The Whole House of Israel / May 1999

Contents

• The Whole House of Israel
• In Loving Memory

The modern Messianic Movement is composed of Jews who believe in Yeshua (Jesus) and a host of non-Jewish and Gentile believers. This collection of believers are Christians but they prefer to call themselves “Messianics.” The only difference in the terminology is the origins of the particular words. Christian originates from the Greek “Christos.” Messianic originates from the Hebrew “Meshiach” or Messiah. Christ and Messiah mean the same thing, but the latter emphasizes the Hebraic. Some call it Messianic Judaism; but it is not really another division of Judaism like orthodox, conservative or reform. Messianic groups do include the teaching of Moses equal with the New Testament. They generally observe Sabbath and the Biblical holidays of Passover, Trumpets and Yom Kippur. The level of observance varies based on instruction received and zeal. Many in the groups do keep Biblical kosher and abstain from the unclean. Some men wear a kippah (skull cap) and pray with a tallit (prayer shawl). They are the closest example to first century Christianity you can find today. Christianity was almost exclusively a Jewish sect in the first century and the understanding and teaching of the Messiah was in a Jewish context. Generally, when believers see the teaching of Yeshua (Jesus) in a Jewish context it transforms their faith into a very vibrant and meaningful experience. It is only natural then, that the Messianic Movement is growing and that many non-Jews and Gentiles are filling its ranks. However, what is really significant about the Messianic Movement and its participants is that it was prophesied to occur even before the New Covenant came to be.

Moses saw a time when Israel would be scattered into all the nations and return. The prophets of Israel have added to that understanding with specific details of how they would return to the Lord in the period after the scattering. This great plan of God is first pictured in Jacob's return to the promised land with his wives and children. Esau, Jacob's twin brother, was waiting to do harm to him. Jacob was very concerned because God had said it was time to go back to the land. He was faced with a huge dilemma: God had promised to protect him and told him to go to the land, while Esau had promised to do harm and meet him at his arrival. What did Jacob do?

Then Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed; and he divided the people who were with him, and the flocks and the herds and the camels, into two companies; for he said, “If Esau comes to the one company and attacks it, then the company which is left will escape.”

Genesis 32:7-8

This plan of dividing his family, the sons of Israel, to protect them while in the land with his enemies would prove to be a prophetic picture of what would happen in the nations. In the period after Solomon, God permitted Israel to be divided into two houses: the House of Judah and the House of Israel. The tribes of Benjamin, Judah and Levi remained in the land of Judah, the southern kingdom. This group was headed by Judah and the Kings of Judah. The northern kingdom was composed of the remaining tribes and was headed by Ephraim. This group became known as the House of Israel.

The same plan was illustrated when the children of Israel crossed the Jordan river and entered the promised land after the exodus from Egypt. It was Joshua and Caleb who entered and led them into the land. Joshua was from the tribe of Ephraim, and Caleb was from the tribe of Judah.

The history of Israel has shown the scattering of Israel into the nations to be two great companies. First, the House of Israel was scattered by the Assyrians and then years later, Judah was taken captive by the Romans. In between these two scatterings, Yeshua gave us the New Covenant. But, there is something special about the New Covenant and the way it was to be given. The New Covenant was specifically promised to the House of Israel and the House of Judah. “Behold, days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah, not like the covenant which I made with their fathers in the day I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, although I was a husband to them,” declares the Lord. “But this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days,” declares the Lord, “I will put My law within them, and on their heart I will write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. And they shall not teach again, each man his neighbor and each man his brother, saying, 'Know the Lord,' for they shall all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them,” declares the Lord, “for I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.”

Jeremiah 31:31-34

When Yeshua walked upon the earth, the House of Israel was in the northern parts of Israel and scattered into many nations. The Jews (referring to the land of Judah and Jerusalem) were in the land of Judah. Yeshua began His ministry first in and with the House of Israel. He, Himself, said that He was sent for “the lost sheep of the House of Israel.” This is why He did not pursue Jerusalem and the Jews first. The good shepherd leaves the flock in tact and seeks out the one lost sheep (the 99 and the 1).

Paul's gospel thrust to the nations was in part to seek out and minister to the House of Israel. Paul went preaching in the synagogues in the Gentile lands seeking the sons of Israel and the God fearing Greeks. Paul knew that at the end of the age, God had a great plan to save “all Israel.” 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. And this is My covenant with them, When I take away their sins.”

Romans 11:25-27

Not only did Paul preach Yeshua as the Deliverer, but he understood that the New Covenant was made with the two houses. He knew that God intended to save the whole house of Israel, both Judah in Jerusalem/Judea, but also, Israel which was in Samaria and scattered in the nations. He also knew that many Gentiles (companions) would come to faith in this Deliverer while searching out the “lost sheep of the House of Israel.” Romans 9-11 delineates Paul's view of the world in this matter. (Romans 9-11 is very controversial to the church's view of the world.) Paul's definition included Israel and the nations (Gentiles). His thesis was simple: all come to the Lord by faith and the people of God would come from the ranks of those not considered to be the people of God (Israel scattered and Gentiles). His conclusions are illustrated in the olive tree composed of natural (Israel) and wild branches (Gentiles), both supported by the root (God).

Israel's scattering was prophesied by Moses in a very stern warning. The warning was not heeded by Israel. Israel did not obey the Lord, give the land its rest, or refrain from acting with hostility toward God. On this last point, Yeshua's rejection by the Jews sealed the fate of Judah to be scattered with his brother Israel.

You [Israel], however, I will scatter among the nations and will draw out a sword after you, as your land becomes desolate and your cities become waste.

Leviticus 26:33

But [Israel] you will perish among the nations, and your enemies' land will consume you. So those of you who may be left will rot away because of their iniquity in the lands of your enemies; and also because of the iniquities of their forefathers they will rot away with them.

Leviticus 26:38-39

Some church leaders would like the story to end there with regard to Israel. They like to call themselves the new Israel, stealing the blessing for themselves and leaving the curses to Israel. But the prophecy doesn’t end there. Moses also spoke of a return to God that would come while Israel was scattered in the lands of their enemies. It would be a return that would originate in their hearts just like the New Covenant (commandments written on the heart).

If they confess their iniquity and the iniquity of their forefathers, in their unfaithfulness which they committed against Me, and also in their acting with hostility against Me—I also was acting with hostility against them, to bring them into the land of their enemies— or if their uncircumcised heart becomes humbled so that they then make amends for their iniquity, then I will remember My covenant with Jacob, and I will remember also My covenant with Isaac, and My covenant with Abraham as well, and I will remember the land. For the land shall be abandoned by them, and shall make up for its sabbaths while it is made desolate without them. They, meanwhile, shall be making amends for their iniquity, because they rejected My ordinances and their soul abhorred My statutes. Yet in spite of this, when they are in the land of their enemies, I will not reject them, nor will I so abhor them as to destroy them, breaking My covenant with them; for I am the Lord their God. But I will remember for them the covenant with their ancestors, whom I brought out of the land of Egypt in the sight of the nations, that I might be their God. I am the Lord.

Leviticus 26:40-45

But [Israel] you will perish among the nations, and your enemies' land will consume you. So those of you who may be left will rot away because of their iniquity in the lands of your enemies; and also because of the iniquities of their forefathers they will rot away with them.

Leviticus 26:40-45

God's intent, as spoken by Moses, was not to destroy or abandon Israel. Instead, God was going to use Israel's enemies to drive the heart of Israel back to the Lord. God divided his family into two companies. If the enemy attacked one, the other could escape and vice-a-versa. Setting aside church history and their complete misunderstanding of these things, let us review how the prophets have said this whole thing was to transpire, and what Paul was referring to when he said a time would come when “all Israel” would be saved in the New Covenant.

Ezekiel saw a day when dry bones would come together, sinew and skin would be added, and finally spirit (life) would be breathed into them. Ezekiel also went on to describe how this people would come back to the land of Israel. The modern nation of Israel was formed out of the ashes and bones of the Holocaust. But, the prophet also went on to describe how the House of Judah and the House of Israel would be reunited with their companions. The modern Messianic Movement is the reunification of the House of Judah (Jews) with non-Jews (the House of Israel) and their companions (Gentiles).

While the Jews (the House of Judah) have had the Scepter (kingship), the sons of Israel (the House of Israel) have had the birthright blessing (the best of everything). If you recall, Jacob gave the birthright blessing to Ephraim and elevated the sons of Joseph equal with Jacob's other sons. Consider the words of Ezekiel as he speaks of our days.

Ezekiel saw a day when dry bones would come together, sinew and skin would be added, and finally spirit (life) would be breathed into them. Ezekiel also went on to describe how this people would come back to the land of Israel. The modern nation of Israel was formed out of the ashes and bones of the Holocaust. But, the prophet also went on to describe how the House of Judah and the House of Israel would be reunited with their companions. The modern Messianic Movement is the reunification of the House of Judah (Jews) with non-Jews (the House of Israel) and their companions (Gentiles).

While the Jews (the House of Judah) have had the Scepter (kingship), the sons of Israel (the House of Israel) have had the birthright blessing (the best of everything). If you recall, Jacob gave the birthright blessing to Ephraim and elevated the sons of Joseph equal with Jacob's other sons. Consider the words of Ezekiel as he speaks of our days.

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 wall5-may99.jpg (3977 bytes)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. And My servant David will be king over them, and they will all have one shepherd; and they will walk in My ordinances, and keep My statutes, and observe them.

Ezekiel 37:19-24

This is a very fascinating prophecy because it deals with things happening today. Israel IS returning to the land of Israel. Jews ARE becoming Messianic believers. The age of the Gentiles IS about to end. The Messianic Movement IS composed of believing Jews and non-Jews along with their companions. The Son of David IS taking His rightful place in the hearts of His people. His people ARE rejecting the idols/pagan ritual of the past and choosing the commandments of God over the precepts and traditions of church men. This IS what the Messianic Movement is all about. The Messianic Movement IS the full fruit of the New Covenant and the House of Judah and Israel ARE being joined as one.

However, some Jews in the Messianic Movement don't have this vision. Like the believing Pharisees who disputed Gentiles coming to faith in Acts 15, some Messianic Jewish brethren dispute that there is a House of Israel (Ephraimites) or that Gentiles are true and equal partners in the New Covenant. While they may deny such positions, I can assure you from first hand experience that the “middle wall of partition” exists in some tabernacles.

In particular, let me quote from one leader who does not conceal this kind of partitioning with regard to anyone except Messianic JEWS. An unidentified woman recently questioned her sense of exclusion in a Messianic Jewish congregation, even though she was married to a Jewish believer and involved for the last twenty years. The answer is summarized this way. “So there we have it. Messianic Jews, the remnant of Israel must protect themselves from dilution through the incursion of large numbers of Gentile believers who may or may not have as deep and abiding a commitment as your own. At the same time, the Gospel imperative demands all believers as equals. In the kingdom of God there should be no “outsiders.” What is a sincere Gentile believer to do in such circumstance?”

Messianic Jewish Life, April - June 1999, Vol LXXII, No. 2, pg 27, by Messianic Rabbi Rich Nichol of Ruach Israel; Needham, Mass.

This particular Messianic Rabbi goes on to answer the question by suggesting that anyone who isn't Jewish should just suffer and make a sacrifice for the sake of the Jews, following the same example of the greatest Jew (Yeshua) and His sacrifice.

I consider this rabbi's answer to be Pharisaic and diluted in understanding the New Covenant's purpose and persons included in it. While he acknowledges that there are to be no unequals and outsiders in the New Covenant, he sets up the sign “Jew only, please!” in his Messianic Congregation. His own words are contradictory. He is also not alone. In my opinion, and until the leadership speaks to the contrary, this is the hidden policy of the national leaders in the Messianic Movement including the Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations (UMJC) and the Messianic Jewish Alliance of America (MJAA) with its international elements. This policy is not the truth expressed by the Prophets or the Apostles. This policy is the “middle wall of partition” erected in the tabernacle of Yeshua (the hearts of believers). It is not right and should be corrected immediately. My opposition to this policy is supported by many excluded persons and specific prophecies directed at my Jewish brethren in these days.

The letters to the churches in Revelation 2 and 3 are clearly written to end time believers. They are written to Jewish believers, the sons of Israel, and Gentiles. They are all considered together in one called out assembly (church). However, the messages deal with some specific and tough issues. Consider this one, directed at Jews who are believers in the last days.

I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich), and the blasphemy by those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.

Revelation 2:9

The word “Jew” means “praise.” A Jew is to live out the true meaning of his name and praise God. But if that Jew does not praise God, but instead, accuses and devalues other brethren by prejudice, bigotry, slander, etc, then he is of the synagogue of satan. Blasphemy is the act of calling something holy that is not or calling something unholy that is. Isn't it interesting that Yeshua warns us in the last days of Jewish believers who will flaunt their Jewishness and exclude, devalue, and shun others? To deny one of the sons of Israel their God given birthright is nothing short of blasphemy. For a Jew to deny one of his brethren (the sons of Israel) their birthright is to annul their own birthright as Jew. Paul has warned us on this matter concerning Jews and non-Jews. Surely, the true sons of Israel are determined by the same definition.

But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel; neither are they all children because they are Abraham's descendants, but: “through Isaac your descendants will be named.” That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise are regarded as descendants.

Romans 9:6-8

The Revelation warning is from Yeshua, the King of Israel, and He gives it twice.

Behold, I will cause those of the synagogue of Satan, who say that they are Jews, and are not, but lie— behold, I will make them to come and bow down at your feet, and to know that I have loved you.

Revelation 3:9

The last part of this warning is a quotation from the prophet Isaiah chapter 49 where he describes how all of Israel will return to the Lord. The Revelation warnings also include specific and direct reference to the “sons of Israel.” The following complaint is clearly differentiated from Jewish believers and Gentile believers; it addresses another issue happening today in the Messianic Movement.

But I have a few things against you, because you have there some who hold the teaching of Balaam, who kept teaching Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit acts of immorality.

Revelation 2:14

There are many “sons of Israel” in the churches and in the Messianic Movement. Some teachers are still trying to tell these sons of Israel to be assimilated, not to be distinct in their faith with regard to the commandments, just like Balaam advised. Balaam was contrary to the word of Moses and many non-Jews are confused and not sure what to do with the words of Moses. This IS a current issue in the Messianic Movement. As one man recently said of the controversies and difficulties in the Messianic Movement, “Heavy emphases on the ‘Messy’ part of the Messianic Movement.” For the record, if a person believes that he is a non-Jewish son of Israel, then he should be instructed to keep the exact same commandments that any believing Jew should keep. And, he should be received graciously and respectfully on the simple basis of his testimony. To do otherwise is to incur Yeshua's judgment of being made to bow low and lick dust.

In recent days, an element of the Messianic Movement has begun to take a more visible position on the matter of the “sons of Israel.” That element is making a positive statement toward the multitude of non-Jews and Gentiles who are a part of the Messianic Movement or are in the process of joining our ranks. According to the prophecies, it is very probable that many of those coming in who are not Jew per se, are in all likelihood the “sons of Israel,” the House of Israel. Who is to know exactly who any of them are except God Himself? No one can deny a person's birthright and no one should. Since God has said that He would draw Ephraim and Judah together along with their companions, who are we to say that this is not what God is doing in the Messianic Movement? It is my personal observation that the shear number of non-Jews entering Messianic congregations is evidence of this plan in operation. The personal testimonies of these persons and their love of God and His commandments are another clear evidence of the same. The best evidence of this truth is probably the behavior of my fellow Messianic Jews in rejecting our brother Ephraim. We were prophesied to do just that! We truly are sons of the ancients. Isn't it ironic that Judah was the brother who first was reconciled to Joseph? “Who is Israel?” is the title of a book recently published dealing with this subject. It is written by Batya Wooten, someone who has been a part of the Messianic Movement for a long time. If you would like to learn more about the Scriptural basis of God's great plan for “the whole House of Israel,” we recommend this book. (It is officially not recommended by my fellow Messianic Jews.) I think you will find the book to be fascinating and a compelling argument for why there may be more to your interest in Sabbath, Torah, Biblical Holidays and the ministry of Lion and Lamb. It just may be that you are one of the “lost sheep of the House of Israel” that Paul was after and referring to at the end of this present age.

Oh, by the way, did I mention that God intends to do something really special with about 144,000 Sons of Israel during the Great Tribulation. You will note that it is not 144,000 Jews that are to be called. Jews are considered to be the tribes of Judah, Benjamin, and Levi. The other nine tribes are called the House of Israel. Therefore, the 144,000 are called “Sons of Israel,” not Jews. I heartedly recommend that all believers in these days find out who you are and who you believe in. I am afraid there will be a whole bunch of folks meeting Gabriel face-to-face, getting the seal in their foreheads and being very confused. Many will say, “But, I'm not a Jew.” And we will have to explain that they are of Ephraim and that they have been joined together with Jews to become one in the hand of the Lord. The day sequence of their sealing will determine which tribe they are representing.

Presently, the Messianic Jewish Movement is led primarily by Messianic Jews. Very soon, God will begin to show the resolution to a very ancient controversy between the House of Judah and the House of Israel by receiving these non-Jews as equal to and at the same stature as believing Jews. They will be called Ephraim. They will be the House of Israel returned to their brother Judah. It will be shaky at first; we have been separated a long time. We will struggle with the titles a little. Are we Messianic Jews or Israel? I recommend we call ourselves just “Messianics.” There is one thing very good in all of this. Ezekiel says that something will happen right after we all get together on this. God says He is going to come live with us. “And I will make a covenant of peace with them; it will be an everlasting covenant with them. And I will place them and multiply them, and will set My sanctuary in their midst forever. My dwelling place also will be with them; and I will be their God, and they will be My people.

Ezekiel 37:26-27

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Jerry David Thomas, Jr. was a servant to the saints. Jerry left us and went to be with the Lord April 1. He joined Lion and Lamb Ministries first as a volunteer more than a year ago and then as an employee late last year. Jerry was our audio tape man, responsible for tape mastering and duplication. He was our Webmaster for the Lion and Lamb Web page. Jerry was there to fix the computers and to run errands. Jerry is greatly missed.

Jerry was a loving husband to Donna and devoted father to Chandler, his nine-year old son. Everyone who ever met Jerry liked him immediately and wanted to get to know him better. The last day I was with Jerry at work he stopped me and shared that he was the happiest he had ever been and that he enjoyed working at this ministry helping other people. I told him his statement was one of the most gracious I had ever heard. He was full of life and was enjoying it completely.

The afternoon of April 1, we were setting up a room for more than 200 people to participate in our congregational Passover Seder. Jerry had invited fifteen people to come to the dinner. He wanted to share the story of the Passover with his family and friends. The night before, Jerry had kept the Passover with his wife and son in their own home. Moments before Jerry lowered himself to the floor, the Lord had settled in my heart what I was to share with the Passover audience. He told me to speak of His friend Lazarus, when he died, and how He raised him from the grave. Just as I said "Okay" to the Lord about the topic, I was called to where Jerry had fallen. He had shared with another brother, "I think I am having a heart attack." When I saw his eyes, I knew he was already gone. He left with many of us who loved him surrounding him in prayer.

Some were shocked at his youthfulness and his early departure at the age of 35. The loss to our ministry and community of faith was devastating. He was the congregational servant at B’nai Shalom. Jerry was a key guy in the operation of Lion and Lamb. I never heard him speak an unkind word about his brethren and I never heard him say "No" to a single request for help. He was a servant among servants. He was the one in the ten. He was a good husband and devoted father. He was a friend and a helper. Why would God take him home early? There is consensus among us who knew him on the answer to this question. We don’t think the Lord could wait any longer to have him there with Him.

Jerry probably did the normal protocol coming into the presence of God. There were probably the normal greetings, the "Well Done" affirmation of the Lord and all that. But, I believe something else happened; Jerry probably pulled the Lord aside and asked, "What can I do to help?" as he often had asked us.

I complained to the Lord the day Jerry left us. "Lord, You raised your friend Lazarus, but I can’t raise my friend Jerry! How can I speak to these people about the Passover — passed from death to life?" The Lord told me that He was going to raise my friend Jerry, too.

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