Israel and the Church:

Resolving the Identity Crisis

Introduction

Today, there is a great theological dispute in the Body of Messiah as to whom the people of Elohim[1] truly are. Some Believers maintain that Elohim has replaced Israel with the church and that every biblical end of the age prophecy regarding Israel is by default a reference to the church. There are those who refer to this doctrine negatively as “replacement theology!” Other Believers maintain that Elohim has two groups of elect: Israel and the church. There are those who refer to this doctrine negatively as “separation theology!” Still others maintain that the church is Israel! This doctrine is known as “remnant theology!” What is the truth? Who are the people of Elohim today?

The designation "house of Israel" was first used as it relates to the united kingdom. Later, during the divided kingdom, the northern tribes adopted the name. Therefore, when God divorced them they were referred to as "the lost sheep of the house of Israel." Then, when Yeshua arrived on the scene, He declared, "I was not sent but to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." Who was He referring to?

The Old Covenant

From Wikipedia article Promised Land Wikpedia notes that: “The neutrality of this article is disputed. (January 2016)” So I saved it before it was changed.


The Promised Land (Hebrew: הארץ המובטחת, translit.: ha'aretz hamuvtakhat; Arabic: أرض الميعاد, translit.: ard al-mi'ad; also known as "The Land of Milk and Honey") is the land that according to the Tanakh (the Hebrew Bible or the Old Testament), God promised and subsequently gave to Abraham and several more times to his descendants. In modern contexts, the phrase "Promised Land" expresses an image and an idea that is related to the restored homeland for the Jewish people and the concepts of salvation and liberation.

Divine promise[edit]

Yahweh (God) shows Moses the Promised Land (Frans Pourbus the Elder, c. 1565–80)

The concept of the Promised Land is based on verses in the Tanakh (the Hebrew Bible or the Old Testament), in which God speaks to Abraham.

The promises given to Abraham happened prior to the birth of Isaac and were given to all his offspring signified through the rite of circumcision. Johann Friedrich Karl Keil is less clear, as he states that the covenant is through Isaac, but notes that Ishmael's descendants have held much of that land through time.[1]

Mainstream Jewish tradition regards the promise made to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob as having been given to all Jews, including proselytes and in turn their descendants.[2]

The promise that is the basis of the term is contained in several verses of Genesis in the Torah. In Genesis 12:1 it is said:

The LORD had said to Abram, "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you."

and in Genesis 12:7:

The LORD appeared to Abram and said, "To your offspring [or seed] I will give this land."

and again in Genesis 15:18–21:

On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram and said, "To your descendants I give this land, from the Wadi of Egypt to the great river, the Euphrates – the land of the Kenites, Kenizzites, Kadmonites, Hittites, Perizzites, Rephaites, Amorites, Canaanites, Girgashites and Jebusites."

The verse is said to describe what are known as "borders of the Land" (Gevulot Ha-aretz).[3]

The promise was confirmed to Jacob at Genesis 28:13, though the borders are still vague and is in terms of "the land on which you are lying". Other geographical borders are given in Exodus 23:31 which describes borders as marked by the Red Sea, the "Sea of the Philistines" i.e. the Mediterranean, and the "River," (the Euphrates).

He later confirms the promise to Abraham's son Isaac (Genesis 26:3), and then to Isaac's son Jacob (Genesis 28:13), who is later renamed "Israel" (Genesis 32:28). The Book of Exodus describes the Promised Land in terms of the territory from the River of Egypt to the Euphrates river (Exodus 23:31). The Israelites lived in a smaller area of former Canaanite land and land east of the Jordan River after Moses led the Exodus out of Egypt (Numbers 34:1–12), and the Book of Deuteronomy presents this occupation as God's fulfillment of the promise (Deuteronomy 1:8). Moses anticipated that God might subsequently give the Israelites land reflecting the boundaries of God's original promise – if they were obedient to the covenant (Deuteronomy 19:8–9).

Commentary[edit]

Commentators have noted several problems with this promise and related ones:

1.     It is to Abram's descendants that the land will (in the future tense) be given, not to Abram directly nor there and then. However, in Genesis 15:7 it is said: He also said to him, "I am the LORD, who brought you out from Ur of the Chaldeans to give you this land to take possession of it." However, how this verse relates to the promises is a matter of controversy.

2.     There is nothing in the promise to indicate God intended it be applied to Abraham's physical descendants unconditionally, exclusively (to nobody but these descendants), exhaustively (to all of them) or in perpetuity.[4]

Interpretations[edit]

Jewish interpretation[edit]

The concept of the Promised Land is the central tenet of Zionism, the Jewish national movement to re-establish the Jewish homeland.[5]

Christian interpretation[edit]

In the New Testament, the descent and promise is reinterpreted along religious lines.[6] In the Epistle to the Galatians, Paul the Apostle draws attention to the formulation of the promise, avoiding the term "seeds" in the plural (meaning many people), choosing instead "seed," meaning one person, who, he understands to be Jesus (and those united with him). For example, in Galatians 3:16 he notes:

"The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. Scripture does not say "and to seeds," meaning many people, but "and to your seed," meaning one person, who is Christ."[7]

In Galatians 3:28–29 Paul goes further, noting that the expansion of the promise from singular to the plural is not based on genetic/physical association, but a spiritual/religious one:

"There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise."[4]

In Romans 4:13 it is written:

"It was not through the law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith."

Other interpretations[edit]

Palestinians also claim partial descent from the Israelites and Maccabees, as well as from other peoples who have lived in the region.[8]

African-American spirituals invoke the imagery of the "Promised Land" as heaven or paradise[9] and as an escape from slavery, which could often only be reached by death.[citation needed] The imagery and term also appear elsewhere in popular culture, in sermons, and in speeches such as Martin Luther King Jr.'s 1968 "I've Been to the Mountaintop", in which he said:

I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over. And I've seen the Promised Land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the Promised Land. So I'm happy, tonight. I'm not worried about anything. I'm not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord.[10]

Boundaries from the Book of Numbers[edit]

Boundaries of the 'Promised Land' given in the Book of Numbers (chapter 34)

The South border. —(v. 3) "Then your south quarter shall be from the wilderness of Zin along by the coast of Edom, and your south border shall be the outmost coast of the salt sea eastward : (v. 4) And your border shall turn from the south to the ascent of Akrabbim, and pass on to Zin : and the going forth thereof shall be from the south to Kadesh-barnea, and shall go on to Hazar-addar, and pass on to Azmon : (v. 5) And the border shall fetch a compass from Azmon unto the river of Egypt, and the goings out of it shall be at the sea."

The Western border. —(v. 6) "And as for the western border, ye shall even have the great sea for a border : this shall be your west border."

The North border. —(v. 7) "And this shall be your north border : from the great sea ye shall point out for you mount Hor : (v. 8) From mount Hor ye shall point out your border unto the entrance of Hamath ; and the goings forth of the border shall be to Zedad : (v 9) And the border shall go on to Ziphron, and the goings out of it shall be at Hazar-enan : this shall be your north border."

The East border. —(v. 10) "And ye shall point out your east border from Hazar-enan to Shepham : (v. 11) And the coast shall go down from Shepham to Riblah, on the east side of Ain ; and the border shall descend, and shall reach unto the side of the sea of Chinnereth eastward : (v. 12) And the border shall go down to Jordan, and the goings out of it shall be at the salt sea : this shall be your land with the coasts thereof round about."[11]

Boundaries of the 'Promised Land' given by Jerome c.400

You may delineate the Promised Land of Moses from the Book of Numbers (ch. 34): as bounded on the south by the desert tract called Sina, between the Dead Sea and the city of Kadesh-barnea, [which is located with the Arabah to the east] and continues to the west, as far as the river of Egypt, that discharges into the open sea near the city of Rhinocolara; as bounded on the west by the sea along the coasts of Palestine, Phoenicia, Coele-Syria, and Cilicia; as bounded on the north by the circle formed by the Taurus Mountains[12] and Zephyrium and extending to Hamath, called Epiphany-Syria; as bounded on the east by the city of Antioch Hippos and Lake Kinneret, now called Tiberias, and then the Jordan River which discharges into the salt sea, now called the Dead Sea.[13][14]

·        1845: Salomon Munk, Palestine, Description Géographique, Historique et Archéologique," in "L'Univers Pittoresque:

Under the name Palestine, we comprehend the small country formerly inhabited by the Israelites, and which is today part of Acre and Damascus pachalics. It stretched between 31 and 33° N. latitude and between 32 and 35° degrees E. longitude, an area of about 1300 French: lieues carrées. Some zealous writers, to give the land of the Hebrews some political importance, have exaggerated the extent of Palestine; but we have an authority for us that one can not reject. St. Jerome, who had long traveled in this country, said in his letter to Dardanus (ep. 129) that the northern boundary to that of the southern, was a distance of 160 Roman miles, which is about 55 French: lieues. He paid homage to the truth despite his fears, as he said himself, of availing the Promised Land to pagan mockery, "Pudet dicere latitudinem terrae repromissionis, ne ethnicis occasionem blasphemandi dedisse uideamur" (Latin: "I am embarrassed to say the breadth of the promised land, lest we seem to have given the heathen an opportunity of blaspheming").[15][16]

Despite the fact that Believers are divided over the question as to whom the people of Elohim are today, we all agree on one thing- that the roots of both Christianity and Judaism began with Abraham, the great patriarch of the ancient Israelites. Let’s start with him!

Prior to his encounter with Elohim, Abraham’s name was Abram and it was to him Elohim proposed, “… Get out of your country, From your family And from your father’s house, To a land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation; I will bless you And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed. So Abram departed as YHVH1 had spoken to him, and Lot went with him. And Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran. Then Abram took Sarai his wife and Lot his brother’s son, and all their possessions that they had gathered, and the people whom they had acquired in Haran, and they departed to go to the land of Canaan. So they came to the land of Canaan. Abram passed through the land to the place of Shechem, as far as the terebinth tree of Moreh. And the Canaanites were then in the land. Then YHVH appeared to Abram and said, “To your descendants I will give this land.” And there he built an altar to YHVH, who had appeared to him” (Gen. 12:1-7). Notice that the promise of Elohim to Abram was conditional, based upon his obedience! If Abram would leave his country, Elohim would make him a great nation.

Despite the fact that Sarai was barren (Gen. 11:30-31) and it would take a miracle for her to bear Abram a son through whom he would give birth to a great nation, Abram believed Elohim! The account simply states, “So Abram departed as YHVH had spoken to him, and Lot went with him. And Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran” (Gen. 12:4). This covenant that Elohim made with Abram is known as the Abrahamic Covenant.

Let’s pick up the account in Genesis 13:14-18, which states, “And YHVH said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him: “Lift your eyes now and look from the place where you are--northward, southward, eastward, and westward; for all the land which you see I give to you and your descendants forever. And I will make your descendants as the dust of the earth; so that if a man could number the dust of the earth, then your descendants also could be numbered. Arise, walk in the land through its length and its width, for I give it to you.” Then Abram moved his tent, and went and dwelt by the terebinth trees of Mamre, which are in Hebron, and built an altar there to YHVH.”

Let’s continue in Genesis 15:1-5, which states, “After these things the word of YHVH came to Abram in a vision, saying, “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.” But Abram said, “YHVH Elohim, what will You give me, seeing I go childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” Then Abram said, “Look, You have given me no offspring; indeed one born in my house is my heir!” And behold, the word of YHVH came to him, saying, “This one shall not be your heir, but one who will come from your own body shall be your heir.” Then He brought him outside and said, “Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them.” And He said to him, “So shall your descendants be.”

At this point, Sarai, who was having a crisis of faith, convinced Abram to sleep with her Egyptian maidservant who could bear him a son, through whom Elohim would fulfill His promise to Abram, to make his descendants a great nation forever! Abram married Sarai’s maidservant, Hagar, and she bore him a son, who Abram named Ishmael (Gen. 16:1-3, 15).

Let’s continue in Genesis 17:1-8, which states, “When Abram was ninety-nine years old, YHVH appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am Almighty Elohim; walk before Me and be blameless [perfect - KJV]. And I will make My covenant between Me and you, and will multiply you exceedingly.” Then Abram fell on his face, and Elohim talked with him, saying: “As for Me, behold, My covenant is with you, and you shall be a father of many nations. “No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you a father of many nations. “I will make you exceedingly fruitful; and I will make nations of you, and kings shall come from you. “And I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you in their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be Elohim to you and your descendants after you. “Also I give to you and your descendants after you the land in which you are a stranger, all the land of Canaan, as an everlasting possession; and I will be their Elohim” (emphasis mine). First, notice again that the promise of Elohim to Abram was conditional, based upon his obedience! If Abram would walk before Elohim and be perfect, Elohim would make His covenant with him and multiply him exceedingly. Second, notice that Elohim also promised that He would establish His covenant with Abram’s descendants “in their generations.” This means that the covenant that Elohim made with Abraham’s descendants was also conditional, based on their obedience!

Let’s continue in Genesis 17:15-21, which states, “Then Elohim said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name. And I will bless her and also give you a son by her; then I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of peoples shall be from her.” Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed, and said in his heart, “Shall a child be born to a man who is one hundred years old? And shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?” And Abraham said to Elohim, “Oh, that Ishmael might live before You!” Then Elohim said: “No, Sarah your wife shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac; I will establish My covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his descendants after him. And as for Ishmael, I have heard you. Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly. He shall beget twelve princes, and I will make him a great nation. But My covenant I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah shall bear to you at this set time next year.”

At this point, Sarah bore Abraham a son by a miracle of Elohim and Abram named him Isaac (Gen. 21:1-3; Rom. 4:18-21). And so it was that it was Isaac became the heir to the covenant.

Sometime after Abraham fathered Isaac, Elohim tested him. He commanded Abraham to sacrifice his “only son Isaac” (Gen. 22:1). You could imagine Abraham’s confusion! Why would Elohim miraculously provide him with an heir through whom He would fulfill His promise to make his descendants a great nation forever and then command him to kill his heir? Notice that the Bible doesn’t tell us that Abraham argued with Elohim. Rather, it tells us that he was willing to obey Elohim and just as he was about to sacrifice Isaac, Elohim stopped him and provided a ram in his place (Gen. 22:11-13)! As a result of Abraham’s obedience, Elohim declared, “… By Myself I have sworn, says YHVH, because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son, your only son-- blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heaven and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your descendants shall possess the gate of their enemies. In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice” (Gen. 22:16-18). At this point, Elohim changed the status of His covenant with Abraham by making it unconditional. This begs the question; then, “Did He also change the status of His covenant with Abraham’s descendants as well?” As we are about to see, the answer to that question is a bit complicated!

Let’s continue in Genesis 26:1-6, which states, “There was a famine in the land, besides the first famine that was in the days of Abraham. And Isaac went to Abimelech king of the Philistines, in Gerar. Then YHVH appeared to him and said: “Do not go down to Egypt; live in the land of which I shall tell you. Dwell in this land, and I will be with you and bless you; for to you and your descendants I give all these lands, and I will perform the oath which I swore to Abraham your father. And I will make your descendants multiply as the stars of heaven; I will give to your descendants all these lands; and in your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed; because Abraham obeyed My voice and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes, and My laws.” So Isaac dwelt in Gerar.”  At this point, Elohim established His covenant with Isaac!

Like Abraham, Isaac also had two sons, Esau and Jacob! Esau, the older son ended up selling his birthright to Jacob for a bowl of soup (Gen. 25:21-34)!

Let’s continue in Genesis 28:10-15, which states, “Now Jacob went out from Beersheba and went toward Haran. So he came to a certain place and stayed there all night, because the sun had set. And he took one of the stones of that place and put it at his head, and he lay down in that place to sleep. Then he dreamed, and behold, a ladder was set up on the earth, and its top reached to heaven; and there the angels of Elohim were ascending and descending on it. And behold, YHVH stood above it and said: “I am YHVH Elohim of Abraham your father and the Elohim of Isaac; the land on which you lie I will give to you and your descendants. Also your descendants shall be as the dust of the earth; you shall spread abroad to the west and the east, to the north and the south; and in you and in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed. Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you.” At this point, Elohim established His covenant with Jacob!

Let’s continue in Genesis 35:9-13, which states, “Then Elohim appeared to Jacob again, when he came from Padan Aram, and blessed him. And Elohim said to him, “Your name is Jacob; your name shall not be called Jacob anymore, but Israel shall be your name.” So He called his name Israel. Also Elohim said to him: “I am Elohim Almighty. Be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall proceed from you, and kings shall come from your body. The land which I gave Abraham and Isaac I give to you; and to your descendants after you I give this land.” Then Elohim went up from him in the place where He talked with him.” Notice that Elohim changed Jacob’s name to Israel!

Israel had twelve sons and one daughter. The names of his sons were: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulon, Joseph, and Benjamin. Joseph, who was a dreamer of dreams (Gen. 37) and who was also favored by his father, was sold into slavery in Egypt by his ten older, jealous brothers! However, when he interpreted Pharaoh’s dream regarding the seven years of plenty followed by the seven years of famine, Pharaoh appointed him governor over Egypt, second in power only to himself. Then, when famine struck Canaan, Israel sent the rest of his sons to Egypt to buy corn, with the one exception of his youngest son Benjamin. In the end, Joseph forgave his brothers and the entire family settled in Egypt and lived in the land of Goshen (Gen. 42-47:12).

In time, the families of Israel’s twelve sons increased in number and became known as the twelve tribes of Israel (Gen. 49:28)! About 200 years after the Israelites arrived in Egypt (Ex. 12:40)2, a Pharaoh rose to power who didn’t know Joseph (Ex. 1:8). Because the Israelites had multiplied so greatly in Egypt, Pharaoh feared that they would rise up against him. So he forced them into slavery (Ex. 1:9-14). Israel cried out to Elohim, who remembered His covenant with Abraham (Ex. 2:23-25). As a result, Elohim raised up Moses (Ex. 6:1-8) who led the Israelites out of Egypt through the miracles He worked on their behalf!

Now, let’s pick up the account in Exodus 12:35-41, which states, “Now the children of Israel had done according to the word of Moses, and they had asked from the Egyptians articles of silver, articles of gold, and clothing. And YHVH had given the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they granted them what they requested. Thus they plundered the Egyptians. Then the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand men on foot, besides children. A mixed multitude went up with them also, and flocks and herds--a great deal of livestock. And they baked unleavened cakes of the dough which they had brought out of Egypt; for it was not leavened, because they were driven out of Egypt and could not wait, nor had they prepared provisions for themselves. Now the sojourn of the children of Israel who lived in Egypt was four hundred and thirty years. And it came to pass at the end of the four hundred and thirty years--on that very same day--it came to pass that all the armies of YHVH went out from the land of Egypt.” Notice that a “mixed multitude” came out of Egypt with Israel! These were, no doubt, slaves from other nations who witnessed the miracles that Elohim had performed on the behalf of the Israelites and, as a result, came to faith and were “grafted in” (Rom. 11:13-24).

After Moses delivered the Israelites from Egyptian bondage, he led them to Mt. Sinai. There, Elohim instructed him, as His mediator, to propose a covenant to the Israelites. Exodus 19:3-9 states, “And Moses went up to Elohim, and YHVH called to him from the mountain, saying, “Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel: ‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself. ‘Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. ‘And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a set apart3 nation.’ These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.” So Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and laid before them all these words which YHVH commanded him. Then all the people answered together and said, “All that YHVH has spoken we will do.” So Moses brought back the words of the people to YHVH. And YHVH said to Moses, “Behold, I come to you in the thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with you, and believe you forever.” So Moses told the words of the people to YHVH.” Notice the statement, “‘Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. ‘And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a set apart nation.’” It proves that, even though the covenant that Elohim made with Abraham was now unconditional, His covenant with Abraham’s descendants remained conditional, based on their obedience!

After Moses delivered The commandments of Elohim, statutes, and judgments to the Israelites recorded in Exodus chapters 20 through 23, he pressed them to confirm their decision two more times. Exodus 24:3-8 states, “So Moses came and told the people all the words of YHVH and all the judgments. And all the people answered with one voice and said, “All the words which YHVH has said we will do.” And Moses wrote all the words of YHVH. And he rose early in the morning, and built an altar at the foot of the mountain, and twelve pillars according to the twelve tribes of Israel. Then he sent young men of the children of Israel, who offered burnt offerings and sacrificed peace offerings of oxen to YHVH. And Moses took half the blood and put it in basins, and half the blood he sprinkled on the altar. Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read in the hearing of the people. And they said, “All that YHVH has said we will do, and be obedient.” And Moses took the blood, sprinkled it on the people, and said, “This is the blood of the covenant which YHVH has made with you according to all these words.”

In his book titled, The Other End of the World, pp. 23-24, Roger Rusk wrote, “The ceremony at Mt. Sinai was a wonderful wedding ceremony. In it there is a courtship, a proposal, an acceptance, a period of getting ready, and a presiding minister. The Lord [YHVH] spoke His vows; the people of Israel spoke their vows. The people became very nervous with some bridal jitters during the ceremony. They even ran away for awhile. There was music, a wedding feast; the whole ceremony is complete. It was a wonderful ceremony when Elohim married Israel at Mt. Sinai. This is a covenant, a contract; but a highly conditional one. Elohim said, if, if, if, right on down the line. And the people accepted those conditions. First of all the Law is given and written for them as part of the marriage contract. With no other people did Elohim ever enter into contract on the basis of the Law like He did with Israel on that day. And the Law is more than the Ten Commandments. After hearing the Ten Commandments, the people ran away. That is all they heard. But in Exodus 21, 22, 23 there are more laws and judgments. All are part of the contract” (emphasis mine). This covenant that Elohim made with Moses’ generation of Israelites is known as the Mosaic covenant and as Roger Rusk so aptly explains, it was a “highly conditional” one!

onditional, based on their obedience. He stated, “For you are a set apart people to YHVH your Elohim; YHVH your Elohim has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth. “YHVH did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any other people, for you were the least of all peoples; “but because YHVH loves you, and because He would keep the oath which He swore to your fathers, YHVH has brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you from the house of bondage, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. “Therefore know that YHVH your Elohim, He is Elohim, the faithful Elohim who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments; “and He repays those who hate Him to their face, to destroy them. He will not be slack with him who hates Him; He will repay him to his face. “Therefore you shall keep the commandment, the statutes, and the judgments which I command you today, to observe them. “Then it shall come to pass, because you listen to these judgments, and keep and do them, that YHVH your Elohim will keep with you the covenant and the mercy which He swore to your fathers. In Deuteronomy 7:6-12, Moses reminded the Israelites that the covenant Elohim made with them was c”

Notice that in verse 8, Moses states that YHVH “would keep the oath which He swore to your fathers.” Then, in verse 9, Moses describes YHVH as, “the faithful Elohim who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments.” Of course, this statement implies that YHVH will terminate His covenant with those who break their covenant with Him! Finally, in verse 12, Moses adds, “Then it shall come to pass, because you listen to these judgments, and keep and do them, that YHVH your Elohim will keep with you the covenant and the mercy which He swore to your fathers.” In all three verses quoted above, the status of the covenant with the Israelites is conditional, based on their obedience!

Sometime later, when the Israelites got impatient waiting for Moses who was delayed on Mt. Sinai, they fashioned an idol of a golden calf and sinned (Ex. 32:1-6). Let’s pick up the account in Exodus 32:7-10 which states, “And YHVH said to Moses, “Go, get down! For your people whom you brought out of the land of Egypt have corrupted themselves. “They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them. They have made themselves a molded calf, and worshiped it and sacrificed to it, and said, ‘This is your Elohim, O Israel, that brought you out of the land of Egypt!’ “And YHVH said to Moses, “I have seen this people, and indeed it is a stiff-necked people! “Now therefore, let Me alone, that My wrath may burn hot against them and I may consume them. And I will make of you a great nation.”

Notice that the conditional covenant status of Abraham’s descendants would have allowed Elohim to divorce all the Israelites, with the one exception of Moses, through whom Elohim would have fulfilled His promise to Abraham, to make his descendants a great nation forever! Remember, Elohim had allowed a generation who was in covenant with Him to be reduced to one man before. So this option was not unprecedented. Elohim rejected Ishmael in favor of Isaac and, in the next generation, Esau sold his birthright to Jacob! In the case of Moses, though, the situation was averted when he intervened on behalf of the Israelites, and Elohim relented (Ex. 32:11-14).

After Moses died, Joshua led the next generation of Israelites to conquer and settle the Promised Land. Afterward, he assembled the people and recounted the miracles that Elohim had done on their behalf (Josh. 24:1-13). Then, he said, “Now therefore, fear YHVH, serve Him in sincerity and in truth, and put away the Elohims which your fathers served on the other side of the River and in Egypt. Serve YHVH! “And if it seems evil to you to serve YHVH, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the Elohims which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the Elohims of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve YHVH.” So the people answered and said: “Far be it from us that we should forsake YHVH to serve other Elohims “for YHVH our Elohim is He who brought us and our fathers up out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage, who did those great signs in our sight, and preserved us in all the way that we went and among all the people through whom we passed. “And YHVH drove out from before us all the people, including the Amorites who dwelt in the land. We also will serve YHVH, for He is our Elohim.” But Joshua said to the people, “You cannot serve YHVH, for He is a set apart Elohim. He is a jealous Elohim; He will not forgive your transgressions nor your sins. “If you forsake YHVH and serve foreign Elohims, then He will turn and do you harm and consume you, after He has done you good.” And the people said to Joshua, “No, but we will serve YHVH!” So Joshua said to the people, “You are witnesses against yourselves that you have chosen YHVH for yourselves, to serve Him.” And they said, “We are witnesses!” “Now therefore,” he said, “put away the foreign Elohims which are among you, and incline your heart to YHVH Elohim of Israel.” And the people said to Joshua, “YHVH our Elohim we will serve, and His voice we will obey!” So Joshua made a covenant with the people that day, and made for them a statute and an ordinance in Shechem” (Josh. 24:14-25). First, notice that the covenant that Elohim had established with Moses’ generation of Israelites, which was based on their obedience, was not automatically transferred to Joshua’s generation of Israelites! Joshua’s generation of Israelites was required to seek their own covenant with Elohim, based on their own obedience! Second, notice the statement, “If you forsake YHVH and serve foreign Elohims, then He will turn and do you harm and consume you, after He has done you good.” This means that the covenant Elohim made with Joshua’s generation of Israelites was also conditional, based on their obedience!

When the Israelites settled in the Promised Land, they named their kingdom Israel, after their forefather Israel, who was formerly known as Jacob. They divided the land by lot between the twelve tribes (Num. 26:55; Josh. 7:14; 14:2; 1 Sam. 14:42). Later, during the reign of King Rehoboam, the ten northern tribes seceded from the two southern tribes (1 Kings 11:13-13, 31-37; 12:1-24). The ten northern tribes retained the national name of Israel, and referred to themselves as the house of Israel, or the house of Ephraim, after their predominant tribe. The two southern tribes referred to themselves as the house of Judah(the Jews), after their predominant tribe.

Soon after the house of Israel seceded from the house of Judah, they broke their covenant with Elohim. They stopped going up to Jerusalem to worship Him in the temple during the Holy Days (Ex. 23:14-17; 1 Kings 12:31-32; 13:32-33; 2 Kings 17:28-30), they practiced idolatry (1 Kings 12:28-33; 14:15-16) and broke the Sabbath (Ezek. 20:10-24). And so it was that when the house of Israel broke their covenant with Elohim, Elohim terminated His covenant with them, sending them into captivity in Assyria (2 Kings 17:5-29; 18:9-12) around 720 B.C. In other words, He divorced the house of Israel (Jer. 3:6-11; Isa. 50:1-2).

The Assyrians had a strategy of deporting large proportions of people from the nations they had conquered and resettling them in other conquered nations. The purpose of this policy was to promote intermarriage between conquered peoples in order that they would lose their national identities, thereby decreasing the threat of nationalistic revolts. To this end, the Assyrians deported a large proportion of the citizens of Israel to Babylon and a large proportion of the citizens of Babylon to Israel (2 Kings 17:24). They eventually lost their national identity (Deut. 32:26), their Hebrew tongue (Isa. 28:11) and assimilated into the nations. They became known as the “lost sheep of the House of Israel” or the “lost ten tribes of Israel.” Elohim divorced them (Jer. 3:6-11; Isa, 50:1-2) and they became Gentiles. The story doesn’t end there, though, because יהוה promised that there would come a time when He would regather Israel (Isa. 11:10-13; Isa. 49:1-6; Isa. 56:1-8; Ezek. 37: 1-22; Zech 2:6-13).

About 130 years after Elohim had terminated His covenant with the house of Israel and exiled them from the Promised Land, the house of Judah followed in their footsteps and broke their covenant with Elohim. As a result, Elohim allowed the house of Judah to be conquered by the Babylonians in three separate stages, between 597 BC and 586 BC, and taken into captivity (2 Kings 24:8-17; 25:1-7, 21). Unlike the house of Israel, though, a remnant of Israelites from the house of Judah repented and returned to the land 70 years later (Jer. 29:1-14; Ezra 1:1-5).

About 500 years after the Jews returned to Judah, they returned to their sinful ways. As a result, יהוה sent Yeshua to the Jews to call them to repentance. Sometime after Yeshua began His ministry, He declared, “… I was not sent to anyone except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel (Matt. 15:24). This begs the question, then, was Yeshua referring to the lost sheep of the house of Israel, which consisted of the ten tribes whom יהוה had divorced, or to the house of Israel of the united kingdom, which consisted of all twelve tribes? If Yeshua was referring to only the house of Israel, which consisted of the ten lost tribes, then for His declaration to be true that He was not sent to anyone “except” the lost sheep of the house of Israel, He could not have spent any time at all with the house of Judah, which was called Judea at the time. However, the fact that He spent most of His ministry in Judea and only a small portion of it in the house of Israel, which was called Samaria at the time, proves that He was referring to the house of Israel of the united kingdom, which included the house of Judah. The inclusion of the house of Judah with the house of Israel in the description, “the lost sheep of the house of Israel”, implies that יהוה was about to divorce the house of Judah.

Jeremiah had prophesied, “Behold, the days come, says יהוה, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah, not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, for they did not continue in My covenant, and I disregarded them, says יהוה. But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says יהוה, I will put My Torah in their inward parts, and I will write it on their hearts, and I will be their Elohim, and they shall be My people” (Jer. 31:31-33). The old covenant was symbolic of a marriage contract between יהוה and Israel, so the fact that a new covenant, which is a new marriage contract, was to be established with both the house of Israel and the house of Judah proves that יהוה would come to divorce and remarry both houses.

Many people reject the notion that יהוה would divorce the house of Israel because He had made an unconditional promise to Abraham that He would make his descendants a great nation forever (Gen. 22:16-18). However, this argument is without merit. When the Israelites got impatient waiting for Moses who was delayed on Mt. Sinai, they fashioned an idol of a golden calf and sinned. As a result, “יהוה said to Moses, “I have seen these people, and behold, they are a stiff-necked people. Now therefore leave Me alone, that My wrath may burn hot against them, and that I may consume them. I will make of you a great nation” (Ex. 32:9-10). In this case, יהוה relented, but the fact that He that He at first made a decision to consume the Israelites, proves that He only needs one faithful, covenant-keeper at any given time to fulfill His promise to Abraham to make his descendants a great nation forever. In this example, the one covenant-keeper was Moses, who was the mediator of the old covenant (Ex. 20:18-21), but In New Testament times the one covenant-keeper was Yeshua, who is the Mediator of the new covenant (Heb. 9:15; 12:24).

When Yeshua arrived on the scene, He warned the house of Judah to repent of their sins, but they rejected Him (Ps. 22:7; Isa. 53:3). The Apostle John wrote, “He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him” (John 1:11; cf. Luke 19:14).

As the Mediator of the new covenant, Yeshua made a startling declaration., “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My congregation,[2] and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it” (Matt. 16:18).

Paul tells us that the new covenant is “…a better covenant, which has been enacted on better promises…” (Heb. 8:6), including the “promise of the eternal inheritance” (Heb. 9:15). So, just as Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt and gathered them at Mt. Sinai, before they entered the Promised Land, Yeshua is leading the descendants of the Israelites out of sin regathering the house of Israel of the united kingdom

to the Body of Messiah, under the new covenant, before they enter the Kingdom of Elohim.

Once the Israelites lost the knowledge of their national identity, it became virtually impossible for them to be regathered, barring a miracle. However, under the new covenant, which includes the “promise of the eternal inheritance”, Elohim is, in effect, regathering them through the message of good news.

The reason why the identity of Israel is hidden in the symbolism of the sun, moon, and stars during the sixth-sign and the sixth-seal prophecies is because they symbolize the lost sheep of the house of Israel of the united kingdom, whose identity is hidden in the harlot/daughter congregations. And the reason why the 144,000 descendants of the Israelites are accompanied by a great multitude is because this combination of people is an allusion to the Exodus (Rev. 7:1-4, 9-10), which symbolizes the greater Exodus when they come out of the harlot/daughter congregations and enter into the chaste congregation. In speaking of this greater Exodus from the harlot/daughter congregations, Revelation 18:4, states, “I heard another voice from heaven, saying, “Come out of her, My people, that you have no participation in her sins, and that you do not receive of her plagues.”

For about 1700 years the lost sheep of the house of Israel have joined both the chaste congregation and the harlot/daughter congregations. And the

When the Israelites settled the Promised Land, they named their kingdom Israel, after their forefather Israel, who was formerly known as Jacob, and divided the land by lot between the twelve tribes (Num. 26:55; Josh. 7:14; 14:2; 1 Sam. 14:42). Later, during the reign of King Rehoboam, the ten northern tribes seceded from the two southern tribes (1 Kings 11:13-13, 31-37; 12:1-24). The ten northern tribes retained the national name of Israel, and referred to themselves as the house of Israel, or the house of Ephraim, after their predominant tribe! The two southern tribes referred to themselves as the house of Judah, after their predominant tribe, Judah (the Jews). Soon after the house of Israel seceded from house of Judah they broke their covenant with Elohim. They stopped going up to Jerusalem to worship Elohim in the temple during the Feast Days (Ex. 23:14-17; 1 Kings 12:31-32; 13:32-33; 2 Kings 17:28-30), they practiced idolatry (1 Kings 12:28-33; 14:15-16) and broke the Sabbath (Ezek. 20:10-24). As a result Elohim divorced the house of Israel (Jer. 3:6-11; Isa, 50:1-2) and sent them into captivity in Assyria (2 Kings 17:5-29; 18:9-12) around 720 BC.

The Assyrians had a strategy of deporting large proportions of people from the nations they had conquered and resettling them in other conquered nations. The purpose of this policy was to promote intermarriage between conquered peoples in order that they would lose their national identities, thereby decreasing the threat of nationalistic revolts. To this end, the Assyrians deported a large proportion of the citizens of Israel to Babylon and a large proportion of the citizens of Babylon to Israel (2 Kings 17:24).

Those Israelites who remained in the land did indeed intermarry with the Babylonians and, as a result, they changed the name of their country to Samaria. And so it was that the religion that was present in the land during the early stages of the New Testament was the Babylonian Mystery Religion (Rev. 17:5). The people of Judea regarded the Samaritans as half-breeds, both physically (2 Kings 17:24-41) and spiritually (John 4:20). Sadly, those Israelites who were deported from the land never returned. They lost their national identity (Deut. 32:26), their Hebrew tongue (Isa. 28:11) and became known as the “Lost Sheep of the House of Israel” (Matt. 10:5-6) or the “Lost Ten Tribes of Israel.”

About 130 years after Elohim had terminated His covenant with Israel and exiled them from the Promised Land, Judah followed in Israel’s footsteps and also broke their covenant with Elohim. As a result, Elohim allowed Judah to be conquered by the Babylonians in three separate stages, between 597 BC and 586 BC, and taken into captivity (2 Kings 24:8-17; 25:1-7, 21). Unlike Israel, though, a remnant of Israelites from the house of Judah repented and returned to the land 70 years later (Jer. 29:1-14; Ezra 1:1-5). Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Dictionary under the heading “Jerusalem” and the subheading, “The Restoration” states, “For more than half a century the Jews remained captives in Babylonia, and their beloved Jerusalem lay in ruins. But this changed when Cyrus, king of Persia, defeated the Babylonians. He allowed the Jewish captives to return to Jerusalem to restore the city. Zerubbabel was the leader of a group that left Babylon in 538 BC to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple. After a period of over 20 years, the temple was restored, (although it was not as lavish as Solomon’s original Temple had been). Under the leadership of Nehemiah, a second group of Jewish exiles returned to the set apart city to restore the wall around the city. Through a masterful strategy of organization and determination, “the wall was finished on the twenty-fifth day of the month of Elul, in fifty-two days” (Neh. 6:15, emphasis mine).

Nehemiah 1:1-11 states, “The words of Nehemiah the son of Hachaliah. It came to pass in the month of Chislev, in the twentieth year, as I was in Shushan the citadel, that Hanani one of my brethren came with men from Judah; and I asked them concerning the Jews who had escaped, who had survived the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem. And they said to me, “The survivors who are left from the captivity in the province are there in great distress and reproach. The wall of Jerusalem is also broken down, and its gates are burned with fire.” So it was, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned for many days; I was fasting and praying before the Elohim of heaven. And I said: “I pray, YHVH Elohim of heaven, O great and awesome Elohim, You who keep Your covenant and mercy with those who love You and observe Your commandments, “please let Your ear be attentive and Your eyes open, that You may hear the prayer of Your servant which I pray before You now, day and night, for the children of Israel Your servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel which we have sinned against You. Both my father’s house and I have sinned. “We have acted very corruptly against You, and have not kept the commandments, the statutes, nor the ordinances which You commanded Your servant Moses. “Remember, I pray, the word that You commanded Your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations; ‘but if you return to Me, and keep My commandments and do them, though some of you were cast out to the farthest part of the heavens, yet I will gather them from there, and bring them to the place which I have chosen as a dwelling for My name.’ “Now these are Your servants and Your people, whom You have redeemed by Your great power, and by Your strong hand. “O YHVH, I pray, please let Your ear be attentive to the prayer of Your servant, and to the prayer of Your servants who desire to fear Your name; and let Your servant prosper this day, I pray, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.” For I was the king’s cupbearer.” First, notice that Zerubbabel and Nehemiah’s generation of Israelites were required to seek their own covenant with Elohim, based on their own obedience! Second, notice the statement, “O great and awesome Elohim, You who keep Your covenant and mercy with those who love You and observe Your commandments.” It means that the covenant Elohim made with Zerubbabel and Nehemiah’s generation of Israelites was also conditional, based on their obedience!

The New Covenant

A careful examination of the Scriptures will reveal that whenever sin threatened to overtake an entire generation of Israelites, Elohim intervened to save a remnant of Torah-observant Believers (1 Kings 19:14-18). This is what happened in Noah’s generation, Moses’ generation, and Ezra and Nehemiah’s generation. It is what also happened in Yeshua’s6 generation (Joel 2:28-32; Rom. 9:27; 11:1-5; Rev. 12:17)! As a prophet (Deut. 34:10), He pleaded with the people to repent (Matt. 4:12-17), but they refused! The Apostle John wrote, “He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him” (John 1:11; cf. Luke 19:14).

Elohim had prophesied that Yeshua would be rejected (Ps. 22:7; Isa. 53:3) and, as a result, He also prophesied: “Behold, the days are coming, says YHVH, when I will make a new4 covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah— “not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, though I was a husband to them, says YHVH. “But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says YHVH: I will put My Torah5 in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their Elohim, and they shall be My people” (emphasis mine) (Jer. 31:31-33).

Since the old covenant symbolized a marriage contract between Elohim and Israel, it follows that the new covenant symbolizes a new marriage contract between the same parties. We know that Elohim divorced the house of Israel, but during the time of Yeshua, He was still married to, and in covenant with the house of Judah. This begs the question; then, “If Elohim was still in covenant with the house of Judah, why would it be necessary for Him to, not only establish the new covenant with the house of Israel, but to also establish it with the house of Judah?” The answer is that when Elohim inspired the Prophet Jeremiah to prophesy about the new covenant, He knew that He would eventually divorce and remarry both houses! Just as Elohim divorced the house of Israel during Old Testament times for breaking their covenant with Him (Jer. 3:8), He was about to divorce the house of Judah for the same reason (Ex. 19:3-6; Deut. 7:6-12; Josh. 24:14-25; Neh. 1:5). However, before Elohim could divorce the house of Judah, He first had to gather a remnant of Israelites under Yeshua, the Mediator of the new covenant (Heb. 9:15; 12:24), in order to keep His promise to Abraham to make his descendants a great nation forever!

As the Mediator of the new covenant, Yeshua made a startling declaration. In most translations of the Bible, it is rendered, “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it” (Matt. 16:18).

Yeshua’s apparent use of the word “church”8 seems to suggest that He intended to establish a new religion, Christianity, with a new people, Gentiles! It also suggests that He would forsake the Jewish and the Jewish people, in spite of the fact that Elohim had promised Abraham to make his descendants a great nation forever! Nothing could be further from the truth!

Church or assembly/congregation

The Hebrew word “qahal” in the Old Testament is translated into English as “assembly or “congregation”

When the Jews translated the Hebrew word “Qahal” into Greek in the Septuagint, they used the term “ekklesia.” And when they translate it into English, they use the words “congregation” and “assembly.” They never used the term “church”, which is not a translation of the word qahal, but a substitute word. Also, when many Christians, if not most, use the word church, they believe that it refers to a building, rather than a congregation.

Where the Masoretic Text uses the term qahal, the Septuagint usually uses the Koine Greek term ekklesia, ἐκκλησία,[1], which means "assembly," "gathering," or "congregation."

Yeshua, who was the mediator of the New Covenant, declared, "I will build my congregation…" (Matt. 16:18), which is also known as the Body of Messiah. He began doing so, starting with the twelve disciples, and expanding it from there through His message of Good News to this very day.

The Septuagint, also known as the LXX, is a 3rd Century BC, Greek translation of the Hebrew Old Testament. In it, the word “ekklesia,” which means “called out” or “called fourth,” was translated from the Hebrew word “qahal,” which means “congregation” or “assembly.” The Theological Workbook of the Old Testament states, “…usually qahal is translated ekklesia in the LXX.” The truth is that the word “church” is not a translation of the original Greek word “ekklesia”; it is a substitution of it.

The term Christian

Other sheep I have John 10:16 term for reproach

Acts 26:27-29 Because the believers accepted the term as a badge of honor.

1 Peter 4:4:16

I don’t believe that you have proven you’re case that the ter, Christian was use as a derogatory way.

Paul was accused of following a cult.

In the Septuagint, also known as the LXX, is a 3rd Century BC, Greek translation of the Hebrew Old Testament. In it, the word “ekklesia,” which means “called out” or “called fourth,” was translated from the Hebrew word “qahal,” which means “congregation” or “assembly.” The Theological Workbook of the Old Testament states, “…usually qahal is translated ekklesia in the LXX.” The truth is that the word “church” is not a translation of the original Greek word “ekklesia”; it is a substitution of it.

This begs the questions; then, “What does the word ‘church’ mean?”

The Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, under the heading “Church,” states, “The etymology of this word is generally assumed to be from the Greek, ‘kuriou oikos’ (house of God); but this is most improbable, as the word existed in all the Celtic dialects long before the introduction of Greek.”

There are those who defend the use of the word “church” in the Scriptures by arguing that it was derived from the Greek words “kurious oikos,” which means “the Lord’s house”. Not only is this claim untrue, but it is also irrelevant! The words “kurious oikos” are not found anywhere in the Greek manuscripts and; therefore, not subject to translation! In contrast, the word “ekklesia” is found in the Greek manuscripts and is subject to translation and again, it means “congregation” or “assembly”!

The Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology, under the heading “Church” states, “The word ‘church’ comes from old English ‘Cirice’ or middle English ‘Circe’, a word that clearly seems to be cognate with circe. We also know that the dialectal form of circe (also found in Greek) was kirke and etymologists are agreed that the Dutch word for ‘church’, kerk, the German, ‘kirche’, and the Scots ‘kirk’ all come from the old Saxons ‘kirika’, another cognate with ‘kirke’ or ‘circe’.

The Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, quoted above adds, “No doubt the word means ‘a circle.’ The places of worship among the German and Celtic nations were always circular. (Welsh, cyrch; French, cirque; Scotch, kirk; Greek, kirk-os, etc.) Compare Anglo-Saxon circe, a church, with circol, a circle.” The reason why the pagan places of worship were circular, like Stonehenge in England, is because pagan sun worshipers built them in the shape of the sun!

In his classical book, The Myth of Kirke, Robert Brown informs us that, not only does the word “Kirke” or “Circe” mean “Circle” or “Circular” (p. 22), but that it also refers to the Elohimdess called “Kirke” or “Circe, the daughter of the Sun Elohim.

The Cyclopaedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, under the heading “Church,” states, “The word Church: The origin of the word is uncertain. In the Germanic and Slavonic languages it is found as follows: Anglo-Saxon, cyrica, circ, cyric; English, church; Scottish, kirk; German, kirche; Low-German, karke; Frisan, tzierke; Danish, kyrke; Swedish, Kyrka; Bohemian, cyrkew; Polish, cerkiew; Russian, zerkow. There was probably some word which, in the language from which the Teutonic and Slavonic are descended, designated the old heathen places of religious assembly, and this word, having taken different forms in different dialects, was adopted by the Christian missionaries. It was probably connected with the Latin circus, circulus, and with the Greek kuklos. Lipsius, who was the first to reject the received tradition, was probably right in his suggestion” (Volume II, p. 322). Lipsius, who was a German theologian who lived during the Protestant Reformation, was right!

Interestingly, the word “church” was not used in any Bible translation until the Protestant Reformation which began in 1517! William Tyndale, in his English translation of the Bible, published in 1526, was the first to substitute the word “ekklesia,” with the word “church,” albeit only when the word was used to refer to pagan temples (Acts 19:37)! Otherwise, whenever he referenced the Body of Messiah, he translated it as “congregation.”

Other English translations of the Bible were published after the Tyndale Bible! The Coverdale Bible (1535), the Matthew Bible (1537) and the Great Bible (1539) all followed in the footsteps of the Tyndale translation, translating the word “ekklesia” as “church” when it refers to pagan temples and as “congregation” when it refers to the “Body of Messiah!” The Geneva Bible (1560) was the first to substitute the word “ekklesia” as "church," not only when it refers to pagan temples, but also when it refers to the Body of Messiah! The Bishop's Bible (1568) returned to the tradition of the Tyndale Bible. Finally, the King James Bible settled the issue, at least for some time, returning to the method of the Geneva Bible, using the word "church," not only in reference to pagan temples, but also in reference to the Body of Messiah!

“Church” Acts 14:13

and “churches” in Acts 19:37 when it was used to describe pagan temples! Thus, the evidence proves that the word “church” is of pagan origin

Another Scripture where the word ekklesia was mistranslated “church” is Acts 7:38 in the King James Version, which is translated, “This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us….” The context proves that the phrase, “church in the wilderness,” actually refers to the Israelites who were regularly referred to in the Old Testament as an “assembly” or a “congregation” and who spent forty years in the wilderness (Num. 14:34; Deut. 8:2-3:2-3). As a result, “this Scripture should have been translated, “This is he who was in the congregation in the wilderness with the Angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our fathers, the one who received the living oracles to give to us,” as it is translated in the New King James Version.

Yet another Scripture where the word “ekklesia” was mistranslated “church” is Hebrews 2:12 in the King James Version, which is translated, “Saying , I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.” This Scripture is actually quoted from Psalm 22:22 in the Old Testament, which is properly translated in the King James Version as, “I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee.”

Of course, the fact that William Tyndale substituted the word “ekklesia” with the word “church” implies that he knew the pagan origins of the word “church.” And the reason why he translated the word “ekklesia” as “congregation” when it refers to the Body of Messiah and the word “ekklesia” as “church” when it referred to pagan temples was because he attempted to separate the holy from the unholy.” He had the best of intentions; however, those intentions soon gave opportunity for others to adopt yet one more element of paganism into the faith!

There are those who reject the evidence that the word “church” is rooted in paganism! This is one thing! However, the fact that they follow the tradition of mainstream Christianity by substituting for the word “congregation” with the word “church” in their titles is totally another thing! Deuteronomy 4:1-2 states, “Now, O Israel, listen to the statutes and the judgments which I teach you to observe, that you may live, and go in and possess the land which YHVH Elohim of your fathers is giving you. You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of YHVH your Elohim which I command you.” The fact is that substituting the word Greek word “ekklesia” in the English translations of the Bible with the “church,” rather than translating it as “congregation,” or “assembly” is indeed adding to the Word of Elohim!

The World English Bible, the Darby Translation, the Hebrew Names Version and Young’s Literal Translation, translate the word ekklesia in Matthew 16:18 as “assembly” while the New King James Version and the Power New Testament translate it “congregation.” Thus, the evidence proves that the word translated “church” is properly translated as “congregation” or “assembly.” Thus, Matthew 16:18 is properly translated: “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My congregation, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.”

Wikipedia Encyclopedia, under the heading “Circe” states, “Circe transformed her enemies, or those who offended her, into animals through the use of magical potions. She was known for her knowledge of drugs and herbs.” After “Kirke” or “Circe” transformed her enemies into beasts, she added them to her circus. In the classical accounts, she is an enchantress, pictured holding a golden cup in her hand mixed with wine and drugs through which she controlled the kings of the earth. Incredibly, a careful comparison of the Circe with the Whore of Babylon will prove that they are one and the same! Revelation 17:1-5 states, Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and talked with me, saying to me, “Come, I will show you the judgment of the great harlot who sits on many waters, with whom the kings of the earth committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth were made drunk with the wine of her fornication.” So he carried me away in the Spirit into the wilderness. And I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast which was full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the filthiness of her fornication. And on her forehead a name was written: MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.” Notice the similarities between the two women. 1. The enchantress, Circe, is the equivalent of the Whore of Babylon! 2. Circe was famous for her circus, while the Whore of Babylon rode a scarlet beast! 3. Circe transforms her enemies into beasts for her circus while the Whore of Babylon transforms the “inhabitants of the earth” into a scarlet, sinful beast for her church! 3. Circe is pictured holding a golden cup in her hand mixed with wine and drugs though which she controlled the kings of the earth! The Whore of Babylon is pictured with a golden cup in her hand which was “full of abominations and the filthiness of her fornication” through which she committed fornication with the kings of the earth!

The word “ekklesia” is found 118 times in the Greek manuscripts. In the King James Version, it was translated as “church” 115 times and as “assembly” three times! Let’s examine a few of these

Many Bible scholars assume that the word “church” is derived from the Greek words, “kurious oikos,” which mean “house of Elohim!”

The word "church" was first used by Theodore Beza in 1556, a Protestant, who followed John Calvin at Geneva, Switzerland.

The Gospel Advocate, published 1915, p.589, states, “The word ‘church’ is really not a translation of any word that was used by Christ or His Apostles, but is an Anglican form of a different word which Roman Catholicism substituted in place of the word used by Christ and His Apostles… It is in our English Scriptures by order of King James, who instructed his translators of 1611 not to translate the word “ecclesia” by either ‘congregation’ or ‘assembly,’ but to use the word ‘church’ instead of a translation!”

A study of the word “church” will also reveal that it was derived from the Old English or Anglo-Saxon root word “Circe” which was the name of the Elohimdess-daughter of Helios, the Sun-deity! Smith’s Bible Dictionary, under the heading “Church” states, “The derivation of the word is generally said to be from the Greek kuriakon (kuriakon) “belonging to the Lord.” But the derivation has been too hastily assumed. It is probably connected with kirk, the Latin circus, circulus, the Greek kuklos (kuklos) because the congregations were gathered in circles.”

Now that we have the correct translation of Matthew 16:18, let’s understand what Yeshua said in context! The Scriptures refer to Yeshua symbolically as the “Rock” (1 Cor. 10:1-4; Eph. 2:20; Matt. 7:24; 16:13-16; 2 Sam. 22:2; Ps. 27:5; 31:3; Isa. 8:14; Deut. 32:4-18; Dan. 2:45; Zech. 4:7). And the fact that He refers to Himself as the “Rock” here indicates that His entire statement is to be understood symbolically, including the words “build” and the word “gates” in the phrase “gates of hell.” According to the KJV New Testament Greek Lexicon, the Greek word translated “build” can also be translated metaphorically as “establish.” This is indeed the correct meaning, for a number of reasons! First, one cannot literally “build” a structure on a symbolic “rock,” Second, the New Testament temple is both the individual believer (1 Cor. 3:16-17; 6:19-20; 2 Cor. 6:16-18) and the congregation (Eph. 2:14-22; 2 Thess. 2:4), not a building! Third, the phrase, “gates of hell,” does not refer to literal gates that lead to a literal grave (Matt. 7:13-14); it refers to spiritual grave, the second death (Matt. 10:28; Luke 12:4; Rev. 2:11; 20:6, 14; 21:8).

Thus, Yeshua was actually saying, “And I also say to you that you are Peter, but upon Me I will establish my congregation, the Body of Messiah, and the second death shall not prevail against it.”

Yeshua’s statement, “and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it,” is, in fact, the equivalent of the unconditional promise Elohim made with Abraham, that He would make his descendants a great nation forever. Both statements are promises that Israel will exist forever! Thus, in Matthew 16:18, Yeshua made it clear that, even though Elohim was starting over again through Him, Elohim would keep His unconditional promise to Abraham to make his descendants a great nation forever.

Yeshua chose twelve Apostles and from that foundation, the Body of Messiah grew to become 120 followers! Then, the night before He was crucified, He kept the Passover with His followers! Paul wrote, “For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Yeshua, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me."  In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me."  For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes” (1 Cor. 11:23-26).

Forty days after Yeshua’s resurrection, remnant Israel kept the feast of Shavuot (Pentecost). Let’s examine the account of what happened in the book of Acts! Acts 2:1-21 states, “When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, “Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born? Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs--we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of Elohim.” So they were all amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “Whatever could this mean?” Others mocking said, “They are full of new wine.” But Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice and said to them, “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and heed my words. For these are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: ‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, says Elohim, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams. And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; And they shall prophesy. I will show wonders in heaven above And signs in the earth beneath: Blood and fire and vapor of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood, Before the coming of the great and awesome day of YHVH. And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of YHVH Shall be saved.’” Notice that the Apostle Peter said that what had happened had been prophesied by the Prophet Joel.

Now let’s examine Joel’s prophecy, the one Peter quoted! It is recorded in Joel 2:28-32 which states, “And it shall come to pass afterward That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your old men shall dream dreams, Your young men shall see visions. And also on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days. “And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth: Blood and fire and pillars of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood, Before the coming of the great and awesome day of YHVH. And it   shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of YHVH Shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be deliverance, As YHVH has said, Among the remnant whom YHVH calls.”

The prophecy, “…I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh…” in verse 28 means “…I will pour out My Spirit on all [kinds of] flesh….” The fact that Elohim immediately qualifies His statement by listing those kinds of flesh: sons; daughters; old men; young men; menservants; and maidservants is proof of this point.

Notice that Joel 2:32 identifies those who receive the Holy Spirit as “remnant” Israel and Acts 2, the fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy, identifies remnant Israel as those who were assembled in the upper room, meaning the Body of Messiah7.

In order to truly understand the full significance of the new covenant, we must first understand that it was a type of the old covenant! Thus, just as Moses was the mediator of the old covenant, Yeshua was the Mediator of the new covenant. Just as the Israelites were saved by the blood of the Passover lamb under the old covenant, remnant Israel is saved by Yeshua, “…the Lamb of Elohim, who takes away the sin of the world.” under the new covenant. Just as Moses delivered the Law to the Israelites on Mt. Sinai under the old covenant, Yeshua raised the Law up to its fullest intent and significance to remnant Israel (Matt. 5-7) on a mountainside in Israel under the new covenant. Moses delivered the letter of the Law and Yeshua delivered the spirit of the Law. Also, just as all of Israel agreed to the terms of the old covenant at Mt. Sinai (Ex. 19) on Shavuot (Pentecost), remnant Israel was gathered “all with one accord” (Acts 2:1) with regard to the terms of the new covenant in the upper room on Shavuot (Acts 2). Finally, just as the Israelites first gathered at Mt. Sinai and then into the Promised Land under the old covenant, remnant Israel is gathering first into the Body of Messiah and then into the Kingdom of God under the new covenant. So, we are indeed currently living under the new covenant.Two Covenants / One people

A careful comparison of the old covenant and the new covenant will reveal that both covenants were made with the same people, Israel!

Under the old covenant, Moses, speaking on the behalf of Elohim, told his generation of Israelites, “…if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure … a kingdom of priests and a set apart nation” (Ex. 19:5-6). Then, just before entering into the Promised Land, Moses added, “For you are a set apart people to YHVH your Elohim; YHVH your Elohim has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth” (Deut.7:6; cf. Deut. 14:2; 33:3; Num.16:3). Likewise, under the new covenant, the Apostle Peter told a remnant of Israelites from Yeshua’s generation, “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a set apart nation, His own special people…” (1 Pet. 2:9). Yeshua said, "…Did I not choose you, the twelve…" (John 6:70)? He also said, “You did not choose Me, but I chose you… (John 15:16-19). Again, He said, “For many are called, but few chosen” (Matt. 22:14).

Under the old covenant, Israel was chosen by Elohim to provide a practical example to the world of the benefits that come from obeying the commandments of Elohim, statutes and judgments! Deuteronomy 4:1-8 states, “Now, O Israel, listen to the statutes and the judgments which I teach you to observe, that you may live, and go in and possess the land which YHVH Elohim of your fathers is giving you. You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of YHVH your Elohim which I command you. Your eyes have seen what YHVH did at Baal Peor; for YHVH your Elohim has destroyed from among you all the men who followed Baal of Peor. But you who held fast to YHVH your Elohim are alive today, every one of you. Surely I have taught you statutes and judgments, just as YHVH my Elohim commanded me, that you should act according to them in the land which you go to possess. Therefore be careful to observe them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples who will hear all these statutes, and say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.’ For what great nation is there that has Elohim so near to it, as YHVH our Elohim is to us, for whatever reason we may call upon Him? And what great nation is there that has such statutes and righteous judgments as are in all this Torah which I set before you this day?” Likewise, under the new covenant, a remnant of Israelites from Yeshua’s generation was chosen by Elohim to provide a practical example to the world of the benefits that come from obeying commandments of Elohim, statutes and judgments! Yeshua told the new covenant Body of Messiah, “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. “Do not think that I came to destroy the Torah or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the Torah till all is fulfilled. Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 5:14-19).

Under the old covenant Elohim referred to Israel as, “Israel My elect” (Isa. 45:4). Likewise, under the old covenant, Paul referred to the remnant of Israelites from Yeshua’s generation as, “the elect of Elohim” (Col. 3:11-12) (cf. Matt. 24:24, 31; Mark 13:22, 27; Luke 18:7; Rom. 8:33; 11:7; Titus 1:1).

Thus, just as Israel was the covenant people of Elohim in the Old Testament, Israel, albeit only a remnant, continues to be the covenant people of Elohim in the New Testament! Again, this was because Elohim was bound by His unconditional promise to Abraham to make his descendants a great nation forever and Elohim fulfills that promise with only those Israelites who He establishes a covenant with “in their generations.”

Old Covenant

Israel

New Covenant

Remnant Israel

Righteous live by faithfulness (Hab. 2:4)

Righteous live by faith (Rom. 1:17)

Holy people (Deut. 7:6; 33:3; Num. 16:3)

Holy people (Eph. 1:1; Rom. 1:7)

Chosen (Deut. 7:6; 14:2)

Chosen (Col. 3:12; Tit. 1:1)

Loved (Deut. 4:37)

Loved (Col. 3:12; 1 Thess. 1:4)

Called (Isa. 41:9; 2 Chron. 7:14)

Called (Rom. 1:6-7; 1 Cor. 1:2)

Assembly (Psa. 1:5; 89:5; 149:1) (Mic. 2:5)

Assembly (Acts 7:38; 20:28; Heb. 2:12) (Matt. 16:18; 18:17; Eph. 2:20)

Flock (Ezek. 34:2, 7; Psa. 77:20)

Flock (Luke 12:32; Act. 20:28)

Holy nation (Ex. 19:6)

Holy nation (1 Pet. 2:9)

Treasured possession (Ex. 19:5)

Special possession (1 Pet. 2:9)

Kingdom of priests (Ex. 19:6)

Royal priesthood (1 Pet. 2:9)

Children of Elohim (Hos. 1:10)

Children of Elohim (John 1:12)

People of Elohim (Hos. 2:23)

People of Elohim ( 1 Pet. 2:10)

People of His inheritance (Deut. 4:20)

Glorious inheritance (Eph. 1:18)

My dwelling place = tabernacle (Lev. 26:11; Ezek. 37:27)

Dwelling among us = tabernacle (John. 1:14; 2 Cor. 6:16)

I will walk among you (Lev. 26:12; Jer. 32:38)

I will… walk among them (2 Cor. 6:16-17)

I will be his Father = of David (2 Sam. 7:14)

I will be a Father to you (2 Cor. 6:18)

Elohim is a husband betrothed (Isa. 54:5; Jer. 3:14; 31:32; Hos. 2:19)

Messiah is a husband betrothed (2 Cor. 11:2; Eph. 5:25-30)

Twelve tribes (Gen. 49:28; Rev. 21:12)

Twelve Apostles (Mar. 3:14; Rev. 21:14)

Two Israels: One True/ One False

Sometime after John the Immerser began his ministry, a group of Pharisees and Sadducees came to him, most likely under the pretense of wanting to be immersed. John rebuked them saying, “… Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not think to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I say to you that Elohim is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones. And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire” (Matt. 3:7-10). John knew that the Pharisees and Sadducees were Abraham’s physical descendants. More importantly, though, his declaration, “do not think to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’” proves that he didn’t count them as being descendants of Abraham!

At the beginning of Yeshua’s ministry, when He was in the process of choosing His disciples, He was introduced to Nathanael, a spiritually-minded Jew. Upon meeting him Yeshua joyfully declared, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit” (John 1:47)! Yeshua knew that Nathanael was a physical descendant of Abraham. More importantly, though, His declaration, “Behold, an Israelite indeed...,” proves that He also counted Nathanael as being a spiritual descendant of Abraham!

Once, Yeshua said to a group of Jewish people, “I know that you are Abraham’s descendants, but you seek to kill Me, because My word has no place in you. I speak what I have seen with My Father, and you do what you have seen with your father.” They answered and said to Him, “Abraham is our father.” Yeshua said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would do the works of Abraham. But now you seek to kill Me, a Man who has told you the truth which I heard from Elohim. Abraham did not do this. You do the deeds of your father.” Then they said to Him, “We were not born of fornication; we have one Father--Elohim.” Yeshua said to them, “If Elohim were your Father, you would love Me. … You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it” (John 8:37-42, 44). Notice that Yeshua made two seemingly contradictory statements: “I know that you are Abraham’s descendants” and “You are of your father the devil.” The truth is that these two statements really don’t contradict one another at all. Physically, the Jewish people in question were indeed the children of Abraham; but, spiritually, they were the children of the devil!

Paul states, “Indeed you are called a Jew, and rest on the Torah, and make your boast in Elohim, … For circumcision is indeed profitable if you keep the Torah; but if you are a breaker of the Torah, your circumcision has become uncircumcision. … For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh; but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from Elohim” (Rom. 2:17, 25, 28-29).

Paul also states, “I tell the truth in Messiah, I am not lying, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit, that I have great sorrow and continual grief in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Messiah for my brethren, my countrymen according to the flesh, who are Israelites, to whom pertain the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the Torah, the service of Elohim, and the promises; of whom are the fathers and from whom, according to the flesh, Messiah came, who is over all, the eternally blessed Elohim. Amen. But it is not that the word of Elohim has taken no effect. For they are not all Israel who are of Israel, nor are they all children because they are the seed of Abraham; but, “In Isaac your seed shall be called.” That is, those who are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of Elohim; but the children of the promise are counted as the seed” (Rom. 9:1-8, emphasis mine).

In the Scriptures quoted above, Paul differentiates between two Israels: Israel “of the flesh” and Israel “of the promise.” He states that his countrymen “according to the flesh” are “accursed from Messiah.” His statement, “For they are not all Israel who are of Israel,” means that his “countrymen according to the flesh” are actually not inheritors of: “the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the Torah, the service of Elohim, and the promises.” He states, “nor are they all children because they are the seed of Abraham; but, “In Isaac your seed shall be called.” This statement serves as an example to the fact that not all of Abraham’s physical descendants are counted as His children, just as Ishmael wasn’t, but Isaac was (Gal. 4:21-31). So, despite the fact that Ishmael was a physical descendant of Abraham, he was not an inheritor of the covenant blessings and Paul’s point is, neither are the physical descendants of Abraham who are “countrymen according to the flesh.” In verse 8, Paul states, “That is, those who are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of Elohim; but the children of the promise are counted as the seed.” Read that statement again, “That is, those who are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of Elohim; but the children of the promise are counted as the seed.” Here, Paul explicitly states that Israel “of the flesh” are not the people of Elohim and that Israel “of the promise” are!

Elohim Divorces Judah

Again, the fact that Elohim was establishing a new covenant with both the house of Israel and with the house of Judah (Jer. 31:31-33) indicates that He knew He would eventually divorce and remarry both houses. He had already divorced the house of Israel during Old Testament times for breaking their covenant with Him (Jer. 3:8). Now, during New Testament times, He was about to divorce the house of Judah for the same reason (Ex. 19:3-6; Deut. 7:6-12; Josh. 24:14-25; Neh. 1:5).

Of course, since Elohim was bound by His promise to Abraham, to make his descendants a great nation forever, He was able to divorce the house of Judah, He first had to establish a covenant with at least one of Abraham’s descendants! That descendant was Yeshua, who was born under the old covenant, and who also established the new covenant with both the house of Israel and the house of Judah. Once Elohim had established the new covenant with remnant Israel through Yeshua, He was free to divorce the house of Judah without breaking His promise to Abraham, that his descendants would be a great nation forever.

Three days before Yeshua was crucified, He “went into the temple of Elohim and drove out all those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves. And He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a ‘den of thieves’” (Matt. 21:12-13). Notice that at this point, Yeshua referenced the temple as, “My house.” Sadly, that was about to change!

After the encounter with the money changers, Yeshua went to Bethany. Matthew 21:18-19 states, “Now in the morning, as He returned to the city [Jerusalem], He was hungry. And seeing a fig tree by the road, He came to it and found nothing on it but leaves, and said to it, “Let no fruit grow on you ever again.” Immediately the fig tree withered away” (Emphasis added).

Scripture reveals that a fig tree is symbolic of Israel (Judges 9:9-11; Deut. 8:8; Jer. 24:5; Hosea 9:10; Joel 1:7; Matt. 21; Mark 11; Luke 13:6-9). And just as the fig tree looked healthy, but had no fruit, the house of Judah appeared to be the people of Elohim, but had no fruits of the spirit (Gal. 5:22; Acts 5:32). Too, just as Yeshua cursed the fig tree, which later died, He also cursed the house of Judah, which was about to die!

After returning to Jerusalem, Yeshua arrived at the temple and began to teach. While He was teaching, the chief priests and the elders confronted Him. It was their intent to discredit Him as a false messiah and have Him put to death. It was at this time that Yeshua spoke two parables about the fate of Judah (Matt. 13:10-17).

The first parable, The Parable of the Two Sons, is recorded in Matthew 21:28-32 where Yeshua states, “But what do you think? A man [Elohim] had two sons [the house of Israel and the house of Judah], and he came to the first [the house of Israel] and said, ‘Son, go, work today in my vineyard.’ “He answered and said, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he regretted it and went. “Then he came to the second [the house of Judah] and said likewise. And he answered and said, ‘I go, sir,’ but he did not go. “Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said to Him, “The first.” Yeshua said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that tax collectors and harlots enter the kingdom of Elohim before you. “For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him; but tax collectors and harlots believed him; and when you saw it, you did not afterward relent and believe him” (Emphasis added).

The second parable, The Parable of the Vineyard, is recorded in verses 33-41, immediately after the first parable, where Yeshua states, “Hear another parable: There was a certain landowner [Elohim] who planted a vineyard [the house of Judah (Isa. 5:1-7)] and set a hedge around it [set it apart], dug a winepress in it [judgment (Isa. 63:2-3; Lam.1:5; Joel 3:13; Rev, 19:15)] and built a tower [the temple]. And he leased it to vinedressers [the chief priests and the Pharisees] and went into a far country [heaven]. “Now when vintage-time drew near [judgment day], he sent his servants [the prophets] to the vinedressers [the chief priests and Pharisees], that they might receive its fruit [repentance - Matt. 3:7-10]. “And the vinedressers took his servants [the prophets], beat one, killed one, and stoned another [Matt. 23:35-37; Luke 11:51]. “Again he sent other servants, more than the first [more prophets], and they did likewise to them. “Then last of all he sent his son Yeshua to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ “But when the vinedressers [the chief priests and the Pharisees] saw the son [when they realized that Yeshua was the Messiah], they said among themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and seize his inheritance [the Kingdom of Elohim].’ “So they took him and cast him out of the vineyard [the house of Judah] and killed him [crucified Him]. “Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard [Elohim] comes, what will he do to those vinedressers [the chief priests and the Pharisees]?” They said to Him, “He will destroy those wicked men miserably, and lease his vineyard to other vinedressers who will render to him the fruits in their seasons” (Emphasis added).

After telling both parables Yeshua stated, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: ‘The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone. This was YHVH’s doing, And it is marvelous in our eyes’? “Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of Elohim will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it. “And whoever falls on this stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder.” Now when the chief priests and Pharisees heard His parables, they perceived that He was speaking of them” (Matt. 21:42-46). The prophecy, “Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of Elohim will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it,” is clear! It means that the Kingdom of Elohim will be taken from the house of Judah, including the chief priests and Pharisees, and given to the house of Israel, including the ministers of the new covenant.

Then, Yeshua told a third parable: The Parable of the Wedding and the Wedding Feast. It is recorded in Matthew 22:2-14, where Yeshua states, “The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king [Elohim] who arranged a marriage for his son [Yeshua], and sent out his servants [the prophets] to call those who were invited [the house of Judah] to the wedding; and they were not willing to come [they were not willing to repent]. Again, he sent out other servants [other prophets], saying, ‘Tell those who are invited [the house of Judah], “See, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and fatted cattle are killed, and all things are ready [the marriage supper (Rev. 19:9)]. Come to the wedding.” ‘But they [the house of Judah] made light of it and went their ways, one to his own farm, another to his business [John 6:44-66]. And the rest [the religious leaders of the house of Judah] seized his servants [the prophets], treated them spitefully, and killed them. But when the king heard about it, he was furious. And he sent out his armies [the Roman Armies], destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city [Jerusalem]. Then he said to his servants [the ministers of the new covenant - 2 Cor. 3:4-6], ‘The wedding is ready, but those who were invited [the house of Judah] were not worthy. Therefore go into the highways, and as many as you find, invite to the wedding [through the gospel message].’ So those servants [the prophets] went out into the highways and gathered together all whom they found [both Israelites and Gentiles], both bad and good. And the wedding hall was filled with guests [the Israel of Elohim - Gal. 6:15-16]. But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw a man there who did not have on a wedding garment [a white robe which represents righteousness (Isa. 61:3, 10; Rev. 6:11; 7:9, 13-14; 19:7-8)]. So he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless. Then the king said to the servants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ For many are called, but few are chosen” (Emphasis added).

After telling the third parable, Yeshua addressed the multitudes of Judea, including the scribes and the Pharisees. The account is recorded in Matthew 23. We’ll focus on verses 29 to 39 where Yeshua states, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because you build the tombs of the prophets and adorn the monuments of the righteous, “and say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.’ “Therefore you are witnesses against yourselves that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets. “Fill up, then, the measure of your fathers’ guilt. “Serpents, brood of vipers! How can you escape the condemnation of hell? “Therefore, indeed, I send you prophets, wise men, and scribes: some of them you will kill and crucify, and some of them you will scourge in your synagogues and persecute from city to city, “that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. “Assuredly, I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation. “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! “See! Your house is left to you desolate; “for I say to you, you shall see Me no more till you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of YHVH!’”

Let’s continue the account in Matthew chapter 24, verses 1 and 2. “Yeshua went out and departed from the temple, and His disciples came up to show Him the buildings of the temple. And Yeshua said to them, “Do you not see all these things? Assuredly, I say to you, not one stone shall be left here upon another, that shall not be thrown down.” This prophecy was fulfilled in 70 AD exactly as Yeshua had prophesied when the Roman Army under General Titus sacked Jerusalem and destroyed the temple so thoroughly that not one stone was left upon another. Also, the Levitical priesthood and the Sanhedrin were abolished and millions of Jews were scattered into the Gentile nations.

Thus, after the crucifixion of Yeshua, Elohim gave Judah about 40 years, one generation, to repent. They refused! Thus, in 70 AD He allowed Jerusalem and the temple to be destroyed, and the Levitical priesthood and the Sanhedrin to be abolished! Elohim had divorced the house of Judah!

Added from the doc. The Misunderstood Scriptures.

In Romans 11:13-24, Paul likens Israel to a natural olive tree, which is actually an Old Testament analogy (Jer. 11:16-17; cf. Ps.52:8; 128:3). He also likens Gentiles to a wild olive tree. He explains that a number of the branches of the natural olive tree were cut off due to unbelief, leaving only a remnant, and that some of the branches of the wild olive tree were grafted in. Of course, the branches that remained on the olive tree symbolize remnant Israel! In Romans 9:1-8, Paul refers to them as the “children of the promise.” The branches that were cut off the olive tree due to unbelief symbolize Israelite unbelievers, a people with whom God was in the process of terminating His covenant (Deut. 7:6-12; Gen. 17:1-8; Ex. 19:3-6). In Romans 9:1-8, Paul refers to them as the “children of the flesh” (Rom. 9:1-8)! Finally, the branches that were grafted into the tree symbolize Gentile converts to the faith, a people with whom God was in the process of establishing His covenant!

Many Believers, mostly Messianic Jews, quote Paul’s earlier comment in Romans 11:1 from the same chapter quoted above in an attempt to prove that God has not divorced Judah, Israel “of the flesh.” It states, “I say then, has God cast away His people? Certainly not! For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.” Let’s examine this Scripture in context. Romans 11:1-5 states, “I say then, has God cast away His people? Certainly not! For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. God has not cast away His people whom He foreknew. Or do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel, saying, “YHVH, they have killed Your prophets and torn down Your altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life”? But what does the divine response say to him? “I have reserved for Myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” Even so then, at this present time there is a remnant according to the election of grace.”

Notice that Paul gives two examples relative to two separate periods of time during the history of Israel as to how God has not cast away His people. He used remnant Israel, personified by himself, as the first example and remnant Israel, personified by Elijah, as the second example. Thus, when Paul said that God had not cast away His people, he is not referring to Israel as a whole, meaning Israel “of the flesh,” he is referring to Israel “of the promise,” meaning remnant Israel. In fact, Paul concludes with this statement, “Even so then, at this present time there is a remnant according to the election of grace.” 

In Romans 11:13-24, Paul expands the symbolism of an Old Testament analogy in which Israel is likened to a cultivated olive tree (Jer. 11:16-17; cf. Ps.52:8; 128:3). In his adaptation of the analogy, he explains that a number of the branches of the cultivated olive tree were cut off due to unbelief, leaving only a remnant on the tree. What happens to branches that are cut off a tree? They die! Of course, the branches that were cut off the tree due to unbelief symbolize Jews who reject Messiah Yeshua, a people with whom Elohim was in the process of terminating His covenant (Deut. 7:6-12; Gen. 17:1-8; Ex. 19:3-6). Again, Paul refers to them as Israel “of the flesh.” The branches that remained on the cultivated olive tree symbolize remnant Israel, Jews who accept Yeshua as Messiah! Again, Paul refers to them as Israel “of the promise.” Paul goes on to liken Gentiles to a wild olive tree and explains that some of its branches were cut off and grafted into the cultivated olive tree, remnant Israel. They symbolize Gentile converts to the faith, a people with whom Elohim was now establishing His covenant.

Many Believers interpret these Scriptures to mean that gentile converts to the faith are grafted into Israel as a whole, meaning both Israel of the flesh and Israel of the promise! This is not so! Remember, the branches that were cut off the cultivated olive tree were cut off before the branches of the wild olive tree were grafted in! Thus, the branches of the wild olive tree, which represent gentile converts to the faith, were only grafted into the branches that remained on the cultivated olive tree, remnant Israel, Jews who accept Yeshua as Messiah. Thus, the truth is that gentile converts to the faith are not grafted into Israel as a whole!

Finally, Ezekiel 37: 1-17 states, “The hand of YHVH came upon me and brought me out in the Spirit of YHVH, and set me down in the midst of the valley; and it was full of bones. Then He caused me to pass by them all around, and behold, there were very many in the open valley; and indeed they were very dry. And He said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” So I answered, “O YHVH Elohim, You know.” Again He said to me, “Prophesy to these bones, and say to them, ‘O dry bones, hear the word of YHVH! Thus says YHVH Elohim to these bones: “Surely I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live. I will put sinews on you and bring flesh upon you, cover you with skin and put breath in you; and you shall live. Then you shall know that I am YHVH.”’” So I prophesied as I was commanded; and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and suddenly a rattling; and the bones came together, bone to bone. Indeed, as I looked, the sinews and the flesh came upon them, and the skin covered them over; but there was no breath in them. Also He said to me, “Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, ‘Thus says YHVH Elohim: “Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.”’” So I prophesied as He commanded me, and breath came into them, and they lived, and stood upon their feet, an exceedingly great army. Then He said to me, “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They indeed say, ‘Our bones are dry, our hope is lost, and we ourselves are cut off!’ Therefore prophesy and say to them, ‘Thus says YHVH Elohim: “Behold, O My people, I will open your graves and cause you to come up from your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel. Then you shall know that I am YHVH, when I have opened your graves, O My people, and brought you up from your graves. I will put My Spirit in you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I, YHVH, have spoken it and performed it,” says YHVH.’” Again the word of YHVH came to me, saying, “As for you, son of man, take a stick for yourself and write on it: ‘For Judah and for the children of Israel, his companions.’ Then take another stick and write on it, ‘For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim, and for all the house of Israel, his companions.’ Then join them one to another for yourself into one stick, and they will become one in your hand.” Notice that these Scriptures picture the “whole house of Israel” as being dead (vs. 11)! This includes both the house of Israel and the house of Judah (vv. 15-17)!

The Israel of Elohim

Remember, we began our study by examining the covenant Elohim made with Abraham recorded in Genesis 12:1-3. Now, we must revisit that account in order to focus on a second component of that covenant! Again, Genesis 12:1-3 states, “Now YHVH had said to Abram: “Get out of your country, From your family And from your father’s house, To a land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation; I will bless you And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” The prophecy, “And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed…,” is a little vague, but the New Testament reveals exactly what it means! Galatians 3:6-8 states, “just as Abraham “believed Elohim, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham. And the Scripture, foreseeing that Elohim would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, “In you all the nations shall be blessed.” Verses 27-29 add, “For as many of you as were baptized into Messiah have put on Messiah. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Messiah Yeshua. And if you are Messiah’s then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” Thus, when Elohim made His promise to Abraham to make His descendants a great nation forever, He also included the Gentiles in that promise, through the gospel!

Elohim gave the Apostle Peter a vision (Acts 10:9-33) from which he concluded: “… In truth I perceive that Elohim shows no partiality. “But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him” (Acts 10:34-35). Soon after that, Paul became the Apostle to the Gentiles (Rom. 11:13; Gal. 2:1-10). Acts 13:44-47 states, “On the next Sabbath almost the whole city came together to hear the word of Elohim. But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy; and contradicting and blaspheming, they opposed the things spoken by Paul. Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said, “It was necessary that the word of Elohim should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles. “For so YHVH has commanded us: ‘I have set you as a light to the Gentiles, That you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth.’” The last statement, “I have set you as a light to the Gentiles, That you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth,” was actually quoted from Isaiah 49:6.

Paul states, “Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh—who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands— that at that time you were without Messiah, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without Elohim in the world. But now in Messiah Yeshua you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Messiah. For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation [the wall in the temple separating the court of the Gentiles from the court of the Israelites], having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, and that He might reconcile them both to Elohim in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off [Gentiles] and to those who were near [Israelites]. For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father. Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of Elohim, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Yeshua, the Messiah Himself being the chief corner stone, in whom the whole building, being joined together, grows into a set apart temple in YHVH, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of Elohim in the Spirit” (Eph. 2:11-22, emphasis mine). Thus, the commonwealth of Israel only includes Israelite Believers in Yeshua and Gentile converts to the faith!

In the next chapter of Ephesians Paul added, “by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Messiah), which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets: that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel,” (Eph. 3:4-6).

Paul also states, “For in Messiah Yeshua neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation. And as many as walk according to this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of Elohim” (Gal. 6:15-16). First, notice that the “Israel of Elohim,” the new covenant Body of Messiah, is comprised of both Israelites and Gentile converts to the faith. Second, Paul used the phrase, the “Israel of Elohim,” in order to qualify which “Israel” is the people of Elohim!

Again, Paul states, “For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit” (1 Cor. 12:13).

Earlier, we addressed Paul’s analogy in Romans 11:13-24, where the branches that were cut off the cultivated tree symbolize Israelite unbelievers, the branches that remained on the cultivated tree symbolize remnant Israel and the branches that were grafted into the cultivated tree symbolize Gentile converts to the faith. Well, immediately after using the analogy of the two olive trees, Paul added, “For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: “The Deliverer will come out of Zion, And He will turn away unElohimliness from Jacob...” (Rom. 11:25-26).

Many Believers interpret this prophecy, “all Israel will be saved,” to mean that after “the fullness of the Gentiles has come in,” Yeshua will return, reveal Himself as Messiah to the Jews and, as a result, the entire Jewish race will accept Him as their Messiah! Other Believers interpret this prophecy the same way, except that they believe that the prophecy refers to all 12 tribes of Israel, not just the tribes of Judah and Benjamin. Not only are both of these interpretations unrealistically optimistic, they also fly in the face of common sense!

The key to understanding this prophecy is to understand which “Israel” Paul is referring to. In his letters he differentiates between 3 Israels: Israel “of the flesh,” Israel “of the promise” and the “Israel of Elohim!” Thus, in order to determine which Israel he is referring to in his statement, “all Israel will be saved,” we must examine the context!

Notice that Paul does not state, “blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. And then all Israel will be saved.” He states, “blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. And so all Israel will be saved.” The word “so” was translated from the Greek word “houto” which, according to the KJV New Testament Greek Lexicon, means: “in this manner,” “thus,” or “so.”

Thus, the context proves that Paul’s statement, “And so all Israel will be saved,” is a concluding statement to the topic he was addressing- the cultivated olive tree. Again, this proves that the “Israel” he is referring to in his statement, “And so all Israel will be saved,” is the Israel symbolized by the cultivated olive tree, which includes both Israelite Believers and Gentile converts to the faith, the Israel of Elohim.

Elohim, because He is a loving Elohim, will not wait until the fullness of the Gentiles has come to strip away Israel’s blindness. The truth is that He has been stripping away their blindness all along, even during the times of the Gentiles. Paul states, “blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.” Notice that Paul’s statement is qualified by the words, “in part.” This means that only a part of Israel was blinded during the times of the Gentiles!

Had Paul intended the statement, “And so all Israel will be saved,”  to mean that after the fullness of the Gentiles has come in, all fleshly Israel will accept Yeshua as Savior, he would have included that statement in his letter to the Hebrews!

The new covenant Body of Messiah, then, is comprised of both remnant Israel and Gentile converts to the faith. 1 Corinthians 12:13 states, “For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.”

During the early period of the New Testament, Jewish antagonists, Israel “of the flesh,” resented the Israel of Elohim and refused to recognize them as being the people of Elohim. As a result, they referred to Believers negatively as Christians/Messianics (Acts 11:26), based on the fact that they believed Yeshua to be the Messiah, and also as Nazarenes (Acts 24:5), based on the fact that Yeshua was from Nazareth (Isa. 11:1; 53:3; Matt. 2:23). Of course, those who believed in Messiah Yeshua would not be offended by these titles and it is entirely possible that, in time, they adopted them! In the end, though, it doesn’t matter how Believers came to be called these titles; it doesn’t change our true identity: the Israel of Elohim!

Two Israels of Elohim: One True/ One False

Just before Yeshua ascended into heaven, He commissioned His disciples to preach the gospel to all mankind (Matt. 28:16-20). The book of Acts records the zealous efforts of the Apostles as they made it their mission to accomplish this task. Initially, the Body of Messiah was comprised solely of a remnant of Israelites from the house of Judah. All 12 disciples were Jewish. The 120 Believers who received the Holy Spirit on Shavuot were Jewish (Acts 2). The 3000 early Believers who were baptized were Jewish (Acts 2). The early congregation in Jerusalem was Jewish. Even the priests were Jewish (Acts 6:7).

After the good news was opened to the Gentiles (Acts 10:9-36, 44-45; Rom. 11:13; Gal. 2:7-10), many converts were added to the Body of Messiah. In time, however, a number of those converts rose to positions of authority and mixed in elements of their pagan festivals, images, idols, rituals, customs and traditions with the true faith, which is expressively forbidden in the Scriptures (Deut. 12:29-32; Jer. 10:1-5).

In time, the “…faith which was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 1:3) split in two! The false messiahs who compromised the faith transformed part of the Body of Messiah into what became known as the Catholic Church, a hybrid religion of both true and false doctrines (Jude 1:3). The faithful Believers continued to recognize themselves as the Israel of Elohim for some time until they too adopted the word “church” into their various titles. And so it was that the Israel of Elohim had divided into two types of churches: the chaste church and the harlot church!

The chaste church is described in Revelation 12:1 which states, “Now a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a garland of twelve stars.” Of course, this woman refers to the daughter of Zion, the Body of Messiah. Revelation 14:4 adds, “These are the ones who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These were redeemed from among men, being firstfruits to Elohim and to the Lamb.” Revelation 19:7 adds, “Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.” 2 Corinthians 11:1-2 states, “Oh, that you would bear with me in a little folly—and indeed you do bear with me. For I am jealous for you with Elohimly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Messiah.” Ephesians 5:22-27 states, “Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is head of the wife, as also Messiah is head of the congregation; and He is the Savior of the body. Therefore, just as the congregation is subject to Messiah, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Messiah also loved the congregation and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious congregation, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be set apart and without blemish” (emphasis mine). Thus, Scripture identifies the chaste church as a glorious, chaste virgin preparing herself for her wedding to her bridegroom, Messiah Yeshua.

The harlot church9 is described in Revelation 17:1-6 which states, “Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and talked with me, saying to me, “Come, I will show you the judgment of the great harlot who sits on many waters, “with whom the kings of the earth committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth were made drunk with the wine of her fornication.” So he carried me away in the Spirit into the wilderness. And I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast which was full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the filthiness of her fornication. And on her forehead a name was written: MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Yeshua. And when I saw her, I marveled with great amazement.”

Just as YHVH characterized Israel as being a harlot during OT times (Isa. 1:21; Jer. 2:20; Ezek. 16; Hosea 2:2-5), He also characterizes the Israel of Elohim (Gal. 6:16), in the form of the Catholic and Protestant churches as being a harlot during NT times!

Israel and the Church in Prophecy: the Woman and the Two Beasts

As I have established earlier, during the period of the divided kingdom, between 597 BC and 586 BC, the southern nation of Judah was taken into captivity by Babylon. During their captivity, Elohim gave the prophet Daniel a vision of four beasts rising up one after the other out of the sea. The first beast was like a lion, the second was like a bear, the third was like a leopard with four wings and the fourth beast had huge iron teeth and “was different from all the beasts that were before it” (Dan. 7:1-7). In Scripture, a beast symbolizes both a king (Dan. 7:17) and the kingdom he rules over (Dan. 7:24). Of course, the first beast, the lion, symbolizes the Babylonian Empire, the kingdom in which Daniel was held captive and the first Gentile kingdom to rule over Judah. The second beast, the bear, symbolizes the Medo-Persian Empire, the second kingdom to rule over Judah. The third beast, the leopard with four wings, symbolizes the Greco-Macedonian Empire, the third kingdom to rule over Judah. And the fourth beast, which had huge iron teeth and “was different from all the beasts that were before it,” symbolizes the Roman Empire, the fourth beast to rule over Judah. As each nation seized power from its predecessor, it also, in effect, inherited dominion over Judah. With regard to the fourth beast, Daniel states, “… It was different from all the beasts that were before it, and it had ten horns” (Dan. 7:7).

About 700 years later, in about 90 AD, Elohim gave the Apostle John a similar vision. However, whereas Daniel saw four beasts rising up out of the sea, John saw only one beast rising up out of the sea. Revelation 13:2 states, “Now the beast which I saw was like a leopard, his feet were like the feet of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority.” Clearly, the beast John saw is a composite of the four beasts Daniel saw. John’s composite beast had absorbed and included the dominant characteristics of all its predecessors: the mouth of the lion corresponds to Daniel’s first beast, the Lion. It symbolizes the royal splendor and kingly power of the Babylonian Empire. The feet of the bear correspond to Daniel’s second beast, the bear. It symbolizes the massiveness and numerically powerful army of the Medo-Persian Empire. The body of a leopard corresponds to Daniel’s third beast, the leopard. It symbolizes the swiftness, cunningness and cruelty of the Greco-Macedonian Empire. Lastly, the dragon corresponds to Daniel’s fourth beast, the one that “was different from all the beasts that were before it.” The dragon “gave him his power and authority” (Rev. 13:2). Since the dragon symbolizes Satan (Rev. 12:9), he was to be the true source of power behind the Roman Empire! Finally, like Daniel’s fourth beast, John’s beast also had ten horns (Rev. 13:1).

The reason why Daniel’s four beasts rise up out of the sea in sequential order is because Daniel lived during the reign of the first beast, the Babylonian Empire, when the reigns of the three successive beasts were awaiting their future fulfillments. Conversely, the reason why John’s beast rises up as a composite of Daniel’s four beasts is because he lived during the reign of the fourth beast, the Roman Empire, after the successive reigns of the three preceding beasts.

Besides the fact that Daniel’s four beasts were to come to reign sequentially and John’s beast was to be a corresponding composite beast, there was to be one other major difference between the two; only John’s beast was to be ridden by a harlot. Revelation 17:1-7 states, “Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and talked with me, saying to me, "Come, I will show you the judgment of the great harlot who sits on many waters, with whom the kings of the earth committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth were made drunk with the wine of her fornication." So he carried me away in the Spirit into the wilderness. And I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast which was full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the filthiness of her fornication. And on her forehead a name was written: MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Yeshua. And when I saw her, I marveled with great amazement. But the angel said to me, "Why did you marvel? I will tell you the mystery of the woman and of the beast that carries her, which has the seven heads and the ten horns.”

As I have also established earlier, in symbolic prophecy a woman symbolizes a church! This begs the question, “Which church does the harlot symbolize?” Let’s examine the clues!

First, the reason why the harlot didn’t ride any of Daniel’s four beasts, including the fourth beast which represented the Roman Empire, is because the harlot church was established after the Roman Empire ascended to power. However, the reason why John saw the harlot riding the composite beast is because the church had already been established in his day. This could only refer to the Roman Catholic Church, which was established in the first century during the reign of the Rome Empire.

Second, the harlot “sits on many waters” (Rev. 17:1). This symbol is interpreted in verse 15 which states, “The waters which you saw, where the harlot sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues.” Thus, the harlot church reigns over many nations! This could only refer to the Roman Catholic Church, the largest and most influential of the Christian churches!

Third, John sees the harlot “sitting on” the beast (Rev. 17:3), fornicating with the kings of the earth (Rev. 17:2). Since a beast symbolizes both a king (Dan. 7:17) and the kingdom he rules over (Dan. 7:23, cf. 18, 22, 24 and 27), John actually sees the harlot fornicating with the beast. What does Torah teach about a woman who has a sex with a beast? Leviticus 20:15-16 states, “If a woman approaches any animal and mates with it, you shall kill the woman and the animal. They shall surely be put to death. Their blood is upon them.” When the spiritual application of this judgment is applied to the beast, Western Civilization, and the harlot, the Roman Catholic Church, we must conclude that they are both spiritually dead!

Fourth, the beast on which the woman sits has “seven heads” (Rev. 17:3). This symbol is interpreted in verse 9 which states, “…The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits.” In the introduction of his well-known book, The Two Babylons, Alexander Hislop wrote, “… There never has been any difficulty in the mind of any enlightened Protestant in identifying the woman “sitting on seven mountains,” and having on her forehead the name written, “Mystery, Babylon the Great,” with the Roman apostasy. “No other city in the world has ever been celebrated, as the city of Rome has, for its situation on seven hills. Pagan poets and orators, who had not thought of elucidating prophecy, have alike characterized it as ‘the seven hilled city.’” Virgil wrote “Rome has both become the most beautiful (city) in the world, and alone has surrounded for herself seven heights with a wall.” Propertius, refers to Rome as “The lofty city on seven hills, which governs the whole world.” Revelation 17:18 confirms this: “And the woman whom you saw is that great city which reigns over the kings of the earth." Many referred to Rome simple as “the city of seven hills.” Horace wrote, “The Elohims who have set their affections on the seven hills.” Martial, in like manner, speaks of “The seven dominating mountains.” On one occasion, Symmachus, the prefect of the city of Rome, the last acting Pontifex Maximus, introduced one friend to another friend as “De septem montibus virum,” which means ”a man from the seven mountains.” Yet, the commentators interpret it as, “Civem Romanum, “A Roman Citizen.”

Fifth, the harlot is described as, “MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH” (Rev. 17:5). There are two reasons why! First, because the beast with whom the harlot, the Roman Catholic Church, fornicates, John’s beast, is the culmination of Daniel’s four beasts, whose roots trace back to ancient Babylon, the birthplace of the Babylonian Mystery Religion! Second, because the Roman Catholic Church recognizes herself as the mother church of all her Protestant daughter offshoots! Earlier, I quoted Alexander Hislop who wrote, “… There never has been any difficulty in the mind of any enlightened Protestant in identifying the woman “sitting on seven mountains,” and having on her forehead the name written, “Mystery, Babylon the Great,” with the Roman apostasy.” While Hislop’s identification of the Roman Catholic Church as “MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS” is correct, by identifying her as the mother church, he, and most “enlightened Protestants,” unwittingly identify themselves as her “harlot” daughters!

Revelation 13:3 states, “And I saw one of his heads as if it had been mortally wounded, and his deadly wound was healed.” The first part of this prophecy was fulfilled when the Roman Empire fell in 476 AD. After its fall, the empire was divided into ten provinces. The second part of this prophecy was fulfilled when Justinian restored the Empire in 554 AD. This “miraculous” resurrection of the Roman Empire is known in history as the “Imperial Restoration.” After its rebirth, the Roman Empire continued in its ten-province division, seven of which are still on the maps of Europe to this day. They are: England, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal and Switzerland, the foundation of what has come to be known today as Western Civilization.

Revelation 13:11 states, “Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon.” The birth of this second beast was the result of the fornication of the harlot church, the Roman Catholic Church, with the first beast, Western Civilization!

Notice that the first beast has ten horns and the second beast has two horns. In Scripture, a horn symbolizes a power (Ps. 75:10), a kingdom or the king who rules it (Dan. 7:17-18, 22-24, 27) and salvation (2 Sam. 22:3; Ps. 18:2). Thus, the combination of the ten horns on the first beast and the two horns on the second beast symbolize twelve faith-based powers. For those who allow the Bible to interpret itself (Isa. 28:10), the identity of these twelve faith-based powers which are divided between two nations, one having ten horns and the other having two horns, should be abundantly clear! They are none other than the twelve tribes of Israel!10 Of course, the ten horns on the first beast symbolize the house of Israel and the two horns of the second beast symbolize the house of Judah.

The unnatural union between the harlot, the Catholic Church, and the first beast, the resurrected Roman Empire in the form of Western Civilization, produced a contradictory offspring that looked “like a lamb,” but “spoke like a dragon.”

Notice that this beast is not described as being a lamb with two horns, which would symbolize both Messiah Yeshua (John 1: 29, 36) and the Kingdom of Elohim (Dan. 7:17, 23). Rather, it is described as having two horns “like” a lamb. In other words, it is not really a lamb; it is an imposter, a deceiver! The term “dragon” symbolizes Satan (Rev. 12:9; 20:2), “…the father of lies” (John 8:44), so the fact that the second beast “spoke like a dragon” reveals its true character, for the Scriptures say, “… out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Matt. 12:34; cf. Luke 6:45). This proves that Satan is the king of the nation symbolized by the second beast.

The scriptures teach that a lamb symbolizes salvation (Ex. 12) and they also teach that “salvation is of the Jews” (John 4:22); therefore, it follows that the second beast, the lamb-like imposter and deceiver, symbolizes the modern nation of Israel, with its two horns symbolizing the tribes of Judah and Benjamin! Why? Because the people who Satan is gathering there are not really Jews; they are imposters! Paul states, “but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from Elohim” (Rom. 2:29). He also states, “That is, those who are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of Elohim; but the children of the promise are counted as the seed” (Rom. 9:8). Yeshua prophesied, “I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan” (Rev. 2:9). Yeshua added, “Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie--indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you” (Rev. 3:9). Thus, the people who are being gathered by Satan in the modern nation of Israel, the “children of the flesh,” are not truly The people of Elohim and; consequently, they do not represent salvation!

The first beast rises up out of the “sea” (Rev. 13:1) and the second beast rises up out of the “earth” (Rev. 13:11). Since the term “water” is a symbol of “spirit” (Ezek. 47:1-12; Gen. 1:2; Acts 2:38) and “fertility,” the term “sea” is a symbol of “spiritual fertility” (Rev. 17:15). In contrast, the term “earth” is a symbol of spiritual barrenness (Gen. 2:7; Rev. 12:16). Thus, the first beast, Western Civilization, rises up out of the sea, spiritual fertility, and the second beast, the modern nation of Israel, rises up out of the earth, spiritual barrenness! Why? With regard to the first beast, Western Civilization, it was birthed out of a numerically massive people (Rev. 17:15)! In contrast, with regard to the second beast, the modern nation of Israel, it was birthed out of a numerically small people! Today, the Jewish people comprise a meager .2% of the world’s population!

Revelation 13:12 states, “And he exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence, and causes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.”

The first part of this prophecy, “And he exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence” indicates that the second beast, the modern nation of Israel operates under the guidance and protection of the first beast, Western Civilization, just as a son would operate under the guidance and protection of his father! Also, notice that the modern nation of Israel operates under the guidance and protection of Western Civilization whereas if it were truly of Elohim, it would be operating under His guidance and protection!

The second part of this prophecy, “and causes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed,” is a bit more complicated! In order to interpret this prophecy properly, we must first establish a few facts. First, the term “earth” symbolizes all the peoples of the earth, with the exception of the peoples symbolized by the term “sea,” Western Civilization. Second, the phrase, “those who dwell on the earth,” refers to “those who tabernacle on the earth (2 Cor. 5:1, 4; John 1:14; Matt. 17:3-4; Mark 9:5; Luke 9:33),” meaning the Israel of Elohim (Gal. 6:4). And third, the Apostle Paul declared, “Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness” (Rom. 6:16)? Thus, the prophecy, “[he] causes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast,” indicates that the second beast, the modern nation of Israel, causes all the peoples of the earth, including the Israel of Elohim, to obey the first beast and sin.

Revelation 13:13 states, “He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men.”

The word “signs” was translated from the Greek word “semeion” and according to the The KJV New Testament Greek Lexicon it can be translated as: “signs”, “miracles,” “wonders” or “tokens.” Of course, in order to determine which word is the best translation in this case we must understand the context in which the word is used! To this end, notice that the prophecy also includes the phrase, “fire come down from heaven on the earth.” This symbolizes divine judgment (2 Pet. 2:6; 3:7; Jude 7). It indicates that this prophecy is fulfilled by a supernatural being; therefore, the word semeion is best translated “miracle,” which has a supernatural connotation! Thus, the Complete Jewish Bible is better translated, “It performs great miracles, even causing fire to come down from heaven onto the earth as people watch.” The New International Version is also better rendered, “And he performed great and miraculous signs, even causing fire to come down from heaven to earth in full view of men.” Finally, the prophecy, “He performs great [miracles], so that he even makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men” (emphasis mine), reveals that western civilization attributes the “miracles” performed by the second beast, the modern nation of Israel, to Elohim. Since declaring its independence in 1948, the modern nation of Israel has met with fierce opposition from its Muslim neighbors! It has fought in three major wars: the War of Independence in 1947-49, the Six Days War in 1967 and the Yom Kippur War of 1973. They won each campaign with miraculous results!

Revelation 13:14 states, “And he deceives those who dwell on the earth by those signs which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast…”

The modern nation of Israel deceives even the Israel of Elohim into believing that the miracles that were performed on its behalf were performed by Elohim whereas they were actually performed by Satan, the true source of its authority (Rev. 13:11)

Revelation 13:15 states, “He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed.”

The first part of this prophecy, “He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast” is a parody of the creation of man. Genesis 2:7 states that Elohim breathed into Adam’s nostrils the “breath of life” and Genesis 1:26 adds that He created man in His “image.” Thus, the prophecy, “He was granted power to give “breath” to the “image” of the beast” (emphasis mine) is clearly based on the biblical principle that kind begets kind (Gen. 1:20-29; Prov. 22:6; Jer. 16:19; Hosea 2:1-5). It reveals that the harlot, the mother, the Catholic Church, and the first beast, the father, Western Civilization, created the second beast, the modern nation of Israel, after their kinds.

Since the second beast is created in the image of both the first beast and the harlot, it follows that it must share both of their contradictory characteristics. In Scripture, it is the mother who is ordained by Elohim to teach salvation to her children (Ex.13:2, 12, 15; Gal. 4:25). Thus, just as the harlot, the mother, symbolizes salvation, the second beast, her child, the beast who looks like a lamb with two horns, also symbolizes salvation (Ex. 12; Lev. 4 through 5; Isa. 53:7), Likewise, in Scripture, it is the father who is ordained by Elohim to have the position of authority in the family (Gen. 3:16; 1 Cor. 11:3; Eph. 5:22-23; 1 Tim. 2:12). Thus, just as the first beast, the father, exercises Satan’s “power, his throne, and great authority” (Rev. 13:2), the second beast, his child, “exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence…” (Rev. 13:12).

The second part of this prophecy, “that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed,” is also a bit more complicated. First, as we have already established, the phrase, “image of the beast,” refers to the second beast, the modern nation of Israel. Second, the phrase, “be killed,” means, “to be killed spiritually” (Ps.51:11; Rom. 8:9); to be cut off from Elohim (Isa. 59:1-2); to cause to be “dead in sin” (Col. 2:13 Eph. 2:1; 1 Tim. 5:6; Rev. 3:1; Matt. 8:22; John 3:18). Thus, the prophecy, “that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed,” means that the second beast, the modern nation of Israel, causes the Israel of Elohim to obey it rather than Elohim. How? By teaching us to reject Yeshua as Messiah!

Revelation 13:16 states, “He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads…”

The symbolism of the mark of the beast (cf. Rev. 16:2; 19:20) is based on a principle found in the Old Testament. Deuteronomy 6:1–2, 8 states, “Now this is the commandment, and these are the statutes and judgments which YHVH your Elohim has commanded to teach you, that you may observe them in the land which you are crossing over to possess, “that you may fear YHVH your Elohim, to keep all His statutes and His commandments which I command you, you and your son and your grandson, all the days of your life, and that your days may be prolonged. … “You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes” (cf. Ex. 13:9-10; 31:13; Deut. 11:1-18; Ezek. 9:1-8). Thus, just as Believers who keep The commandments of Elohim receive a “sign” on their hand, which is symbolic of action, and on their forehead, which is symbolic of a person’s will, those who keep the beast’s commandments, in contrast, receive a “mark.” Acts 5:29 states, “… We ought to obey Elohim rather than men.” The Apostle Paul declared, “Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?” (Rom. 6:16)

Revelation 14:9-12 states, “Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, “he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of Elohim, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the set apart angels and in the presence of the Lamb. “And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.” Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of Elohim and the faith of Yeshua.” Notice that verses 9 through 11 describe those, who receive the mark of the beast on their foreheads or on his hands, and verse 12 contrasts them with, “those who keep the commandments of Elohim and the faith of Yeshua.” This symbolic “mark,” then, serves to identify those who worship the beast by breaking the Torah. Thus, the prophecy, “He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads,” means that the first beast, Western Civilization, causes the Israel of Elohim to obey its laws and, consequently, break The commandments of Elohim.

Revelation 13:17 states, “and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.”

This prophecy is based on Proverbs 23:23 which states, “Buy the truth, and do not sell it, Also wisdom and instruction and understanding.” It means that there will come a time when the beast, Western Civilization, will cause a famine of the word of Elohim!

Revelation 13:18 states, “Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666.”

This prophecy seems to be based on Ps 111:10 which states, “The fear of the YHVH is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments. His praise endures forever.”

The Regathering of Israel

As I have established earlier, in 70 AD, the Romans sacked Jerusalem, destroyed the temple and scattered millions of Jews into the Gentile nations. The account doesn’t end there, though. There are many Scriptures that speak of the regathering of Israel. These are but a few of them: Isaiah 11:10-13; Isaiah 49:1-6; Isaiah 56:1-8; Ezekiel 37: 1-22; and Zechariah 2:6-13.

Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Dictionary under the heading “Jerusalem” and the subheading “Modern Jerusalem” states, “In 1919, under a ruling by British officials in Palestine, Jerusalem regained its status as a capital city. During the following three decades, numerous Jews, whose ancestors had been barred from the city, settled in and around Jerusalem.” When World War II finally ended, it was estimated that approximately six million Jews had been murdered! As a result of their plight, many people began to call for the return of the Jewish people to their ancestral homeland! At the time, the British controlled Palestine. However, in 1947, the United Nations adopted United Nations resolution 181 which petitioned Palestine, giving 18% to the Jews and 82% to the Arabs. Jerusalem was intended to be an international city never to be under Jewish control. Nevertheless, on May 14, 1948, Israel declared independence.

Again, since declaring its independence, Israel has met with fierce opposition from its Muslim neighbors! It has fought in three major wars: the War of Independence in 1947-49, the Six Days War in 1967 and the Yom Kippur War of 1973. They won each campaign with seemingly miraculous results.

In his book titled, End Time Delusions, pp. 175-176, Steve Wholberg states: “Many view the Israeli victories in 1949, 1967, and 1973 as strong evidence that God had regathered Israel and was now fighting for His chosen nation, even though the leadership of that nation still firmly rejects its own Messiah. Again, let’s examine the argument.”

“First of all, “Yeshua Messiah is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). God says, “I am YHVH, I do not change” (Malachi 3:6). With this principle in mind, let’s ask, “Was Elohim able to fight for Israel in the Old Testament when they were in unbelief?”

“After the Exodus, God promised to bring Israel into the land of Canaan (see Exodus 33:1-3). Twelve men were sent to spy out the territory. Yet after all the people heard the “bad report” about “the giants” in the land, they “complained against Moses,” saying, “Let us return to Egypt” (Numbers 13:32-33; 14:2, 4). Then God pronounced this judgment: “But as for you, your carcasses shall fall in this wilderness. And your sons shall be shepherds in the wilderness forty years….and you shall know My rejection [breach of promise, KJV]” (Numbers 14:32, 34, emphasis mine). Thus, because of Israel’s unbelief, Elohim was unable to fulfill His promise to that generation. This proves that God can make a promise, but not to fulfill it to a certain group of people. See also 1 Samuel 2:20.”

“Those ancient Israelites were unwilling to accept that 40-year sentence. The people proposed to go up anyway “to the place which YHVH has promised” (Numbers 14:40). Moses said, “This will not succeed. Do not go up… for YHVH is not among you…. YHVH will not be with you…. But they presumed to go up….Then the Amalekites and the Canaanites…came down and attacked them” (Numbers 14:41-45). This passage is full of instruction. Because of Israel’s unbelief, God could not fight for her. Even though He promised, He wouldn’t fulfill it. Years later, when Israel again “forsook YHVH…they could no longer stand before their enemies” (Judges 2:13-14). This truth is repeated many times in Joshua, Judges, Samuel, Kings, Chronicles, Jeremiah, etc.”

“Again, God does not change (see Malachi 3:6). All throughout sacred history, He could not fight for Israel while they were in unbelief. Thus He could not have been fighting for the Jewish nation in 1949, 1967, and 1973. Because a nation wins battles is not evidence in itself that God is fighting for that nation. Was God fighting for Hitler when he won so many battles? Was YHVH with the Nazis when they successfully incinerated so many Jews in crematoriums? Obviously not! Dear friend, the “Israeli victories” argument is not based on a thorough study of the Word of God…”

In order to understand the regathering of Israel, we must understand three things: first, the reason why Elohim had scattered Israel in the first place; second, the conditions under which He would regather them; and third, the original gathering of Israel!

First, the reason why Elohim scattered Israel in the first place was because they had broken their covenant with Him!

Deuteronomy 28:15, 41, 58, 64 states, “But it shall come to pass, if you do not obey the voice of YHVH your Elohim, to observe carefully all His commandments and His statutes which I command you today, that all these curses will come upon you and overtake you: … You shall beget sons and daughters, but they shall not be yours; for they shall go into captivity. … “If you do not carefully observe all the words of this Torah that are written in this book, that you may fear this glorious and awesome name, YHVH YOUR ELOHIM, … “Then YHVH will scatter you among all peoples, from one end of the earth to the other, and there you shall serve other Elohims, which neither you nor your fathers have known--wood and stone.”

Jeremiah 16:10-13 states, “And it shall be, when you show this people all these words, and they say to you, ‘Why has YHVH pronounced all this great disaster against us? Or what is our iniquity? Or what is our sin that we have committed against YHVH our Elohim?’ then you shall say to them, ‘Because your fathers have forsaken Me,’ says YHVH; ‘they have walked after other Elohim and have served them and worshiped them, and have forsaken Me and not kept My Torah. And you have done worse than your fathers, for behold, each one follows the dictates of his own evil heart, so that no one listens to Me. Therefore I will cast you out of this land into a land that you do not know, neither you nor your fathers; and there you shall serve other Elohim day and night, where I will not show you favor.’” (cf. Jer. 29:18-19)

Second, Elohim has decreed that Israel must repent of their sins before He regathers them!

Since the reason why Elohim had scattered Israel in the first place was because they had broken their covenant with Him, it follows that they must repent of their sins before He regathers them! Deuteronomy 30:1-3 states, “Now it shall come to pass, when all these things come upon you, the blessing and the curse which I have set before you, and you call them to mind among all the nations where YHVH your Elohim drives you, and you return to YHVH your Elohim and obey His voice, according to all that I command you today, you and your children, with all your heart and with all your soul, that YHVH your Elohim will bring you back from captivity, and have compassion on you, and gather you again from all the nations where YHVH your Elohim has scattered you.” Nehemiah 1:8-9 states, “Remember, I pray, the word that You commanded Your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations; but if you return to Me, and keep My commandments and do them, though some of you were cast out to the farthest part of the heavens, yet I will gather them from there, and bring them to the place which I have chosen as a dwelling for My name’” (cf. Deut. 4:27-31; 28:62-68).

The modern nation of Israel did not meet this condition! They never repented!

Third, let’s address the original gathering of Israel.

Paul revealed a very important principle in 1 Corinthians 15:46: “…the spiritual is not first, but the natural, and afterward the spiritual.” During Old Testament times, Moses gathered Israel to a physical tabernacle at Mt. Sinai, and then Joshua gathered them as physical beings into the Promised Land. Conversely, during New Testament times, Yeshua is regathering remnant Israel as a spiritual temple, the Body of Messiah, (1 Cor. 3:16-17; 6:15-20; 2 Cor. 6:14-18; Eph. 2:19-22; 1 Pet. 2:5), and then He will regather them as spirit beings into the Kingdom of Elohim (John 3:3-5).

In addition, in his book cited above, on page 177, Steve Wholberg adds: “Three times in Ezekiel 38, the regathered Israelites are described as a people who “dwell safely… dwelling without walls” (vv. 8, 11, 14). These words “safely” and “without walls [of protection]” do not apply to modern Israelis who now “dwell” amidst terrorists, experience regular attacks from Islamic Jihad, and witness friends being blown apart by suicide bombers.”

Furthermore, the prophecies that speak of the regathering of Israel include all twelve tribes of Israel, not just the two tribes of Judah and Benjamin- the tribes that are currently regathering themselves in the modern nation of Israel today.

Thus, the truth is that Yeshua is currently regathering remnant Israel spiritually into the Body of Messiah, and afterward, He will regather them into the Kingdom of Elohim.

The details of Israel’s spiritual regathering into the Body of Messiah are revealed in Jeremiah chapter 3. We will examine verses 1 through 18!

Verse 1 states, “They say, ‘If a man divorces his wife, And she goes from him And becomes another man’s, May he return to her again?’ Would not that land be greatly polluted? But you have played the harlot with many lovers; Yet return to Me,” says YHVH.” Later on in this chapter, in verse 8, Elohim reveals that He had divorced the house of Israel. Thus, the fact that He is now addressing the issue of remarriage implies that He is considering remarrying the house of Israel. There is one obstacle, however. According to the Torah, He cannot remarry her unless she repents (Deut. 4:27-31; 28:62-68; 30:1-10; Neh. 1:8-9).

Verses 2 through 6 state, “Lift up your eyes to the desolate heights and see: Where have you not lain with men? By the road you have sat for them Like an Arabian in the wilderness; And you have polluted the land With your harlotries and your wickedness. Therefore the showers have been withheld, And there has been no latter rain. You have had a harlot’s forehead; You refuse to be ashamed. Will you not from this time cry to Me, ‘My father, You are the guide of my youth? Will He remain angry forever? Will He keep it to the end?’ Behold, you have spoken and done evil things, As you were able.” YHVH said also to me in the days of Josiah the king: “Have you seen what backsliding Israel has done? She has gone up on every high mountain and under every green tree, and there played the harlot.” Here, Elohim symbolically compares the house of Israel to a harlot due to her unfaithfulness to Him!

Verse 7 states, “And I said, after she had done all these things, ‘Return to Me.’ But she did not return. And her treacherous sister Judah saw it.” Here, Elohim recounts how He had unsuccessfully pled with the house of Israel to repent and return to Him.

Verse 8 (the first part) states, “Then I saw that for all the causes for which backsliding Israel had committed adultery, I had put her away and given her a certificate of divorce…” Here, Elohim acknowledges that He terminated His covenant with the house of Israel. It is at this point that they become known as “the lost ten tribes of Israel.”

Verse 8 (the second part) through verse 10 states, “…yet her treacherous sister Judah did not fear, but went and played the harlot also. “So it came to pass, through her casual harlotry, that she defiled the land and committed adultery with stones and trees. “And yet for all this her treacherous sister Judah has not turned to Me with her whole heart, but in pretense,” says YHVH.” Elohim shows no partiality (Acts 10:34; Deut. 10:17). Just as He terminated His covenant with the house of Israel for being unfaithful to Him, He would also terminate His covenant with the house of Judah.

Verse 11 states, “Then YHVH said to me, “Backsliding Israel has shown herself more righteous than treacherous Judah.” Here, Elohim implies that he would divorce the house of Judah and marry the house of Israel!

Verse 12 states, “Go and proclaim these words toward the north, and say: ‘Return, backsliding Israel,’ says YHVH; ‘I will not cause My anger to fall on you. For I am merciful,’ says YHVH; ‘I will not remain angry forever.” Here, Elohim commands His ministers to preach the gospel (Matt. 24:14) to the house of Israel which is, in effect, His proposal of remarriage to them! Matthew 10:5-6 states, “These twelve Yeshua sent out and commanded them, saying: “Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans. But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”

Verse 13 states, “Only acknowledge your iniquity, That you have transgressed against YHVH your Elohim, And have scattered your charms To alien deities under every green tree, And you have not obeyed My voice,’ says YHVH.” Again, Elohim has decreed that Israel must repent of their sins before He regathers them.

Verse 14 states, “Return, O backsliding children,” says YHVH; “for I am married to you. I will take you, one from a city and two from a family, and I will bring you to Zion.” Here, Elohim prophesies that a significant number of people from the house of Israel will repent and that He will remarry her.

Verse 15 states, “And I will give you shepherds according to My heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.” Here, Elohim states that He will appoint new shepherds over the house of Israel. Of course, these new shepherds are the ministers of the new covenant. 2 Corinthians 3:4-6 states, “And we have such trust through Messiah toward Elohim. Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from Elohim, who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.”

Verse 16 states, “Then it shall come to pass, when you are multiplied and increased in the land in those days,” says YHVH, “that they will say no more, ‘The ark of the covenant of YHVH.’ It shall not come to mind, nor shall they remember it, nor shall they visit it, nor shall it be made anymore.” Why is the physical ark of the covenant no longer of any significance? Because under the new covenant, the Torah is written on our minds and on our hearts (Jer. 31:31-34; Heb. 8:8-13).

Verse 17 states, “At that time Jerusalem shall be called The Throne of YHVH, and all the nations shall be gathered to it, to the name of YHVH, to Jerusalem. No more shall they follow the dictates of their evil hearts.” Of course, like the rest of the context, which is symbolic, the term “Jerusalem” is a reference to New Jerusalem (Rev. 3:12; 21:2). Thus, the prophecy, “…all the nations shall be gathered to it…” is a reference to all nations being gathered to New Jerusalem.

Verse 18 states, “In those days the house of Judah shall walk with the house of Israel, and they shall come together out of the land of the north to the land that I have given as an inheritance to your fathers.” The prophecy refers to the regathering of Israel in New Testament Promised Land, the Kingdom of Elohim.

The details of Israel’s spiritual regathering into the Kingdom of Elohim are revealed in Yeshua’s Olivet prophecies recorded in Matthew 24. Yeshua prophesied, “…they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect [properly translated “chosen ones”] from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other” (Matt. 24:30-31, emphasis mine) (cf. Mark 13:26-27). Notice Yeshua’s use of the phrases, “gather together,” “chosen ones” and “the four winds.” Together, they refer to the regathering of Israel! The phrase, “gather together,” is used in reference to the regathering of Israel in Isaiah 11:12; 49:18; 60:4; Jeremiah 4:5; 31:8; Micah 2:12; etc. Isaiah 11:12 states, “He will set up a banner for the nations, And will assemble the outcasts of Israel, And gather together the dispersed of Judah From the four corners of the earth.” The phrase, “chosen ones,” is used in reference to Israel in 1 Chronicles 16:13; Psalm105:6, 43 and Psalm 106:5. And the phrase, “the four winds,” is used in reference to the scattering of Israel in Jeremiah 49:36 and Zechariah 2:6, and the regathering of Israel in Ezekiel 37:9, where Israel is symbolized by a valley of dry bones that come back to life. It states, “Also He said to me, “Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, ‘Thus says YHVH Elohim: “Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.”’”

Elohim promised Abraham, “… Lift your eyes now and look from the place where you are—northward, southward, eastward, and westward; “for all the land which you see I give to you and your descendants forever” (Gen. 13:14-15). This prophecy has a duel fulfillment! In its first fulfillment, Abraham and his descendants, the Israelites, inherited everything Abraham could see physically, the Promised Land! In its second fulfillment, Abraham and his descendants, the Israel of Elohim, will inherit everything they could see spiritually. Yeshua told Nicodemus, “… Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of Elohim” (John 3:5). Yeshua added, “… Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of Elohim” (John 3:5). Paul states, “Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of Elohim...” (1 Cor. 15:50).

Thus, the truth is that the regathering of Israel doesn’t take place in the modern nation of Israel; it takes place in greater Israel, so to speak, the Kingdom of Elohim!

In Old Testament times, Israel was a physically minded people: they had a physical king; they had a physical temple; the Torah was written in a physical book; their enemies and weapons were physical. Also, their Exodus was physical and they were initially gathered at Mt. Sinai and then into a physical Promised Land, Israel.

Added: make it fit! In the original gathering of Israel, Elohim raised up Moses, the mediator of the Old Covenant, who led the Israelites out of Egyptian bondage, gathering them first at Mt. Sinai where he delivered the Torah, then into the Promised Land! Likewise, in the greater Exodus, Elohim raised up Yeshua, the mediator of the New Covenant, who is leading remnant Israel, both houses, out of their bondage to sin, re-gathering them first to the Mt. where Yeshua raised up the Torah to its fullest significance and intent, then into the Kingdom of Elohim!

Conversely, in New Testament times, Israel born “according to the promise,” remnant Israel, is a spiritually minded people (Gal. 3:7); we have a spirit King (John 4:24), Yeshua; we have a spiritual temple (1 Cor. 3:16-17; 6:19-20; 2 Cor. 6:16-18; Eph. 2:14-22; 2 Thess. 2:4), the Torah is written on our hearts (Jer. 31:31-34; Heb. 8:8-13), we have spiritual enemies and weapons (Eph. 6:10-20). Also, our Exodus is spiritual and we are initially regathered into the Body of Messiah and then into a spiritual Promised Land, the Kingdom of Elohim (John 3:3-5; John 18:36; Heb. 11:9-15). Thus, the gathering of Israel during Old Testament times was a physical gathering while the regathering of remnant Israel during New Testament times is a spiritual regathering (Matt. 3:11-12; Luke 3:16-17; Matt. 7:15-20; 13:24-30; 22:1-14; Luke 14:16-24).

Conclusion

Those who maintain that Elohim has replaced Israel with the church and, likewise, those who maintain that Elohim has two groups of elect, Israel and the church, are both wrong. The church did not replace Israel, nor is it completely different and distinct from Israel. The truth is that the body of Believers erroneously referred to as “the church” is comprised of remnant Israel and Gentile converts to the faith. This combination of Believers is also known as “the Body of Messiah” and “the Israel of Elohim.” And just as Israel was divided into two groups: Israel “of the promise” and Israel “of the flesh,” the Israel of Elohim is also divided into two groups: the chaste church and the harlot church.

The problem is that when speaking of the distinction between Israel and the Church, most people have failed to make the necessary distinction between fleshly Israel and remnant Israel. Gentile converts to the faith are not grafted into fleshly Israel; we are grafted into remnant Israel.

Furthermore, with regard to the modern nation of Israel, the Scriptures tell us that it is an end-time deception that causes both Western Civilization and the Israel of Elohim to sin- through idolatry!

An ever increasing number of Believers recognize the Jewish people as being the chosen people of Elohim. This is not true! As I have established earlier, Israel “of the flesh” are not The people of Elohim (Rom. 9:1-8). Elohim terminated His covenant with them.

An ever increasing number of Believers recognize the ancient land of Israel as being the “covenant land” of the Jewish people today, meaning the house of Judah. This is also not true! Since, Elohim terminated His covenant with Israel “of the flesh,” they no longer have a covenant land. In contrast, Israel “of the promise” does have a covenant land, the Kingdom of Elohim, with New Jerusalem as its capital.

An ever increasing number of Believers hail the rebirth of the modern nation of Israel in 1948 as a miracle of Elohim, claiming that Elohim had regathered His chosen people, Israel. This is also not true! First, the Scriptures are clear. Israel “of the flesh” must repent of their sins before Elohim would regather them! Second, the prophecies that speak of the regathering of Israel, speak of the regathering of both the house of Judah and the house of Israel, not just the house of Judah. And third, the regathering of Israel is a spiritual regathering that initially takes place in the Body of Messiah and then in the Kingdom of Elohim.

An ever increasing number of Believers view the Israeli victories in 1949, 1967, and 1973 as miracles of Elohim, claiming that Elohim was now fighting for His chosen people! This is also not true! Elohim does not fight for a nation which remains unrepentant. The truth is that the “miracles” related to the Israeli victories were not performed by Elohim; they were performed by Satan, the ultimate source of the second beast’s authority (Rev. 13:11).

An ever increasing number of Believers, in agreement with Jewish doctrine, maintain that a third temple will be built in Jerusalem. This is also not true! Today, during New Testament times, the temple is a spiritual temple (1 Cor. 15:46) which is comprised of Believers (1 Cor. 3:16-17; 6:19-20; 2 Cor. 6:16-18; Eph. 2:14-22; 2 Thess. 2:4). Acts 17:24 states, “Elohim … does not dwell in temples made with hands.” Hebrews 9:11-12 adds, “But Messiah came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.” If the Jewish people were to build a third temple in Jerusalem, they would reinstate the sacrificial system which would be tantamount to denying our Savior, Yeshua, who died for our sins “once for all.” Thus, if a third temple is built, Satan, not Elohim, will be its true builder. Actually they don't need an altar at all. Daniel didn't have 1. Psalm 141:2 states, “ Let my prayer be set before You as incense, The lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.” Hosea 6:6 states, “For I desire mercy and not sacrifice, And the knowledge of Elohim more than burnt offerings” (Matt. 12:7).

An ever increasing number of Believers, in accordance with William Koenig’s book, Eye To Eye; Facing the Consequences of Dividing Israel, believe that a major catastrophe occurs in the U.S. within 24 hours of a meeting in which the U.S. pressures Israel to trade her land for promises of “peace and security.” This teaching is utter nonsense! The record shows that there were indeed a significant number of major developments that didn’t meet with any catastrophic consequences! Here is a list of a few of these major events! On June 24, 2002, in his Rose Garden speech, President Bush announced his support for a Palestinian state, opening the way for United Nations Security Council Resolution 1397, supporting a two-state solution. On March 12, 2002, the United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution 1397. On November, 27 2007, the Annapolis Conference was held in which the Palestinians, the Israelis and the Americans agreed on a two-state solution. The conference marked the first time a two-state solution was articulated as the mutually agreed-upon outline for addressing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. On February 6, 2009, President Obama endorsed a two-state solution for the Arab-Israeli conflict. On June 4, 2009, President Obama delivered a major address to the Muslim world in Cairo, Egypt. In the speech, he supported a two-state solution. On May 22, 2011, the Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu met with President Obama to discuss the President’s proposal that Israel withdraw to their pre-1967 borders for the purpose of establishing a Palestinian state and achieving peace. There are also other problems with the data supporting the author’s conclusion! The book includes one hurricane that was formed on the day of an event and another hurricane that struck the U.S. on the day of an event. This is deceptive! The only way hurricanes, or any other major catastrophe, would be relevant to the author’s claim, is if they were to form and strike the U.S. within 24 hours of an event! Neither hurricane did that! There are indeed other deceptions regarding the data in this book, but in the interest of time I have chosen not to address them! Instead, I am providing you with a link to a website which summarizes the author’s claims so you will be able to judge for yourselves! http://nhbchristiantalk.webs.com/wrathofgodornature.htm

An ever increasing number of Believers maintain that Hebrew is a holy (set apart) language based on Zephaniah 3:9 which states, “For then I will restore to the peoples a pure language, That they all may call on the name of YHVH, To serve Him with one accord.” This teaching is also false! First, the Hebrew language is not mentioned in this Scripture. Second, the word “pure” was translated from the Hebrew word “barar,” which, according to the KJV Old Testament Hebrew Lexicon, means: “to purify; select; polish; choose; purge; cleanse or make bright; test or prove.” Had Elohim wanted to state that Hebrew is a “holy” (set apart) language, He would have used the Hebrew word “kodesh.” Elohim didn’t choose Abraham because he spoke Hebrew; He chose him because he had faith (Gen. 12:1-4; Heb. 11:8). Abraham just happened to have spoken Hebrew. Some Believers claim that Hebrew was the mankind’s original language before the tower of Babel (Gen. 11:1-9)! This is not so! Verse 9 states that Elohim “…confused the language of all the earth...” That includes every person, including the descendants of the patriarch Eber (Gen. 10:23), who were called Hebrews! Others go as far as to claim that Hebrew is the heavenly language! This claim is also false! Paul states, “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.” Here, Paul distinguishes between “tongues of men,” which includes Hebrew, and tongues of angels, which is the heavenly language!

An ever increasing number of Believers interpret Genesis 12:3, which states, “I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you” to mean that Gentiles must first bless the Jews in order to receive a blessing themselves. This interpretation is false! The correct interpretation is that Gentiles must first bless the Israel of Elohim in order to receive a blessing themselves. Yet, this false doctrine has caused many Believers to provide their financial support for a multitude of programs aimed at assisting Israel “of the flesh.” These programs include: paying for their airfare to Israel; teaching them Hebrew; supplying them with medical care; feeding them, supporting Jewish settlements in Arab territories and planting trees in Israel, etc., etc., etc. While most of the programs listed above are honorable, the fact is that financially supporting them actually detracts from the Believer’s great commission to preach the gospel “as a witness to all the nations” (Matt. 24:14).

The belief that fleshly Israel is The people of Elohim and that Elohim has regathered His people in the modern nation of Israel will, no doubt, end in a major Middle East conflict involving Western Civilization! Do not be deceived! Let’s not get caught up in this idolatry of fleshly Israel! Rather, let us focus on who we are- the Israel of Elohim, and our great commission- preaching the gospel of the Kingdom of Elohim to all mankind (Matt. 28:16-20)!

May יהוה bless you!

Stephen P. Otto

Copyright Notice

Copyright © 2017-2021  Stephen P. Otto - All Rights Reserved.

This publication may be freely downloaded, reproduced or shared,

but may not be used for commercial purposes without prior permission.

Quotations must include Bible translation name or abbreviation APV.

Footnotes:

1.              In the Old testament, the name of Elohim appears as “YHVH.” Notice that there are no vowels! The reason why is because the written form of ancient Hebrew was a language comprised of only consonants. Vowels were a matter of common knowledge and were added verbally whenever a text was read. After the Jews returned from exile in Babylon; however, the name of Elohim had come to be regarded as too sacred to be pronounced. So whenever the Rabbis read the Hebrew Scriptures, they substituted The name of Elohim with the words “ha shem,” which means, “the name.” The translators of the NKJV, and many other translations of the Bible, took this tradition to a whole new level! They substituted The name of Elohim in the text itself with the title “Lord.” They did this in spite of the fact that it was in direct violation of the Scriptures! Deuteronomy 4:1-2 states, “Now, O Israel, listen to the statutes and the judgments which I teach you to observe, that you may live, and go in and possess the land which YHVH Elohim of your fathers is giving you. You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of YHVH your Elohim which I command you” (cf. Deut. 12:32). Since the rabbinical ban on speaking The name of Elohim is against the Torah, I have restored His name to its proper place wherever it appeared in the Scriptures I have quoted! Keep in mind, though, that there is a great controversy over what vowels belong in The name of Elohim; therefore, there are many opinions on how to spell and pronounce it! A few of the options include the names: “Yahuweh,” “Yahoweh,” “Yaua,” “Yehowah,” “Yehovah” and “Yahweh.” Because no one is in agreement on this issue, I have chosen not to add vowels to the name and, in effect, allow the reader to assign his or her own preference to the name!

2.              Exodus 12:40 states that the Israelites lived in Egypt for 430 years. However, this Scripture was translated from the Masoretic Hebrew text, which dates from the 4th century A.D. while the earliest surviving copy is from the 10th century. The Greek translation of the Old Testament, the Septuagint, was published under Ptolemy I in the 3rd Century B.C. and the earliest copy is centuries older than the oldest full masoretic text. This older text states, “Now the sojourning of the Israelites which they and their fathers had sojourned in the land of Egypt and in the land of Chanaan was 430 years.” A similar rendering of this Scripture is also found in the Samaritan Pentateuch, again, older than the Masoretic text. Josephus, in his work Antiquities of the Jews’ (XV: 2), writing in the 1st century, corroborates the fact that the 430 years of sojourning were done in both the land of Egypt and the land of Canaan. Thus, it is safe to say that the older manuscripts are more reliable. Since the date of the Exodus was 1447 B.C. (according to Edwin Thiele’s biblical chronology), by adding 430 years we arrive at 1877 B.C., the year Abraham arrived in Canaan. Josephus also records that from the time of Jacob’s entry into Egypt until the Exodus, there was a period of 215 years. Furthermore, 1 Chronicles 7:22-27 records ten generations from Joshua back to Joseph’s son, Ephraim, who was a boy of around five years when Jacob arrived in Egypt. Multiplying 20, the length of an average generation in those days, by 10, the number of generations, we arrive at 200 years, the approximate number of years the Israelites sojourned in Egypt.

3.              Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Dictionary, under the heading “Holy” states, “The Hebrew word for “holy” denotes that which is “sanctified” or “set apart” for divine service.” Since the English word “holy” does not accurately convey the proper meaning of the Hebrew word “kodesh” I have substituted it with the words set apart wherever it appeared in the Scriptures I have quoted!

4.              The word “law” was translated from the Hebrew word “Torah.” Originally, the Torah referred to the five books of Moses: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. Moses told the people, “Set your hearts on all the words which I testify among you today, which you shall command your children to be careful to observe-all the words of this Torah” (Deut. 32:46). Later, the Torah came to include the entire Old Testament. Yeshua quoted Psalm 82:6, recognizing it as being part of the “law,” meaning the “Torah” (John 10:34). Based on this pattern, we can conclude that today the Torah includes the entire New Testament! Thus, since the English word law does not accurately convey the proper meaning of the Hebrew word Torah, I have also restored the word Torah to its proper place wherever it appeared in the Scriptures I have quoted!

5.              Many Believers, especially Messianic Believers, maintain that the word “new,” in the phrase, “new covenant,” is properly translated, “renewed!” This is not so! According to the KJV Old Testament Hebrew Lexicon, the Hebrew word “chadash” can either be used as a verb or as an adjective! When it is used as a verb, it is translated as “renew.” When it is used as an adjective, it is translated as “new.” According to Webster’s II New College Dictionary, a verb is, “The part of speech that expresses action, existence, or occurrences in most languages.” Also, according to the same source, an adjective is, “Any of a class of words used to modify a noun or other substantive by limiting, qualifying or specifying.” Clearly, in Jeremiah 31:31-33, the word “chadash” is used as an adjective because it modifies the noun, “covenant,” in the phrase, “new covenant!” Thankfully, Jeremiah 31:31-33 is quoted in Hebrew 8:8-13 in the New Testament, where we can also examine the word, “new,” in the phrase, “new covenant,” in the Greek. There, the word “new” was translated from the Greek word “kainos.” However, unlike the Hebrew word “chadash,” which can either be used as a verb or as an adjective, the Greek word “kainos” can only be used as an adjective. And, according to the KJV New Testament Greek Lexicon, it means, “new!” This confirms that the Hebrew word “chadash” in Jeremiah 31:31-33 was also properly translated as an adjective and means, “new.” In addition, Hebrews 8:7 states, “For if that first had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second.” Notice, there are two separate covenants, not one covenant that was renewed!

6.              The Hebrew name of the Savior is “Yeshua.” And since He is Hebrew, I have restored His Hebrew name to its proper place wherever it appeared in the Scriptures I have quoted!

7.              A study of the word “church” will also reveal that it was derived from the Old English or Anglo-Saxon root word “Circe” which was the name of the Elohimdess-daughter of Helios, the Sun-deity! Smith’s Bible Dictionary, under the heading “Church” states, “The derivation of the word is generally said to be from the Greek kuriakon (kuriakon) “belonging to the Lord.” But the derivation has been too hastily assumed. It is probably connected with kirk, the Latin circus, circulus, the Greek kuklos (kuklos) because the congregations were gathered in circles.” The “Dictionary of Phrase and Fable,” under the heading “Church” (original edition), states, “The etymology of this word is generally assumed to be from the Greek, kuriou oikos (house of Elohim); but this is most improbable, as the word existed in all the Celtic dialects long before the introduction of Greek. No doubt the word means ‘a circle.’ The places of worship among the German and Celtic nations were always circular. Compare Anglo-Saxon ‘circe,’ a small church, with ‘circol,’ a circle.” A great example of a circular place of worship is Stonehenge in England. The reason why the pagan places of worship were circular is because they fashioned them in the shape of the sun- because they were sun worshipers! The Cyclopaedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, under the heading “Church,” states, “The word Church: The origin of the word is uncertain. In the Germanic and Slavonic languages it is found as follows: Anglo-Saxon, cyrica, circ, cyric; English, church; Scottish, kirk; German, kirche; Low-German, karke; Frisan, tzierke; Danish, kyrke; Swedish, Kyrka; Bohemian, cyrkew; Polish, cerkiew; Russian, zerkow. There was probably some word which, in the language from which the Teutonic and Slavonic are descended, designated the old heathen places of religious assembly, and this word, having taken different forms in different dialects, was adopted by the Christian missionaries. It was probably connected with the Latin circus, circulus, and with the Greek kuklos. Lipsius, who was the first to reject the received tradition, was probably right in his suggestion” (Volume II, p.322). Lipsius was a German theologian during the Reformation. In his classical study, “The Myth of Kirke,” Robert Brown tells us that, based on its various usages in the ancient Greek world, the word “Kirke” or “Circe” means “Circle” or “Circular” (p.22). He goes on to prove that not only did the words “Kirke” and “Circe” refer to a place of worship, but that  it also referred to the Elohimdess called “Kirke” or “Circe, the daughter of the Sun Elohim. Wikipedia Encyclopedia, under the heading “Circe” states, “Circe transformed her enemies, or those who offended her, into animals through the use of magical potions. She was known for her knowledge of drugs and herbs.” After “Kirke” or “Circe” transformed her enemies into beasts, she added them to her circus. In the classical accounts, she is an enchantress, pictured holding a golden cup in her hand mixed with wine and drugs through which she controlled the kings of the earth. Incredibly, a careful comparison of the Circe with the Whore of Babylon will prove that they are one and the same! Revelation 17:1-5 states, Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and talked with me, saying to me, “Come, I will show you the judgment of the great harlot who sits on many waters, with whom the kings of the earth committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth were made drunk with the wine of her fornication.” So he carried me away in the Spirit into the wilderness. And I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast which was full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the filthiness of her fornication. And on her forehead a name was written: MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.” Notice the similarities between the two women. 1. The enchantress, Circe, is the equivalent of the Whore of Babylon! 2. Circe was famous for her circus, while the Whore of Babylon rode a scarlet beast! 3. Circe transforms her enemies into beasts for her circus while the Whore of Babylon transforms the “inhabitants of the earth” into a scarlet, sinful beast for her church! 3. Circe is pictured holding a golden cup in her hand mixed with wine and drugs though which she controlled the kings of the earth! The Whore of Babylon is pictured with a golden cup in her hand which was “full of abominations and the filthiness of her fornication” through which she committed fornication with the kings of the earth! William Tyndale, in his English translation, consistently translated the Greek word “ekklesia” as “congregation” when it was used to describe the Body of Messiah and, in contrast, translated it as, “church,” in Acts 14:13 and, “churches,” in Acts 19:37 when it was used to describe pagan temples! Thus, the evidence proves that the word “church” is of pagan origin and, as a result, I have substituted it with the proper word, “congregation,” wherever it appeared in the Scriptures I have quoted!

8.              The word “Christ” is a Greek word that was left intact in most English translations of the Bible, including the NKJV. It is so devoid of meaning that many people think it is Jesus’ last name rather than a title that refers to the Savior of mankind! Thus, since the Greek word “Christ” does not accurately convey the proper meaning of the Hebrew word “Messiah,” I have also restored the word “Messiah” to its proper place wherever it appeared in the Scriptures I have quoted!

9.              Despite the fact that the harlot church has been unfaithful to Elohim, He recognizes the people within the church as being His people and is calling them to repentance! Revelation 18:4 states, “And I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues.”

10.          In Daniel’s vision, it was only the fourth beast, the Roman Empire, which had ten horns (Dan. 7:7; cf. Rev. 13:1) and Daniel 7:24 adds, “The ten horns are ten kings Who shall arise from this kingdom….” This reveals that the lost ten tribes of Israel were either incorporated into the Roman Empire before the Roman Empire conquered the Greco-Macedonian Empire or before John saw his composite beast with the ten horns in about 90 AD.

So the question is, “What country or countries were incorporated into the Roman Empire shortly before 70 AD, when Elohim terminated His covenant with the house of Judah? The answer is, “Britain!” Wikipedia Encyclopedia under the heading, “England,” states, “The Romans conquered Britain in AD 43 during the reign of Emperor Claudius, and the area was incorporated into the Roman Empire as Britannia province.” Of course, the reason why Elohim intervened in bringing the house of Israel into the Roman Empire is because He intended to remarry her and, no doubt, He purposed to take advantage of the Roman Empire’s elaborate road system to carry the gospel to her.

For decades, a few Bible scholars believed that the prophecy regarding the ten horns on the first beast would be fulfilled in the formation of what became the European Union. This interpretation proved to be false as the E.U. is now comprised of twenty-eight nations.

It has also been suggested that the twelve horns can represent Ishmael’s twelve sons who are referred to in the Bible as “twelve princes” (Gen. 17:20; 25:16). It has also been suggested that the ten horns of the first beast could represent ten European nations, five nations from Western Europe and five from Eastern Europe. This suggestion adds that the two horns of the second beast could represent Catholicism and Judaism, or Sunni and Shiite powers. These interpretations cannot be true! The first verse of the book of Revelation states, “The Revelation of Yeshua Messiah, which Elohim gave Him to show His servants—things which must shortly take place” (Rev. 1:1). Obviously, the fact that the book needs a revelator proves that it is a concealed book. And since Yeshua, who is identified in Scripture as the Word of Elohim (John 1:1, 14), is the Revelator of the book, we must refer to the Bible, the written word of Elohim, for its proper interpretation. In other words, we must allow the Bible to interpret itself. The problem with all the interpretation suggested above is that they cannot be proved in the Scriptures! They are pure speculation! With regard to the interpretation involving Ishmael’s twelve sons, nowhere in the Bible is his twelve sons divided into two nations, one nation containing ten tribes and the other containing two! Yet, this division is exactly what happened to the twelve tribes of Israel (1 Kings 11:11-13, 31-37; 12:1-24)!

Not part of Document!

Footnotes are on the following pages!

Gal 4:21-31

1.              Many Believers wear baseball caps and shirts adorned with the Israeli flag. Some attach bumper stickers to their cars that contain pro-Israeli slogans such as, “I Support Israel” or “I Stand with Israel.” Some wear Kippot (head coverings) even when they’re not in service (Ex. 29:9). Others spend countless hours supporting Israel politically.

2.              Some Believers expect Israel to be attacked by an alliance of Muslim nations at the end of the age. Incredibly, an uncertain number of these Believers plan to fight on Israel’s behalf. This would be a tragic mistake for the following reasons: First, the people of modern nation of Israel, for the most part, are no longer The people of Elohim. Second, Yeshua lived at a time when Israel was occupied by Rome, yet He Himself never fought for their cause. Third, the disciples didn’t fight for Israel. Yeshua said, “… My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here” (John 18:36). Fourth, Believers are strangers and pilgrims on the earth, passing through to the Kingdom of Elohim. Fifth, Believers are involved in a spiritual war, not a physical war. The Apostle Paul said, “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Eph. 6:12).

3.              According to Israeli law, it is illegal to proselytize in Israel. So why would Believers, whose commission it is to preach the gospel, help fund Jewish immigration to Israel? Is it truly a blessing to the Jews to fund their immigration to a country where it is illegal to preach the gospel to them? Most importantly, though, does sending the Jews to Israel where it is illegal to preach the gospel sound like the work of Elohim or the work of Statan? Of course, the answer is Satan’s work since he is the one who would love to see the Jews lose out on their salvation.

4.              Messianic Judaism is guilty of making the same mistake as their spiritual ancestors, the early Gentile converts to the faith. Church history reveals that several prominent Gentile converts within the Body of Messiah had adopted many elements of their former pagan religions and customs into the faith for the sake of proselytizing other Gentiles. Likewise, Messianic Judaism has adopted many false Jewish traditions into the faith for the sake of proselytizing other Jews! Yeshua told the scribes and Pharisees, “Thus you have made the commandment of Elohim of no effect by your tradition. “Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying: ‘These people draw near to Me with their mouth, And honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’” Acts 5:29 states, “… We ought to obey Elohim rather than men.” The Apostle Paul adds, “Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?” (Rom. 6:16) Here are a few examples of how Messianic Judaism willfully keeps the traditions of Judaism rather than the commandments of Elohim:

a.              The biblical calendar is a lunisolar, observational, calendar. According to this calendar, the New Year begins with the first new moon after the barley in Israel reaches the stage of ripeness called “Abib” (Ex. 12:2; Deut. 16:6). The start of each succeeding month is determined solely by the new moon. After 70 AD when the Roman Army sacked Jerusalem and scattered the Jews into the Gentile nations, the Jews were no longer able to make their calendar-related observations in Judea so they created a calculated calendar. Today; however, despite the fact that the biblical calendar has been restored; traditional Judaism, and, true to form, Messianic Judaism will not recognize it until the Sanhedrin is reestablished and they restore it themselves

b.              The Bible commands Believers to wear a blue cord or thread in their tzitzit of our garments (Num. 15:38; Deut. 22:12). Tradition has it that the ancient Israelites obtained their blue dye from a certain snail in the region and that the source of their dye was eventually lost! As a result, the Talmud instructs the Jews to wear only white tzitzit. The issue with this tradition is that the Bible says nothing about where to obtain the blue dye; therefore, it can be obtained from any available source! Furthermore, despite the fact that snails have returned to the region from which blue dye can be extracted, the Jews continue to follow the instruction of the Talmud, and, sadly, so do many Messianic Jews.

c.              In traditional Judaism, when a boy reaches 13 years old and a girl, generally speaking, reaches twelve years old, they become Bar Mitzvah and Bat Mitzvah, respectively. “Bar Mitzvah” means, “son of the commandments” and “Bat Mitzvah” means, “daughter of the commandments.” At this time, they are considered to have come of age, responsible for their actions. This is not true! Scripture reveals that the age of accountability is twenty. Here are a few examples in support of this fact: When the Israelites refused to enter into the Promised Land (Num. 14:1-3), Elohim sentenced everyone twenty years old and above to die in the wilderness, with the two exceptions of Joshua and Caleb. The fact is that those Israelites who were less than twenty years old were not held accountable for their actions (Num. 14:29-34). In addition, at the age of twenty, Israelite men were counted in the census (Num. 1:1-3); paid a temple tax (Ex. 30:12-16; 38:26); served in the military (Num. 1:18) and dedicated themselves to temple service (Lev. 27:1-8). The Levites also began training for the priesthood at the age of twenty (1 Chron. 23:24-26; Ezra 3:8). The problem with this tradition is that making a twelve or thirteen year old child accountable for their actions seven or eight years before the age of accountability may possibly lead to discouragement and willful disobedience.

d.              In traditional Judaism, the term Rabbi is used to refer to a teacher. However, the term actually means, “my great one” or “my master”- a title that can only rightly apply to Elohim Himself. Significantly, this title was not used in the Old Testament. Furthermore, Yeshua condemned the use of it in the New Testament! In speaking of the scribes and Pharisees, Yeshua said, “For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. “But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments. “They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, “greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, ‘Rabbi, Rabbi.’ “But you, do not be called ‘Rabbi’; for One is your Teacher, the Messiah, and you are all brethren. “Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. “And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Messiah. “But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. “And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted” (Matt. 23:4-12). Of course, like traditional Judaism, teachers in Messianic Judaism also allow themselves to be referred to as “Rabbi.”

__________________________________________________________________

According to the KJV Old Testament Hebrew Lexicon, the Hebrew word “chadash” can either be used as a verb or as an adjective! When it is used as a verb, it is translated as “renew.” When it is used as an adjective, it is translated as “new.” In Strong’s Concordance it has two reference numbers: renew #2318 and new #2319.

__________________________________________________________________

The Aramaic English New Testament (AENT) states,

Both Aramaic “khawdata” and Hebrew “chadasha” mean to renew, make anew or to repair. Notice how chadash has been translated in: 1Sam.11:14; 2 Chr.15:8; 2 Chr.24:4, 12; Job 10:17; Psalm 51:10; 103:5; 104:30; Isaiah 61:4; and Lamentations 5:21. It is impossible in the context of these verses for chadash to mean “new.”

The word “chadash” is so instrumental to “replacement theology” that the James Strong’s Concordance (a popular Christian resource), chose to give this term two reference numbers: renew #2318 and new #2319. Theologians have long used this term to steer “the church” away from Torah. As mentioned previously, Marcion, a post- apostolic church founder who was actually considered a heretic by the early Church, coined the terms “Old Testament” and “New Testament” suggesting, in effect, that the “old” replaced the “new.” Polycarp referred to him as the “firstborn of the Devil,” yet his false anti-Torah theology is still being honored by nearly every Christian on earth.

__________________________________________________________________

1.              One of the “miracles” attributed to the rebirth of Israel on May 14, 1948 is the fulfillment of Isaiah 66:8 which states, “Who has heard such a thing? Who has seen such things? Shall the earth be made to give birth in one day? Or shall a nation be born at once? For as soon as Zion was in labor, She gave birth to her children.” This prophecy does not refer to the rebirth of the modern nation of Israel. Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Dictionary under the heading “Jerusalem” and the subheading “Modern Jerusalem” states, “In 1919, under a ruling by British officials in Palestine, Jerusalem regained its status as a capital city. During the following three decades, numerous Jews, whose ancestors had been barred from the city, settled in and around Jerusalem.” In 1947, the United Nations adopted United Nations resolution 181 which petitioned Palestine, giving 18% to the Jews and 82% to the Arabs. Jerusalem was intended to be an international city never to be under Jewish control. However, on May 14, 1948, Israel declared independence. Thus, the facts prove that the modern nation of Israel was not born in “one day!” The truth is that the prophecy quoted above refers to the Kingdom of Elohim which will literally be populated in one day at the time of the resurrection of the saints when Yeshua returns. 1 Corinthians 15:50-52 states, “Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of Elohim; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed-- in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.”

2.              For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” “O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?” The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to Elohim, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”

3.              When Elohim cut off unbelievers from the kingdom of Israel during Old Testament times, He did so physically, through executions, wars and plagues. Conversely, when He cuts off unbelievers from the Kingdom of Elohim during New Testament times, He cuts them off spiritually (Isa. 59:1-2). The difference is that during Old Testament times unbelievers were killed while during New Testament times are cut off.

4.              Many Believers are quick to condemn mainstream Christianity for believing what they call “replacement theology”- the doctrine that Elohim has replaced Israel with the church. Yet, despite the fact that the tribes of Judah and Benjamin inherited only the southern lands in ancient Israel, they support the “regathering” of these two tribes to the entire land of ancient Israel that had been inherited by all twelve tribes! Thus, their position is hypocritical in that they have no problem with the two tribes of Judah and Benjamin “replacing” the other ten tribes.

_____________________________________________________________

Eye To Eye; Facing The Consequences of Dividing Israel

William Koenig

Excerpt the back cover blurb: “What do the ten costliest insurance events is U.S. history, the twelve costliest hurricanes in U.S. history, three of four largest tornado outbreaks in U.S. history and the two largest terrorism events in U.S. history have in common? All of these major catastrophes began or occurred the very same day or within 24-hours of U.S. presidents Bush, Clinton and Bush applying pressure on Israel to trade her land for promises of “peace and security,” sponsoring major “land for peace” meetings, making major public statements pertaining to Israel’s covenant land and/or calling for a Palestinian state.”

Arab-Israeli peace diplomacy and treaties

·                 Paris Peace Conference, 1919

·                 Faisal-Weizmann Agreement (1919)

·                 1949 Armistice Agreements

·                 Camp David Accords (1978)

·                 Israel-Egypt Peace Treaty (1979)

·                 Madrid Conference of 1991

·                 Oslo Accords (1993)

·                 Israel-Jordan Treaty of Peace (1994)

·                 Camp David 2000 Summit

·                 Peace process in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict

·                 Projects working for peace among Israelis and Arabs

·                 List of Middle East peace proposals

·                 International law and the Arab-Israeli conflict

See also http://nhbchristiantalk.webs.com/wrathofElohimornature.htm

The Sacred Name groups teach that Believers should use the Hebrew names for Elohim and His Son! Some of these groups even go so far as to make this doctrine a matter of salvation! However, ancient Hebrew was written in only consonants; the vowels and, consequently, the pronunciation of words were understood by the reader. Therefore, no one knows for sure how the names of Elohim and His Son are spelled or pronounced.

Scripture reveals that John’s ministry of baptism was a type of Moses’ ministry when he led the Israelites across the Red Sea (1 Cor. 10:1-2). It follows, then, that just as those Israelites who didn’t cross the Red Sea, didn’t enter into a covenant with Elohim at Mt. Sinai, those Judeans who refused to repent and be baptized, didn’t enter into the new covenant with Elohim in Judea. Thus, John the Baptist ministry was to separate those Judeans who were willing to cross the New Testament Red Sea, so to speak, and enter into the new covenant with Elohim from those Judeans who weren’t.

Many Believers maintain that the Jews are still The people of Elohim today and that Jerusalem is still His capital. This is not true! Paul revealed a very important principle in

1 Corinthians 15:46: “…the spiritual is not first, but the natural, and afterward the spiritual.”

Likewise, during Old Testament times Israel was cut off physically (Lev. 13:45-46; Num. 12:14-16; 2 Kings 15:1-5) and during New Testament times we are cut off spiritually (Rom. 11).

_____________________________________________________________

Many Believers accept John 4:22 which states “…salvation is of the Jews” as a stand-alone statement. However, this statement must be understood in the light of Romans 2:28-29 which adds, “For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh; but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from Elohim.”

Israel’s rebirth in 1948: Wikipedia, under the heading “Israel” states, “Following the birth of political Zionism in 1897 and the Balfour Declaration, the League of Nations granted the United Kingdom the British Mandate of Palestine after World War I, with responsibility for establishing “...such political, administrative and economic conditions as will secure the establishment of the Jewish national home…”

_____________________________________________________________

With regard to Israel, the “miracles” that are attributed to Elohim include: the rebirth of Israel as a nation; the restoration of the Hebrew language4; the 1967 war5; and; the major catastrophes incurred by the United States for attempting to divide “the land of Elohim.”

Revelation 13:15 states, “He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed.” In symbolic terms, the word “death” means, “to be dead in sin” (Col. 2:13 Eph. 2:1; 1 Tim. 5:6; Rev. 3:1; Matt. 8:22; John 3:18) and to be cut off from Elohim (Isa. 59:1-2)!

It may have come to your attention that I often use the word “shalom!” The word shalom is roughly the equialent of our word “peace.” However, while the word peace means the absence of war, the word shalom means both a physical peace and a spiritual peace!

Elohim is a Elohim of great love and mercy! It is not in His character to divorce a nation and cast it away forever! On the contrary, He divorces a nation because it is His desire for that nation to take pause, repent and return to Him (Acts 2:38). This is what He desires for both the house of Israel and the house of Judah (1Tim. 2:3-4) and, indeed, this is what was prophesied to occur with the new covenant!

John 4:24 states, “Elohim is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” And the truth is that the Scriptures reveal that, “...salvation is of the Jews” (John 4:22) and the reason why is because Yeshua, our Savior, was a Jew (Heb. 7:14; Rev. 5:5). Gentiles who come to faith are grafted into remnant Israel (Romans 11)! Like the early converts to the faith, they must become “imitators of the congregations of Elohim,” which were comprised of Jews (1 Thess. 2:14). They must keep Torah! They must recognize that their spiritual fathers are Abraham. Isaac and Jacob, whose name Elohim changed to Israel! They must wear tzitzit (fringes) on their clothing to remind them of keeping The commandments of Elohim (Num 15:37-41; Deut.22:12). They must keep the Sabbath! They must keep the Feast Days of Elohim which reveal His plan of redemption for mankind (Lev. 23). They must eat biblically kosher foods! This is the faith of the Bible!

Now that we have established the proper translation of Matthew 16:18, the task of interpreting it properly still remains! To this end, we must first understand that Yeshua is speaking in symbolic terms. Notice that He referred to Himself symbolically as the “Rock” (1 Cor. 10:1-4). He also said that He would “build” His congregation, the Body of Messiah, on the “Rock.” Since the Body of Messiah is not a physical building, but a spiritual body of Believers, the word “build” must also be interpreted in symbolic terms, the symbolic equivalent of the word “build” being “establish.” Indeed, the word “build” was translated from the Greek word “oikodomeo” which, according to the KJV New Testament Greek Lexicon, can also be translated metaphorically as “establish.”

This Scripture parallels Ephesians 2:19-22 which also refers to Yeshua and the New Testament Congregation of Israel, the Body of Messiah, symbolically! It states, “Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of Elohim, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, [Yeshua, the Messiah] Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being joined together, grows into a set apart temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of Elohim in the Spirit.” Here, the Apostle Paul referred to Yeshua as “the chief cornerstone” and the Body of Messiah, as a “temple.” Since, the term “temple” in the New Testament symbolizes both the individual Believer (1 Cor. 3:16-17; 6:19-20; 2 Cor. 6:16-18) and the Body of Messiah (Eph. 2:14-22; 2 Thess. 2:4), the word “built” must also be the interpreted in symbolic terms, the symbolic equivalent of the word “built” being “established.”

This means that the Body of Messiah wasn’t actually “built” on the apostles and prophets; it means that it was “established” on the apostles and prophets. Thus, Yeshua’s declaration in Matthew 16:18 must be interpreted as, “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on Me I will establish My congregation, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.”

For the purpose of establishing the new covenant, Elohim raised up John the Baptizer, a fiery prophet (Mark 1:6; 2 Kings 1:8), who called Judea to repentance. (Matt. 3:1-12) Sadly, the entire house of Judah, with the exception of a remnant of spiritually-minded Jews, refused to repent!

We are all part of “one body” (Eph. 2:11-22; 3:4-6; 1 Cor. 12:13). And the “Israel of Elohim” is comprised of the combination of the two!

At one point during Yeshua’s ministry, He told the Gentile Canaanite woman who asked Him to heal her daughter, “… I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Matt. 15:24). Originally, the title, “house of Israel” referred to all twelve tribes (Ex. 16:31; 40:38; Lev. 17:3, 8, 10, etc.). Later, when the ten northern tribes seceded from the two southern tribes, they retained the title the “house of Israel” while the two southern tribes became known as the “house of Judah.” After Elohim divorced the ten northern tribes, they became known as, “the lost tribes of Israel.” However, the fact that Yeshua’s ministry was centered in Judea proves that His statement, “…I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel,” included all twelve tribes. Thus, the fact that Yeshua referred to the house of Judah as the lost sheep of the house of Israel proves that their sins were separating them for Elohim (Isa. 59:1-2)!

A careful study of the Old Testament will reveal that Elohim raised up Moses, the mediator of the old covenant (Ex. 20:18-21), entered into that covenant with the twelve tribes of Israel at Mt. Sinai and gathered the Israelites in the Promised Land. Likewise, a careful study of the New Testament will reveal that Elohim raised up Yeshua, the Mediator of the new covenant (Heb. 9:15; 12:24), is currently entering into that covenant with the twelve tribes of Israel in the nations where they had been scattered (Isa. 54:7-8; 11:11-13; 43:5-7; Jer. 23:3-6) and will regather them in the Kingdom of Elohim.

Tragically, the pagans coming into the faith by the efforts of these false christs weren’t transformed by the true faith. Instead, they transformed many of the congregations within the Body of Messiah the faith into a hybrid imitation (Jude 1:3)!

In the Scriptures, Believers in Yeshua were called Nazarenes (Acts 24:5) and Christians / Messianics (Acts 11:26) by our detractors! The Apostle Paul simply refers to us as the “Israel of Elohim” (Gal. 6:15-16), as opposed to Israel of the flesh. (Rom. 9:1-8)

Who is this harlot who rides the beast? Revelation 17:5 states, “And on her forehead a name was written: MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.” The Catholic Church must be Israel because throughout the Old Testament, Israel is likened to a Harlot

This prophecy reveals that the “miracles” performed by the modern nation of Israel, including the miracle of convincing Believers to make an image to the beast, are actually the works of Satan, the father of lies (John 8:44). Remember, Yeshua had warned His followers that even they could be deceived (Matt. 24:24).

Thus, the second beast symbolizes a sparsely populated, relatively new nation that appears to represent salvation. Since the Scriptures state, “…salvation is of the Jews” (John 4:22; cf. Matt. 1:16; Rev. 5:5), there can be no doubt that the second beast symbolizes the modern nation of Israel, with its two horns symbolizing the tribes of Judah and Benjamin, the house of Judah.

The prophecy, “He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast” refers to the United States being granted power by Satan to pattern herself after Rome. The prophecy that the image of the beast should “speak” means that it passes legislation. This begs the question, “What anti-Torah legislation does the United States pass in which it patterns itself after Rome.” While the answer may include a number of laws that have been and will continue to be enacted by the United States that are in violation of The commandments of Elohim, it may be a specific commandment- the Sabbath! The Council of Laodicea, about 363 A.D., passed this decree: “Christians must not Judaize by resting on the Sabbath, but must work on that day, resting rather on Sunday. But, if any be found to be Judaizing, let them be declared anathema from Christ.” Likewise, many states within the United States have anti-Sabbath laws called “blue laws”

The second part of this prophecy, “…that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed.” is also a bit complicated.

First, as we have already established, the phrase, “image of the beast,” refers to the second beast, the modern nation of Israel. And second, the phrase, “be killed,” means, “to be killed spiritually” (Ps.51:11; Rom. 8:9); to be cut off from Elohim (Isa. 59:1-2); to cause to be “dead in sin” (Col. 2:13 Eph. 2:1; 1 Tim. 5:6; Rev. 3:1; Matt. 8:22; John 3:18). Thus, the prophecy, “…that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed,” means that the second beast, the modern nation of Israel, speaks against Torah, causing Believers to sin and be killed spiritually.

arrived on the scene, He gave Judea one last chance to repent (Matt. 4:17). When they refused to repent by rejecting Him (John 1:11; Isa. 53:3; Matt. 21:37-39; Luke 19:14),

No! Yeshua didn’t start a new religion with a new people. Despite the fact that He was the Mediator of the new covenant, He was bound by the unconditional promise of Elohim to Abraham to make his descendants a great nation forever. And today, Elohim fulfills that promise through Yeshua and a remnant of Israelites (Deut. 4:27-31; 28:62-68; 30:1-10; 1 Kings 19:14-18; Rom. 9:27; 11:1-5; Rev. 12:17) from the house of Judah in Yeshua’s generation (Gen. 17:7).

Of course, in order to keep His unconditional promise to Abraham to make his descendants a great nation forever (Gen. 12:1-3), Elohim first had to establish the new covenant with a remnant of Israelites from the house of Judah. Elohim searches the heart and His timing is perfect; therefore, He is able to intervene in the lives of His people before any given entire generation of Israelites break their covenant with Him. In other words, He works it out so that there is always be a remnant of Israelites who remain faithful to Him

with the exception of a remnant who had repented and returned to Him (Deut. 4:27-31; 28:62-68; 30:1-10; Rom. 9:27; 11:5).

Initially, the Body of Messiah was comprised solely of a remnant of Israelites who had repented and entered into the new covenant with God (Acts 2). Then, when the good news  was opened to the Gentiles (Acts 10:9-36, 44-45; Rom. 11:13; Gal. 2:7-10), many converts were added to the Body of Messiah. Scripture identifies this combination of Israelite Believers and Gentile converts to the faith as the “Israel of God” (Gal. 6:16). These Gentile converts in the congregations raised up by Paul were “imitators of the congregations of God which are in Judea” (1 Thess. 2:14). In time, however, the Gentile converts to the faith began to outnumber the Jewish Believers. As a result, they rose to positions of authority and mixed in elements of their pagan festivals, images, idols, rituals, and traditions with the true faith, which is explicitly forbidden in the Scriptures (Deut. 12:29-32; Jer. 10:1-5). In the end, a major part of the “faith which was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 1:3) was transformed into what became known as the Roman Catholic Church. Once the Catholic Church seized power, they consolidated their power by branding the true Believers as heretics. And in allegiance with Rome, they persecuted and killed them, and forced them into hiding.About 1500 years later, the Roman Catholic Church gave birth to daughter, Protestant, churches.

statements that the “vinedressers saw the son” and “said among themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and seize his inheritance.’” proves that the house of Judah killed their Messiah knowingly! And for that Elohim was about to divorce them!

In Yeshua’s second parable, the first group of vinedressers, the vinedressers that beat up and killed the landowner’s servants, represent the chief priests and the Pharisees and the second group of vinedressers, the vinedressers who will render to him the fruits in their seasons, represent the ministers of the new covenant.

The statements that the “vinedressers saw the son” and “said among themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and seize his inheritance.’” proves that the house of Judah killed their Messiah knowingly! And for that Elohim was about to divorce them!

The “certain landowner” represents Elohim. The “vineyard” represents Israel (Isa. 5:1-7). The “hedge” represents being set apart. The “winepress” represents joy (Jer. 48:33). The “tower” represents the temple. The “vinedressers” represent the chief priests and the Pharisees. The phrase, “far country,” represents heaven. The phrase, “vintage time,” represents judgment day. The phrase, “his servants,” represents the prophets. The phrase, “its fruit,” represents repentance (Matt. 3:7-10). The phrase, “saw the son,” means that they knew Yeshua was the promised Messiah. The phrase, “killed him,” means that they crucified Him. The phrase, “his inheritance,” refers to the Kingdom of Elohim. And the “other vinedressers” represent the ministers of the new covenant (2 Cor. 3:4-6).

The first parable, The Parable of the Two Sons, is recorded in Matthew 21:28-32 where Yeshua states, “But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first [the house of Israel] and said, ‘Son, go, work today in my vineyard.’ “He answered and said, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he regretted it and went. “Then he came to the second [the house of Judah] and said likewise. And he answered and said, ‘I go, sir,’ but he did not go. “Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said to Him, “The first.” Yeshua said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that tax collectors and harlots enter the kingdom of Elohim before you. “For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him; but tax collectors and harlots believed him; and when you saw it, you did not afterward relent and believe him.”

The “man” represents Elohim. The “two sons” represent the house of Israel and the house of Judah. The “first son,” the son who refused to work in his father’s vineyard, but afterward regretted it and went, represents the house of Israel and the “second son,” the son who said he would work in the vineyard but didn’t, represents the house of Judah.

The second parable, The Parable of the Vineyard, is recorded in verses 33-41, immediately after the first parable, where Yeshua states, “Hear another parable: There was a certain landowner who planted a vineyard and set a hedge around it, dug a winepress in it and built a tower. And he leased it to vinedressers and went into a far country. “Now when vintage-time drew near, he sent his servants to the vinedressers, that they might receive its fruit. “And the vinedressers took his servants, beat one, killed one, and stoned another [Matt. 23:35-37; Luke 11:51]. “Again he sent other servants, more than the first, and they did likewise to them. “Then last of all he sent his son to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ “But when the vinedressers saw the son, they said among themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and seize his inheritance.’ “So they took him and cast him out of the vineyard and killed him. “Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those vinedressers?” They said to Him, “He will destroy those wicked men miserably, and lease his vineyard to other vinedressers [the ministers of the new covenant (2 Cor. 3:4-6)] who will render to him the fruits in their seasons.”

“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
Nehemia

Hosea 1:1-11 “A people who are not a people” = Romans 9:23-27

commanded him: “Then you shall say to Pharaoh, ‘Thus says YHVH: “Israel is My son, My firstborn. So I say to you, let My son go that he may serve Me. But if you refuse to let him go, indeed I will kill your son, your firstborn” (Ex. 4:22-23). It was at this time that Elohim expanded Israel’s name to include all his descendants!

They attempted to justify their changes claiming that they were made “for the sake of the gospel” (bringing other pagans into the faith).

The problem with this approach, though, is that the pagans coming into the faith weren’t transformed by the faith; they transformed the faith into a hybrid imitation

 (Jude 1:3)!

Despite the fact that many faithful Believers resisted compromise through the years, eventually, they too adopted the term “church” in their titles. Thus, it came to be that just as there were two Old Testament Israels, there are now two New Testament Israels of Elohim: the chaste church of Revelation 12 and the harlot church of Revelation 17. Still, though, despite the fact that the New Testament Israel of Elohim adopted the pagan term “church” into her titles, Elohim recognizes her as being His- the Israel of Elohim. Remember the old adage, “A rose by any other name is still a rose!”

__________________________________________________________________

Rom 1:16 states, “For I am not ashamed of the good news of Messiah, for it is the power of Elohim to salvation to everyone who believes; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”

Does this statement mean that the good news must be preached to the Jew first in every generation or to the Jew first over a period of many generations?

Isaiah 49:6 states, “Yes, He says, “It is too light a thing that You should be My servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel. I will also give You for a light to the nations, that You may be My salvation to the end of the earth.”

The meaning of this statement is revealed in Acts 13:44-47, which states, “On the next Sabbath almost the whole city came together to hear the word of Elohim. But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy; and contradicting and blaspheming, they opposed the things spoken by Paul. Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said, “It was necessary that the word of Elohim should be spoken to you FIRST; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we TURN to the Gentiles. “For so YHVH has commanded us: ‘I have set you as a light to the Gentiles, That you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth.’” Notice that this passage states that the word of Elohim should be spoken to the Jews “first,” and then to the Gentiles.

Thus, the statement in Romans 1:16, that the good news must be preached to the “Jew first” does not mean to the Jew first in every generation, but to the Jew first chronologically over a period of many generations?

One of the early Church fathers, Origen complained about the Gospels available to him to refute the pagan critic of Christianity, Celsus. Origen states, “The differences between manuscripts have become great, either through the negligence of some copyists or through the perverse audacity of others; they either neglect to check over what they have transcribed, or, in the process of checking, they make additions or deletions as they please.” (Commentary on Matthew, 15:14).

Genesis records that when YHVH created man, man’s lifespan was close to 1000 years. Now, this verse seems to suggest that YHVH was reducing man’s lifespan to 120 years. However, the context proves that this statement is related to the destruction of mankind, not the reduction of man’s lifespan.

YHVH’s message is not that He will cease striving with men after each person lives about 120 years.  Rather, Elohim plans to call them all down to the grave together, after the expiration of 120 years... by means of a universal flood.

During the early period of the New Testament, the Jews rejected both Messiah Yeshua and His followers and, as a result, they attempted to cut them off from the commonwealth of Israel. As a result, they referred to Believers negatively as “Messianics” (Acts 11:26; cf. Acts 26:28; 1 Pet. 4:16), because they believed that Yeshua was a false messiah. They also referred to Believers negatively as “Nazarenes” (Acts 24:5), because Yeshua was from Nazareth (Isa. 11:1; 53:3; Matt. 2:23), a place that was not mocked by the Jews (John 1:47). Of course, while there is nothing inherently wrong with these titles, they serve to detract us from our true biblical identity, for we are Israel, (Rom. 11:1-26), specifically the “Israel of Elohim” (Gal. 6:16)!

Just before Yeshua ascended into heaven, He commissioned His disciples to preach the gospel to all mankind (Matt. 28:16-20). The book of Acts records the zealous efforts of the Apostles as they made it their mission to accomplish this task. Initially, the Body of Messiah was comprised solely of a remnant of Israelites from the house of Judah. All 12 disciples were Jewish. The 120 Believers who received the Holy Spirit on Shavuot were Jewish (Acts 2). The 3000 early Believers who were baptized were Jewish (Acts 2). The early congregation in Jerusalem was Jewish. Even the priests were Jewish (Acts 6:7).

Then, when the gospel was open to the Gentiles (Acts 10:9-36, 44-45; Rom. 11:13; Gal. 2:7-10), a great number of converts were added to the commonwealth of Israel, which is also known as the Israel of Elohim (Gal. 6:4) and the Body of Messiah. These converts and the congregations raised up by Paul were “…imitators of the congregations of Elohim which are in Judea…” (1 Thess. 2:14, emphasis mine). In time, however, the

Gentile converts to the faith began to outnumber the Jewish Believers, which undermined the foundation of the faith! Eventually, the Gentile converts mixed elements of their pagan festivals, images, idols, rituals, customs and traditions with the true faith and became anti-Semitic and anti-nomian (anti-Torah). In the end, the “faith which was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 1:3) was transformed into what became known as the Roman Catholic Church.

Now, because the grafted-in converts mixed the true faith with paganism, most Hebrew Roots and Messianic Believers choose to write them off! However, just as YHVH characterized Israel as being a harlot, during OT times, He also characterizes Christianity as being a harlot during NT times. Also, just as YHVH gave both the house of Israel and the House of Judah time to repent; He is also giving Christianity time to repent (Rev. 2:21). In speaking of Believers within the great harlot, YHVH states, “…Come out of her, My people, that you have no participation in her sins, and that you do not receive of her plagues (Rev. 18:4). Notice that YHVH refers to these Believers as being “His” people… and, I believe, so should we! In fact, if we love them, we should echo YHVH’s words of repentance to them, not write them off!

The Covenant vs. Priesthood argument of Hebrews Chapter 8

Hebrews 8:7-8 states, "For if that first covenant had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second. Because finding fault with them, He says: "Behold, the days are coming, says YHVH, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah"

Many Hebrew Roots and Messianic Believers point out that the word "covenant" in verse 7 was added by the translators for clarification, which is true. Then they argue that the word "covenant" should be substituted with the word "priesthood" and that the word "them" in verse 8 refers back to the substituted word "priesthood," which is not true. The truth is that the word "them" refers back to the people who were sinning (Heb. 7:27), the people who were breaking their covenant with Elohim. This is why Paul states. "For finding fault with them [the people who were breaking their covenant with Elohim, not the priesthood], He said, “Behold, the days come,” says YHVH, “When I make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. [the people, not the priesthood], not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers [the people, not the priesthood] in the day when I took them [the people, not the priesthood] by the hand to lead them [the people, not the priesthood] out of the land of Egypt; because they [the people, not the priesthood] did not continue in My covenant, and I disregarded them [the people, not the priesthood], says YHVH. For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel [the people, not the priesthood] after those days, says YHVH: I will put My laws in their [the people's, not the priesthood's] mind and write them on their [the people's, not the priesthood's] hearts; and I will be their [the people's, not the priesthood's] Elohim, and they [the people, not the priesthood] shall be My people [the people, not the priesthood]" (Heb. 8:7-10). It doesn't make sense to say that because YHVH found fault with the priesthood, He established a new/renewed covenant with the people! It makes much more sense to say that because HE found fault with the people, He established a new/renewed covenant with them! Of course, the true interpretation of the context proves that the covenant in question is the new covenant, not the renewed covenant!

Many Hebrew Roots and Messianic Believers insist on referring to the present covenant as a “renewed” covenant because Christians argue that YHVH broke His covenant with the Jews and established the new covenant with them. Is this so?

In Jeremiah 31:31-33, YHVH prophesied that He would establish the new covenant with "the house and Israel, and the house of Judah." This indicates that He intended to divorce and remarry both houses. He had already divorced the house of Israel during Old Testament times for breaking their covenant with Him (Jer. 3:8). Now, during New Testament times, He was about to divorce the house of Judah for the same reason (Ex. 19:3-6; Deut. 7:6-12; Josh. 24:14-25; Neh. 1:5).

Of course, since YHVH was bound by His promise to Abraham, to make his descendants a great nation forever, before He could divorce the house of Judah, He first had to raise up the mediator of the new covenant (Heb. 9:15; 12:24) who was required to be a descendant of Abraham. That descendant was Messiah Yeshua! Once YHVH had established the new covenant through Yeshua, He was free to divorce the house of Judah without breaking His promise to Abraham.

Thus, despite the claim of many Hebrew Roots and Messianic Believers, the present covenant is the “new” covenant and despite the claim of Christian Believers, YHVH did not break His covenant with the Jews in order to establish the new covenant with them. The truth is that the new covenant Body of Messiah is comprised of Believers of Yeshua from "the house of Israel, and the house of Judah," (Jer. 31:31-33). Later, Gentile Believers of Yeshua were added to the Body of Messiah (Isa. 49:6; Acts 13:44-47).

_________________________________________________________________

Now, because the church erroneously teaches that it has replaced Israel, many Hebrew Roots and Messianic Believers erroneously teach that the church, because of its unfaithfulness to YHVH, is outside the covenants of YHVH. Neither one is true! Just as YHVH characterized Israel as being a harlot during OT times, He also characterizes Christianity as being a harlot during NT times! Still, despite these facts, He also refers to them both as being His wife! Remember, Elohim commanded Hosea to marry a harlot in order to symbolize both Israel’s marriage and unfaithfulness to Him. Also, just as YHVH gave both the house of Israel and the House of Judah time to repent; He is also giving the Church time to repent. YHVH states, “…Come out of her, My people, that you have no participation in her sins, and that you do not receive of her plagues (Rev. 18:4). Notice that YHVH refers to the harlot as being “His” people… and so should we! In fact, if we love them, we should echo YHVH’s words of repentance to them, not write them off!

Just as YHVH characterized Israel as being a harlot, during OT times, He also characterizes Christianity as being a harlot during NT times! Still, despite this fact, He also refers to them both as being His wife! Remember, Elohim commanded Hosea to marry a harlot in order to symbolize both Israel’s marriage and unfaithfulness to Him. Also, just as YHVH gave both the house of Israel and the House of Judah time to repent; He is also giving Christianity time to repent (Rev. 2:21). In speaking of Believers within the great harlot, YHVH states, “…Come out of her, My people, that you have no participation in her sins, and that you do not receive of her plagues (Rev. 18:4). Notice that YHVH refers to these Believers as being “His” people… and, I believe, so should we! In fact, if we love them, we should echo YHVH’s words of repentance to them, not write them off!

To argue that the present covenant is a “renewed” covenant based on the Christian assumption that YHVH broke His covenant with the Jews and established a new covenant with them

they assume that in order for Elohim to establish a new covenant, He first had to divorce the house of Judah, thus breaking His covenant with Abraham. Is this so?

____________________________________________________

The cultivated olive tree depicts the House of Judah, which provided the foundation for the early church (Acts 2:41; 21:20).  This is the olive tree of salvation, for Yeshua said that "salvation is of the Jews" (John 4:22). 

Elohim told Hosea that He was going to cast the House of Israel away because of their sins (Hos. 1:6).  However, He said that He would not cast away the House of Judah (Hos. 1:7), although later their sins were even worse than those of the House of Israel (Eze. 23:11).  YHVH punished the House of Judah, but He never discarded them completely.

The House of Judah is the "lawgiver" of Elohim (lit. "scribe" - Gen. 49:10; Psa. 60:7; 108:8; cf. Rom. 3:1-3).  The Jews had, and continue to have, a major part in the plan YHVH is accomplishing. 

This brings us to the wild olive tree Paul speaks of in this passage of Scripture.  Many people equate the wild olive tree with Gentile believers who accept Yeshua as the Messiah.  But is this really who Paul is referring to here?  There is a telling phrase used by Paul in Romans 11:25 that exactly identifies who he is talking about:

ROMANS 11:25 For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.  26 And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written:  "The Deliverer will come out of Zion, and He will turn away unElohimliness from Jacob; (NKJV)

Paul tells us that ALL of Israel, both the House of Judah and the House of Israel, has been blinded to the truth for a period of time.  However, he says that wild olive branches will continue to be grafted in to the cultivated olive tree to replace those branches broken off until the fullness of the Gentiles has been added.  Does the Bible tell us who this "fullness of the Gentiles" is?  Yes, it most certainly does!

GENESIS 48:17 And Joseph saw that his father was putting his right hand on the head of Ephraim; and it was evil in his eyes.  And he took hold of his father's hand to turn it from Ephraim's head to the head of Manasseh.  18 And Joseph said to his father, "Not so, my father!  For this one is the firstborn; put your right hand on his head."  19 And his father refused, and said, "I know, my son, I know.  He also shall be a people, and he shall become great.  But his younger brother shall become greater than he, and his seed shall become the fullness of the nations."  20 And he blessed them in that day, saying, "In you shall Israel bless, saying, 'May Elohim make you like Ephraim and Manasseh!' " And he put Ephraim before Manasseh. (The Interlinear Bible)

On his deathbed, Israel blessed Ephraim when he adopted him and his brother Manasseh.  Israel said that Ephraim's offspring would become "the fullness of the nations."  In Hebrew, this phrase is melo hagoyim.  Interestingly, this phrase can also be translated "the fullness of the Gentiles."  It was Ephraim (representative/leader of the lost 10 tribes of the House of Israel) that Paul had in mind when he spoke of the wild olive tree in Romans 11!

This conclusion is verified by Paul's earlier statement about these "Gentiles" (Romans 9):

ROMANS 9:22 What if Elohim, wanting to show His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, 23 and that He might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy, which He had prepared beforehand for glory, 24 even us whom He called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?  25 As He says also in Hosea:  "I will call them My people, who were not My people, and her beloved, who was not beloved.  26 And it shall come to pass in the place where it was said to them, 'You are not My people,' there they shall be called sons of the living Elohim." (NKJV)

In this passage, Paul quotes from Hosea's prophecy about the eventual recovery of those Israelites (Ephraim and the tribes associated with him) who were cast away by Elohim because of their sins (Hos. 1:10).  Either Paul was using this prophetic Scripture out of context and applying it to unrelated Gentiles, or the Gentiles he was speaking of were actually the offspring of the lost Israelite tribes.

Other Scriptures indicate that Paul understood that most of the Gentiles he was preaching to were in fact descendants of the 10 lost tribes who had been scattered 800 years earlier and had intermingled with all the nations round about Judea.  To prove this assertion, let's first look at a telling statement by Paul found in the 10th chapter of 1st Corinthians:

I CORINTHIANS 10:1 Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea, 2 all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, 3 all ate the same spiritual food, 4 and all drank the same spiritual drink.  For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ.  5 But with most of them Elohim was not well pleased, for their bodies were scattered in the wilderness. (NKJV)

Paul is writing here to a group of former pagan Gentiles (I Cor. 12:2) in Corinth, Greece.  Yet in using the example of the Israelites who had been delivered from Egypt by Elohim during the Exodus, he calls them "all OUR fathers" (I Cor. 10:1).  He certainly wasn't referring to them as "fathers" in a spiritual sense, because these people rebelled against Elohim and died while wandering in the desert for 40 years.  Therefore, Paul must have been speaking of them as the Corinthians' PHYSICAL fathers!

The Israelite ancestry of those "Gentiles" was known to the apostle Paul, as his statement to King Agrippa also implies:

ACTS 26:6 "And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made by Elohim to our fathers.  7 To this promise our twelve tribes, earnestly serving Elohim night and day, hope to attain.  For this hope's sake, King Agrippa, I am accused by the Jews." (NKJV)

The final reunification of the two houses of Israel described in the Tanakh (Eze. 37:15-28; Isa. 11:12-13; etc.) had not been accomplished at the time Paul spoke.  In fact, it still has not been fully accomplished.  Therefore, the 12 tribes he referenced, who were "earnestly serving Elohim night and day," must have included so-called "Gentile" believers who were, in fact, offspring of the lost tribes of the House of Israel!

Paul wasn't the only one who understood this truth.  In the salutation of his epistle, James also shows that he knew specifically to whom he was writing when he addressed the body of believers, both Jews and "Gentiles":

JAMES 1:1 James, a bondservant of Elohim and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad:  Greetings. (NKJV)

What Paul revealed in his epistle to the Roman assembly was the same thing Yeshua spoke of in the 10th chapter of John's Gospel:

JOHN 10:16 "And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd." (NKJV)

Here Yeshua tells his disciples that he had sheep which belonged to another flock.  He was speaking of the ones to whom he was sent, the lost sheep of the House of Israel (Matt. 15:24).  These sheep had lost their identity and thought that they were Gentiles.  But Yeshua knew who (and where) they were, and it was his divinely sanctioned job to retrieve them for the Father.

Gentiles not of Israelite descent have certainly been included in the congregation of Elohim through the centuries (Exo. 12:38; Isa. 56:3-8).  Yah has always made a way for Elohimly foreigners to become part of His chosen people.  But Scripture indicates that those who have been called by Elohim to His Son (John 6:44, 65) are primarily physical Israelites, both from the House of Judah (the cultivated olive tree) and the House of Israel (the wild olive tree).  These two olive trees are the two witnesses of Revelation 11.

The meaning of the "lampstand" symbolism used in Revelations 11:4 is further confirmation of this identity.  We only have to go back to the 1st chapter of Revelation to see what "lampstands" represent:

REVELATION 1:12 Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me.  And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and in the midst of the seven lampstands one like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. . . .  20 "The mystery of the seven stars which you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden lampstands:  The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands which you saw are the seven churches." (NKJV)

The lampstands here depict seven ekklesiai, the seven Asian churches listed in Revelation 1:11.  The Greek noun ekklesia literally means "an assembly of called out ones."  We can see that in the book of Revelation, a lampstand represents a called out group of people.  The symbolism fits perfectly with the House of Judah and the House of Israel, who were at first called out of Egypt together to be the people of Elohim.  At the end of this age, they will be called out once more to witness against the people of this earth when they forsake YHVH and worship the Antichrist.

The scriptural evidence is overwhelming that the two witnesses, who are symbolically called two olive trees and two lampstands, are in fact the House of Judah and the House of Israel.  With this understanding, we can now clearly see the calling and sealing of these servants of Elohim as it is described in Revelation 7:

REVELATION 7:1 After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth, that no wind might blow on earth or sea or against any tree.  2 Then I saw another angel ascending from the rising of the sun, with the seal of the living Elohim, and he called with a loud voice to the four angels who had been given power to harm earth and sea, 3 saying, "Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees, until we have sealed the servants of our Elohim on their foreheads."  4 And I heard the number of the sealed, 144,000, sealed from every tribe of the sons of Israel:  5 12,000 from the tribe of Judah were sealed, 12,000 from the tribe of Reuben, 12,000 from the tribe of Gad, 6 12,000 from the tribe of Asher, 12,000 from the tribe of Naphtali, 12,000 from the tribe of Manasseh, 7 12,000 from the tribe of Simeon, 12,000 from the tribe of Levi, 12,000 from the tribe of Issachar, 8 12,000 from the tribe of Zebulun, 12,000 from the tribe of Joseph, 12,000 from the tribe of Benjamin were sealed. (ESV)

Copyright Notice

Copyright © 2017-2021  Stephen P. Otto - All Rights Reserved.

This publication may be freely downloaded, reproduced or shared,

but may not be used for commercial purposes without prior permission.

Quotations must include Bible translation name or abbreviation APV

11.          In Daniel’s vision, it was only the fourth beast, the Roman Empire, which had ten horns (Dan. 7:7; cf. Rev. 13:1) and Daniel 7:24 adds, “The ten horns are ten kings Who shall arise from this kingdom….” This reveals that the lost ten tribes of Israel were either incorporated into the Roman Empire before the Roman Empire conquered the Greco-Macedonian Empire or before John saw his composite beast with the ten horns in about 90 AD.

So the question is, “What country or countries were incorporated into the Roman Empire shortly before 70 AD, when Elohim terminated His covenant with the house of Judah? The answer is, “Britain!” Wikipedia Encyclopedia under the heading, “England,” states, “The Romans conquered Britain in AD 43 during the reign of Emperor Claudius, and the area was incorporated into the Roman Empire as Britannia province.” Of course, the reason why Elohim intervened in bringing the house of Israel into the Roman Empire is because He intended to remarry her and, no doubt, He purposed to take advantage of the Roman Empire’s elaborate road system to carry the gospel to her.

[1] The Hebrew title for “God.”

[2] In most translations of the Bible, the word, congregation, is rendered “church”. However, the word church is a substitute word for the Greek word “ekklesia”, not an actual translation of it. It is properly translated as either “congregation,” or “assembly”. It is a reference to the New Testament “Body of Messiah,” which is also known as the “Israel of God” (Gal. 6:16).

The following is an excerpt from the document:

ISRAEL AND THE CHURCH: 

RESOLVING THE IDENTITY CRISIS

Israel and the Church in Prophecy: the Woman and the Two Beasts 

As I have established earlier, during the period of the divided kingdom, between 597 BC and 586 BC, the southern nation of Judah was taken into captivity by Babylon. During their captivity, Elohim gave the prophet Daniel a vision of four beasts rising up one after the other out of the sea. The first beast was like a lion, the second was like a bear, the third was like a leopard with four wings and the fourth beast had huge iron teeth and “was different from all the beasts that were before it” (Dan. 7:1-7). In Scripture, a beast symbolizes both a king (Dan. 7:17) and the kingdom he rules over (Dan. 7:24). Of course, the first beast, the lion, symbolizes the Babylonian Empire, the kingdom in which Daniel was held captive and the first Gentile kingdom to rule over Judah. The second beast, the bear, symbolizes the Medo-Persian Empire, the second kingdom to rule over Judah. The third beast, the leopard with four wings, symbolizes the Greco-Macedonian Empire, the third kingdom to rule over Judah. And the fourth beast, which had huge iron teeth and “was different from all the beasts that were before it,” symbolizes the Roman Empire, the fourth beast to rule over Judah. As each nation seized power from its predecessor, it also, in effect, inherited dominion over Judah. With regard to the fourth beast, Daniel states, “… It was different from all the beasts that were before it, and it had ten horns” (Dan. 7:7).

About 700 years later, in about 90 AD, Elohim gave the Apostle John a similar vision. However, whereas Daniel saw four beasts rising up out of the sea, John saw only one beast rising up out of the sea. Revelation 13:2 states, “Now the beast which I saw was like a leopard, his feet were like the feet of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority.” Clearly, the beast John saw is a composite of the four beasts Daniel saw. John’s composite beast had absorbed and included the dominant characteristics of all its predecessors: the mouth of the lion corresponds to Daniel’s first beast, the Lion. It symbolizes the royal splendor and kingly power of the Babylonian Empire. The feet of the bear corresponds to Daniel’s second beast, the bear. It symbolizes the massiveness and numerically powerful army of the Medo-Persian Empire. The body of a leopard corresponds to Daniel’s third beast, the leopard. It symbolizes the swiftness, cunningness and cruelty of the Greco-Macedonian Empire. Lastly, the dragon corresponds to Daniel’s fourth beast, the one that “was different from all the beasts that were before it.” The dragon “gave him his power and authority” (Rev. 13:2). Since the dragon symbolizes Satan (Rev. 12:9), he was to be the true source of power behind the Roman Empire! Finally, like Daniel’s fourth beast, John’s beast also had ten horns (Rev. 13:1).

The reason why Daniel’s four beasts rise up out of the sea in sequential order is because Daniel lived during the reign of the first beast, the Babylonian Empire, when the reigns of the three successive beasts were awaiting their future fulfillments. Conversely, the reason why John’s beast rises up as a composite of Daniel’s four beasts is because he lived during the reign of the fourth beast, the Roman Empire, after the successive reigns of the three preceding beasts.

Besides the fact that Daniel’s four beasts were to come to reign sequentially and John’s beast was to be a corresponding composite beast, there was to be one other major difference between the two; only John’s beast was to be ridden by a harlot. Revelation 17:1-7 states, “Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and talked with me, saying to me, "Come, I will show you the judgment of the great harlot who sits on many waters, with whom the kings of the earth committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth were made drunk with the wine of her fornication." So he carried me away in the Spirit into the wilderness. And I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast which was full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the filthiness of her fornication. And on her forehead a name was written: MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Yeshua. And when I saw her, I marveled with great amazement. But the angel said to me, "Why did you marvel? I will tell you the mystery of the woman and of the beast that carries her, which has the seven heads and the ten horns.”

As I have also established earlier, in symbolic prophecy a woman symbolizes a church! This begs the question, “Which church does the harlot symbolize?” Let’s examine the clues!

First, the fact that the harlot didn’t ride any of Daniel’s four beasts, including the fourth beast which represented the Roman Empire, but rode John’s composite beast, which symbolizes the Rome Empire, proves that the harlot church was established after the establishment of the of the Rome Empire! This could only refer to the Roman Catholic Church. It was established in the first century during the reign of the Rome Empire. The first Protestant Church, the Lutheran Church, didn’t exist until A.D. 1517.

Second, the harlot “sits on many waters” (Rev. 17:1). This symbol is interpreted in verse 15 which states, “The waters which you saw, where the harlot sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues.” Thus, the harlot church reigns over many nations! This could only refer to the Roman Catholic Church, the largest and most influential of the Christian churches!

Third, John sees the harlot “sitting on” the beast (Rev. 17:3), fornicating with the kings of the earth (Rev. 17:2). Since a beast symbolizes both a king (Dan. 7:17) and the kingdom he rules over (Dan. 7:23, cf. 18, 22, 24 and 27), John actually sees the harlot fornicating with the beast. What does Torah teach about a woman who has a sex with a beast? Leviticus 20:15-16 states, “If a woman approaches any animal and mates with it, you shall kill the woman and the animal. They shall surely be put to death. Their blood is upon them.” When the spiritual application of this judgment is applied to the beast, Western Civilization, and the harlot, the Roman Catholic Church, we must conclude that they are both spiritually dead!

Fourth, the beast on which the woman sits has “seven heads” (Rev. 17:3). This symbol is interpreted in verse 9 which states, “…The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits.” In the introduction of his well-known book, The Two Babylons, Alexander Hislop wrote, “… There never has been any difficulty in the mind of any enlightened Protestant in identifying the woman “sitting on seven mountains,” and having on her forehead the name written, “Mystery, Babylon the Great,” with the Roman apostasy. “No other city in the world has ever been celebrated, as the city of Rome has, for its situation on seven hills. Pagan poets and orators, who had not thought of elucidating prophecy, have alike characterized it as ‘the seven hilled city.’” Virgil wrote “Rome has both become the most beautiful (city) in the world, and alone has surrounded for herself seven heights with a wall.” Propertius, refers to Rome as “The lofty city on seven hills, which governs the whole world.” Revelation 17:18 confirms this: “And the woman whom you saw is that great city which reigns over the kings of the earth." Many referred to Rome simple as “the city of seven hills.” Horace wrote, “The Elohims who have set their affections on the seven hills.” Martial, in like manner, speaks of “The seven dominating mountains.” On one occasion, Symmachus, the prefect of the city of Rome, the last acting Pontifex Maximus, introduced one friend to another friend as “De septem montibus virum,” which means ”a man from the seven mountains.” Yet, the commentators interpret it as, “Civem Romanum, “A Roman Citizen.”

Fifth, the harlot is described as, “MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH” (Rev. 17:5). There are two reasons why! First, because the beast with whom the harlot, the Roman Catholic Church, fornicates, John’s beast, is the culmination of Daniel’s four beasts, whose roots trace back to ancient Babylon, the birthplace of the Babylonian Mystery Religion! Second, because the Roman Catholic Church recognizes herself as the mother church of all her Protestant daughter offshoots! Earlier, I quoted Alexander Hislop who wrote, “… There never has been any difficulty in the mind of any enlightened Protestant in identifying the woman “sitting on seven mountains,” and having on her forehead the name written, “Mystery, Babylon the Great,” with the Roman apostasy.” While Hislop’s identification of the Roman Catholic Church as “MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS” is correct, by identifying her as the mother church, he, and most “enlightened Protestants,” unwittingly identify themselves as her “harlot” daughters!

Revelation 13:3 states, “And I saw one of his heads as if it had been mortally wounded, and his deadly wound was healed.” The first part of this prophecy was fulfilled when the Roman Empire fell in 476 AD. After its fall, the empire was divided into ten provinces. The second part of this prophecy was fulfilled when Justinian restored the Empire in 554 AD. This “miraculous” resurrection of the Roman Empire is known in history as the “Imperial Restoration.” After its rebirth, the Roman Empire continued in its ten-province division, seven of which are still on the maps of Europe to this day. They are: England, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal and Switzerland, the foundation of what has come to be known today as Western Civilization.

Revelation 13:11 states, “Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon.” The birth of this second beast was the result of the fornication of the harlot church, the Roman Catholic Church, with the first beast, Western Civilization!

Notice that the first beast has ten horns and the second beast has two horns. In Scripture, a horn symbolizes a power (Ps. 75:10), a kingdom or the king who rules it (Dan. 7:17-18, 22-24, 27) and salvation (2 Sam. 22:3; Ps. 18:2). Thus, the combination of the ten horns on the first beast and the two horns on the second beast symbolize twelve faith-based powers. For those who allow the Bible to interpret itself (Isa. 28:10), the identity of these twelve faith-based powers which are divided between two nations, one having ten horns and the other having two horns, should be abundantly clear! They are none other than the twelve tribes of Israel!10 Of course, the ten horns on the first beast symbolize the house of Israel and the two horns of the second beast symbolize the house of Judah.

The unnatural union between the harlot, the Catholic Church, and the first beast, the resurrected Roman Empire in the form of Western Civilization, produced a contradictory offspring that looked “like a lamb,” but “spoke like a dragon.”

Notice that this beast is not described as being a lamb with two horns, which would symbolize both Messiah Yeshua (John 1: 29, 36) and the Kingdom of Elohim (Dan. 7:17, 23). Rather, it is described as having two horns “like” a lamb. In other words, it is not really a lamb; it is an imposter, a deceiver! The term “dragon” symbolizes Satan (Rev. 12:9; 20:2), “…the father of lies” (John 8:44), so the fact that the second beast “spoke like a dragon” reveals its true character, for the Scriptures say, “… out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Matt. 12:34; cf. Luke 6:45). This proves that Satan is the king of the nation symbolized by the second beast.

The scriptures teach that a lamb symbolizes salvation (Ex. 12) and they also teach that “salvation is of the Jews” (John 4:22); therefore, it follows that the second beast, the lamb-like imposter and deceiver, symbolizes the modern nation of Israel, with its two horns symbolizing the tribes of Judah and Benjamin! Why? Because the people who Satan is gathering there are not really Jews; they are imposters! Paul states, “but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from Elohim” (Rom. 2:29). He also states, “That is, those who are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of Elohim; but the children of the promise are counted as the seed” (Rom. 9:8). Yeshua prophesied, “I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan” (Rev. 2:9). Yeshua added, “Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie--indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you” (Rev. 3:9). Thus, the people who are being gathered by Satan in the modern nation of Israel, the “children of the flesh,” are not truly The people of Elohim and; consequently, they do not represent salvation!

The first beast rises up out of the “sea” (Rev. 13:1) and the second beast rises up out of the “earth” (Rev. 13:11). Since the term “water” is a symbol of “spirit” (Ezek. 47:1-12; Gen. 1:2; Acts 2:38) and “fertility,” the term “sea” is a symbol of “spiritual fertility” (Rev. 17:15). In contrast, the term “earth” is a symbol of spiritual barrenness (Gen. 2:7; Rev. 12:16). Thus, the first beast, Western Civilization, rises up out of the sea, spiritual fertility, and the second beast, the modern nation of Israel, rises up out of the earth, spiritual barrenness! Why? With regard to the first beast, Western Civilization, it was birthed out of a numerically massive people (Rev. 17:15)! In contrast, with regard to the second beast, the modern nation of Israel, it was birthed out of a numerically small people! Today, the Jewish people comprise a meager .2% of the world’s population!

Revelation 13:12 states, “And he exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence, and causes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.”

The first part of this prophecy, “And he exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence” indicates that the second beast, the modern nation of Israel operates under the guidance and protection of the first beast, Western Civilization, just as a son would operate under the guidance and protection of his father! Also, notice that the modern nation of Israel operates under the guidance and protection of Western Civilization whereas if it were truly of Elohim, it would be operating under His guidance and protection!

The second part of this prophecy, “and causes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed,” is a bit more complicated! In order to interpret this prophecy properly, we must first establish a few facts. First, the term “earth” symbolizes all the peoples of the earth, with the exception of the peoples symbolized by the term “sea,” Western Civilization. Second, the phrase, “those who dwell on the earth,” refers to “those who tabernacle on the earth (2 Cor. 5:1, 4; John 1:14; Matt. 17:3-4; Mark 9:5; Luke 9:33),” meaning the Israel of Elohim (Gal. 6:4). And third, the Apostle Paul declared, “Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness” (Rom. 6:16)? Thus, the prophecy, “[he] causes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast,” indicates that the second beast, the modern nation of Israel, causes all the peoples of the earth, including the Israel of Elohim, to obey the first beast and sin.

Revelation 13:13 states, “He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men.”

The word “signs” was translated from the Greek word “semeion” and according to the The KJV New Testament Greek Lexicon it can be translated as: “signs”, “miracles,” “wonders” or “tokens.” Of course, in order to determine which word is the best translation in this case we must understand the context in which the word is used! To this end, notice that the prophecy also includes the phrase, “fire come down from heaven on the earth.” This symbolizes divine judgment (2 Pet. 2:6; 3:7; Jude 7). It indicates that this prophecy is fulfilled by a supernatural being; therefore, the word semeion is best translated “miracle,” which has a supernatural connotation! Thus, the Complete Jewish Bible is better translated, “It performs great miracles, even causing fire to come down from heaven onto the earth as people watch.” The New International Version is also better rendered, “And he performed great and miraculous signs, even causing fire to come down from heaven to earth in full view of men.” Finally, the prophecy, “He performs great [miracles], so that he even makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men” (emphasis mine), reveals that western civilization attributes the “miracles” performed by the second beast, the modern nation of Israel, to Elohim. Since declaring its independence in 1948, the modern nation of Israel has met with fierce opposition from its Muslim neighbors! It has fought in three major wars: the War of Independence in 1947-49, the Six Days War in 1967 and the Yom Kippur War of 1973. They won each campaign with miraculous results!

Revelation 13:14 states, “And he deceives those who dwell on the earth by those signs which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast…”

The modern nation of Israel deceives even the Israel of Elohim into believing that the miracles that were performed on its behalf were performed by Elohim whereas they were actually performed by Satan, the true source of its authority (Rev. 13:11)

Revelation 13:15 states, “He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed.”

The first part of this prophecy, “He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast” is a parody of the creation of man. Genesis 2:7 states that Elohim breathed into Adam’s nostrils the “breath of life” and Genesis 1:26 adds that He created man in His “image.” Thus, the prophecy, “He was granted power to give “breath” to the “image” of the beast” (emphasis mine) is clearly based on the biblical principle that kind begets kind (Gen. 1:20-29; Prov. 22:6; Jer. 16:19). It reveals that the harlot, the mother, the Catholic Church, and the first beast, the father, Western Civilization, created the second beast, the modern nation of Israel, after their kinds.

Since the second beast is created in the image of both the first beast and the harlot, it follows that it must share both of their contradictory characteristics. In Scripture, it is the mother who is ordained by Elohim to teach salvation to her children (Ex.13:2, 12, 15; Gal. 4:25). Thus, just as the harlot, the mother, symbolizes salvation, the second beast, her child, the beast who looks like a lamb with two horns, also symbolizes salvation (Ex. 12; Lev. 4 through 5; Isa. 53:7), Likewise, in Scripture, it is the father who is ordained by Elohim to have the position of authority in the family (Gen. 3:16; 1 Cor. 11:3; Eph. 5:22-23; 1 Tim. 2:12). Thus, just as the first beast, the father, exercises Satan’s “power, his throne, and great authority” (Rev. 13:2), the second beast, his child, “exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence…” (Rev. 13:12).

The second part of this prophecy, “that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed,” is also a bit more complicated. First, as we have already established, the phrase, “image of the beast,” refers to the second beast, the modern nation of Israel. Second, the phrase, “be killed,” means, “to be killed spiritually” (Ps.51:11; Rom. 8:9); to be cut off from Elohim (Isa. 59:1-2); to cause to be “dead in sin” (Col. 2:13 Eph. 2:1; 1 Tim. 5:6; Rev. 3:1; Matt. 8:22; John 3:18). Thus, the prophecy, “that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed,” means that the second beast, the modern nation of Israel, causes the Israel of Elohim to obey it rather than Elohim. How? By teaching us to reject Yeshua as Messiah!

Revelation 13:16 states, “He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads…”

The symbolism of the mark of the beast (cf. Rev. 16:2; 19:20) is based on a principle found in the Old Testament. Deuteronomy 6:1–2, 8 states, “Now this is the commandment, and these are the statutes and judgments which YHVH your Elohim has commanded to teach you, that you may observe them in the land which you are crossing over to possess, “that you may fear YHVH your Elohim, to keep all His statutes and His commandments which I command you, you and your son and your grandson, all the days of your life, and that your days may be prolonged. … “You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes” (cf. Ex. 13:9-10; 31:13; Deut. 11:1-18; Ezek. 9:1-8). Thus, just as Believers who keep The commandments of Elohim receive a “sign” on their hand, which is symbolic of action, and on their forehead, which is symbolic of a person’s will, those who keep the beast’s commandments, in contrast, receive a “mark.” Acts 5:29 states, “… We ought to obey Elohim rather than men.” The Apostle Paul declared, “Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?” (Rom. 6:16)

Revelation 14:9-12 states, “Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, “he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of Elohim, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the set apart angels and in the presence of the Lamb. “And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.” Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of Elohim and the faith of Yeshua.” Notice that verses 9 through 11 describe those, who receive the mark of the beast on their foreheads or on his hands, and verse 12 contrasts them with, “those who keep the commandments of Elohim and the faith of Yeshua.” This symbolic “mark,” then, serves to identify those who worship the beast by breaking the Torah. Thus, the prophecy, “He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads,” means that the first beast, Western Civilization, causes the Israel of Elohim to obey its laws and, consequently, break The commandments of Elohim.

Revelation 13:17 states, “and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.”

This prophecy is based on Proverbs 23:23 which states, “Buy the truth, and do not sell it, Also wisdom and instruction and understanding.” It means that there will come a time when the beast, Western Civilization, will cause a famine of the word of Elohim!

Revelation 13:18 states, “Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666.”

This prophecy seems to be based on Ps 111:10 which states, “The fear of the YHVH is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments. His praise endures forever.”