"Ephraimites" the "Two House" Identity Movement
Baruch Ben Daniel
"Ephraimites" the "Two House" Identity Movement
Baruch Ben Daniel
The
point is not whether we agree on everything, the point is that we all
strive to be One Body with One Spirit regardless of our differences.
In the process of Mashiyach harmonizing the souls of all who belong
to him we are called to love and respect one another, and lift up one
another and learn from each other.
For
the Jews there were nobler than the Jews of Thessalonica; and they
gladly heard the word from them daily,
and
searched from the Scriptures whether these things were so.
Acts
17:11
The term "Two House" referring to Judah and Ephraim NEVER APPEARS IN SCRIPTURE!!!
"Two-House Teaching", the "Two-House Doctrine", the "Two-House Ideology", the "Two-House Movement", the "Two-House Heresy", the "Ephraimite Movement", the "Ephraimite Fallacy", and the "Ephraimite Error".
But know this: That in the latter days hard times will come: and men will be lovers of
themselves and lovers of money, boasters, proud, revilers, unyielding towards their own people,
deniers of grace, wicked, unloving, addicted to irreconcilable malicious gossips, ferocious,
haters of the good, treacherous, rash, inflated, attached to pleasure more than to the love of
Elohim, having a form of respect for Elohim but wide from the power of Elohim.
Them who are such, repel from you.
2 Timothy 3:1-5
The "Ephraimite" movement has helped many take a good first step out of Christian Babylon (Hellenism) but then to focus on identity blood line issues means that modern "Ephraimites" still have a foot in man's religion.
___________________________________________
On what basis do Ger Toshav (Gentiles or Christians)
from America identify themselves as "Ephraimites"?
Ephraim and Manasseh were the sons of Joseph and his wife Asenath who was the daughter of Potipherah priest of On. Manasseh was Joseph's firstborn son but Joseph's father Ya'akov (Israel) gave the blessing of the firstborn to Ephraim. Ephraim is a metaphor for Gentiles who turn to YHWH. Joseph had become an Egyptian and had put off his Hebrew culture, his own brothers could not recognize him, he married into paganism and lived under the authority of Pharaoh. Herein lies a picture of the Gentile who is given breath of life by YHWH and belongs to YHWH. Gentiles live under the authority of Gentile governments and marry into elements of paganism. However, when these non-Jewish persons surrender to Mashiyach and live under Mashiyach's Government they are no longer "gentile" or pagan but have become New Creations in Mashiyach. We can see that Ephraim and Manasseh's children were "born (yalad) on Josef's knees" (Genesis 50:23) meaning they were adopted by Joseph. This is a "Messianic" element that indicates this adoption is a universal right extending to all Gentiles who enter into Mashiyach, all Israelites (spiritual or blood) are also adopted by Jacob (the grandson of Avraham to whom the promise was given). YHWH also immortalized this right when Jacob said "In you shall Israel bless, saying, Elohim make you as Ephraim and as Manasseh: and he set Ephraim before Manasseh" (Genesis 48:20). Although this blessing has carried universal Messianic principles throughout the ages, rabbinical Judaism does not recognize the need to provide Gentiles with full access to Torah.
"And Israel said unto Joseph, Behold, I die: but Elohim shall be with you, and bring you again unto the land of your fathers. Moreover I have given to you one portion above your brethren, which I took out of the hand of the Amorite with my sword and with my bow" (Genesis 48:21-22). Here we also see that Joseph was given a portion that eludes to greater numbers of descendants but what the modern Ephraimite movement fails to understand is that YHWH designed this blessing as a Messianic prototype of all Gentiles, it is not exclusive (as some want you to believe) to any one brand or label.
Ephraim was not originally one of the 12 tribes of Israel. Simon and Levi were combined together in Ya'akov's blessing (Gen 49:5) and when the tribe of Levi became priests they were removed from the census of the 12 tribes. In Numbers 2 we see that Joseph and Levi are both removed from the census and Ephraim and Manasseh join with Binyamin to make up the third out of the four groups of tribes. Ephraim soon broke Covenant with YHWH and were dispersed into the nations becoming part of the Gentiles. A remnant of the Tribes of Israel (including Ephraim) chose not to rebel, these were preserved and included among those who are now called "Jews." Within European and American Christianity some Christians (and ex-Christians) claim to be British Israel or bloodline "Ephraimites" these do not claim to be "Spiritual Ephraim", i.e. walking after the "calling of Ephraim" or "Spiritual Jews" (following the Torah Mashiyach) but they claim a genealogical link. These "Ephraimites" who claim blood lineage employ a theological premise rooted in Dispensationalist and Replacement theology. Those who claim to be "Ephraimites" are nothing more than ex-Christians who adopted an Ephraimite label BUT who have opened their hearts to the Ruach haKodesh to have Torah written upon their hearts. In reality having Torah written upon the heart is evidence of Teshuva (true repentance) but this does not change the physical DNA of a person and it is a falsehood to seek an Ephraimite bloodline when the Messianic element is far more profound than the physical entity.
YHWH wiped the Ephraimite bloodline right off the planet because of their crass rebellion. YHWH called heaven and earth to witness against all Israelites because of their rebellion against Him, however, Ephraim led the pack when it came to rebellion, but first here is what YHWH says regarding those who choose to rebel against Him:
"I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that you shall soon utterly perish from off the land whereunto you go over Jordan to possess it; you shall not prolong your days upon it, but shall utterly be destroyed. And YHWH shall scatter you among the nations, and you shall be left few in number among the heathen, whither YHWH shall lead you. And there you shall serve gods, the work of men's hands, wood and stone, which neither see, nor hear, nor eat, nor smell." D'varim/Deut. 4:26-28
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Although the modern Ephraimite identity "gospel" goes forth in books, videos, CD's, DVD's, conferences, cassettes etc, YHWH Himself says no such thing. The following are a few Scriptures that tell of the "remnant" according to both prophetic and historic authority. "Ephraimites" were never prophesied to "discover themselves" in Egypt, Assyria, Babylon or among the rest of the Nations, i.e. Britain or America as bloodline descendants of Joseph what we see in Scripture is only a very small remnant of physical Israel survived.
And when they came to Hilkiah the high priest, they delivered the money that was brought into the house of Elohim, which the Levites that kept the doors had gathered of the hand of Manasseh and Ephraim, and of all the sh'eriyth (remnant) of Israel, and of all Judah and Benjamin; and they returned to Jerusalem.
2 Chronicles 34:9
Except YHWH of hosts had left unto us a mehat (very small) sariyd (remnant),
we should have been as Sodom, and we should have been like unto Gomorrah.
Isaiah 1:9
And shall consume the glory of his forest, and of his fruitful field, both soul and body: and they shall be as when a standard-bearer faints. And the rest of the trees of his forest shall be few, that a child may write them. And it shall come to pass in that day, that the sh'ar(remnant) of Israel, and such as are escaped of the house of Jacob, shall no more again stay upon him that smote them; but shall stay upon YHWH, the Holy One of Israel, in truth. The sh'ar (remnant) shall return, even the sh'ar (remnant) of Jacob, unto the mighty Elohim. For though thy people Israel be as the sand of the sea, yet a sh'ar(remnant) of them shall return: the consumption decreed shall overflow with righteousness. For YHWH Elohim of hosts shall make a consumption,
even determined, in the midst of all the land.
Isaiah 10:18-23
And it shall come to pass in that day, that YHWH shall set His Hand again the second time to recover the sh'ar (remnant) of His people, which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea. And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth. The envy also of Ephraim shall depart, and the adversaries of Judah shall be cut off: Ephraim shall not envy Judah, and Judah shall not vex Ephraim.
Isaiah 11:11-13
And there shall be an highway for the sh'ar (remnant) of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria;
like as it was to Israel in the day that he came up out of the land of Egypt.
Isaiah 11:16
And in that day it shall come to pass, that the glory of Jacob shall be made thin,
and the fatness of his flesh shall wax lean.
Isaiah 17:4
And they said unto him, Thus says Hezekiah, This day is a day of trouble, and of rebuke, and of blasphemy: for the children are come to the birth, and there is not strength to bring forth. It may be that YHWH Elohim will hear the words of Rabshakeh, whom the king of Assyria his master has sent to reproach the living Elohim, and will reprove the words which the YHWH Elohim has heard: wherefore lift up your prayer for the sh'eriyth (remnant) that is left.
Isaiah 36:3-4
And the sha'ar (remnant) that is escaped of the house of Judah shall again take root downward, and bear fruit upward: For out of Jerusalem shall go forth a sh'eriyth (remnant), and they that escape out of mount Zion:
the zeal of YHWH of hosts shall do this.
Isaiah 37:31-32
Thus says YHWH of hosts, They shall thoroughly glean the sharah (remnant) of Israel as a vine:
turn back your hand as a grape-gatherer into the baskets.
Jeremiah 6:9
For there shall be a day, that the watchmen upon the mount Ephraim shall cry, Arise ye, and let us go up to Zion unto YHWH Elohim. For thus says YHWH; Sing with gladness for Jacob, and shout among the chief of the nations: publish ye, praise ye, and say, O YHWH, save Your people, the sh'eriyth (remnant) of Israel.
Jeremiah 31:6-7
And it came to pass, that when Jeremiah had made an end of speaking unto all the people all the words of YHWH their Elohim, for which YHWH Elohim had sent him to them, even all these words, Then spake Azariah the son of Hoshaiah, and Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the proud men, saying unto Jeremiah, You speak falsely:
YHWH our Elohim has not sent you to say, Go not into Egypt to sojourn there:
Jeremiah 43:1,2
And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of YHWH shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as YHWH has said, and in the sariyd(remnant) whom YHWH shall call.
Joel 2:32
Hate the evil, and love the good, and establish judgment in the gate: it may be that YHWH Elohim of hosts will be gracious unto the sh'eriyth (remnant) of Joseph.
Amos 5:15
Therefore will he give them up, until the time that she which travails has brought forth:
then the yether (remnant) of his brethren shall return unto the Children of Israel.
Micah 5:3
And the sh'eriyth (remnant) of Jacob shall be in the midst of many people as a dew from YHWH, as the showers upon the grass, that tarries not for man, nor waits for the sons of men. And the sh'eriyth (remnant) of Jacob shall be among the Gentiles in the midst of many people as a lion among the beasts of the forest, as a young lion among the flocks of sheep: who, if he go through, both treads down, and tears in pieces, and none can deliver.
Micah 5:7
Therefore as I live, says YHWH of hosts, the Elohim of Israel, surely Moab shall be as Sodom, and the children of Ammon as Gomorrah, even the breeding of nettles, and salt pits, and a perpetual desolation: the sh'eriyth (residue) of my people shall spoil them, and the yether(remnant) of my people shall possess them.
Zephaniah 2:9
But now I will not be unto the sh'eriyth (residue) of this people as in the former days, says YHWH of hosts. For the seed shall be prosperous; the vine shall give her fruit, and the ground shall give her increase, and the heavens shall give their dew; and I will cause the sh'eriyth(remnant) of this people to possess all these things. And it shall come to pass, that as you were a curse among the heathen, O house of Judah, and house of Israel; so will I save you, and you shall be a blessing: fear not, but let your hands be strong. For thus says YHWH of hosts; As I thought to punish you, when your fathers provoked me to wrath, says YHWH of hosts, and I repented not: So again have I thought in these days to do well unto Jerusalem and to the house of Judah: fear ye not. These are the things that you shall do; Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbour; execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates: And let none of you imagine evil in your hearts against his neighbour; and love no false oath:
for all these are things that I hate, says YHWH.
Zechariah 8:11-17
Yeshayahu (Isaiah) also cried concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel
be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved:
Romans 9:27
"Master, they have killed your prophets, and smashed down your altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life." But what is the answer of Elohim to him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to Baal." Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.
Romans 11:3-5
And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from Elohim entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them. And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them. And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the Elohim of heaven.
Revelations 11:11-13
And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child. And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent. And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood. And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth. And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of Elohim, and have the testimony of Y'shua Mashiyach.
Revelations 12:13-17
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Scripture tells of a very small remnant, or residue of Israel that survived
making the British - America Lost Tribes scenario a hoax...
Yether -rest, remnant, residue, leave, excellency, other part *#3499
Sariyd -survivor, remnant, that which is left #8300
Sha'ar -leave, remain, remnant, remainder, left over, left behind #7604
Sharah -remnant, to let loose, free, to set free #8281
Sh'eriyth -remnant, residue, rest, remainder, what is left #7611
*Strongs or Thayers #
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Where do we find the term "Two House" in Scripture?
Some "Two House" people point out that the King James Version of the Bible states that Ephraim would become a "multitude of nations", therefore many nations around the world must have come from Ancient Ephraim, because of this.
And his father refused, and said, I know my son, I know: he also shall become a people,
and he also shall be great: but truly his younger brother shall be greater than he,
and his seed shall become a M'lo HaGoyim full the nation."
Genesis 48:19 "
The Hebrew M'lo HaGoyim means "the fullness of nations". 4393 Strongs/Thayers
The Hebrew Hamon HaGoyim means "a multitude of nations". 1995 Strongs/Thayers
The Hebrew M'lo is translated into the English as full 12, fullness 8, all that is therein 7, all 2, fill 2, handful 2,multitude 2, handful 1, handfuls 1. So what does it mean to be a "fullness of nations", we know that at one time Ephraim was pushing out at its borders, it was bountiful but very short lived.
YHWH appointed Sarah to "become nations" NOT Ephraim.
And I will bless her, and give thee a son also of her: yea, I will bless her,
and she shall become nations; kings of people shall be of her.
Genesis 17:16
So now, in places where "nations" are referred to in the Scriptures, it appears as some "Two House" spin doctors are using it to apply prophetically to "Ephraimites", this theology shows the "Ephraimites" want to be the "Master Race". O foolish "Ephraimites", who hath bewitched you?
Is Ephraim considered the 13th tribe? If so when?
2 Chronicles 30:1 And Hezekiah sent to all Israel and Judah, and wrote letters also to Ephraim and Manasseh, that they should come to the house of YHWH at Jerusalem, to keep the Passover unto YHWH Elohim of Israel.
Are all the blessings of YHWH only contingent on His Promise, regardless of His people's response? OR must we as a people respond to YHWH in truth and obedience in order to activate the Blessings He has for us?
One of leaders of the "Two House" movement sent an email stating; "I made a two hour presentation to TWO Chabad Chassidic Jewish rabbis making the case that I am "Joseph" their BROTHER..." It's odd that a self proclaimed "Ephraimite" would use the same strategy as the pope of Rome. John XXIII during the Second Vatican Council addressed a Jewish delegation with the words, "I am Joseph, your brother." But even the pope of Rome in his vileness was more truthful that this "Ephraimite" fellow, at least the pope had a birth name akin to "Yoseph", the head of carnal and evil Christian paganism is no brother to YHWH's people. To claim to be something you are not, is being an imposter. O foolish "Ephraimites", who hath bewitched you?
Some of the "Two House" leaders point to YHWH's "blessings on America" as proof that YHWH has endorsed America to represent Him. Not only is this both shameful and arrogant for American Believers to think and say, it is also a major deception. This kind of thinking is indicative of one who wants endorsement for their religion and their flesh. Nationalism is the underlying religious motif for someone who follows this line of thinking, it is yet more pride and division against the Body of Mashiyach. O foolish "Ephraimites", who hath bewitched you?
Some "Two House" people do NOT like to refer to anyone as a "Jew" even if they are from the Tribe of Y'hudah, but as "Hebrews". But "Jews" from the Tribes of Asher, Benjamin and Levi where grateful to be referred to as "the Jews" or "Yehudi".
Luke 2:36 "And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the Tribe of Asher: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;"
Acts 21:39 "But Paul said, I am a man which am a Jew of Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city: and, I beseech thee, suffer me to speak unto the people."
Philippians 3:5 "Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;"
Romans 11:1 "I say then, Hath Elohim cast away his people? YHWH forbid! For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin .
Acts 4:36 "And Yosef, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus."
History indicates that those from all the Tribes of Israel came to be known as "the Jews". The people of Israel were referred to both as "The Hebrews" and "The Jews". It's rather odd how a person can walk into a meeting as a Christian and walk out of it as a Hebrew? No, don't reduce that which is Holy into yet another "Americanism" please. O foolish "Ephraimites", who hath bewitched you?
"And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed
an hundred and forty and four thousands of all the Tribes of the Children of Israel.
Of the tribe of Y'hudah were sealed twelve thousand.
Of the tribe of Re'uven were sealed twelve thousand.
Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand.
Of the tribe of Asher were sealed twelve thousand.
Of the tribe of Naftali were sealed twelve thousand.
Of the tribe of M'nasheh were sealed twelve thousand.
Of the tribe of Shim'on were sealed twelve thousand.
Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand.
Of the tribe of Yissakhar were sealed twelve thousand.
Of the tribe of Z'vulun were sealed twelve thousand.
Of the tribe of Yoseph were sealed twelve thousand.
Of the tribe of Binyamin were sealed twelve thousand."
Revelations 7:4-8
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So where is Ephraim? At least the Jehova's Witlesses were cunning enough to put a theological spin doctor to work on Revelation 7, they point at themselves as the 144,000 to give themselves authority. But it's a shame they never examined the text a bit closer, the number 144,000 is a plural. More:
The
Ephraim or Ephraimite
Movement (Two House Theology) is Antisemitic Replacement Theology
that began with Ignatius of Antioch
It is the contention of Nazarene and Authentic Messianic Jewish Network that the 'Coming of Shiloh**' will only have been fulfilled when Moshiach returns to set up His Kingdom and to rule over the world, from Jerusalem in Israel. Until that happens, His followers have to follow Him according to the tenets of the Original True Bible Faith. The authority and guidance over this Faith has been Divinely vested in Judah (Gen. 49:10, Rom. 3:2, Matt. 23:2) and true believers have to subject themselves to this 'Scepter Rule' until He comes.
ANTI-SEMITISM:
ITS ROOTS AND PERSEVERANCE**
BY
DR. DAVID REAGAN
This
excellent article on Anti-Semitism and Replacement Theology was
published in the September 2007 issue of The Lamplighter,
the magazine of Lamb and Lion Ministries. Dr Reagan writes:
I
recently spoke at a conference where I was assigned the topic,
“Israel in the End Times.” I think I startled a lot of people
when I began my presentation by asking the question, “Is there
really any role for Israel in God’s plan for the end times?” I’m
sure most of my audience thought it was a silly question because most
of them were students of Bible prophecy and they were aware of the
fact that the Jewish people are the focal point of end time Bible
prophecy. But I proceeded to assure them that the question was not a
silly one. I explained that for almost 2,000 years the Church at
large, both Catholic and Protestant, has maintained that due to the
fact the Jews rejected Jesus as their Messiah, God poured out His
wrath on them in 70 AD, destroying their nation and their temple, and
that He has washed His hands of them, leaving them with no purpose
whatsoever as a nation. In short, because of their rebellion against
God in their rejection of Jesus, God has replaced Israel with the
Church, transferring the blessings promised to Israel to the Church.
This is called “Replacement Theology,” and those who believe in
it constitute the majority of professing Christians today.
Accordingly, they consider modern day Israel to be an accident of
history, with no spiritual significance whatsoever. And therefore,
they would deny that God has any special plans for the Jewish people
in the end times. Again, to them, the regathering of the Jews and the
re-establishment of Israel are simply accidents of history, with no
spiritual significance.
The
Origin of Replacement Theology
The
roots of Replacement Theology and its fruit of anti-Semitism go back
to the very beginning of Christianity. This is ironic when you
consider the fact that the Church began as a Jewish institution. It
was founded in Judea by Jews who were followers of a Jewish Messiah,
and all its founding documents were written by Jews. (1) The
oldest Christian symbol that has ever been found clearly emphasizes
the Jewish origins of Christianity. The symbol is carved into
artifacts found in Jerusalem that date back to the First
Century.(2) It shows the fish, the symbol of the Church,
emerging from Jewish roots, represented by the Menorah and the Star
of David. The fish became a symbol for Christians because the word
for fish in Greek is icthus, and Christians used the
letters of this word, ICTHUS, as an acronym for Iesous, Christos,
Theos, Huios, and Soter, meaning Jesus Christ, God’s Son and
Savior. But the distinctive Jewish flavor of early Christianity was
not to last long. As the Church began to spread beyond Judea, its
message was embraced by more and more Gentiles who had no interest in
maintaining contact with the Church’s Jewish roots. Even worse, the
new Gentile leaders began to turn against the Jews by characterizing
them as “Christ killers.” Consider the following examples:(3)
Ignatius
of Antioch (ca 50-117 AD) - Taught that those who partake of
the Passover are partakers with those who killed Jesus.(4)
Justin
Martyr (100-165 AD) - Claimed God’s covenant with Israel
was no longer valid and that the Gentiles had replaced the Jews.(5)
Irenaeus (ca
130-202 AD) - Declared the Jews were disinherited from the grace of
God.(6)
Tertullian (ca
155-230 AD) - Blamed the Jews for the death of Jesus and argued they
had been rejected by God.(7)
Origen (185-254
AD) - He was responsible for much anti-Semitism, all of which was
based on his assertion that the Jews were responsible for killing
Jesus.(8)
The
Council of Elvira (305 AD in Spain) - Prohibited Christians
from sharing a meal with a Jew, marrying a Jew, blessing a Jew or
observing the Sabbath.(9)
The
Council of Nicea (325 AD in Turkey) - Changed the
celebration of the Resurrection from the Jewish Feast of First Fruits
to Easter in an attempt to disassociate it from Jewish feasts. The
Council stated: “For it is unbecoming beyond measure that on this
holiest of festivals we should follow the customs of the Jews.
Henceforth let us have nothing in common with this odious people
...”(10)
Eusebius (ca
275-339 AD) - Taught that the promises of Scripture were meant for
the Gentiles and the curses were meant for the Jews. Asserted that
the Church was the “true Israel.”(11)
John
Chrysostom (349-407 AD) - Preached a series of sermons
against the Jews in which he stated, “The synagogue is not only a
brothel and a theater, it is also a den of robbers and lodging place
for wild beasts ... Jews are inveterate murderers possessed by the
Devil. Their debauchery and drunkenness gives the manners of a pig.”
He denied that Jews could ever receive forgiveness. He claimed it was
a Christian duty to hate Jews. He claimed that Jews worshiped Satan.
And this man was canonized a saint!(12)
Jerome (ca
347-420 AD) - Described the Jews as “... serpents wearing the image
of Judas. Their psalms and prayers are the braying of donkeys …
They are incapable of understanding Scripture …”(13)
St.
Augustine (354-430 AD) - Asserted that the Jews deserved
death but were destined to wander the earth to witness the victory of
the Church over the synagogue.”(14)
The
Middle Ages
By
the Middle Ages, two erroneous concepts had become established Church
doctrine: 1) The Jews should be considered “Christ killers” and
should be mistreated accordingly. 2) The Church has replaced Israel,
and God has no future purpose for the Jews. These concepts were
reinforced throughout the Middle Ages through the Crusades, the
Inquisition, passion plays, the black plague epidemic, and blood
libels. In 1095 Pope Urban II called for a crusade to rid the Holy
Land of its Muslim rulers. Although the prime goal of the crusade was
to liberate Jerusalem from the Muslims, Jews were a second target.
The accumulated hatreds and fears resulting from charges of deicide
(the murder of God) exploded with this call to arms. The abbot of
Cluny asked why Christians should travel to “the ends of the world
to fight the Saracens, when we permit among us other infidels a
thousand times more guilty toward Christ than the Mohammedans?”
Religious passion, greed, and the vulnerability of Jews led to the
rise of violent mobs who murdered thousands of Jews to the cry of
“Conversion or death!” This behavior continued for eight
additional crusades until the 9th in 1272.(15)
Passion
plays abounded during the Middle Ages, and they were used to
cultivate hatred toward the Jewish people. Jews were depicted as
demons who knew full well that Christ was the son of God. In each
play, as Christ carried the cross, he was tortured by bloodthirsty,
cursing devils with hooked noses, horns and tails. The Jews were made
to seem as evil as Christ was divine.(16) Throughout the Middle Ages,
professing Christians spread myths which helped to heighten popular
hatred and fear of the Jewish people. As a result, it became
commonplace among Christian groups to think of Jews as agents of
Satan. One of the most popular anti-Jewish myths that gained
widespread acceptance was the notion that Jews murdered Christians
each year around the time of Passover in order to get blood needed to
perform satanic rites. This became known as the charge of ritual
murder or “blood libel.” Another common myth that circulated
during these years was that Jews would steal the wafers used in
communion and stab them with knives, thus killing Christ once
again!(17)
The
Black Plague in the middle of the fourteenth century killed
approximately one-third of the population of Europe. At the time, it
was not known how the illness spread, but stories and rumors
circulated that Jews had poisoned the wells. Although the accusation
was totally unfounded, many Christians believed the myth. One reason
it was easy to believe is because the Jews were not impacted by the
plague as much as were the Gentiles. But this was due to the sanitary
laws of the Bible which the Jews carefully followed. This accusation
led to severe consequences for Jews. More than sixty Jewish
communities were burned to the ground with all their occupants
killed, and in some places, Jews were tortured and burned to death in
bonfires.(18)
In
1478, Pope Sixtus IV granted the monarchs of Spain, Ferdinand and
Isabella, the right to establish a special inquisition in Spain to
deal with baptized Jews who were suspected of remaining faithful to
Judaism. Thousands were burned at the stake by order of the Spanish
Inquisition. In 1492, King Ferdinand decided that all Spanish Jews
should be banned from Spain. It was feared that Jews were a danger to
Christianity. Approximately 150,000 Jews were forced to leave
Spain.(19)
The
Impact of the Reformation
Unfortunately,
the Reformation produced no changes in attitude. In fact, the hatred
of the Jews was reinforced and intensified by the writings of Martin
Luther, the very man who launched the Reformation. Initially, Luther
was sympathetic toward the Jews because he believed their rejection
of the Gospel was due to their recognition of the corruption of the
Roman Catholic Church. But when they continued to reject the Gospel,
Luther turned on them with a vengeance. In 1543 he wrote a pamphlet
entitled “Concerning The Jews and Their Lies.” The document was
an anti-Semitic diatribe. In it, he referred to the Jews as:
“A
miserable and accursed people”
“Stupid
fools”
“Miserable,
blind and senseless”
“Thieves
and robbers”
“The
great vermin of humanity”
“ Lazy
rogues”
“ Blind
and venomous” (20)
Having
dehumanized and demonized them, Luther then proceeded to make some
startling proposals for dealing with them:
Their
synagogues and schools should be burned.
Their
houses should be destroyed.
Their
Talmudic writings should be confiscated.
Their
Rabbis should be forbidden to teach.
Their
money should be taken from them.
They
should be compelled into forced labor.
Needless
to say, the Nazis gleefully quoted Luther as they rose to power and
launched the Holocaust. In his book Mein Kampf, published in
1925, Adolf Hitler referred to Martin Luther as “a great warrior, a
true statesmen, and a great reformer.” Keep in mind that Hitler was
a professed Christian. In 1924 at a Christian gathering in Berlin,
Hitler spoke to thousands and received a standing ovation when he
made the following proclamation: “I believe that today I am acting
in accordance with the will of Almighty God as I announce the most
important work that Christians could undertake - and that is to be
against the Jews and get rid of them once and for all.”(21) Hitler
then proceeded to talk about the influence of Luther on his life:
“Martin Luther has been the greatest encouragement of my life.
Luther was a great man. He was a giant. With one blow he heralded the
coming of the new dawn and the new age. He saw clearly that the Jews
need to be destroyed, and we’re only beginning to see that we need
to carry this work on.”(22) At the Nuremberg trials after World War
II, the Nazi leader, Julius Streicher, defended himself by saying, “I
have never said anything that Martin Luther did not say.”(23)
The
terrible truth that Christians do not like to face, and which many
are unaware of, is that the Holocaust was the product of 1,900 years
of virulent Christian anti-Semitism.
The
New Anti-Semitism
The
horror of the Holocaust tended to mute the most radical forms of
anti-Semitism among Christian leaders. But in reality, anti-Semitism
continues today in a new sophisticated form called anti-Zionism.
Whereas anti-Semitism sought to drive out the Jews from the lands
where they lived, anti-Zionism refuses to accept their right to live
in their own land. A good example of the new anti-Semitism can be
found in a document issued by Dr. James Kennedy’s Knox Theological
Seminary in 2002. It took the form of an open letter to Evangelicals
concerning the land of Israel.(24) It has since been endorsed by
hundreds of theologians and pastors, including such luminaries as R.
C. Sproul. The document begins by denouncing those who teach that the
Bible’s promises concerning the land of Israel are being fulfilled
today “in a special region or ‘Holy Land,’ perpetually set
apart by God for one ethnic group alone.”(25) It then proceeds to
proclaim that the promises made to Abraham “do not apply to any
particular ethnic group, but to the church of Jesus Christ, the
true Israel” (emphasis added).(26) The document then
specifically denies the Jew’s claim on any land in the Middle East:
“The entitlement of any one ethnic or religious group to territory
in the Middle East called the ‘Holy Land’ cannot be supported by
Scripture.” Then, incredibly, the document asserts that “the land
promises specific to Israel in the Old Testament were fulfilled under
Joshua.”(27) Adding salt to the wounds, the document concludes with
the following observation: “The present secular state of Israel ...
is not an authentic or prophetic realization of the Messianic kingdom
of Jesus Christ. Furthermore, a day should not be anticipated in
which Christ’s kingdom will manifest Jewish distinctives, whether
by its location in ‘the land,’ by its constituency, or by its
ceremonial institutions and practices.” (28)
And
so you have it - an overview of the sad and sordid history of
Christian anti-Semitism that is rooted in Replacement Theology and
which continues to this day under the guise of anti-Zionism.
There
are several good summaries on the Internet of the anti-Semitism of
the early Church Fathers. See, for example: a) YashaNet,
“Anti-Semitism of the ‘Church Fathers,’”
www.yashanet.com/library/fathers.htm, accessed on May 28, 2007.
It
is generally assumed that Luke, who wrote the Gospel of Luke and the
book of Acts, was a Gentile, but this is probably incorrect. For
evidence that Luke was a Jew, see the article, “Was Luke a
Gentile?” by Dr. Thomas S. McCall in the September
2007 Lamplighter magazine
published by Lamb and Lion Ministries.
** Lamb and Lion Ministries- We believe that there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
We believe in the deity of Jesus, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, and in our redemption through His shed blood.
The Scepter shall not depart from Judah until Shiloh** comes
Did the Advent of Messiah 2000 years ago take away the leadership and rule of Rabbinic authority and vested it in the Messiah? - or would Judah retain religious leadership until His future Coming? |
The answer to this question will determine whether Messianic believers today, should follow the guidance and teachings of Rabbinic authority or not. This question is particularly pertinent also to Jews who are discovering and accepting 'the Messiah of Christianity' in growing numbers and then, mistakenly, tend to turn away from their Jewish heritage.
Cautionary Note - Some readers may hastily conclude that this Web Study promotes the rejection of Messiah YAHU'SHUAH - far from it. The contents of this study, as also the general Proclamation of BIBLE REVELATIONS' Web Site throughout, confirm from Scripture that Messiah YAHU'SHUAH is indeed the One Eternal True God of Israel Himself.
Introduction
The title of this study comes from a Scripture which is foundational to the concept of whether Messianism and Hebraic Roots Restoration should be subject to Rabbinical authority and Jewish Halacha (the traditional Rabbinic or 'Oral Law' interpretation) or not:
Genesis 49:10 "The Sceptre (Shevet) shall not pass from Judah nor a Lawgiver(Mecho'keck) from between his feet, until Shiloh (He to whom it belongs) comes,to Whom the nations shall render obedience."
This Scripture has increasingly come under the Search light by serious students, who find in its traditional interpretation an unveiling of serious implications. The highlighting of this Scripture has also been brought about by an universal awakening to the need for Messianic non-Jewish believers to reject the teachings of Christianity against the Torah and the so-called 'Rabbinic authority' with its 'Oral Law' interpretation, and to 'return to their Hebraic Roots', which makes Torah observance a necessity. Simultaneously their is an increasing acceptance amongst Jews to accept the 'Christian Messiah' - unfortunately causing many of them to also accept the Christian rejection of Torah and Rabbinic authority.
This makes our topic a red hot issue, in fulfillment of far-reaching Biblical Prophecies for the nearing End Time, and the establishment of God's Kingdom on earth. Our Key text also forms part of such a Prophecy for 'the Last Days', given by Jacob as a Blessing over each of his 12 sons from whom the 12 Tribes of Israel would stem (Gen. 49:28).
It is important that we take clear note of the Hebrew words used in this text, as indicated in brackets behind three key words of this statement, i.e.
Shevet = Scepter, also Tribe. The word Shevet is used 190 times in the Bible. Of these, 141 times it is translated 'tribe' as when directly referring to the 12 Tribes of Israel. In 10 instances only, it is translated 'Scepter' - as is the common translation for our Key Text above. Accordingly, it seems to refer to the 'ruling sceptre' (as of a king) of the Tribe of Judah (the Jews), which shall not depart from (or be removed from) Judah "until Shiloh comes to whom it belongs". If we apply the majority translation of "tribe" to this word, then it would infer that the Tribal Identity of Judah would not fall away or be removed from Judah 'until Shiloh comes' - to Whom the Lawgiver status belongs, as confirmed in the following paragraph which reviews the 2nd identifying Hebrew word in this important but intricate text. This latter concept seems a more acceptable version which is in context with much of the rest of Scripture, i.e. that Judah would retain its identity and lawgiving status (as opposed to the 10 Tribes of Israel who would lose their identity) until the 2 estranged Houses of Israel (the 10 Lost Tribes and Judah) would be re-united in the 'latter Days'.
Mecho'qeck = Lawgiver (pronounce 'ch' as in 'Bach'). This is a clear confirmation of the ruling 'Lawgiver' status that is awarded to the Tribe of Judah (the Jews) by Divine Decree, "until Shiloh comes, to Whom it belongs".
Psalm 60:6,7 "God has spoken in His Holiness ... 'Judah is My Lawgiver'." AlsoPsalm 108:8 - exactly the same Hebrew word Mecho'qeck is used in these amazing confirmations.
Shiloh = He to whom it belongs
As part of the renewed emphasis and research into our Key Text, let us consider the following questions:
- How long will Judah rule in authority as mandated by God in this Scripture?
- Who will take over the Scepter Rule?
In our search for answers, let us also rephrase this Text in the light of the true meaning of the Hebrew words above, as follows:
Genesis 49:10 "The tribal identity (Shevet) shall not pass from Judah nor its Lawgiving status (Mecho'qeck), until Shiloh (He to whom it belongs) comes, to Whom the nations shall render obedience."
No doubt, some readers will at this stage accuse us of 'adding' to the Scriptures, or reading strange concepts into the traditional and more popular renderings of this all important text. Experienced Bible students, through their studies though, would by now have come to the awakening discovery that traditional translations can not always be trusted. The golden rule is that the Scriptures should be closely considered in its proper context, thereby interpreting itself in unshakable Truth. You are therefore requested to impartially consider this content, withholding any hasty conclusions till the end of this page.
Did MESSIAH fulfil the 'Coming of Shiloh'
with His first Advent?
There is a Messianic school of thought which opposes and rejects "Rabbinic authority and legalism", maintaining that Messiah's advent 2000 years ago, fulfills the "Coming of Shiloh" in that “All authority / rule / power in heaven and on earth has (since) been given to Messiah” -according to YAHU'SHUAH Himself inMath. 28:18. Therefore, Judaism and Rabbinic leadership no longer holds 'the Scepter', or Lawgiver status (rule) - "Messiah now does", they maintain.
Let us investigate this claim which also ties up with the claim that, according to Prophetic Script, "David’s throne shall never go empty." (Jeremiah 33:17-26and I Chronicles 17:12-14). So, seeing that there is no Davidic king in Israel today, these people claim that we have to conclude that Messiah YAHU'SHUAHdoes now in fact hold the Davidic Rule and Kingship, and that Rabbinic rule therefore is no longer valid or applicable. The extreme version of this teaching is, that we are no longer 'under the Law' but under Grace. We therefore have to forego any notion of authority or 'Scepter rule' which still resides in Judah (the Jews) the Scribes and Pharisees or any other than the resurrected Messiah Himself, it is claimed.
Does the Bible really teach that there is to be at all times a Davidic ruler sitting on the royal throne of Israel, without an interruption, as there seems to have been for the last 2000 years? How do the claims of Christianity and Messianic believers (including Jewish Messianics), that Messiah is now "sitting on David's Throne" as the Scepter Ruler, line up with the Biblical Declaration that "David’s throne shall never go empty?"
This Scepter rule can be divided into various dispensations. It must be emphasised, at the outset, that during all this time, while the Scepter was given to Judah by YHVH, He was King Himself.
Psalm 29:10 "... YHVH sits enthroned as King forever."
Isaiah 33:22 "... For YHVH is our Lawgiver, YHVH our King and our Saviour."
Some readers may immediately see a contradiction with regard to the 'Lawgiver' status of Judah as referred to in Psalm 60:7 quoted here above, which claims that . 'Judah is His Lawgiver'. The answer is of course, that YHVH, the only Lawgiver, has 'delegated' this status to His 'Chosen' vessel, Judah, as He has also delegated the direct rule over His nation Israel, to Moses, the Judges and the kings of Judah.
Important also - even after the split of the kingdom into Judah and the Northern 10 Israel tribes in the time of king Solomon, the kings of 10-Israel were subject to the rule of the kings of Judah - though Israel rejected it and slipped into paganism and idol worship. Judah continued its rule over mainly two Tribes only: Judah and Benjamin and those Israelites from the Northern Kingdom, who found it impossible to worship YHVH according to His Decrees under the pagan conditions ruling in Northern Israel and they therefore moved to Judah, the Southern Kingdom (2 Chronicles 11:13; 12:9).
Fit 2 Chron 13 -15 re Judah's authority
The various dispensations of the 'Scepter Rule - given to Judah', are as follows:
The Judges of Israel whom God had appointed as shepherds of Israel (12 Tribes), spanning the period after the revelation of the Law from Mt Sinai, the Tabernacle period in the Wilderness, up to the building of the Temple in Jerusalem by king David (2 Samuel 7:7);
The Davidic kingship, up to the time of the exile of Judah into Babylon and the destruction of the 1st Temple in Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar in 587 BCE - and here ended the kingdom era for Israel and Judah - almost 600 years before the Advent of Messiah.
Please note, that these two dispensations spanned a period during which first, 'Israel' consisted of 12 tribes, and after the exile of Northern Israel (the 10 Tribes) in 721 BCE, only the Southern Kingdom of Judah remained.
Does the fact that both Israel and Judah lost their kingdoms, mean that YHVH reneged on His Promise of an unbroken kingdom line to king David? This Promise was conveyed in a special Divine revelation to David, as related in 2 Samuel 7, that YHVH would preserve and secure the sovereignty of David's offspring 'forever'? (verse 12, 13). This Divine Promise is also pronounced in a Declaration of YHVH Himself, through His prophet, in:
Jeremiah 33:17 "For YHVH says this: 'David shall never lack a male descendant to sit on the Throne of the House of Israel. And the Levitical priests will never lack a male descendant to stand in My Presence and offer holocaust, to burn the oblation and to sacrifice every day ... If you could break My Covenant with the Day and My Covenant with the Night, so that day and night not come at their due time, then My Covenant with David My servant might also be broken and he would have no son to reign on his throne and so might My Covenant with the Levitical Priests, who are My ministers
Certainly a very emphatic Divine Declaration. Those who claim that Messiah's Kingship now replaces the Sceptre Rule of Judah, will also use the Divine revelation to David in 2 Samuel 7, to confirm their position:
2 Samuel 7:12b,13, "I will preserve the offspring of your (David's) body after you and make His sovereignty secure It is He Who shall build a Temple for My Name and I will make His Royal Throne secure forever."
This is an obvious reference to the Messiah Who will sit on the Throne of Israel (all 12 Tribes) forever.
If these Scriptures indeed refer to such 'uninterrupted reign" on the throne of Israel, then the suggestion that Messiah's Advent took over the Scepter Rule from Judah, falls by the wayside, since history records that the 10 Tribes of Northern Israel already lost their Kingdom 8 centuries before Messiah appeared, followed by the destruction of the Southern Kingdom of Judah, some 600 years before Messiah. Jewish anti-missionaries use this argument to invalidate the claims of YAHU'SHUAH as Messiah, and to destroy the faith of those Messianics who are Jewish, or pro-Jewish.
We have here a dilemma, that even if we can prove that Jeremiah's Prophecy indeed referred to an interrupted and not an uninterrupted reign, the Messianics who discard Rabbinic authority are still wrong - for we can also prove from Scripture that Messiah did not take over the Scepter from Judah 2000 years ago, at His 1st Advent, and that this taking over is yet future - when He Returns.
Therefore it follows, that there must be a different interpretation of "David shallnever lack a male descendant to sit on the Throne of the House of Israel. nor will there ever be the lack a male descendant for the Levitical priests, to stand in His Prescence for the daily offerings ..."
The time placement and application to Messiah's Rule which has 'taken over the Sceptre Rule' from Judah since His Advent 2000 years ago, should also be re-considered.
Let us therefore investigate the Divine Declaration in the original Hebrew text, in context with other sections of Scripture which refer to this issue. Rather than deny or discard the claims that Messiah YAHU'SHUAH ever existed, as anti-Missionary Rabbis teach, let us simultaneously also bear in mind a question which underlies our topic and which may simply have a different Time setting:
When did / does / will the Kingship of Messiah really start, in order to end the Scepter rule of Judah?
The Kingdom Rule of Messiah
We will kick-off our research with a comparison of various translations of Jeremiah 33:17 and a closer consideration of the original Hebrew script.
Jeremiah 33:17 "For YHVH says this: 'David shall never lack a male descendant to sit on the Throne of the House of Israel. And the Levitical priests will never lack a male descendant to stand in My Presence and offer holocaust, to burn the oblation and to sacrifice every day."
Note the underlined words which have implanted the concept of 'uninterrupted Rule' in the minds of non-Hebrew Messianic interpreters.
The "Complete Jewish Bible" of David Stern renders it as follows:
"There will never be cut off from David a man to occupy the throne of the House of Israel, nor will there ever be cut off from the Cohanim who are Livinim(Levites) a man before Me to offer burnt Offerings and Sacrifice every day..."
The answer to our search also revolves round the question: "Are we in the Kingdom era" right now?" Messiah taught Messianics to pray "... Let Thy Kingdom come..." Would we be praying thus, if we were already in the Kingdom? It would be entirely superfluous to repeat all the Scriptural statements here, which describe His Coming on the clouds, His Judgment and then only, afterwards, the setting up of His Kingdom. Many believers do not believe that His Kingdom will be established on earth - in Jerusalem - Scripture however is emphatic about an earthly Kingdom! All we then have to do, is ask ourselves: "Where is His Kingdom on earth today?"
Scripture is also emphatic that His Kingdom will be a Kingdom of Peace. "Where is this Peace to be found among the nations today?" This Kingdom will rule over allthe nations. "Where is that happening?"
Clearly the Kingdom has not been established yet. It is in preparation, sure! Souls are being spiritually moulded and prepared to rule with Him in His Kingdom - they are not doing so yet.
Psalm 110:1 confirms: "Sit Thou at My Right Hand until I have made Thine enemies Thy footstool." He is not ruling over His enemies yet!
Then, there is the Marriage of the Lamb - the King taking His Bride - which will only happen at His Coming.
It is no less than an insult to His Integrity and Royal Stature, to insinuate that He is ruling today! We are clearly still in a dispensation of His delegating His authority. Question is: "To Who, if not to Judah?" - as Gen. 49:10 determines, "until Shiloh (the One to Whom the Sceptre Rule belongs) comes?"
Why did He, from way back, delegate His authority in the first instance? Because He is not to be found for consultation by mankind - even Moses had to be shielded to communicate with Him. Where is Messiah to be communicated today for resolving the queries and questions of His followers, if He is ruling, as Messianics claim He does? It again amounts to gross insult to His Integrity!
He has set up a 'System' from Mosaic Days, and it is still solidly and unbrokenly in place to this day. He has elected Judah as His "Marshal's baton" Ps. 60:7 (Jerusalem Bible), (alt. 'Scepter' (D. Stern), 'Lawgiver' (KJV) . He has kept Judah as "His Portion" Zech 2: 12 (or 16). He has set Judah up as caretakers of His Oracles (Rom. 3:2) until He will come as King to Rule in His Kingdom from Jerusalem in Israel. And He has instructed His followers to abide by the rulings and guidance of those from whom the Scepter has not yet departed - the 'Scribes and the Pharisees', i.e. Rabbinic authority of today, as we read in:
Math. 23:2 "YAHU'SHUAH said: 'The Scribes and the Pharisees occupy the chair of Moses. You must therefore do what they tell you and listen to what they say."
Messianics claim that they are no longer under the Sceptre of Judah but under the rule of Messiah. However, they differ from congregation to congregation on what the Kingdom Rules entail and overall, they differ with Judaism and its Rabbinic authority. Some have set up their own Beth Din (House of Law) but again, these differ from group to group, often vehemently so. Certainly not the unity one would expect from the Kingdom Rule. The accusation inherent in this way of reasoning, is that Messiah has turned against the Scepter Rule of Judah, overthrown it, and replaced it with this labyrinthine set of contradicting Messianic rules - a serious indictment if it were not founded!
Ps. 2:6, YHVH claiming "This is My King, installed by Me on Mt Zion, My Holy Mountain." If this applies to Messiah over the last 2000 yrs since His Advent "to take away the Scepter from Judah" - why is it that for most of these 2000 years Jerusalem and the Holy Mount was under non-Jewish, even non-Christian jurisdiction? How come that at this very moment, the Temple Mount where the Temple of YHVH, the King is supposed to stand, there is the "Dome of the Rock" - a Muslim place of worship, where Jews are not allowed at all, and Christians are not allowed to pray?
The very theory of 'forcing' a Kingly replacement (Messiah) onto the throne of Israel for the dispensations since His Advent 2000 yrs ago, to maintain a line of kingship in order to "fulfill the Prophetic directive that there shall never be a time without a King for Israel" (one of our main topics of discussion here), is disproved by the Scriptures itself in:
Hosea 3:4-5, ". . . for the children of Israel shall abide many days without kingor prince, without sacrifice or sacred pillar, without ephod or teraphim. Afterward the children of Israel shall return and seek YHVH their God and David their king. They shall fear YHVH and His goodness in the latter days."
This prophecy completely undermines the contention that Judaism is deficient because it lacks a Davidic king. The Jewish people are today without a king precisely as Hosea had foretold. Moreover, the Church’s claim to have such a King places an enormous strain on Christian and Messianic theology.
Missionaries and Messianics also use Genesis 49:10 to support their argument of unbroken Kingship Rule, by applying the Scepter Rule to the lacking presence of a king. They fail to realize that it refers in more particular to the religious Rule over His people - as was originally mandated to Moses, the Judges, later the Levitical priesthood, then the Pharisees and later and to this day, Rabbinic authority.
There is a great move in the world today, amongst serious Bible students, who are discovering their 'Jewish or Hebraic Roots'. This awareness is the cause of a great restoration movement amongst Christians to reject the pagan customs of Christianity and to 'return to' the tenets of the Original One True Faith as espoused in the Bible. In the process they are drifting closer to Judaism all the time. There remains one great obstacle though for them in the process of a total Return, and that is the rejection by Judaism of the 'Christian' Messiah and the authority of the 'legalistic' Rabbis.
Simultaneously there is a massive evangelistic onslaught on Jews to bring them to acceptance of the 'Christian' Messiah. In the process, those increasing numbers of Jews who accept the Messiah, then join up with the anti-Rabbinic Messianic movements thereby rejecting their Jewish heritage.
While Prophetic Script predicts a re-uniting of these two estranged factions into "one nation" (Ezek. 37:15) the question arises whether this current communal middle field of opposition against the Scepter of Judah complies with the Prophetic stipulation of 'one nation', or whether Satan has already, ahead of time, prepared a distraction for those who follow the ancient line of 'rebellion' against the Will and Decrees of YHVH - which was initiated even in the Garden of Eden shortly after Creation.
It is the contention of BIBLE REVELATIONS, that the 'Coming of Shiloh' will only have been fulfilled when He Returns to set up His Kingdom and to rule over the world, from Jerusalem in Israel. Until that happens, His followers have to follow Him according to the tenets of the Original True Bible Faith. The authority and guidance over this Faith has been Divinely vested in Judah (Gen. 49:10, Rom. 3:2, Matt. 23:2) and true believers have to subject themselves to this 'Scepter Rule' until He comes. In this way, and in this way only, the Prophetic forecast of the restored unification into 'one' nation can possibly take place. Any other attempt at restoring the Original True Faith will simply extend the animosity between the 2 estranged houses of Israel and eternalize the division. Opposers of this Divine Purpose will raise every possible argument against this unification, as does the topic of Shiloh and the Scepter Rule discussed above.
The correct interpretation of this issue of 'The Scepter Rule' and one's personal commitment thereto, is therefore a serious decision - one that could affect the inheritance of Eternal Life or not!
Matt Johnson is a pastor at Mars Hill Church and publication manager for Re:lit and Resurgence. He also serves as a leader in Mars Hill's Redemption groups. Throughout the 90s and the early part of the decade, Matt was a traveling musician. Matt met his wife, Rose, at Mars Hill in '97 and they served in music ministry together for over 10 years. In recent years Matt has written music criticism for Paste Magazine, Three Imaginary Girls, Seattle Sound, and Bandoppler. Matt and Rose got married in 2001 and they have two young daughters.