The Brotherhood of Judah and Ephraim / September 2008

The Brotherhood of Judah and Ephraim

Contents

• The Brotherhood of Judah and Ephraim

The story of the Prodigal son is really the story of two brothers. The younger brother left home and got into trouble and finally realized he would be better off back home as a servant, but when he returned home his older brother resented the way his father joyously received him. The older brother is really Judah and the younger brother is a prodigal son named Ephraim.

This year, a new organization is in the process of being formed involving Jews, Evangelical Christians, and a group of Messianic believers called B’nai Ephraim (the children of Ephraim). It is a pro-Israel organization inviting membership from all over the world. The name of the organization is Worldwide Biblical Zionists. Zionism, as defined by those living in Israel, is the “building of a Jewish homeland.” Pro-Israel Evangelical Christians support Zionism because they see the evidence in the Scriptures for the land of Israel to be the home of the Jewish people and live by the ideals of a Jewish state. But this other group, B’nai Ephraim, has only begun to emerge within the last ten years, many out of evangelical Christianity and the Messianic movement. Actually, they are the disputed majority of the Messianic movement.

The Messianic Movement is a movement within this last generation for Jewish persons (and others) to come to faith in Messiah Yeshua and not surrender their identity as Jews. As they have increased in numbers, a more numerous element has joined them who have no claim of being born Jewish but they want to be brothers to the Jewish people. You would think that Messianic Jews would relish this brotherhood. Instead, the leading Messianic Jewish organizations have cast aspersions on them, calling them “Jewish wannabes,” and have organized themselves in a class society relegating non-Jews to second class status. Some have even gone further, calling them heretics in the faith. The irony is that the vast majority of persons attending Messianic Jewish assemblies fall within this definition.

Interestingly, there are Jews living in the land building Zion who are genuinely intrigued by these B’nai Ephraim groups scattered in the nations. They see a people who are honest and transparent about their faith in the God of Israel and Messiah Yeshua. They don’t see a people trying to change them from being Jews, but instead support them in building Israel. They see a humble people seeking to serve, not to be in charge. They see a people who keep Sabbath and the festivals, who don’t eat unclean things, and who strive to keep the Torah just like them. They don’t see them endorsing the religions of Christianity or Judaism. They see a people who joyously seek to obey the Lord. They have heard that we dance and display banners for all of the tribes when we gather for festivals.

These people–B’nai Ephraim–have returned to the Torah, the teaching of Moses, and have been rejected by their parent Christian churches for being “too Jewish” and at the same time have been rejected by the new Messianic Jewish congregations for not being “Jewish” enough. Their only desire is to love the God of Israel and hold to the Biblical definition of Israel. The Biblical definition they hold to says that the world is defined into two groups: believers of the God of Israel and unbelievers (those who believe in other gods or themselves). They further believe that the Kingdom of God is called Israel, which is composed of the King of Israel, the servants of God, and the Promised Land.

According to the Biblical definition, this kingdom came to first be defined by Abraham. He left his father’s house to go to a “promised land.” This land was promised to him and his descendants. It turns out that the line of “descendants” did not follow the physical firstborn, but instead was determined by God Himself; thus, Isaac, and not Ishmael, was chosen. Isaac’s firstborn Esau was not chosen. Instead, Esau’s twin, Jacob was chosen. God’s choosing followed down further. Reuben, the firstborn of Jacob, did not receive the firstborn blessings. They went to Joseph. Even Joseph’s firstborn Manasseh was not chosen. Instead, Ephraim was chosen. Jacob’s blessing upon Ephraim (his grandson, elevating him to the level of a son) is the standard to this day for a father to bless his son.

When the physical firstborn of Israel were spared God’s judgment at the Passover, they became the possession of the Lord. He redeemed them out of Egypt. However, God chose again to take the entire tribe of Levi as a substitute for the physical firstborn of all Israel. Does it end there? No.

There was another division that came out of Israel shortly after the death of King Solomon. Jeroboam, the leader of Ephraim, rose up to power and drew the northern tribes of Israel away from the leadership of the House of David (King David and Solomon) of the tribe of Judah. Israel became two kingdoms: the House of Israel led by Ephraim and the House of Judah led by Judah. This was during the time of the prophets. Hosea was one of the first prophets sent to the House of Israel. Other prophets emerged, such as Isaiah and Jeremiah, who were prophets to the House of Judah. All of the prophets spoke of two Israels: remnant Israel and unbelieving Israel. Remnant Israel were those either in the Northern or Southern Kingdoms who still held to the Torah and believed in the God of Israel. Isaiah said that in his day the remnant was small. Eventually, as the prophets foretold, Israel was taken away by the Assyrians into captivity. According to the prophet Jeremiah, Judah was taken captive by the Babylonians for a period of 70 years. Ezekiel and Daniel were contemporaries of the remnant in the Babylonian captivity of Judah. It is said that the remnant of Judah were those who returned to the land. But all of the prophets spoke of a great worldwide captivity that Israel and Judah would endure. In 70 AD the Romans captured Jerusalem, and the Jews were either killed systematically or sent away into captivity. That was until 1948 when a Jewish state was re-established.

The Biblical definition of Israel states that eventually not only will Judah return but the people of the northern kingdom–the house of Israel led by Ephraim–would also join with Judah in the land. Today, we see a Jewish state in modern Israel. But where is Ephraim, the brother of Judah? Where is the fulfillment of what most of the prophecies of the return say?

Judaism seems to follow the Biblical history; however, since the dispersion by the Romans a Jewish person is defined as born of a Jewish mother, physical descendancy. Christianity also holds to Judaism’s definition unless they convert to Christianity, then they are Christians. Messianic Jews tend to hold to Judaism’s definition despite their testimony of the Messiah but are more liberal in granting Jewish identity to those born of a Jewish father as well. None of these definitions match the Biblical definition.

The Worldwide Biblical Zionist organization holds to the Biblical definition and is attempting for the first time in 2700 years to renew again the brotherhood of Judah and Ephraim. Only those persons who follow the instructions of Moses and the prophets will understand this. Christians for the most part are ignorant of the prophecies of the Restoration of Israel (the two houses of Israel). Many Messianic Jewish leaders are actually opposed to the Biblical definition of Israel. They prefer to keep it just as Jews and Gentiles. The orthodox Jews don’t believe in national Israel, the Zionist definition. This is what makes Worldwide Biblical Zionists unique in a world full of pro-Israel organizations. There are many organizations promoting Israel based on the Bible. Many are humanitarian; some are political. Some just want to right the wrongs against Jews historically. However, only the WBZ promotes the Torah for all people and recognizes that Judah has a brother in the nations. They are not Jews; they are not Gentiles. They are B’nai Ephraim. They are the remnant of Israel scattered in all of the nations just as the Jews were, and they are seeking their home with Judah according to the promise of their father Abraham.

Before I lay out the Scriptural basis for the House of Israel and B’nai Ephraim, let me take you back to a parable told by Yeshua. It is prophetic to this very day and this very subject. It is the story of the prodigal son. There are two parts to the story; most have only paid attention to the first part.

And He said, A certain man had two sons; and the younger of them said to his father, “Father, give me the share of the estate that falls to me.” And he divided his wealth between them. And not many days later, the younger son gathered everything together and went on a journey into a distant country, and there he squandered his estate with loose living. Now when he had spent everything, a severe famine occurred in that country, and he began to be in need. And he went and attached himself to one of the citizens of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he was longing to fill his stomach with the pods that the swine were eating, and no one was giving anything to him. But when he came to his senses, he said, “How many of my father's hired men have more than enough bread, but I am dying here with hunger! I will get up and go to my father, and will say to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me as one of your hired men.’” And he got up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him, and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him, and kissed him. And the son said to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.” But the father said to his slaves, “Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet; and bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let us eat and be merry; for this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again; he was lost, and has been found.” And they began to be merry.

Luke 15:11-24

After King Solomon, Ephraim left the nation of Israel thinking they would be better off separated from Judah and Jerusalem. Jeroboam didn’t want Israel to have anything to do with them, including the three pilgrimage feasts of Passover, Weeks, and Tabernacles. Instead, he constructed two temples similar to Jerusalem, one in Bethel and one in Dan, but installed golden calves in them instead of the Ark of the Covenant. The symbol of Ephraim, by the way, is a calf as a descendant of Joseph the bull. Ephraim was warned repeatedly. The prophet Hosea used the naming of his children as the message against Ephraim. First they would be “scattered.” Then God would have “no compassion” upon them. Finally, they would be called “not my people.” This exactly what happened to Ephraim. They were scattered by the Assyrians with multiple groups being taken into captivity. God did not show compassion in their need and finally, even Ephraim lost his identity as being part of Israel. But the prophets also said that God would not forget them nor forsake them, that a day would come when Ephraim would be rejoined with his brother Judah. More on that later.

The prodigal son is Ephraim. He willingly walked away, choosing his own path separate from Judah and Jerusalem. It did not work to his favor. He was carried away by his enemies. He lost his identity. The mystery of the ten lost tribes has been the stuff of legends for many years. Various groups and nations have laid claim to it but none have succeeded nor seen the prophecies fulfilled. British-Israelism laid claim to this story. Even the modern European Union, with its twelve-stars-in-a-circle flag based on Joseph’s dream, lays claim to be the descendants of Joseph (Ephraim and Manasseh). The Mormons believe they are the latter day saints originating from the son of Joseph. Many groups, from Native Americans to the Irish, have tried to claim descendancy as well. Mainstream Christian groups have for the most part turned a dull ear to the entire discussion and have ignored the prophecies of Ephraim’s return. Since most believers are ignorant of the prophecies, it is easy for the subject to be essentially hidden from them.

How do we identify the true Ephraim scattered in the nations? While men may struggle with this, God does not. Since it is God’s promise to bring them back, it is not a great concern for us. But there are some clues about their identity that can be discerned from the prophetic promise of Scripture. First, they have to be a people who are not Jews. They are Ephraim. However, they hold to the Torah and see themselves as descendants of Abraham, children of promise. They also must relate to the remnant of Israel, believing in the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. They must have nothing to do with the idols of the nations, cease from consuming detestable foods (prefer kosher and that which is clean), and they must stop transgressing the commandments of the Lord. They also return like the prodigal son, only desiring to serve, not asserting their sonship. Finally, they are called “The sons of the Living God.”

Yet the number of the sons of Israel [the Northern Kingdom] will be like the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured or numbered; and it will come about that, in the place where it is said to them, “You are not My people,” It will be said to them, “You are the sons of the living God.”

Hosea 1:10

This is where their testimony of Yeshua the Messiah becomes apparent.

As the word of the Worldwide Biblical Zionist organization has spread, the response among Messianics (who do not assert themselves to be Jewish) has been enthusiastic and heartfelt. They now understand why the Spirit of God has put upon them the unction to turn to the Torah, to love their Jewish brethren, and given them a desire to live in the land of Israel. Just as the story speaks of a feast with a fatted calf, there is a sense of great joy that one day soon Ephraim will be able to return to the land and join Judah as Ezekiel prophesied.

The second part of the story of the prodigal son deals with the older brother Judah.

Now his older son was in the field, and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. And he summoned one of the servants and began inquiring what these things might be. And he said to him, your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound. But he became angry, and was not willing to go in; and his father came out and began entreating him. But he answered and said to his father, Look! For so many years I have been serving you, and I have never neglected a command of yours; and yet you have never given me a kid, that I might be merry with my friends; but when this son of yours came, who has devoured your wealth with harlots, you killed the fattened calf for him. And he said to him, My child, you have always been with me, and all that is mine is yours. But we had to be merry and rejoice, for this brother of yours was dead and has begun to live, and was lost and has been found.

Luke 15:25-32

Not everyone who is Jewish is going to like the idea of Ephraim returning to the land. Among Messianic Jews here in America, they are already opposed to even recognizing Ephraim’s existence let alone the fulfillment of these prophecies of Judah and Ephraim coming together as brothers.

Having addressed this controversy for more than a decade, I still find it incredulous that my fellow Messianic Jews dispute the Biblical definition of Israel. It appears that they have no clear understanding of the prophets on this matter. In their apparent ignorance they choose to slander and scorn their brethren, even arguing that should Ephraim return it would be to “replace” the Jews. These same leaders have compromised their own testimony in the land of Israel and re-enforced stereotypes of Christians among the Orthodox and average citizen. Presently, no one except Jews may immigrate to Israel. Those Messianic Jews who immigrated to Israel essentially falsified their testimony to gain citizenship. Now that they are in the land, they are seen as hypocrites and the average Jewish citizen wants nothing to do with them. This is not true in every case, but this is the general perception and testimony.

The present political landscape of Israel blocks any return of Ephraim. If God is going to open the door for Ephraim’s return, it will most likely come as a result of a cataclysmic event, such as a regional war with the defeat of Israel’s enemies. More on that later.

Back to Yeshua’s story of the prodigal son … The complaint of the older brother [the Jews] is based on envy. He has faithfully remained in the house [the Jews did not lose their identity] and yet he has had no party thrown for him, not even a kid (the typical sacrifice of a Jew at the temple). In the end, the father’s counsel is accepted since God is interested in seeing “all Israel” being saved and returned to the land. This is the same vision Jews have – all Israel being saved, the same spoken of by the Apostle Paul.

For I do not want you, brethren, to be uninformed of this mystery, lest you be wise in your own estimation, that a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fulness of the Gentiles has come in; and thus all Israel will be saved; just as it is written, “The Deliverer will come from Zion, He will remove ungodliness from Jacob.”

Romans 11:25-26

I have heard many Christian teachers struggle with the identity of “all Israel” given by Paul in Romans 11. This is primarily due to the lack of understanding in the underlining prophecies of restoration by all prophets including Moses. They know nothing of how the restoration of Jacob means the salvation of the whole house of Israel at the end of the ages, when the time of the Gentiles (the end of the exile) comes to completion. They don’t understand the greater exodus, one much greater than Egypt, nor do they see how the Messiah is going to fulfill an even greater promise than the redemption. It is no wonder that the return of B’nai Ephraim is so perplexing and confusing to them.

However, there is a remnant within Israel that is seeing this, and they are just as amazed as the remnant that is still scattered in the nations. They are seeing the Word of God coming alive and being fulfilled in our days.

“For, behold, days are coming,”declares the Lord, “When I will restore the fortunes of My people Israel and Judah.” The Lord says, “I will also bring them back to the land that I gave to their forefathers, and they shall possess it.”

Jeremiah 30:3

Jeremiah, a prophet to Judah, also spoke of when Ephraim would return. It is a striking prophecy, one that has not yet been fulfilled. In these days, now that Judah is in the land, Jeremiah’s words are coming alive.

For there shall be a day when watchmen on the hills of Ephraim shall call out, “Arise, and let us go up to Zion, to the Lord our God.” For thus says the Lord, “Sing aloud with gladness for Jacob, and shout among the chiefs of the nations; proclaim, give praise, and say, ‘O Lord, save Thy people, The remnant of Israel.’ Behold, I am bringing them from the north country, and I will gather them from the remote parts of the earth, among them the blind and the lame, the woman with child and she who is in labor with child, together; a great company, they shall return here. With weeping they shall come, and by supplication I will lead them; I will make them walk by streams of waters, on a straight path in which they shall not stumble; for I am a father to Israel, And Ephraim is My first–born.” Hear the word of the Lord, O nations, and declare in the coastlands afar off, and say, “He who scattered Israel will gather him, and keep him as a shepherd keeps his flock.” For the Lord has ransomed Jacob, and redeemed him from the hand of him who was stronger than he. And they shall come and shout for joy on the height of Zion, and they shall be radiant over the bounty of the Lord— over the grain, and the new wine, and the oil, and over the young of the flock and the herd; and their life shall be like a watered garden, and they shall never languish again. Then the virgin shall rejoice in the dance, and the young men and the old, together, for I will turn their mourning into joy, and will comfort them, and give them joy for their sorrow. And I will fill the soul of the priests with abundance, and My people shall be satisfied with My goodness,” declares the Lord.

Jeremiah 31:6-14

This is clearly about the brother of Judah returning to the land. This is not a prophecy of Judah, this is about B’nai Ephraim returning to the God of Israel from the nations. This is also a description of the majority of the people in the Messianic movement and a lot of Evangelical Christians who are interested in the Torah and God’s promises. They are the ones who are far off who have turned to the promises of God, hoping for their return to the land.

I have surely heard Ephraim grieving, “Thou hast chastised me, and I was chastised, like an untrained calf; bring me back that I may be restored, for Thou art the Lord my God. For after I turned back, I repented; and after I was instructed, I smote on my thigh; I was ashamed, and also humiliated, because I bore the reproach of my youth.” “Is Ephraim My dear son? Is he a delightful child? Indeed, as often as I have spoken against him, I certainly still remember him; therefore My heart yearns for him; I will surely have mercy on him,” declares the Lord.

Jeremiah 31:18-20

The prophet Jeremiah envisioned a day when Ephraim would return to Judah and the promised land. This is the day when Ephraim feels, wants, and desires to be restored but doesn’t know what to do. This is why Ephraim seeks the fellowship of the Father and his older brother Judah. Consider what Ezekiel had to say the house of Israel led by Ephraim, which is very similar to what Jeremiah said.

Therefore, say to the house of Israel, “Thus says the Lord God, it is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am about to act, but for My holy name, which you have profaned among the nations where you went. And I will vindicate the holiness of My great name which has been profaned among the nations, which you have profaned in their midst. Then the nations will know that I am the Lord,” declares the Lord God, “When I prove Myself holy among you in their sight. For I will take you from the nations, gather you from all the lands, and bring you into your own land. Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances. And you will live in the land that I gave to your forefathers; so you will be My people, and I will be your God. Moreover, I will save you from all your uncleanness; and I will call for the grain and multiply it, and I will not bring a famine on you. And I will multiply the fruit of the tree and the produce of the field, that you may not receive again the disgrace of famine among the nations. Then you will remember your evil ways and your deeds that were not good, and you will loathe yourselves in your own sight for your iniquities and your abominations.”

Ezekiel 36:22-31

Judah has been building Zion in the land. Ephraim has seen this–the word of the Lord being fulfilled–and has begun to repent. Ephraim has turned from the ways of the nations, even from the idolatry of the church, and has sought to be cleansed properly by the Lord. As well, Ephraim has searched to see if the promises of God belong to him so that he might return. He has been encouraged by the promise of God to cleanse him and join him with his brother Judah.

The word of the Lord came again to me saying, and you, son of man, take for yourself one stick and write on it, “For Judah and for the sons of Israel, his companions”; then take another stick and write on it, “For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim and all the house of Israel, his companions.” Then join them for yourself one to another into one stick, that they may become one in your hand. And when the sons of your people speak to you saying, “Will you not declare to us what you mean by these?” say to them, “Thus says the Lord God, ‘Behold, I will take the stick of Joseph, which is in the hand of Ephraim, and the tribes of Israel, his companions; and I will put them with it, with the stick of Judah, and make them one stick, and they will be one in My hand.’ And the sticks on which you write will be in your hand before their eyes. And say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God, “Behold, I will take the sons of Israel from among the nations where they have gone, and I will gather them from every side and bring them into their own land; and I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel; and one king will be king for all of them; and they will no longer be two nations, and they will no longer be divided into two kingdoms. And they will no longer defile themselves with their idols, or with their detestable things, or with any of their transgressions; but I will deliver them from all their dwelling places in which they have sinned, and will cleanse them. And they will be My people, and I will be their God.”’”

Ezekiel 37:15-23

It is God’s desire to join Ephraim and Judah. This prophecy has not been fulfilled yet. This prophecy has been disputed by many, and it still seeks a day when reality will begin to take shape. That day may have just dawned.

The Worldwide Biblical Zionists organization has the vision of this prophecy. For the first time Jews in Israel and those scattered in the nations are seeing the vision together. More importantly, they are asking how such a union–a joining of brothers–can take place.

This is why Ephraim, upon hearing of WBZ, is so excited!

But wait! What is God’s timing for this? Just because we are excited to see the prophecy beginning does not mean that we should sell everything and buy our tickets to Tel Aviv. God defines to us exactly how the exile will end. With the end of the exile, we will see the elements of the greater exodus with Ephraim returning. Here is how Ezekiel defines the end of the exile.

And I shall set My glory among the nations; and all the nations will see My judgment which I have executed, and My hand which I have laid on them. And the house of Israel [Ephraim] will know that I am the Lord their God from that day onward. And the nations will know that the house of Israel went into exile for their iniquity because they acted treacherously against Me, and I hid My face from them; so I gave them into the hand of their adversaries, and all of them fell by the sword. According to their uncleanness and according to their transgressions I dealt with them, and I hid My face from them. Therefore thus says the Lord God, "Now I shall restore the fortunes of Jacob, and have mercy on the whole house of Israel; and I shall be jealous for My holy name. And they shall forget their disgrace and all their treachery which they perpetrated against Me, when they live securely on their own land with no one to make them afraid. When I bring them back from the peoples and gather them from the lands of their enemies, then I shall be sanctified through them in the sight of the many nations. Then they will know that I am the Lord their God because I made them go into exile among the nations, and then gathered them again to their own land; and I will leave none of them there any longer. And I will not hide My face from them any longer, for I shall have poured out My Spirit on the house of Israel," declares the Lord God.

Ezekiel 39:21-29

This prophecy is glorious if you are Ephraim! Ephraim wants to hear God say that he is to return to the land, that God’s face will turn toward him, and that God will pour out His Spirit upon him. But, what precedes this wonderful prophecy?

According to Ezekiel (chapter 38 and 39 which precede this declaration) there must be a regional war that changes the political landscape of the Middle East. It is a war that involves Judah and all of his neighbors, especially those living in the mountains of Israel (the West Bank of Judea and Samaria). This is the present position of the Palestinians.

You do not need a Political Science degree to see that the neighbors of Israel are the enemies of Israel. Since Israel came to be peace has been sought, but there is no peace. It is as the prophets said. The descendants of Esau are opposed to any solution that allows Jews to be anywhere in the Middle East. They dispute that Jews ever lived there, ever had a temple there, or that they have any right to be there. They view the presence of Israel as an affront and an offense to their being. You can’t make peace with one party having such a position.

Yet knowing this, world leaders insist on Israel making concessions, even those which threaten their existence, to make peace. All of this is a fulfillment of the prophecies leading to a regional war. It is as Zechariah said.

Behold, I am going to make Jerusalem a cup that causes reeling to all the peoples around; and when the siege is against Jerusalem, it will also be against Judah. And it will come about in that day that I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the peoples; all who lift it will be severely injured. And all the nations of the earth will be gathered against it. “In that day,” declares the Lord, “I will strike every horse with bewilderment, and his rider with madness.” But I will watch over the house of Judah, while I strike every horse of the peoples with blindness. Then the clans of Judah will say in their hearts, “A strong support for us are the inhabitants of Jerusalem through the Lord of hosts, their God.” In that day I will make the clans of Judah like a firepot among pieces of wood and a flaming torch among sheaves, so they will consume on the right hand and on the left all the surrounding peoples, while the inhabitants of Jerusalem again dwell on their own sites in Jerusalem. The Lord also will save the tents of Judah first in order that the glory of the house of David and the glory of the inhabitants of Jerusalem may not be magnified above Judah. In that day the Lord will defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and the one who is feeble among them in that day will be like David, and the house of David will be like God, like the Angel of the Lord before them.

Zechariah 12:2-8

This is a prophecy about Judah, not Ephraim. This is about Judah in the land, surrounded by enemies, and how their enemies will suffer a great defeat. Actually, we have already seen this prophecy taking shape in the past Arab/Israel conflicts. But something much greater is coming that completely removes the enemies of Israel, opening the land for Ephraim’s return. The Prophet Ezekiel says that the destruction of Israel’s enemies will be so great that it will take seven months to bury the dead (Ezek 39:12). The Prophet Joel says that Israel’s name will never be put to shame again after the northern army is destroyed.

Thus you will know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the Lord your God and there is no other; and My people will never be put to shame. And it will come about after this that I will pour out My Spirit on all mankind; and your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.

Joel 2:27-28

The Prophet Joel also agrees with Ezekiel that the aftermath of the battle results in the Holy Spirit being poured out upon the House of Israel.

Let’s review what God has promised for all of Israel. First, all of Israel, not just Judah, will be delivered at the end of the ages. Judah has returned to Israel and is the firepot among the sheaves. The Lord has promised that Ephraim is to be gathered as well and be joined with Judah. Together, they are to become one in the hand of the Lord. Ephraim’s return comes after a battle in the mountains of Israel occurs resulting in a great victory for Israel. The world will know that there is a God in the midst of Israel. Israel will know it also. God’s Spirit will be poured on all of His people. The law of return will be amended. Elements of Ephraim will return to join Judah. But then something happens as things are going well.

The end of the ages comes and the events of the Great Tribulation begin. A new Pharaoh, one who does not remember the Son of Joseph, will arise and be opposed to the brotherhood of Judah and Ephraim. He proceeds to block the return of Ephraim saying, “I will not let the people the go.”

Sound familiar? It is. The events of the Great Tribulation are patterned after the Exodus from Egypt. The Prophet Zechariah characterizes the antimessiah as a false shepherd. He says that he first offers “favor” to the world to help them with their problems of basic provisions. This is symbolized by a shepherd’s staff called “favor.” He will break this staff (double-cross them) saying that they can eat themselves. But the false shepherd has a second staff called “union” that is for Israel. He breaks it also.

Then I cut my second staff, Union, in pieces, to break the brotherhood between Judah and Israel.

Zechariah 11:14

The Worldwide Biblical Zionist organization is a membership organization laying the groundwork of communication and cooperation between Judah in the land and a scattered people in the nations. Just as modern Israel was founded on Zionist principles of a promised land for the Jewish people, Biblical Zionists believe in the promises of the land for Judah and Ephraim. Ephraim is not coming seeking sonship, he is seeking only to be servant in the house.

It is my hope that once the regional war is completed and God has poured out His Spirit on the House of Israel that WBZ will have built the bridge and unlocked the door for Ephraim’s return and the Greater Exodus.

The words of the prophets are coming alive today. I invite all those who seek to be in the House of Israel, whether they are native born or alien, to believe the promises of God. I encourage you to become the Remnant of Israel and the “children of promise” that the Apostle Paul spoke of. I pray that you will follow the instructions of Moses and give heed to the words of the Prophets.

Let us come humbly to our older brother and grasp the fringes of his garment and ask if we can join him since we know that God is with him.

And it will come about that just as you were a curse among the nations, O house of Judah and house of Israel, so I will save you that you may become a blessing. Do not fear; let your hands be strong. Thus says the Lord of hosts, “In those days ten men from all the nations will grasp the garment of a Jew saying, ‘Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.’”

Zechariah 8:13,23

Did you notice that it was ten men who came to the Jew? Have you ever considered that he was referring to the ten tribes of Israel lead by Ephraim who might be coming?

YAVOH - He is Coming is a monthly newsletter published as an outreach ministry of Lion and Lamb Ministries.
The ministry is a non-profit organization with an end time prophetic message in a Messianic Jewish context.
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Editor - Monte Judah
Electronic Editor - Ephraim Judah

Lion and Lamb Ministries
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