting in of the Gentiles into one body, one faith, one olive tree and so on. To these “Ephraimites” the good news is that they are of ancient Israel and the sooner they realize their destiny the sooner certain prophecies can be fulfilled, but like Don Quixote they are fighting windmills and chasing the wind. James knew where the 12 tribes were (1.1) and knew how to get a hold of them. Yeshua did not die on the cross to unite the “two houses”. The Jewish people of the first century understood the role of the coming Messiah quite well. They knew that when the true Messiah came he would go to the Gentiles. In John 7.34 Yeshua said He was going away and they could not go with Him. They wondered among themselves whether He was now going to the Gentiles to teach.
They knew that the prophecies clearly state the one of the signs that Messiah had come would be the salvation of the Gentiles. Paul used his work among the Gentiles and the signs he saw as evidence that Yeshua was the Messiah. That’s why he was sent among the Gentiles to begin with, it was to seek the lost sheep and to teach them. Isa 56.6-8 plainly says that the Gentiles would join themselves to the Lord and serve Him and that He would “gather them” just like He did with Israel. The terms “afar off” and “scattered abroad” have to do with people separated from God spiritually, not physically. In Acts 1.6-8 the disciples (talmidim) ask Yeshua about this “physical reunion” they heard about and when it was going to happen. They thought Yeshua was going to be like King David and restore the physical kingdom and the tribes to their rightful “status” with all the other kingdoms under their authority. But Yeshua told them they didn’t have the right idea about it all and to go into the world and teach the good news and stop worrying about all that “other stuff.”
The “hope of the fathers” and the “promise of the Father” was the Messiah Himself (Gen 3.15) who would destroy the enemies of mankind (sin and death) and reconcile the world to Himself. Yeshua’s job was a lot bigger than just Israel, the tribes and it crossed every border of the world, they just didn’t understand that and neither do the adherents of the E/TH theory. They were told to get out there and be salt and light to every creature, teaching them about the redemption through Yeshua and making them students of the Kingdom of God. It has nothing to do with “lost Ephraimite identity” and the joining together of “two houses” and so on. Next week we will pick here with several other concepts including to whom was the New Covenant referring to and given to.
There had to be a reason they had a desire to follow the Torah, so it had to be they were “lost Jews/Israelites” and so the theory was resurrected, painted with a different brush and packaged different and then sold to unsuspecting believers. They began to emphasize bloodline lineage (which they can’t prove anyway) rather than faith and that always appeals to the flesh. For some, and I have personally experienced this many times, this theory became a litmus test. Either you were for them or against them. This teaching is racist and designed to make adherents feel special and give them the “upper hand” over other believers. Rather than see their desire to come out of pagan beliefs and follow the Messiah and His Torah as a fulfillment of the Spirit’s work reaching Gentiles, they disregard their Gentile roots and say they are “Ephraimites” or “Israelites” and play a semantic game.
They avoid being called “Jewish” because that is “Judah” and they see themselves as from the “lost” ten northern tribes even though for hundreds of years before Yeshua all these terms were synonymous, as history will attest to. Their leaders teach that the union of Judah and Israel, led by “Ephraim” (themselves) is one of the most significant prophecies concerning the work of the Messiah. They believe that Yeshua died on the cross so that the “two houses” may become one, quoting John 10.14-17. But this verse has nothing to do with their false teaching about two houses. He is referring to those who are not yet in the Kingdom of God, whether they are Jew or gentile.
Ephesians 2.11-22 speak of the Gentiles as being “afar off” but they have been brought near by Yeshua’s death and are “one man” with the Jewish believer and an heir to the same promises, which had always been God’s plan. It has nothing to do with seeking people with a particular blood-line and it has to do with faith in Him. When the Lord speaks of sheep He means people not tribes. Yeshua, John the Baptist, Paul and every New Testament writer knew full well that bloodline does not save anyone and it was not the purpose of the Messiah to save a certain ethnic group. God created the nation of Israel to fulfill His promise to the fathers that through them the nations of the earth would be blessed. They are to be the ambassadors of the Kingdom of God, the bearers of “good news” (gospel) to the world that all men have sinned but now have forgiveness in the Messiah by faith. Israel is to be “little lamps” in a dark world reaching the lost sheep in humanity not a particular tribe or tribes.
The lost sheep includes gentiles. E/TH teachers have twisted these Scriptures to say something it doesn’t. Volumes have been written about the grafting in of the Gentiles into one body, one faith, one olive tree and so on. To these “Ephraimites” the good news is that they are of ancient Israel and the sooner they realize their destiny the sooner certain prophecies can be fulfilled, but like Don Quixote they are fighting windmills and chasing the wind. James knew where the 12 tribes were (1.1) and knew how to get a hold of them. Yeshua did not die on the cross to unite the “two houses”. The Jewish people of the first century understood the role of the coming Messiah quite well. They knew that when the true Messiah came he would go to the Gentiles. In John 7.34 Yeshua said He was going away and they could not go with Him. They wondered among themselves whether He was now going to the Gentiles to teach.
They knew that the prophecies clearly state the one of the signs that Messiah had come would be the salvation of the Gentiles. Paul used his work among the Gentiles and the signs he saw as evidence that Yeshua was the Messiah. That’s why he was sent among the Gentiles to begin with, it was to seek the lost sheep and to teach them. Isa 56.6-8 plainly says that the Gentiles would join themselves to the Lord and serve Him and that He would “gather them” just like He did with Israel. The terms “afar off” and “scattered abroad” have to do with people separated from God spiritually, not physically. In Acts 1.6-8 the disciples (talmidim) ask Yeshua about this “physical reunion” they heard about and when it was going to happen. They thought Yeshua was going to be like King David and restore the physical kingdom and the tribes to their rightful “status” with all the other kingdoms under their authority. But Yeshua told them they didn’t have the right idea about it all and to go into the world and teach the good news and stop worrying about all that “other stuff.”
The “hope of the fathers” and the “promise of the Father” was the Messiah Himself (Gen 3.15) who would destroy the enemies of mankind (sin and death) and reconcile the world to Himself. Yeshua’s job was a lot bigger than just Israel, the tribes and it crossed every border of the world, they just didn’t understand that and neither do the adherents of the E/TH theory. They were told to get out there and be salt and light to every creature, teaching them about the redemption through Yeshua and making them students of the Kingdom of God. It has nothing to do with “lost Ephraimite identity” and the joining together of “two houses” and so on. Next week we will pick here with several other concepts including to whom was the New Covenant referring to and given to.
Friday, August 4, 2006
Are Gentiles Ephraimites?
Q. What is the basis for Gentile believers or Christians to identify themselves as “Ephraimites?”
A. Over the last 26 years I have been teaching the Scriptures, this question or ones like it have come up. So, over the next several weeks this will be dealt with and hopefully bring some much needed light to the subject for many who read these articles. It won’t be in massive detail but it will be enough for people to stay clear of this teaching and similar ones. The premise for this belief is when the northern 10 tribes rebelled against God they were dispersed among the Gentile nations, becoming a part of them. A remnant of these tribes including Ephraim, were preserved because they did not rebel and are included among those who call themselves Jews. Most of these “Ephraimites”, as they like to call themselves, claim to have blood lineage so they don’t call themselves “spiritual Ephraimites.” This is an old theological premise and has its roots in the British Israelite theories that were adopted by the World Wide Church of God and others.
It is similar to “The Two House” and “Messianic Israel” movements popular today. Seizing the opportunity to make money, this “call” to the lost Ephraimites goes out through tapes, printed media and massive conferences to unsuspecting people who have no mature knowledge of the Scriptures and believe this false teaching and that’s what we are going to look into over the next few articles. Ephraimites, Two House, British Israelites were never called to discover themselves among America, Britain or any nation. In past articles the concept of the “Lost Tribes” has been dealt with and it is a myth so that won’t be emphasized this time because there is so much more to this. The term “Two House” never appears in Scripture and this is a term that is only a few years old.
Those who claim to have Ephraimite /Two House identity without any evidence is stealing the identity of a person. It’s like trying to cash in on a bank account (blessing) by using the ID card of someone else. It is a lie and just a work of the flesh. God never called His people to build institutions or programs or theologies that put up walls between believers. These current movements come out of the racism and prejudice of the leadership of the current Messianic Jewish movement who teach a two-class system in their congregations. Many “Ephraimites” were once a part of this movement but were not included as equals. This can be well established by the leaders own words and actions. The problem is the “Ephraimite/Two House” adherents have a desire for Torah that far exceeds their spiritual maturity.
We don’t need to find an “identity” outside of the identity described for us in Scripture like “New Creation” in Yeshua, “servant”, “friend”, “Children of God”, “sons/daughters” and so on. There are four theological errors in these theories. First, it is built on the myth that the tribes lost their identity when Scriptural and historical evidence shows otherwise. Second, it has most believers in Yeshua being a descendent of these lost tribes when God’s plan is for all nations, not just descendants of Jacob to be saved. Third, they teach that only when believers realize their true identities can the prophecies of the union between Israel and Judah be fulfilled.
However, Scripture teaches that this union comes as a distinct event from the salvation of the Gentiles. And lastly, you can’t prove you are descended from a lost tribe anyway, so it doesn’t really matter. Yeshua, John the Baptist and Paul taught that it took faith to be a “seed of Abraham” not blood. Next week we will continue with this question in more detail so this is just an introduction if you will. We will “dig in” to this subject and deal with the above four errors and how it relates to what the Lord is trying to accomplish in these last days.
A. Over the last 26 years I have been teaching the Scriptures, this question or ones like it have come up. So, over the next several weeks this will be dealt with and hopefully bring some much needed light to the subject for many who read these articles. It won’t be in massive detail but it will be enough for people to stay clear of this teaching and similar ones. The premise for this belief is when the northern 10 tribes rebelled against God they were dispersed among the Gentile nations, becoming a part of them. A remnant of these tribes including Ephraim, were preserved because they did not rebel and are included among those who call themselves Jews. Most of these “Ephraimites”, as they like to call themselves, claim to have blood lineage so they don’t call themselves “spiritual Ephraimites.” This is an old theological premise and has its roots in the British Israelite theories that were adopted by the World Wide Church of God and others.
It is similar to “The Two House” and “Messianic Israel” movements popular today. Seizing the opportunity to make money, this “call” to the lost Ephraimites goes out through tapes, printed media and massive conferences to unsuspecting people who have no mature knowledge of the Scriptures and believe this false teaching and that’s what we are going to look into over the next few articles. Ephraimites, Two House, British Israelites were never called to discover themselves among America, Britain or any nation. In past articles the concept of the “Lost Tribes” has been dealt with and it is a myth so that won’t be emphasized this time because there is so much more to this. The term “Two House” never appears in Scripture and this is a term that is only a few years old.
Those who claim to have Ephraimite /Two House identity without any evidence is stealing the identity of a person. It’s like trying to cash in on a bank account (blessing) by using the ID card of someone else. It is a lie and just a work of the flesh. God never called His people to build institutions or programs or theologies that put up walls between believers. These current movements come out of the racism and prejudice of the leadership of the current Messianic Jewish movement who teach a two-class system in their congregations. Many “Ephraimites” were once a part of this movement but were not included as equals. This can be well established by the leaders own words and actions. The problem is the “Ephraimite/Two House” adherents have a desire for Torah that far exceeds their spiritual maturity.
We don’t need to find an “identity” outside of the identity described for us in Scripture like “New Creation” in Yeshua, “servant”, “friend”, “Children of God”, “sons/daughters” and so on. There are four theological errors in these theories. First, it is built on the myth that the tribes lost their identity when Scriptural and historical evidence shows otherwise. Second, it has most believers in Yeshua being a descendent of these lost tribes when God’s plan is for all nations, not just descendants of Jacob to be saved. Third, they teach that only when believers realize their true identities can the prophecies of the union between Israel and Judah be fulfilled.
However, Scripture teaches that this union comes as a distinct event from the salvation of the Gentiles. And lastly, you can’t prove you are descended from a lost tribe anyway, so it doesn’t really matter. Yeshua, John the Baptist and Paul taught that it took faith to be a “seed of Abraham” not blood. Next week we will continue with this question in more detail so this is just an introduction if you will. We will “dig in” to this subject and deal with the above four errors and how it relates to what the Lord is trying to accomplish in these last days.
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