Nazarene Israelite Two House Congregation of Port Elizabeth
What is normal?
Life changed a great deal over the past 70 years and most of the people alive today have forgotten what life was like without the many distractions and gadgets available to mankind.Most people have become extremely busy to try to make a decent living and have truly little time to study and understand what truth is. As a result, there is a major difference in what society deems to be normal behavior and how HASHEM the G-d of Israel wants His people to behave. When HASHEM called Israel out of Egypt about 3500 years ago, He wanted them to become a people specifically set-apart for use by Him as an example or light to the world and therefore gave them His Torah according to which He wanted them to show their love and concern for Him, but also for their fellow Israelites. He introduced the weekly Sabbath to them by providing them with manna during their journey from Egypt to Mount Sinai, where He entered a marriage covenant with them to provide for and protect them in exchange for their obedience to His commandments, which were all for their well being. HASHEM gave the Israelites manna for the first five days of the week in the same portions, but on the sixth day of the week He gave them a double portion, enough to last for the seventh day (or Sabbath), when He did not give them any. Those who obeyed His command and collected double their normal daily requirements on the sixth dayhad food for the Sabbath, but those who did not had to go without anything to eat for the day. In addition, those who collected more than their daily requirement soon discovered that whatever was collected extra, turned bad.
The covenant that HASHEM the G-d of Israel made with His people at Mount Sinai, fifty days after they left Egypt was to express His love and concern for them by giving them a constitution by which He would benefit and bless them for observing His commandments, statutes and judgments for their good, but also to meet out punishment commensurate with their disobedience, according to a law of cause and effect which He set in motion from the time He created Adam and Eve. The nation of Israel was to become a nation of kings and priests and was supposed to become a model nation to show the rest of mankind how serving HASHEM their G-d would be for their good as recorded in Exodus 19: 5 and the first part of verse 6, as follows: ‘Now then, If you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be My own possession among all the peoples, for all the earth is Mine; (6) and you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ HASHEM gave His people special signs to identify them as His people, but also to show the world that He is their G-d. In addition to these signs HASHEM made a two-fold promise to Abraham and his descendants after him.Firstly,HASHEM promised Abraham that he and his descendants through Isaac and Jacob will live eternally in the Promised Land, provided they remain loyal to Him and His Torah and as a sign to the covenant, to circumcise their sons at age eight days old. Secondly, HASHEM promised that a remnant of those descendants of Abraham through Isaac and Jacob, who eventually disobeyed and were scattered into the nations of the world, would in the latter days be called by Him to return to the covenant through Abraham’s one seed, Y’shua, through whom He will also save the rest of mankind after Messiah’s millennial rule, as described in Galatians 3: 13 – 16 & 23 – 29, as follows: ‘Messiah redeemed us from the curse of the Law (judgments or punishment due for contravening Torah), having become a curse for us—for it is written, “CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO HANGS ON A TREE”— (14) in order that in Messiah Y’shua the blessing of Abraham (to live in the Promised Land eternally as spirit born-again children of G-d) might come to the Gentiles (who are called by G-d’s name – returnees from the house of Israel), so that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. (15) Brethren, I speak in terms of human relations: even though it is only a man’s covenant, yet when it has been ratified, no one sets it aside or adds conditions to it(meaning that only those sons of Abraham who are circumcised in the flesh will inherit the Promised Land and no religious teacher can change that requirement). (16) Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as referring to many, but rather to one, “And to your seed,” that is, Messiah. (23) But before faith (in Messiah)came, we were kept in custody under the (sacrificial)law, being shut up to the faith which was later to be revealed. (24) Therefore the (sacrificial) Law has become our tutor (teaching us that sin can only be forgiven by the shedding of blood) to lead us to Messiah, that we may be justified by faith. (25) But now that (Messiah became the Sacrifice and) faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. For you are all sons of G-d through faith in (the blood of) Messiah Y’shua(shed for the forgiveness of the sins of returnees to the covenant with G-d). (27) For all of you who were immersed into Messiah have clothed yourselves with Messiah. (28) There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Messiah Y’shua. (29) And if you belong to Messiah, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.’
As most are aware, a sign is something that you wear, like a uniform, something displayed like a flag, or it can be something you do. Some clubs have special handshakes so that people, who may never have met before will, by just shaking hands, immediately know they are members of the same club. This is a “secret” sign that only members know about. But most signs are open and obvious, like those we have already mentioned.Similar to the way in which circumcision is a sign which not everyone may see, HASHEM also gave our ancient forefathers obvious signs to identify them as His chosen people, but also Him as their G-d. This same signs identifies the people of HASHEM today and becomes obvious to the people in the world who observe the way they live, as we read from Exodus 31: 12 – 13, in this way:“And HASHEM spoke to Moses, saying, (13) ‘But as for you, speak to the sons of Israel, saying, ‘You shall surely observe My Sabbaths; for this is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I am HASHEM who sanctifies you.”The word 'sanctify' means “to set apart.” HASHEM told Moses that the Israelites who observe the Sabbath Day by worshiping Him on it, would be set-apart from others who do not, as a perpetual covenant, as He further explained in verses 16 & 17 of Exodus 31, saying: ‘So the sons (or children) of Israel (who was known as Jacob before his name was changed) shall observe the Sabbath, to celebrate the Sabbath throughout their generations as a perpetual (or everlasting) covenant.’ (17) “It is a sign between Me and the sons of Israel forever; for in six days HASHEM made heaven and earth, but on the seventh day He ceased from labor, and was refreshed,”’ It would identify the special people of HASHEM down through the ages – “throughout your generations.” In Moses’ generation, the children of Israel were chosen by HASHEM as His people, but ever since Messiah ben Joseph’s first arrival on earth, until this very day, only the house of Judah chosen by HASHEM and those whom He is busy calling from the house of Israel who are led by the Set-apart Spirit are His people as witnessed in Romans 8: 14, in this way: ‘For all who are being led by the Spirit of G-d, these are sons of G-d.’
But notice again in Exodus 31: 13 (quoted before),HASHEM said His people are to keep His Sabbaths (plural). He repeated this command in Ezekiel 20: 12 (&20), saying: “And also I gave them My Sabbaths to be a sign between Me and them, that they might know that I am HASHEM who sanctifies them.” Did HASHEM mean only the weekly Sabbaths? Just what are the days HASHEM calls HIS Sabbaths? In addition to the weekly Sabbath, HASHEM also calls the annual set-apart days His Sabbaths. We are therefore required to keep His weekly and annual Sabbaths set-apart. Those who do not keep these annual set-apart days do not understand G-d’s plan of salvation for all mankind. For these set-apart days or annual Sabbaths, pictureG-d’s plan to accomplish His purpose for mankind, one step at a time. The purpose of HASHEM our G-dis that all who have ever lived be given the opportunity to be born-again as His spiritual children into His eternal Family. By making an intense study of the fall (or autumn) festivals (in the northern hemisphere) we will learn that it pictures the time when HASHEM will soon intervene in the affairs of mankind. He will begin to teach all nations His way of life – that obedience to His Torah will result in peace, happiness, and great prosperity. But HASHEM will not teach mankind His ways all by Himself. Nor will Messiah ben David be the only Teacher. We read in the last part of Isaiah 30: 20 what HASHEM, speaking of the Millennium, says:‘Although Adonai has given you bread of privation and water of oppression, He, your Teacher will no longer hide Himself, but your eyes will behold your Teacher.” Before HASHEM sends Messiah ben Joseph to restore the government of HASHEM on earth, He must first train a group of people who will be a special team of teachers to work with Messiah ben David. They will reign as kings and priests and will assist Messiah ben David in teaching the Torah of HASHEM to all nations.
Similar to the way the original Passover saved the first-born children of Israel from death, so Messiah ben Joseph’s memorial Passover instituted by Him the night during which He was betrayed to die on the impalement stake the next day, when the house of Judah slaughtered their Passover lambs at three o’clock in the afternoon to keep their Passover the night of the 15th of Nissan when our forefathers left Egypt, will save the first-fruit children from both houses to be born-again at Messiah ben David coming from the second death during the great white throne judgment. The Day of Pentecost or Shavuot, which comes during the spring festival season, shows us that HASHEM is calling only a very few at this time. He is teaching and training these few (who have repented and are striving to obey His Torah) to live the way of life that produces peace, happiness, joy, and that leads to eternal life in His Family. Then, in the near future when Messiah ben David comes to the earth, He will have His “Team” ready and prepared to work and rule with Him, as witnessed in Revelation 2: 26 as follows “And he who overcomes, and he who keeps My deeds until the end, TO HIM I WILL GIVE AUTHORITY OVER THE NATIONS.”A second more detailed witness comes from Revelation 5: 10, in this way: “And Thou hast made them to be a kingdom and priests to our G-d; and they will reign upon the earth.”In the same way as a cap or uniform identifies the members of a baseball team, both the weekly and annual Sabbaths identify those who keep them as the team of people of G-d, who are now being taught to become teachers during the Millennium and beyond. Everyone will then be keeping these days, as shown in Isaiah 66: 23, as follows: ‘“And it shall be from new moon to new moon and from sabbath to sabbath, all mankind will come to bow down before Me,” says HASHEM.’HASHEM is now calling only a few first fruits to learn to become teachers (kings and priest) with our Jewish Brothers under Messiah ben David during the Millennium, as Rav Yaa’cov explained in James 1:18, saying: ‘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.’ The term ‘first-fruits’ logically imply that there will also be second fruits after Messiah’s millennial rule, when HASHEM will resurrect all those who ever lived and will give them a chance to repent during the Great White Throne Judgement period.
The word judgment in the Scriptures means positive explanation and correction not condemnation as some teaches. HASHEM will give everyone who ever lived, or are alive today,or who are still to be born an opportunity to come to the knowledge of the truth. We, together with our Jewish Brothers who are chosen by HASHEM at this time, are being taught knowledge of salvation at this time, since we as first-fruits will be responsible to assist Messiah ben David during the millennium and the great white throne judgment, when He will open their minds to understand the books of the Scriptures in the same way He opened the minds of His disciples after His impalement, death and resurrection, as per Luke 24: 44 & 45, in this way: ‘Now He said to them, “These are My words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things which are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” (45) Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.’ After everyone has been taught G-d’s salvation truths, they like us (who are judged during this age, as per 1 Peter 4: 17) will be judged by what they have done with the knowledge of truth that He gracefully gave them,as Rav Shaul also suitably informed us in Hebrews 10: 23 – 29, saying:‘Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; (24) and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, (25) not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more, as you see the day drawing near. (26) For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, (27) but a certain terrifying expectation of judgment, and THE FURY OF A FIRE WHICH WILL CONSUME THE ADVERSARIES. (28) Anyone who has set aside the Law of Moses dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. (29)How much severer punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled under foot the Son of G-d, and has regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of grace.’
Our Father HASHEM destined us as returning Israelites to be different to the other people of the world. He sent Messiah ben Joseph,His word to bring us back into the covenant we made with Him, together with the house of Judah at Mount Sinai. There is no denying that the house of Judah remained true to HASHEM after the house of Israel was scattered into the nations of the world as was prophesied in Hosea 1: 1 – 9 and specifically in verse 7, and even though Messiah ben Joseph only came for those of us from the lost sheep of the house of Israel, His death also atoned for the house of Judah, as recorded in John 11: 49 – 52, in this way: ‘But a certain one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all, (50) nor do you take into account that it is expedient for you that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation should not perish.” (51) Now this he did not say on his own initiative; but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Y’shua was going to die for the nation, (52) and not for the nation (of Judah) only, but that He might also gather together into one the children of G-d who are scattered abroad.’ Why are our people so stiff-necked not to understand these truths given us in detail in both the Tanach and the Renewed Covenant? The reason is two-fold; firstly, our people do not read the Scriptures any longer, since they believe someone must interpret it for them and secondly the Christian ministers taught their members falsely that the Torah has been abolished by Messiah. These poor blinded people were taught that Messiah ben Joseph nailed the Torah to His impalement stake and use different teachings of Rav Shaul to try and deceive their audiences every Sunday. The two portions of the Scriptures penned by Rav Shaul used most often by these false ministers to teach people that Y’shua nailed the Torah to His impalement stake are Colossians 2: 13 & 14 and Ephesians 2: 14 – 16. However, to fully understand these two portions from the correct perspective we need to know that Torah consists of commandments, statutes, and judgments. Whereas the commandments give us a summary of all the rules and regulations according to which we should live, the statutes break the commandments down in more detail. The commandment might read: ‘You shall not commit adultery’; the statutes will give us more details as to what is meant by adultery and the judgments (or ordinances) pronounces the punishment due for transgressing the commandments.Let us consider these two Scriptures to understand what Rav Shaul is saying, as follows:
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Colossians 2: 13 & 14: (14) (meaning the judgments due to us for having transgressed the commandments) (since some of our sins required that we be stoned to death)(the certificate of debt, the commandments contained in the Law) With the bits that I inserted in brackets to explain the verse, it was not the Law or Torah that Messiah ben Joseph nailed to the cross, but the certificate containing our Judgments for transgressing the Law that was nailed to the cross. It is like when someone who pays a traffic fine for you, because you did not stop your motor vehicle at a red traffic light and the traffic officer caught you ‘red handed’ so to speak. The fact that someone paid the fine does not mean you may continue to drive across red traffic lights again. Similarly, the fact that Y’shua paid for our sins does not mean we may continue to sin.
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Ephesians 2: 14 – 16: (Y’shua) (talking about the house of Israel and the House of Judah)( that keeps the house of Israel away from the covenant that HASHEM made with both houses - their sins which they arrogantly continued in, since they have forgotten what sin was, because they falsely believed the Law was done away)(15) (or punishment due)(again the judgment portion of the Law which describes the punishment to be meted out for transgressing the commandments, such as bowing before an image, keeping Set-apart Days other than those ordained by G-d,etc.)(groups) (the commonwealth of Israel as Rav Shaul told us in verse 12 of Ephesians 2)(16) (the congregation of G-d – or body of Messiah as Rav Shaul explained in Ephesians 1: 18 – 23) As it clearly tell us in Isaiah 49: 5 & 6, Messiah ben Joseph came specifically to bring the lost sheep of Israel back to HASHEM and the covenant we made with G-d at Mount Sinai, as follows: (6)
But these false ministers do not only deceive their congregants to believe that Torah is abolished, but they also ensure that there is disdain or hatred amongst their people for others who are keeping these commandments diligently. It is perhaps for this reason that the Pope recently declared that they would rewrite especially the Tanach since the current Bible has become ‘outdated’. In fact the Pope and his predecessors have long ago already changed the Law and timing of G-d’s Feast days to Sunday, Christmas and Easter as the prophet Daniel prophesied in Daniel 7: 25, saying: ‘And he will speak out against the Most High and wear down the saints of the Highest One, and he will intend to make alterations in times and in law; and they will be given into his hand for a time, times, and half a time.’Fortunately, we see from the next two verses in this prophesy by Daniel, how HASHEM is planning to bring an end to this deception, saying (verse 26): ‘But the court will sit for judgment, and his dominion will be taken away, annihilated and destroyed forever. (27) Then the sovereignty, the dominion, and the greatness of all the kingdoms under the whole heaven will be given to the people of the saints of the Highest One; His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all the dominions will serve and obey Him.’ It is therefore abundantly clear from this prophecy, that the grip that the Roman Catholic Church and her protestant daughters, otherwise known as Esau, have over the house of Israel; the descendants of Jacob who were taken into Europe by Assyria and became Christianized through the ages, will be destroyed. However, this prophecy further shows that the house of Israel will soon join their brethren the house of Judah better known as the Jews and return to the covenant that they made together with HASHEM at Mount Sinai. When Messiah ben David comes,HASHEM will enter into a Renewed Covenant with both houses as the body or bride of Messiah, when He remarries them, as testified in Jeremiah 31: 31 – 33, as follows: “Behold, days are coming,” declares HASHEM, “when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah, (32) 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 HASHEM. (33) But this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days,” declares HASHEM, “I will put My law within them, and on their heart I will write it; and I will be their G-d, and they shall be My people.” Notice the Law need only be written on the hearts of the house of Israel and not on that of the house of Judah, since they have been keeping Torah and HASHEM was their G-d all along. Are those who reject the house of Judah as brothers and want to teach them about a False Messiah too blind to see this?
Brethren, why does most of the world hate Jews? The reason being that most people know that the house of Judah remained G-d’s chosen people (as confirmed in Psalm 78: 67 & 68). We have two choices, either we can join those who have changed the Bible and will ultimately be destroyed forever at Messiah ben David’s coming, or we can join those who keep G-d’s Torah and live eternally as His children. The decision remains ours!But, if we decide to follow the way of G-d, we will have to start keeping the Feast Days of G-d that Judah preserved for us the past 3500 years, including the weekly Sabbath, but also only eat the foods that HASHEM set-apart for us, as His Set-apart people. If we start doing so, we become eligible for positions of kings and priests in G-d’s coming Kingdom, as Messiah ben Joseph showed Yochanan as he testified in Revelation 20: 6, saying: “Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no power, but they will be priests of G-d and of Messiah and will reign with Him for a thousand years.” Revelation 5: 10 quoted earlier shows clearly that this will be on earth. But I hear some say under their breath: ‘Why not in heaven’ as the ministers in the Churches taught their followers? The reason is as Messiah ben Joseph taught His disciples in John 3: 13, saying: “And no one has ascended into heaven, but He who descended from heaven, even the Son of Man.” In addition,He taught His disciples to pray in Matthew 6: 9 & 10, saying: “Pray, then, in this way: ‘Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name. (10) Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” Even though HASHEM our heavenly Father’s kingdom is presently in heaven, we know that when Messiah ben David comes, He is coming to establish G-d’s kingdom on earth, as Rav Shaul promised in 1 Thessalonians 4: 13 – 17, saying: ‘But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve, as do the rest who have no hope. (14) For if you believe that Y’shua died and rose again, even so G-d will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Y’shua. (15) For this we say to you by the word of Adonai, that we who are alive, and remain until the coming of the Master, shall not precede those who have fallen asleep. (16) For the Master Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of G-d(on the Feast of Trumpets – or Rosh Hashanah); and the dead in Messiah shall rise first. (17)Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds (after we have been changed from physical to spiritual beings as Rav Shaul told us in 1 Corinthians 15: 50 -53) to meet the Master in the air, and thus we shall always be with the Master.’
After Messiah ben Joseph’s death and resurrection, He ascended to heaven from the Mount of Olives and we know that Messiah ben David will come to rule from that very mountain in the same way that Messiah ben Joseph left, as witnessed by the two angels in Acts 1: 9 – 11, as follows: ‘And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. (10)And as they were gazing intently into the sky while He was departing, behold, two men in white clothing stood beside them; (11) and they also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Y’shua, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.” When Messiah ben David comes, the dead in Messiah will be resurrected and those still alive will be changed to become spiritual beings. They will then as spirit beings appear at will on the Mount of Olives to meet Messiah ben David, to become rulers with Him in His everlasting kingdom and will not have to be raptured, as some falsely teach. These truths might not be as easy to believe as the falsehood taught by Churchianity, but Messiah ben Joseph nevertheless proclaimed the coming kingdom of G-d on earth as it is now in heaven in Mark 1: 14 & 15, saying: ‘And after Yochanan (the immerser) had been taken into custody, Y’shua came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of G-d, (15) and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of G-d is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” Our position on earth will thus be secured as is also confirmed by Solomon in Proverbs 2: 21 & 22, saying: ‘For the upright will live in the land, and the blameless will remain in it; (22) but the wicked will be cut off from the land, and the treacherous will be uprooted from it.’ However, Satan will also make sure that not all will understand these truths whilst he is around, as Messiah ben Joseph also taught His disciples (but also us His modern day disciples) in Matthew 13: 11, 12 & the first part of verse 19, saying:‘And He answered and said to them, “To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been granted. (12) For whoever has to him shall more be given; and he shall have an abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has shall be taken away from him. (19) When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart.’
Those of us who like the Jews, have now also been chosen graciously by G-d as confirmed in Romans 11: 5 and believe in the coming Kingdom of G-d in which Messiah ben David will rule as King of kings and Master of masters, need to keep Torah during this age, since that will be the Law by which G-d will administer His coming Kingdom during the millennium and beyond. G-d’s normal (or norm) should therefore become our normal and we should not be concerned by what other people believe to be normal. We should not let other people prescribe to us how we should live but should live by what HASHEM the G-d of Abraham, Isaac and Israel prescribed for our good. Think carefully about it!
1 Peter 4: 17, ‘For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of G-d, and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of G-d?'
Hosea 1: 7, “But I will have compassion on the house of Judah and deliver them by HASHEM their G-d, and will not deliver them by bow, sword, battle, horses, or horsemen.”
Ephesians 2: 12, ‘Remember that you were at that time separate from Messiah,excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without G-d in the world.’
Ephesians 1: 18 – 23: ‘I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might which He brought about in Y’shua, when He raised Him from the dead, and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in the one to come. And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the congregation, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.’
Psalm 78: 67 & 68 ‘He also rejected the tent of Joseph, and did not choose the tribe of Ephraim, but chose the tribe of Judah, Mount Zion which He loved.’
1 Corinthians 15: 50 – 53: ‘Now I say this, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of G-d; nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Behold, I tell you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality.’
Romans 11: 5,’In the same way then, there has also come to be at the present time a remnant according to G-d’s gracious choice.’