THY KINGDOM COME

November 6, 1998

The heart cry of the Messiah can be found in the very prayer that He taught us to pray: “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth....”(Matt. 6:10). The Messiah came to do the will of His Father and to fulfill all that was given to Him to accomplish. However, on the last day that He was here on earth (after His resurrection), His followers asked him: “When will you restore the kingdom [of YHVH] to Israel?” Before Yeshua’s birth the angel Gabriel proclaimed that He would rule over the house, or nation, of Jacob and that “His kingdom would be an everlasting kingdom” (Luke 1:32-33). Are we, in this generation, truly taking part in the restoration of YHVH’s kingdom?

The government of YHVH on this earth is to be made visible through a holy or sanctified nation of princely priests, set apart for His namesake. And that is indeed who we are (although not in a fully manifest form). As long as the enemies of the kingdom can keep us from being a “holy” (set apart) nation, a real political kingdom entity on this earth, they will not be threatened. If our adversary can satisfy us with a Babylonian garment of religiosity and with a Greek political system, his authority and dominion will not be challenged. As a matter of fact, if we continue to walk in the flesh (unrighteousness - lawlessness), we will most likely be aiding his purpose of establishing his own kingdom, which according to scripture is to become very powerful in the latter days. “And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast; and they worshipped the beast, saying, who is like unto the beast? Who is able to make war with him?” (Revelation 13:4). However there is one who will make war with him and win. “For this purpose the Son of YHVH was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil” (1 John 3:8).

How is Yeshua going to destroy the works of the devil? Perhaps by using the bow and the arrow of Zechariah 9:11, or the mighty army of Ezekiel 37:10. “I have bent Judah for me as a bow, and filled the bow with Ephraim, and raised up thy sons, O Zion, against thy sons, O Greece, and made thee as the sword of a mighty man in My hand” (Zech 9:11). “So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army. Then he said unto me, Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel” [all of the house of Judah and all of the house of Joseph] (Eze. 37:10-11). “Behold, they say, our bones are dried, and our hope is lost: we are cut off for our parts. Therefore prophesy and say unto them, thus says YHVH Elohim; ‘Behold, O My people, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel” (verses 10-12). “I will take the children of Israel from among the nations, where they have gone, and will gather them on every side, and bring them into their own land: and I will make them one nation in the land upon the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king to them all: and they shall be no more two nations, neither shall they be divided into two kingdoms any more at all” (verses 21, 22). YHVH’s objective is to reunite the two nations, two houses, two sticks, two kingdoms into one. Additionally, in the process He is also giving us a new heart, new nature, a new spirit and writing His Torah on our hearts. Why? In order to establish His kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.

WARNING! We are in the day that the HOLY ONE, YHVH, is fulfilling this prophetic word. However, some are arguing that this move is of the devil. Attributing the work of YHVH to Satan is nothing short of blaspheming the Holy One.

In the meantime, the house of Joseph, through the blessing of his son Ephraim, has been fulfilling his prophetic mandate to become the “fullness of the nations.” At the end of this age, which we are in now, the Messiah Himself is re-gathering these lost sheep and restoring to them their original identity and purpose. He is taking the aliens, that is the Israelites that are living in foreign lands, those who were “once not my people” (Hos. 1:10) and is gathering them into messianic flocks and preparing them to return home at the sound of the Shepherd’s whistle (Zech 10:8).

Redeemed Israelite, be encouraged today: “For behold, days are coming,’ declares YHVH, ‘when I will restore the captivity of My people Israel and Judah. I will also bring them back to the land that I gave to their forefathers, and they shall posses it’” (Jer. 30:2). “In those days the house of Judah will walk with the house of Israel, and they will come together from the land of the north to the land that I gave your fathers as an inheritance” (Jer. 3:18). But if we are going to establish His kingdom, we first must have His kingdom in us. What is the kingdom of YHVH? “The kingdom of Elohim is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Spirit of Holiness" (Rom 14:17).

We need YHVH’s anointing of the Spirit of Holiness in order for us to become the expression of His life and nature so as to establish His righteousness, peace and joy here on earth. Because YHVH has called us to be kings and priests, we must ask ourselves which kingdom are we representing; which kingdom are we establishing here on earth? Are we kings and priest of lawlessness, iniquity and sin, or are we princes and priests of His righteousness, peace and joy?

Ephraim
“How good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity...for in this God commands the blessing - life eternal” (Ps. 133:1-3)

SHABBAT SHALOM

October 30, 1998

Shabbat Shalom! This is a greeting and salutation that one hears echoing over Israel every Friday and Saturday. Is there a prophetic proclamation when this is being spoken? We know that it announces the coming day of rest, the Shabbat rest that YHVH established after He completed His work. “And on the seventh day Elohim ended His work which He had made; and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had made. And Elohim blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because in it he had rested from all his work which Elohim created and made” (Gen 2:2-3). Inherent in the seventh day is a blessing. So if we enter into this seventh day rest we are blessed.

When our forefathers “passed over” (the root “avor” is also used in the word “Hebrew”), and came out of the Land of Egypt and into the wilderness (Exodus 16:22-28), YHVH, established His ordinance of a seventh day rest. This was the first test of obedience that the children of Elohim (Israel) had to pass. They had to trust Him for their daily provision. If they tried to collect manna for a second day, it spoiled. However, when the sixth day arrived they were allowed to collect a double amount, so that they would have enough for the seventh day. Amazingly this extra amount did not spoil. If any went out searching for manna on the seventh day, none was found. Here again we see that the Shabbat contains a blessing, but it is also YHVH’s first test of obedience in our walk with Him towards the promised place of rest. Please note: obedience to the voice or word of YHVH is not legalism, it is the mark of love in that relationship.

“You will bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of Your inheritance, in the place, O YHVH, which You have made for Yourself to dwell in, the Sanctuary, O YHVH, which Your hands have established” (Exodus 15:17). The Hebrews were on their way from slavery to a place of rest, but they had to cross, or pass through the wilderness, which was a place of no natural provision. YHVH promised He would bring them out of Egypt and plant them in the mountain of His inheritance, the place that is made for His dwelling, the sanctuary which His hands have established.

Where and what is YHVH’s mountain dwelling, or sanctuary? “For YHVH has chosen Zion; He has desired it for His habitation. This is my resting place forever: here will I dwell for I have desired it“ (Psalm 132:13-14). Coming into the place of YHVH’s dwelling is coming into rest; His rest, His peace. This place of “Shabbat Shalom” is a place of total trust and abiding in “He who is my life” (Colossians 3:4).

We, as the body of the redeemed Israel of Elohim, are to call out: “Arise, let us go up to Zion to YHVH our Elohim!” (Jeremiah 31:6). In other words, it is a call to a “Shabbat Shalom”. This call means to come into His presence, to Mount Zion, to enter into His rest, into an eternal blessing. How do we get there? “Those who love His name will dwell in it” (Psalm 69:36b). Here we see that when Moshe and Yeshua laid down the first of all the commands which is “to love YHVH our Elohim with all our heart and with all soul, with all our mind, and with all our strength”, they were in essence saying, “come abide in YHVH’s dwelling place, in His Shabbat Shalom”. This eternal rest is then seen in the next blessing, when we love our neighbor-brother as our own self (that is to assume that you love your self as He loves you). Be doubly blessed, as we enter into a peaceful relationship with our Elohim and with our brothers.

Arise and come out of the wilderness. Come and gather at the river where the Lamb is the Life; come to the river that flows from His throne; to His Mountain of blessing, to His Shabbat Shalom.

The next time we say “Shabbat Shalom”, may we be declaring prophetically: “Come let us love Him, and let us go up together to worship YHVH our Elohim, that is His nature of righteousness, peace and joy, in His holy mountain (Zion) of rest.” Shabbat Shalom!

Ephraim

P.S. “How good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity....for in this God commands the blessing life eternal” (Ps. 133).

GO FORTH - LEC-LECHAH

October 23, 1998

When YHVH first commanded our father Avram (in Gensis 12), saying to him “lech-lechah” (“go for yourself”, “take yourself out of there”, “come away from the place you are in”, in other words “be separate”), He also gave him a promise. What was the promise? A piece of real-estate (land), a multitude of desendents, a nation and a blessing. As a nation, the time came to leave Egypt behind. Many generations later a portion of the Hebrew people had to come out of Babylon, and in this day they (we) are called out of the nations, and out of this world’s kingdoms. All of these departures were (and are) for the same reason, to obtain a land, to become a nation, and in order to benefit from a blessing.

Was Avram going to suffer the loss of all things for the sake of the promise, or was he going to enter a state of “fear” because he had to let go of that which was familiar and secure? The “I will” of Elohim was his challenge. Could he trust his Elohim to deliver that which He said He would do? If you are of Avraham’s seed, these same promises are for you: a land, a nation and a blessing. YHVH has not changed His promises to Avraham, nor to his seed, but will fulfill them in and through a people that will walk before Him blameless, complete, perfect, in integrity and obedience. How do we walk before Elohim? With faith, hope, and trusting Him in all matters that pertain to life and godliness.

“’For, Lo, the day has come’, says YHVH,’ that I will restore the captivity of my people Israel and Judah, and I will cause them to return to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they shall possess it’” (Jeremiah 30:3). “Behold, I will bring again the captivity of Yacov's tents, and have mercy on his dwelling places; and the city shall be built upon her own heap, and the palace shall remain after the manner thereof. And out of them shall proceed thanksgiving and the voice of them that make merry: and I will multiply them, and they shall not be few; I will also glorify them, and they shall not be the least” (Jeremiah 30:18-19). “The fierce anger of YHVH shall not return, until he has done it, and until he has performed the intents of his heart, in the latter days ye shall consider, and understand these things” (Jeremiah 30:24). “’At this same time’, says YHVH,’I will be the Elohim of all the families of Israel, and they shall be my people’. Thus says YHVH, ‘The people which were left of the sword found grace in the wilderness; even Israel, when I went to cause him to rest. Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee. Again I will build thee, and thou shalt be built, O virgin of Israel; thou shalt again be adorned with thy tabrets, and shalt go forth in the dances of them that make merry. Thou shalt yet plant vines upon the mountains of Samaria: the planters shall plant, and shall eat them as common things.. 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 YHVH our God’” (Jeremiah 31:1-6).

To live outside the land, which was promised to our forefathers, is to live in the realms of the curse, which our forefathers were cursed with when they sinned against God while living in the land. "Then people would say: `Because they have forsaken the covenant of YHVH Elohim of their fathers, which He made with them when He brought them out of the land of Egypt; `for they went and served other gods and worshiped them, gods that they did not know and that He had not given to them. `Then the anger of YHVH was aroused against this land, to bring on it every curse that is written in this book `And YHVH uprooted them from their land in anger, in wrath, and in great indignation, and cast them into another land, as it is this day”'(Deuteronomy 29:25-28). But through His grace and mercy He established a New Covenant: "’Behold, the days are coming’, says YHVH, ‘when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah, not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, though I was a husband to them,’ says YHVH. ‘But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days’ says YHVH ‘I will put My Torah (law) in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people’” (Jeremiah31:31-33). Through this covenant He forgives and restores us, canceling the curse of breaking the laws which are in Torah, and sets us free to be bound to the Torah of life in His Son, who brings us back to his sheepfold like a shepherd who finds his lost sheep. He heals us of the wounds and hurts from the destructive ways of sin and inequity and writes His Torah on our hearts that we might know Him. But most of all, He restores our tent, and places it back in the land that we might be a blessing and a light to all the nations on this earth.

The eye of YHVH is on those who fear Him, for His angels are encamped around those who fear Him. “Blessed is the nation whose Elohim is YHVH; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance. For YHVH will not cast off His people, neither will he forsake His inheritance” (Psalms 33:12, 94:14).

Ephraim

“How good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity...for in this Elohim commands the blessing - life eternal” (Ps. 133:1-3)

YHVH'S INHERITANCE

October 9, 1998

“The counsel of YHVH stands for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations. Blessed is the nation whose Elohim is YHVH; and the people whom he has chosen for his own inheritance” (Ps. 34:11-12). “For YHVH'S portion is his people; Jacob is the lot of his inheritance” (Deu. 32:9). “For I am YHVH, I change not; therefore you sons of Yacov are not consumed” (Mal.3:6). What encouraging words for those of us who have seen and experienced personally the fulfillment of Malachi. 4:6 “And he will turn the hearts of the fathers (Patriarchs) to the children ( their progeny), and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the earth with a curse." We now have no doubt about the faithfulness of YHVH, His lovingkindness, and His tender mercies. We also have the advantage of understanding the counsel of YHVH as it refers to this generation of His nation His inheritance Israel (both houses). Even the head of the first church in Jerusalem, James, addresses his letter to the twelve tribes that are scattered abroad and speaks to them about a Father of light that has no variation or shadow of turning (see James 1:1, 17). James then continues with these words “In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we might be, as it were, the first fruits among His creatures” (James 1:18).

YHVH said that “Ephraim is My first born (first fruit)” (Jer. 31:9). “Israel is My son, My first–born” (Ex.4:22). YHVH’s remaining true and consistent, according to His word, is vital for our faith, because if He has not proven Himself faithful to His covenant bride Israel and went out after another, we have an adulterer for a husband. Likewise if we preach another bride, another inheritance, we become a false witness “A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaks lies shall not escape”(Pro. 19:5). Even the commandments tell us not to bare false witness especially against YHVH. We of the redeemed remnant of Israel are to sing a new song; “Sing unto him a new song; play skillfully with a loud noise. For the word of YHVH is right; and all his works are done in truth” (Psa. 33:3-4). What works?

“Therefore thus says YHVH, who redeemed Avraham, concerning the house of Yacov, Yacov shall not now be ashamed, neither shall his face now wax pale. But when he sees his children, the work of mine hands, in the midst of him, they shall sanctify my name, and sanctify the Holy One of Yacov, and shall fear the God of Israel. They also which erred in spirit shall come to understanding, and they that murmured shall learn doctrine” (Isa. 29:22-24).

We can really be encouraged today: “For behold, days are coming,’ declares YHVH, ‘when I will restore the captivity of My people Israel and Judah.” I will also bring them back to the land that I gave to their forefathers, and they shall posses it” (Jer. 30:2). “In those days the house of Judah will walk with the house of Israel, and they will come together from the land of the north to the land that I gave your fathers as an inheritance.” (Jer. 3:18).

Yes, we are YHVH’s inheritance but He also gave His inheritance an inheritance. As mentioned in the above scripture the land promised to our forefathers awaits redemption just like through Yeshua, He has redeemed us.
The house of Judah began to redeem their portion of the land of Israel but in the course of world events and pressures all around they are succeeding their rights to their inheritance and compromising the contract that YHVH has made with them. The big question before Ephraim a (firstborn and redeemer) will he be willing to take up the responsibility and redeem the rest of the inheritance?

Ephraim

How good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together
in unity....for in this God commands the blessing “life eternal” (Ps. 133).

NATIONS IN AN UPROAR

October 6, 1998

“Why do the nations (goiim) gentiles, heathens, rage and the people imagine a vain thing”? (Are they dreaming about their own divinity, world dominion, one-world government-power, without a relationship with God?) “The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against YHVH, and against his anointed, saying, let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us. He that sits in the heavens shall laugh: YHVH shall have them in derision. Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure. Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion” (Psa. 2:1-6).

The Hebrew word, “Goy,” in its original usage means “a people living under one government. Since the majority of the governments of today, including the United Nations, have been birthed out of the Greek form of democracy, they stand in arrogant opposition to God’s kingdom government, which has been set up in Zion, in the House of Jacob and ruled over “by the Son” - Yeshua. “He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and YHVH God shall give unto him the throne of his father David, and he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end” (Luke 1:32-33).

The prophets of old, foretold of a day that the Messiah would restore the fallen booth - “succa” - of David (see Amos 9:11, Acts 15:16). This means, the re-gathering of His people from all the places they have been scattered. “And now, says YHVH that formed me from the womb to be His servant, to bring Jacob back to Him, that Israel be gathered unto Him--for I am honorable in the eyes of YHVH, and my God is become my strength” (Isa. 49:5). This is a well-known messianic scripture, that tells of that time of ingathering from all nations and the return to the house, or nation, of Ya’acov. Could this be the restored “succa of David,” ruled over by the Son?

We are just now entering the Feast of Succot. What is a succa? It is a simple little hut made up of branches, which cover it. I believe, the bringing together again of the two trees of Ezekiel 37, or the two branches of Romans 11, is the fulfillment of the restored fallen booth of David. What is the succa of David and how is it different from the one in the wilderness? The succa of the wilderness was a place where each of the families dwelt, a temporary living quarter, whereas David’s succa is where the ark of God was kept, a temporary dwelling place for YHVH. It was from this succa where He would rule or govern the nation Israel through David.

We, the redeemed and anointed of YHVH, are that temporary succa of the Holy One of Israel. The government of the Messiah’s nation is a theocracy, and is diametrically opposed to the governments of this world. Perhaps this is why the following scriptures may apply to us in this day. “Go ye forth from Babylon, flee from the Chaldeans; and with a voice of singing declare ye, tell this, utter it even to the end of the earth; say ye: 'YHVH hath redeemed His servant Jacob” (Isa.48:20).

“Therefore the redeemed of YHVH shall return, and come with singing unto Zion” (Isa. 51:11). “Flee out of the midst of Babylon, and go forth out of the land of the Chaldeans, and be as the he goats before the flocks” (Jer. 50:8). “Ho, ho, come forth, and flee from the land of the north, says YHVH: for I have spread you abroad as the four winds of the heaven, says YHVH” (Zech. 2:6).

It is becoming more and more crucial that the believers, who have been called out of the kingdoms of this world, begin to identify with the only nation (Goy), that has been called and chosen to manifest His kingdom (see Rom. 9:4 and Isa. 43:7). This nation will be a light to the nations (goiim). YHVH declared to His servant Israel that he would not give His glory to another.(Isa. 42:8) May this Feast of Succot truly be a new beginning for us, and for our nation Israel. May we be as a nation the succa, with the glory of the Son in us so that we might be a nation (goy) a true light to the nations (goiim).

Be encouraged today: “For behold, days are coming,’ declares YHVH, ‘when I will restore the captivity of My people Israel and Judah.” I will also bring them back to the land that I gave to their forefathers, and they shall posses it” (Jer. 30:2). “In those days the house of Judah will walk with the house of Israel, and they will come together from the land of the north to the land that I gave you fathers as an inheritance.” (Jer. 3:18)

Ephraim

P.S. How good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together
in unity....for in this God commands the blessing “life eternal” (Ps. 133).

CLAP YOUR HANDS

September 25, 1998

“Clap your hands, all “Am-Israel; shout to Elohim with the voice of joy;
For YHVH Most High is to be feared – stood in AWE of.
A great King over all the earth.
He subdues peoples under us, and nations under our feet.
He chooses our inheritance for us,
THE GLORY OF JACOB WHOM HE LOVES.
Elohim has ascended with a shout,
YHVH, with the sound of a Shofar. בתרועה יהוה בקול שופר
Sing praises to our Elohim sing praises; sing praises to our King, sing praises;
For Elohim is the King of all the earth; sing praise with a skillful psalm.
Elohim reigns over the nations, Elohim has taken his seat.
The princes of the people (that’s you folks) have assembled (gathered, נאספו - same root as Joseph), as the people of the Elohim of Avraham.
For the shields of the earth belong to Elohim;
He is highly exalted” (Psa. 47).

The Day of the Blowing
There is much confusion around the feast of the “blowing” or “sounding”(תרועה) . Please note that it does not specify what is being sounded,
whether it is the blowing of trumpets (חצוצרה) , or the blowing
of the Shofar (שןפר) . Actually both were blown.

This feast day falls on the first day of the seventh month, a day which is called “the head of the month.” Therefore, there is also another ordinance which governs it. The two ordinances are found in Numbers 10:10 in Psalms 81:1-5. In the Psalm it says to blow the shofar at the new moon (first day of the month), “it is a statute for Israel, an ordinance of the God of Jacob, that He established for a testimony in Joseph.” However, in Numbers it says “to blow the trumpets on the first day of each month as a reminder to you of your God. I am YHVH your God.” It was to be a day of great singing with loud noise. This is why both were blown, as it was a celebration. If we would do this with the true purpose of reminding ourselves of who our God is, and what He has accomplished, we probably could eliminate thousands of sermons trying to do the same thing. That kind of worship wouldn’t need sermons, as the people themselves would become the word alive to all who hear the joyful sound. May we restore to Messianic Israel the true significance of our God’s times and feasts.

Ephraim

DAYS OF AWE

September 11, 1998

Now that we are again facing the Days of Awe (fear), the one thought that should be before us is “the fear of YHVH.” YHVH said that He would raise shepherds after His own heart who will feed us on knowledge and understanding (Jeremiah 3:15). But before He does that, He reminds us of several preconditions. One of these is in: “The fear of YHVH is the beginning of knowledge…is the beginning of wisdom, and is understanding the Holy One of Israel” (Proverbs 1:7; 9:10). Paul also expresses a desire “to know Him (the Holy One) and the power of His resurrection” (Philipians 3:10). But wisdom dictates that “the fear of YHVH” is the starting line that we all must come up to before this knowledge is imparted.

“The Spirit of YHVH shall rest upon Him (the Messiah), the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of YHVH. His delight is in the fear of YHVH" (Isaiah 11:2-3). The description of the Messiah as the root of Jesse is like a rock with seven eyes. For behold, I am bringing forth My Servant the BRANCH.

“For behold, the stone that I have laid before Joshua: Upon the stone are seven eyes. Behold, I will engrave its inscription,' Says YHVH of hosts, `And I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day” (Zechariah 3:9). Again in the book of Revelation the Lamb that was Slain on the 14th day of Aviv, YHVH’s Passover day, removing the iniquity of the land in one day through His sacrifice, Revelation 5:6 “And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of Elohim sent out into all the earth". Are these seven eyes or seven Spirits of Elohim the same that were upon the Messiah. If so we who have been anointed with this same Spirit should have engraved in our hearts the fear of YHVH, as a matter of fact we should delight in it.

I believe there is no greater testimony of who the Elohim of Israel is and His resurrection-power, than to see an entire nation raised from the dead. In Ezekiel 37, after the prophet had seen how dry the bones were, he was asked by YHVH: “Can these bones live?” Rav Shaul (Paul) answers this question for us in Romans chapter 4, when speaking about our father Avraham and his sperm (seed), he unequivocally identifies those who are of the Torah (Judah) and those who are of the faith as being all the seed of Avraham (v. 16). Please note he does not use adopted, grafted, spiritual seed etc., but says: “As it is written, ‘a father of many nations have I made you’ in the sight of Him whom he believed, Elohim, who gives life to the dead and calls into being that which does not exist” (Romans 4:17). Indeed, Ezekiel was told to speak to the bones: “O dry bones hear the word of YHVH.”

Using the word of YHVH from the prophet Hosea, Peter writes to these Aliens living alongside of the heathens, and reminds them of who they really are and where they came from: “who once were not a people [Lo Ami]” but are now the people of Elohim, who had not obtained mercy [Lo Ruchama] but now have obtained mercy. (1Peter 2:10). “And it shall be that in the place where it was said to them, ‘you are not my people,’ There they shall be called sons of the living Elohim” (Hosea 2:23; 1:10). This word of YHVH was spoken specifically to the House of Israel (Joseph).

We are those resurrected bones, in the process of being restored as a single nation “Israel”. But the Torah teaches that for a testimony or a witness to be legal, it must be confirmed by two or three witnesses (Deu. 19:15). In the last hundred years Judah has been restored as a national entity, but what about the other “witness”-nation (known as the lost ten tribes or Ephraim)? Ezekiel 37 describes them as dead dried bones. Can they live and come back to their land? Yes, they can and they are, through the power of the Messiah’s resurrection.

These two, likened to the silver trumpets, are being refined in the fires seven times. Why seven times? Silver reflexes a perfect image after seven times through the fire. YHVH’s fires (Spirit) has seven hues, wisdom, understanding, council, knowledge, might, fear of YHVH, and justice. These trumpets when they sound their distinct calls, as they themselves hear, repent and return, coming into their true witness in the Messiah, Torah, and the Land. They are sounding out the blast to regather the lost sheep of the House of Israel (Joseph – who’s name means “to gather”). “Go and proclaim these words toward the north and say, ‘Return, (prerequisite) faithless Israel, [Ephraim] declares YHVH; I will not look upon you in anger; for I am gracious, declares YHVH; I will not be angry forever. Only acknowledge your iniquity (prerequisite), that you have transgressed against YHVH your Elohim and have scattered your ways to the strangers under every green tree, and have not obeyed My voice,’ declares YHVH.

Return, O faithless sons,’ declares YHVH, for I am a master to you, and I will take you one from a city and two from a family, and I will bring you to Zion.’ Then I will give you shepherds after My own heart, who will feed you on knowledge and understanding. And it shall be in those days when you are multiplied and increased in the earth, declares YHVH, they shall say no more, ‘The ark of the covenant of YHVH,’ “it shall not come to mind, nor shall they remember it, nor shall they miss it, nor shall it be made again. At that time they shall call Jerusalem ‘the throne of YHVH, and all nations will be gathered to it to Jerusalem, for the name of YHVH. Nor shall they walk anymore after the stubbornness of their evil heart.” “In those days the house of Judah will walk with the house of Israel and they will come together from the land of the north to the land that I gave you fathers as an inheritance” (Jer. 3:12-18).

This is the time of the restoration of the second witness-nation, the stick of Joseph in the hand of Ephraim. Together Elohim’s two nations are witnesses of the power of His resurrection, by declaring His name, His life and glory to all the nations of the earth.

In light of Col. 2:16-17, it seems very important that we sound a clear prophetic note when we celebrate the feasts of YHVH. For they are the evidence of things yet to come. They are signs, a testimony, a revelation, and fulfillment of scriptures that have been sealed up until the end of this age. The enemy has placed a veil over the Feast of Trumpets, to keep us from understanding the true significance of this day.

Messianic Israelites, the “the day of the awe or fear of YHVH” is not an option for us; it is time to send out a clear pure sound and at the appointed time, a loud and clear message of the restoration of the kingdom to Israel in and through the atoning work of the kinsman redeemer Messiah Yeshua, who through his death broke down the dividing wall, the enmity, that in Himself he might make the two into one new man thus establishing peace (ref. Eph 2:15). Shalom! Shalom!
Ephraim

P.S. “For behold, days are coming,” declares YHVH, when I will restore the captivity of My people Israel and Judah...I will bring them back to the land that I gave to their forefathers and they shall posses it. Jer.30:

THE LAND

September 4, 1998

Shalom and greetings to you from the Mountains of Ephraim here in Samaria. Every morning I can almost hear the voice of the Prophet Ezekiel echoing over the mountains, hills, ravines, valleys and the waste places (see Ezekiel 36), declaring that the time has come for the redemption of the land. Yes, it still lies before us as a desolate testimony of the judgements of a holy and righteous God. Yet, now in the aftermath of centuries of being trampled underfoot by the nations, and of being rejected and scattered into all the nations, we are beginning to sense the tender mercies and compassion of our God moving deep in our hearts and calling us home. The Holy One, blessed be He, is restoring the hearts of the children to the fathers (Avraham, Yitzchak and Ya’akov) (ref. Malachi 4:6), and causing us to remember our national identity and heritage (see Ezekiel 36 & 37).

If you are a seeker after righteousness, then this word of the prophet Isaiah is meant for you: ”Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness, who seek YHVH, look to the rock from which you were hewn, and the quarry from which you were dug. Look to Avraham your father and to Sarah who gave birth to you in pain...” (Isaiah 51:1). If you have “the faith” of Avraham, Paul (Shaul) the apostle says in no uncertain terms that you are one of Avraham’s offspring (sperm): “Therefore it is of faith that it might be according to grace, so that the promise might be sure to all the seed, not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all” (Romans 4:16). You are a chip off the old block, or should I say rock; “When he was one I called him, then I blessed him and multiplied him” (Isaiah 51:2). Yes, you are a living manifestation of the multiplied seed of Avraham, the “fullness of the gentiles” promised in the blessing to Ephraim. “But his [Yoseph’s] father [Ya’acov] refused and said, ‘I know, my son, I know. He [Menasheh] also shall become a people, and he also shall be great; but truly his younger brother [Ephraim] shall be greater than he, and his descendants shall become the fullness of the nations [goyim-gentiles]” (Genesis 48:19). The mere fact that we are here, in this generation, is a testimony to the faithfulness of the God of Avraham, Yitzhak, and Ya’acov. Indeed, how immense is the faithfulness of a covenant-keeping God. Truly “How great the day of Jezreel [God’s sowing]” (Hosea1:11)!

Let us be encouraged by the following words: “For behold, days are coming, declares YHVH, ‘when I will restore the captivity of My people Israel and Judah. I will also bring them back to the land that I gave to their forefathers, and they shall posses it’” (Jeremiah 30:2). “In those days the house of Judah will walk with the house of Israel, and they will come together from the land of the north to the land that I gave your fathers as an inheritance” (Jeremiah 3:18).

Ephraim

September 4, 1998

INTRODUCTION TO ISRAELITE LETTERS

August 28, 1998

The purpose of these letters is to remind us of our biblical heritage as a single nation with a kingdom government, on a specific piece of land for our inheritance. I dare say that not only the "banished" ones of the House of Joseph, that is those who have lost their identity as the seed of Avraham, Yitzchak and Ya’acov over the milenia, need to remember, but also the “dispersed” and natural branches of the house of Judah - the known Jews of today.

In this generation the Holy One of Israel, in fulfilment of prophecy, is turning the hearts of the children - those of the seed of Israel who do not know that they are of the progeney of Avraham, Yitzchak and Ya’acov – back to these fathers. Of the “banished ones” the Apostle says: "Formally you were Gentiles" (Eph. 2:11), calling them “uncultivated trees” (Rom. 11:24) and "fullness of the gentiles" (Rom. 11:25 quoting Gen. 48:19), meaning those of the House of Joseph (called Ephraimites). Even though Ephraim was orginally one of the tribes, his name is better known as a generic and prophetic name for the Northern Kingdom of Israel (the Ten Lost Tribes). Although they were rejected and lost their identity, YHVH promised this large segment of the nation restoration through the new covenant (see Deut.30:3-6; Jer. 31:31-33) The question now for these redeemed “gentilized” aliens from the nations is: Who and what are we to be now, in the present, as the redeemed of YHVH? In Ephesians 2:12 we are told that now we are Israelites, fully partaking in the national commonwealth of Israel (the one promised to Avraham). It goes on to say that because of this restored identity, we are being reintroduced to the covenants of promise, the glory, the fathers, the land, the adoption of sons, the Torah (i.e. the five books of Moses), the prophets, the restored kingdom, and to our biblical heritage as the two houses, two sticks, two witnesses, two olive branches etc. (see Rom. 9:4-5, Isa. 8:14; Ez. 37:15-23; Rom.14:17; Col. 1:13).

Yes, we are to see ourselves as one new man (Eph. 2:15), but at the same time we also need to understand our differences as two parts of the one house, the house of Jacob, as we have our variety of gifts befitting our particular respective prophetic destinies. The Word of God declares that the Two Houses are to be "two witnesses" (Isa. 43:10, Isa.44:8), which means each has its own prophetic and unique testimony. We are like a bow and an arrow, different from one another but yet in His hand a mighty weapon (ref. Zech. 9:13), an army (Ezek. 37:10).

Let us share and rejoice in our redemption and restoration, as we come to see ourselves, not as a religious group or an organization, but as a redeemed people with an authentic national identity (Israel), a land (former land of Canaan), a kingdom government with one Shepherd, one King, one High Priest - our Redeemer and Messiah Ye'shua.

Welcome to the wonderful world of the Avrahamic faith, where His love, grace, compassion, peace, joy, righteousness, and justice rule in our hearts and are expressed through us by love for the Father, the Son, and each other.

May the Elohim of Avraham, Yitzchak and Ya’acov bless you, and may we see in our day the fulfillment and "restoration of all that has been spoken of by the prophets of old" (Acts. 3:19-21)!

Ephraim

P.S. “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell (shevet achim) together in unity.....For there God commanded the blessing, life everlasting” (Psalm 133:1,3).

Aug. 28, 1998