58 The house of Elohim | nazareneisrael2house

The House of Elohim.

Many in the Christian faith have come to believe that Yahshua started the Christian Church and came to Christianize the whole world including Jews who remained Torah observant ever since Israel received the commandments from Elohim at Mount Sinai. However, there is not a single witness in the entire Renewed Covenant to even suggest that Yahshua ever left the faith into which He was born, namely Judaism to become a Christian or a Messianic.

It is also because people believe that Yahshua started a church and initially its members were meeting in the homes of His original disciples, they assume that where the Scriptures refer to the place where everyone got together on the first Pentecost (Shavuot) after Messiah’s ascension to heaven was someone’s house. But the house we read about in Acts 2: 1 & 2 was in fact the Temple where the Jews met every Sabbath and on annual Set-apart Days such as Shavuot, as follows: ‘And when the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. (2) And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent, rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.’ Very few people who confess faith in Yahshua, the one most refer to as J*e*s*u*s* the C*h*r*i*s*t*, realize that He actually attended synagogue services, as a custom, as witnessed in Luke 4: 14 - 16, as follows: ‘And Yahshua returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit; and news about Him spread through all the surrounding district. (15) And He began teaching in their synagogues and was praised by all. (16) And He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up; and as was His custom, He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath, and stood up to read.’ Messiah came specifically to bring the lost sheep of the house of Israel back to the faith into which He was born, as He also told the Canaanite woman who asked Him to heal her demon possessed daughter in Matthew 24: 15, saying: “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” Now, some might at this point think or even say that we continue to harp on one single verse in the Scriptures to prove a point; and they might be correct. Yes, we are doing exactly what they do in the churches of the world to make their congregants have a complete false idea of the salvation of YHVH, but we do so to get believers to start believing in the testimony of the real Messiah[1].

However, few believe that Yahshua was actually authenticating the Jewish synagogue or congregation as His sheepfold to which He will eventually bring the lost sheep of the house of Israel back into, as he confirmed in John 10: 14 – 16, saying: “I am the good shepherd; and I know My own, and My own know Me, (15) even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. (16) And I have other sheep, which are not of this fold (the Jewish synagogue); I must bring them also, and they shall hear My voice; and they shall become one flock with one shepherd.” We see that Yaa’cov, Yahshua’s half-brother did exactly the same after Messiah’s resurrection and ascension to heaven in Acts 15: 19 – 21, saying: “Therefore it is my judgment that we do not trouble those who are turning to Elohim from among the Gentiles, (20) but that we write to them that they abstain from things contaminated by idols and from fornication and from what is strangled and from blood. (21) For Moses from ancient generations has in every city those who preach him, since he is read in the synagogues every Sabbath.” This is also where King David told the tribes of Israel that they should go up to give thanks to Elohim in Psalm 122: 1- 4, saying: ‘I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of YHVH.” (2) Our feet are standing within your gates, O Jerusalem, (3) Jerusalem, that is built as a city that is compact together; (4) to which the tribes go up, even the tribes of YHVH – an ordinance for Israel— to give thanks to the name of YHVH.’ But to what commandment did the author of Hebrews, who is believed to be Rav Shaul, refer to when he admonished believers in Hebrews 10: 23 - 25, 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.’

To find the specific commandment Rav Shaul was talking about in Hebrews 10: 25, we need to go back to where YHVH our Elohim gave our forefathers His commandments, setting out the times during which He wants us to assemble together for worship services in Exodus 20 – 23, but in more detail in Leviticus 23. In Leviticus 23 YHVH gave Moses His appointed times, providing details of the timing of the weekly Sabbath, as well as the annual Set-apart days which Moses or those who are seated in his chair (or authority) are to proclaim in their seasons. YHVH commanded the sons of Israel to have holy convocations (or assemblies) on these weekly and annual Sabbaths; they are not suggestions only. Rav Shaul, who was personally taught by Yahshua after His ascension to heaven, was actually talking about Elohim’s weekly and annual Sabbaths in Hebrews 10: 25. The reason for saying what he did, Rav Shaul was referring to those who were weak and separated themselves from Elohim’s people instead of meeting together for worship services on His Set-apart Days, during his age. But, he was also warning those of us who are living during the end of the age, to attend services regularly, as the coming of Messiah draws near! Rav Shaul was definitely not reminding Christians to attend Sunday services, as he like Yahshua regularly attended services in the Jewish synagogues as witnessed in:

Acts 13: 13 – 15: ‘Now Saul and his companions put out to sea from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia; and Yochanan left them and returned to Jerusalem. (14) But going on from Perga, they arrived at Pisidian Antiaoch, and on the Sabbath day they went into the synagogue and sat down. (15) And after the reading of the Law and the Prophets the synagogue officials sent to them, saying, “Brethren, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, say it.”
Acts 17: 1 – 3: ‘Now when they had traveled through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. (2) And according to Shaul’s custom, he went to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, (3) explaining and giving evidence that the Messiah had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, ‘This Yahshua whom I am proclaiming to you is the Messiah.”
Acts 19: 8, ‘And he entered the synagogue and continued speaking out boldly for three months, reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of Elohim.’

The reason for Rav Shaul never attending worship services in church on Sundays was that Sunday was never declared Set-apart by Elohim, who is the only One who has the right to do so anyway. As a born Jew Rav Shaul was used to attending Sabbath services , but he was also following the example of the one who came to show us the way, namely Yahshua. Furthermore, we know the word ‘church’ is derived from the word Kirk named after the Greco-Roman goddess Circe. Her form of worship was called ‘threskia’ in Greek and is spoken about in Colossians 2: 18, as follows: ‘Let no on keep defrauding you of your prize by delighting in self-abasement and the worship of the angels, taking his stand on visions he has seen, inflated without cause by his fleshly mind.’ By Messiah’s day the synagogue was already an established place of worship for Jews in the Promised Land and in the diaspora. It was established by Ezra the Scribe who returned to the Promised Land with Zerubbabel and Nehemiah about 500 BCE to inoculate the Jewish people with the Word of Elohim that they might never again receive Elohim’s judgment. Synagogues were supplements to worship in the Temple, in cities and the diaspora and became a must for spiritual growth. Originally the Jews called these places of worship ‘Beit Ha Knesset’, the house of assembly, but it later became known as synagogues meaning ‘to come together’. The ministry consisting of priests was organized into 24 divisions, according to the families of priests listed in 1 Chronicles 24: 1 – 19 and Nehemiah 12: 1 – 4. Each division came to the Temple in Jerusalem and serve for two weeks twice a year. During the rest of the year they were dispersed into the synagogues of the communities of the Land of Israel. When it was time for them to serve in the Temple they brought with them the Temple offerings from their communities, accompanied by the Levites and a representative Rabbi from the community who acted on behalf of the community. When the priests, Levites and Rabbis returned to their home synagogues, they brought with them new or updated prayers, religious ceremonies and songs from the Temple to teach their regular congregants and in this way the synagogue services developed parallel to the Temple service, without becoming a rival to it.

YHVH our Elohim is busy calling His congregation from the lost ten tribes together through the discipleship program that Yahshua our Messiah started. They are the ones that Yahshua will one day in the near future at His return bring back to His sheepfold, consisting of the Jews who remained Torah observant until that time. YHVH is presently calling a remnant of members of the lost ten tribes, who used to believe that they are Gentiles (plus a number of real Gentiles) and once the number that He is busy calling is complete, He will save a remnant from all Israel (as per Romans 11: 25 -27), to remarry Him as His bride as witnessed in Jeremiah 31: 31 – 34, in this way: “Behold, days are coming,” declares YHVH, “when I will make a new (marriage) 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 YHVH. (33) But this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days,” declares YHVH, “I will put My law within them, and on their heart I will write it; and I will be their Elohim, and they shall be My people.” YHVH is busy adding to His congregation whom Yahshua will marry at His return. We read fittingly from Acts 2: 39 – 41, in this way: ‘For the promise is for you and your children, and for all who are far off (meaning the house of Israel scattered abroad by Elohim because of idolatry, not Jews who are spoken about as the ones who are near in Ephesians 2: 13 and Daniel 9: 7), as many as YHVH our Elohim shall call to Himself (meaning only the ones whom YHVH calls and who wants to be immersed, not the ones we would like to convert from our own friends and family). (40) And with many other words he solemnly testified and kept on exhorting them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation!” (41) So then, those who had received his word were immersed; and there were added that day about three thousand souls.’ They together with their Torah observant Jewish Brothers will rule as kings and priests as the body/bride of Messiah at His return.

It is disconcerting to see how many new people join and soon afterwards, stay away and in that way dismembering themselves from the body of Messiah. They should remember that it was Elohim who called them to become part of the body of Messiah and that they need to remain in the discipleship program started by Messiah Himself, until they become totally familiar with the word of Elohim so as to teach disciples of their own, remembering that they should only teach truth, letting the Scriptures interpreting the Scriptures, since teachers shall incur a stricter judgment. They should therefore teach truth from the word of Elohim only and should know and believe fully what they teach and not be tossed here and there by waves, carried about by every wind of doctrine and by the trickery of deceitful men. It is for this very reason that the prophet Ezekiel warned especially those from the house of Israel in Ezekiel 13: 1 – 9, saying: ‘Then the word of YHVH came to me saying, (2) “Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel who prophesy, and say to those who prophesy from their own inspiration, ‘Listen to the word of YHVH! (3) Thus says YHVH Elohim, “Woe to the foolish prophets who are following their own spirit and have seen nothing. (4) O Israel, your prophets have been like foxes among ruins. (5) You have not gone up into the breaches, nor did you build the wall around the house of Israel to stand in the battle on the day of YHVH. (6) They see falsehood and lying divination who are saying, ‘YHVH declares,’ when YHVH has not sent them; yet they hope for the fulfillment of their word. (7) Did you not see a false vision and speak a lying divination when you said, YHVH declares,’ but it is not I who have spoken?”’” (8) Therefore, thus says YHVH Elohim, “Because you have spoken falsehood and seen a lie, therefore behold, I am against you,” declares YHVH Elohim. (9) So My Hand will be against the prophets who see false visions and utter lying divinations. They will have no place in the council of My people (meaning of the priests and Levites who forms the Sanhedrin), nor will they be written down in the register of the house of Israel, nor will they enter the land of Israel, that you may know that I am YHVH Elohim.” But this is also why Rav Shaul wrote in Romans 10: 13 - 15, saying: ‘For “WHOEVER WILL CALL UPON THE NAME OF YHVH WILL BE SAVED.” (14) How then shall they call upon Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? (15) And how shall they preach unless they are sent? (Remember that Yahshua only sent out His disciples as His apostles after they have been taught.) Just as it is written, “HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GLAD TIDINGS OF GOOD THINGS!” The gospel about the kingdom of Elohim is truly about a better world to come, during which there will be no elections to vote in the most popular and charismatic leaders, but leaders are now being called and trained to serve under Yahshua our Messiah as King of kings and Master of masters during His millennial rule. So we see that trained teachers or preachers are the primary dispatchers of truth, and very little would be heard and understood without their guidance.

Some of the returning Israelites will often claim that they do not need to be taught by human teachers, since Yahshua promised that the Set-apart Spirit will guide us into all truth. The question they should answer is; Why did Yahshua commission His disciples in Matthew 28: 18 – 20 saying: “All authority (or as the KJV puts it: All power) has been given to me in heaven and on earth (Yahshua is the power of Elohim as per 1 Corinthians 1: 24.) (19) Go therefore and make disciples of (the Israelites scattered into[2]) all nations, immersing them in the (one) name of the Father and the son and the Set-apart Spirit, (20) teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” This is telling me that the teacher who immersed you is also responsible to teach you everything that he/she learnt from the teacher who went through the same discipleship program as Messiah introduced through His original 12 disciples before, until they become fully trained ready to perpetuate the congregation of Elohim, by starting to train their own disciples. Without teachers you can read the bible through many times without coming to understand what is being said. It is also for this reason that false preachers are able to mislead many, since they do not ever complete the discipleship program started by Messiah. We read for this reason from Isaiah 28: 9 – 13, as follows: “To whom would He teach knowledge? And to whom would He interpret the message? Those just weaned from milk? Those just taken from the breast? (10) For He says, ‘Order on order, order on order, line on line, line on line, a little here, a little there.’” (11) Indeed, He will speak to this people through stammering lips and a foreign tongue. (12) He who said to them, “Here is rest, give rest to the weary (he will teach those who are tired of incompetent human rulers who fouled up everything they touched during the past six thousand years, about the coming kingdom of Elohim during which only converted Spirit Beings will rule, who cannot be bribed),” and, “here is repose,” but they would not listen. (13) So the word of YHVH to them will be, “order on order, order on order, line on line, line on line, a little here, a little there,” that they may go and stumble backward, be broken, snared, and taken captive.’ YHVH specially provides people to teach the lost ten tribes to return to the covenant relationship they made with Him at Mount Sinai, together with the house of Judah. Because people are not prepared to be taught by anybody, they come up with all sorts of false ideas that they learn from self-appointed teachers, who have not gone through Messiah’s discipleship program. It is for this reason that some has been deceived to believe in a different gospel and try to convert everybody they meet. We need to be mindful that YHVH does the calling[3], all that is required of us, is to proclaim the good news of the coming kingdom of Elohim into the entire world, then the end of this age will come (as per Matthew 24: 14).

Rav Shaul confirms the fact that YHVH provides us with teachers in Ephesians 4: 10 – 13, saying: ‘He who descended is Himself also He who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things. (11) And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, (12) for the equipping of the saints (true believers) for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Messiah; (13) until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of Elohim, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Messiah.” Faith as some of you will recall is based on the knowledge of truth as the foundation to the triangle with the two sides being faithful obedience and trust that YHVH will deliver what He promised. So to be able to have faith, we need to first acquire knowledge of truth, meaning an in depth knowledge of the promises that YHVH made to our fathers in the faith, namely that Abraham’s offspring through Isaac and Jacob, would be given eternal life to dwell in the Promised Land for ever, provided that they remain loyal to YHVH and His Torah teachings, including to circumcise their sons at age eight days old. But also that He will bring those children of Jacob who were scattered into the world because of idolatry back to the covenant relationship they made with Elohim, together with their Jewish Brothers at Mount Sinai. The image of Elohim also known as the word of Elohim became the Son of Man to provide the lost ten tribes with a kinsman redeemer to buy back their portion of the Promised Land, when YHVH divorced them because of Idolatry. Yahshua died in place of His adulterous bride, the house of Israel; so that YHVH may pass over the sins they previously committed which were punishable by death. He died in place of His people to be resurrected as the Son of Elohim by His resurrection to show His people how they will one day be born-again as spiritual children of Elohim, as witnessed in Romans 1: 1 – 4, in this way: ‘Shaul, a bond-servant of Messiah Yahshua, called as an apostle, set apart for the gospel of Elohim, (2) which He promised beforehand through His prophets in the holy Scriptures, (3) concerning His Son, who was born of a descendant of David according to the flesh, (4) who was declared the Son of Elohim with power by the resurrection from the dead, according to the spirit of holiness, Yahshua Messiah our Master.’ Armed with this knowledge and with the testimony of Yahshua, if we trust Elohim enough to provide us with what He promised our fathers in the faith to obey Him fully, we will inherit what He gave Yahshua as is confirmed by Rav Shaul in Romans 8: 16 & 17, as follows: ‘The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of Elohim, (17) and if children, heirs also, heirs of Elohim and fellow heirs with Messiah, if indeed we suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him.’

The problem with some is not that they don’t listen, the problem is not ‘hearing’ or understanding properly, as Yahshua warned in Luke 8: 18, saying: “Therefore take care how you listen; for whoever has, to him shall more be given; and whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has shall be taken away from him.” The most dangerous thing in the world is the Scriptures in the wrong hands. Satan and His agents actually used the Scriptures to get people to believe the many false doctrines taught in the churches of the world. For the sake of clarity lets again read Rav Shaul’s teaching in Romans 10: 14 but let’s continue until verse 18, in this way: ‘How the shall they call upon Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? (15) And how shall they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GLAD TIDINGS OF GOOD THINGS!” (16) However, they did not all heed the glad tidings; for Isaiah says, “YHVH, WHO HAS BELIEVED OUR REPORT?” (17) So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Messiah. (18) But I say, surely they have never heard, have they? Indeed that have; “THEIR VOICE HAS GONE OUT INTO ALL THE EARTH, AND THEIR WORDS TO THE ENDS OF THE WORLD.” But why are we concerned about those who do not attend Sabbath services or study the teachings they receive from the teacher who immersed them? Those who miss services, whether it is attending with us or using our material in services that they conduct in their own homes, are likely to be misled by every wind of doctrine, and will not conform to the image of Messiah, who was the first born again from the dead of many brethren.

We read Rav Shaul’s admonition in this regard from Hebrews 10: 23 – 27, as follows: ‘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.” Typically the first warning sign of weakness or hurt of a member in our community is withdrawal, and lack of interest. When members fall away from the body of Messiah, it is not a sudden thing, instead they stop attending or for those who live far away stop studying the material we send out. This is also why Rav Shaul warns in Galatians 6: 9, saying: ‘And let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we shall reap if we do not grow weary.’ The phrase ‘let us hold fast the confession of our hope’ means that we hold in a firm grip, or to be in a full and secure possession of our faith, similar to what Isaiah wrote in Isaiah 56: 6 & 7, saying: “Also the foreigners who join themselves to YHVH, to minister to Him, and to love the name of YHVH, to be His servants, every one who keeps from profaning the Sabbath, and holds fast My covenant; (7) Even those I will bring to My holy mountain (government), and make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be acceptable on My altar; for My house will be called a house of prayer for all the peoples.”

We need to be mindful of Messiah’s answer to His disciples, when they asked Him why He speaks to people in parables after relating to them the parable of the seeds in Matthew 13: 11, 12 & 19, saying: “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. This is the one on whom seed was sown beside the road.” There are people who spasmodically attend or conduct services using their teacher’s lessons and never truly understand what they are taught. If they are not very careful they could fall away from the faith, or even if they remain part of the congregation, might only have partial protection, when the looming great tribulation arrives in full force. It is very dangerous to only have a partial covering, as Yahshua continued to explain in Matthew 13: 20 & 21, saying: “And the one on whom seed was sown on the rocky places, this is the man who hears the word, and immediately receives it with joy; (21) yet he has no firm root in himself, but is only temporary, and when affliction or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he falls away.” These are high maintenance believers, who consume a lot of time, but do not have endurance to stay the course. They are led by feelings because they do not have enough grounding in the Word (Torah) to anchor their faith, and they become easily discouraged at the slightest difficulty. Next, Yahshua spoke about selfish believers in Matthew 13: 22 whose main priority in life is to become upwardly mobile, saying: “And the one on whom seed was sown among the thorns, this is the man who hears the word, and the worry of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.” These believers only attend/have services when it is convenient, because they let the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches comes before serving Elohim. Because there are always so many other things that need their attention, they wither away with little notice because they are never really with their brethren. Finally, we get to the believer who discovered the pearl of great price in Matthew 13: 23, as follows: “And the one on whom seed was sown on the good soil, this is the man who hears the word and understands it; who indeed bears fruit, and brings forth, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty.” The seed spoken about in this text is faith in the coming Kingdom of Elohim, in which He will give those who remain faithful to the end, the promises that He made through our fathers in the faith Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; to live eternally in the Promised land as kings and Priests under Messiah.

But why are we so concerned with those half-hearted brethren who do not attend or keep formal Sabbath services during which they read/study/listen to the weekly Torah; Haftarah, Renewed Covenant portions as well as the sermon sent out on a regular basis. It is because YHVH especially warns returnees from the lost ten tribes to His everlasting covenant in Hosea 4: 6, saying: ‘My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being My priest. Since you have forgotten the law of your Elohim, I also will forget your children.” Notice that these people are not destroyed because the knowledge was not available, but because they rejected the knowledge that Elohim made available through their teachers. Walking alone causes stagnation and eventually backsliding. A lack of knowledge will eventually lead to Spiritual apathy and weakness, opening ourselves to attack from dark forces and evil cravings, which could eventually lead to us losing our salvation. Unfortunately there is an attitude prevalent in some Nazarene Israelites who had bad experiences in the churches where they came from, and as a result they do not want to be part of an organized group. They claim Yahshua Messiah as their teacher and reject any pastoral authority. These loners should remember that they are part of the body of Messiah – the commonwealth of Israel. They need to understand that there will be no such thing as a loner in the Kingdom of Elohim; the kingdom of Elohim will include a remnant of both the house of Israel and the house of Judah. As much as each tribe will have a specific function, so will each congregation have a purpose within their identifiable tribal group. Let’s therefore not neglect assembling together on Elohim’s ordained weekly and annual Sabbaths. Think about it!

[1] The testimony of Yahshua is what He taught and the way he lived whilst He was on earth, and the bride of Messiah spoken about as a woman in Revelation 12: 17, are the ones whom the devil will go after during the great tribulation, as follows: ‘And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and went off to make war with the rest of her offspring (those belonging to the congregation of Elohim who will not be protected during the great tribulation because they did not always serve Him to the best of their ability), who keep the commandments of Elohim and hold the testimony of Yahshua.’

[2] We are to go into all the nations where the lost ten tribes of Israel have been scattered and proclaim the gospel of the kingdom of Elohim to them, as Yahshua instructed His disciples when He first sent them out in Matthew 10: 5 – 7, saying: “Do not go in the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter any city of the Samaritans; but rather go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’”

[3] Yahshua clearly said in John 6: 44, “No one can come to Me, unless the Father who sent Me draws Him; and I will raise him up on the last day.”