IT’S NOT ABOUT CHRISTMAS OR BIRTHDAYS – IT’S ABOUT YEHOVAH’S ROYAL GOVERNMENT

                                                                Reprinted from December 2020

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.

 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. Isaiah 9.6-7

Many in the assembly of Yeshua, or mainstream Christianity, have no idea what “Christmas” is really about. Yeshua was not born on December 25^th or anywhere near that date. A strong argument for his birth occurring during the Lord’s Feast of Tabernacles can be made through a thorough study of the scriptures.

It begins with 1 Chronicles 24.10 with the priestly course/order of service in the Temple established by King David. In this verse we understand in Luke 1.5 that John the Baptist’s father, Zacharias was serving in the Temple during the 8^th course of service as stated in 1 Chronicles.

With the information contained in Luke chapters 1 and 2 we can determine that Yeshua was most likely born during the Feast of Tabernacles. This Feast celebrates God dwelling with his people—living with them in his tabernacle. For a great video on this go to: https://ascensionministries.biz/products/the-appointed-time-of-messiahs-birth

The birth of Messiah was the re-establishment of Yehovah’s Kingdom on this earth. King Yeshua was born as the Wonderful Counselor, mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. He came to re-establish His government on earth with judgment and justice forever! The Creator was sending a message to haSatan, the adversary, that there was a new sheriff in town—Yeshua HaMashiach—the Messiah.

Yehovah’s Kingdom began with the birth of this infant and will rule the earth forever more. It’s all about the establishment of the Kingdom of God!

Oh, how Christianity has lost the vision of the Kingdom! 

A Kingdom has laws, a calendar, and holidays does it not? What holidays is Roman Christianity celebrating? All of Christianity is Roman in nature. The Protestant Reformation did not go all the way. They retained many of Rome’s holidays—the pagan holidays—and “Christianized” them. This is not the Kingdom of God!

The Biblical/Hebrew Calendar is part of God’s Commandments as contained in the Torah—the first five books of the Old Testament. The Feasts or Holidays of God’s Kingdom are found in Leviticus 23 and Numbers 29. These are the Lord’s Feasts, not Jewish Feasts. They are the official and lawful Feasts of God’s Kingdom.

They are Passover, Unleavened Bread, First Fruits, Pentecost (Shavuot), Trumpets, Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement), Tabernacles (Sukkot), and the Last Great Day.

When we read the Gospel accounts of Yeshua’s life and ministry we will note that he observed all of these feasts during his life and ministry. He was moving prophetically in lock step with these feasts.

He was showing us the way. He was faithful to observe them and the one and only lawful Sabbath—Saturday. His life and ministry revolved around the “Feasts of the Lord.” Ref: Leviticus 23.1

This is the Calendar of the Kingdom. These feasts contain prophetic information which allows us to understand the scriptures of past, present, and especially, events to come. The Book of Revelation cannot be understood without an understanding of the Feasts and Calendar of the Kingdom of God. Note: There are many postings on this blog you can search for additional information and understanding of these things.

Mainstream Christians have a woeful lack of knowledge of these truths. Yeshua did not come to establish a new religion. He came to establish his Kingdom according to the writings of Moses and the Prophets contained in the Hebrew Bible.

We, as servants of our King, Yeshua, who were formally Gentiles, with no knowledge of these things have been called out and grafted into the Kingdom! Ref: Ephesians 1, 2, 3.

Many will say these are “Jewish Feasts” and we are not required to observe them. If that is the case why is the Apostle Paul saying we are grafted into Israel? He was teaching these things to the early Gentile believers. Luke 2.32 says Yeshua is a light unto the Gentiles! We become part of Israel. We need to truly understand what grafted in means.

Note that I said we become part of Israel—not Jewish. There is a difference. Israel is the UNITED KINGDOM OF ISRAEL. In 1 Kings 11 and 12 we read the story of civil war in Israel and a division between the North and South—Judah in the south and Israel in the North.

This division of the Kingdom has not been totally healed and re-united. This is an event to come. Our grafting in is part one and the redemption of the Jewish people is part two—yet to be totally fulfilled.

When a Gentile or a Jewish person accepts Yeshua as Master, Savior, and King he or she BECOMES AN ISRAELITE. They are united in Yeshua and become Israel. Think about this. Jew and Israelite Gentile become one new man!

In Genesis 14.13 Abram was called a “Hebrew.” He is never referred to as a Jew in scripture. He is a Hebrew. He was called out of pagan Chaldea and crossed over the river Euphrates. The word Hebrew means = “One who has crossed over.”

Abram crossed over from paganism to the worship of and following the one true God—Yehovah! When we accept Yeshua we crossover into new and abundant life in HIM! In effect, we are now Hebrew Israelites! The one new man!

We become lawful and legal immigrant new citizens of the Kingdom of God. If you are not following King Yeshua you are an illegal immigrant!

Christmas is based on Roman pagan celebrations. When Emperor Constantine, and those emperors which followed him, decided to make Christianity the religion of Rome they turned away from Yehovah’s calendar and feasts. They took their pagan feasts and Christianized them. 

It no longer mattered if you were a “legal immigrant.” It didn’t matter if you followed Yeshua in your heart. As long as you accepted the doctrine of Rome and the new holidays you were now considered a “Christian.” You didn’t have to be “born again.”

Anything “Jewish” was banned and if you worshipped God on the Jewish Sabbath you were a heretic and could be executed. Rome was now the leader of the “Christian World” and they decided what days were holy and what days were the holidays. The Hebrew Scriptures were no longer consulted.

An entire hierarchal worldly institution led by a “Pope” which replaced Yehsua—that is what “Vicar of Christ” means—replacing Christ—became the false religion of Christianity.  

So, here we are today…Fake holidays, fake religion, and fake holiness. Sorry, this is not the Kingdom of God. It is difficult to swallow—but true. 

We are members of God’s Kingdom as long as we obey Him and his lawful commands. Our Kingdom’s Constitution is contained in the entire Bible—both testaments. We search for truth and strive to allow the scriptures to interpret themselves. 

Isn’t it interesting that today in America lawlessness abounds. The Constitution is under attack and many of our elected officials are receiving bribes from foreign countries rather than upholding our Constitution.

Just as reform is taking place in America so it is taking place in the spiritual Kingdom of God. Many are returning to the “ancient and true ways” of our Founding Father Yehovah! The Kingdom is being restored! 

As the world and America is experiencing an awakening to the corruption of our governments so the mainstream church will soon re-discover the true Biblical Kingdom. Many will return to the pure word of God and be refreshed. It is coming!

A SPECIAL HANUKKAH MESSAGE FROM ISRAEL

Caroline B. Glick is a Conservative commentator and Israeli Patriot. If you have not read the previous posts on The Controversy of Zion and Jacob’s Trouble which begin on Tuesday October 31, 2023 on this blog through November: https://burningbush647.blogspot.com/2023/10/

 Ms. Glick’s Hanukkah video is very important. She understands the serious consequences of the current conflict in Israel. It is a fight for survival of the Jewish people exactly as it was 2,135 years ago during the revolt of the Maccabees against the Greeks.

The Greeks were looking to wipe out the Jewish people and their God. There are many similarities today as the world is coalescing against the Jewish people. Her short video (29 minutes) is a must watch and here it is:  https://www.jns.org/the-maccabean-revolt-of-2023/

I also posted on the Maccabees revolt here in 2019: https://burningbush647.blogspot.com/2019/12/daniels-hanukkah-prophecy-historical.html

It is most important we understand that the war in Israel at this current time may be the beginning of sorrows for the world. The Controversy of Zion and Jacob’s Trouble is the 7 year tribulation period when the world will turn against the State of Israel, Jewish people, and the elect of Yeshua the Messiah (Matt 24, Mark 13, Luke 21).

God’s “church” will be severely tested at this time. They will not be raptured out because the true “church” has been grafted into Israel (Romans 11) and will be purified and tested during that time.

I am not predicting that we are in the tribulation now. I am saying that this is the prelude to that time. We need to pray for the Peace of Jerusalem and understand the times:

 And of the sons of Issachar, two hundred chief men, who had understanding of the times and were wise to know what Israel ought to do; and all their brethren followed their word. 1 Chronicles 12.32

All these men of war, that could keep rank, came with a perfect heart to Hebron, to make David king over all Israel; and likewise, all the rest also of Israel were of one heart to make David king.  And there they were with David three days, eating and drinking, for their brethren had prepared for them. 1 Chronicles 12.38-29

Like these believers in the time of King David we will be called to serve our King Yeshua during the tribulation times. Now is the day of our preparation and training. We need to keep our eyes on Jerusalem and the events unfolding in Israel. A time of great tribulation upon the earth is coming. We are now in training for this time no matter how long this training period will be.

Understanding The Controversy of Zion and Jacob’s Trouble unlocks the mystery of the coming tribulation. Yeshua is preparing His Army of Believers for that coming Day of the Lord. Prepare!

It is slowly playing out before our eyes. We are to “occupy until I come,” Luke 19.11-27. He comes after the tribulation of those days:

Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from the heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken, and then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven, and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with great power and glory. And he shall send his angels with a trumpet and a great voice, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. Matt 24.29-31

Our King is only coming once. He will be coming to save all Israel at that time. We are grafted into Israel (Eph 2.11-13). We will be part of the Great Tribulation. We, along with all Israel will be a testimony to the world during this terrible time. His glory will be revealed to the world by our testimony in that day.

As the British said during World War Two: Keep Calm and Carry On. Let’s all walk softly and follow our King one day at a time. He will call us when the time comes. Only the Father knows the day and hour. Amen!

 

WHERE THE TRIBES OF ISRAEL AND JUDAH MIGRATED THROUGHOUT THE CENTURIES

These study notes are based on a talk by Dr. Stephen Pidgeon of cepher.net and Steven M. Collins four book study on where the Tribes of Israel migrated. The study is based on inductive reasoning using ancient historical and Biblical markers, stone carvings, etchings, and other historical information.

The reader can decide for themselves the veracity of the information. Some of the information is gleaned from extra Biblical works such as the books of Baruch, Esdras, and others. I’ve spent much time studying these things. Read the previous 6 postings for understanding of the Controversy of Zion and Jacob’s trouble when finished with this.

Our Elohim has many surprising things to reveal to us during His Millennial Reign! His plan to gather His people at His return is much bigger then we realize.

In a study like this the knowledge of ancient and recent Hebrew language is quite important. Understanding how languages can change over decades or centuries help us to track the migration of the tribes. Ancient writers such as Josephus and Pliny also help us to trace the movement and names of the tribes as they are scattered throughout the nations. Names of places also reflect and are based on names of ancient Hebrew tribes. Zaragoza, Spain, for instance is based on the name Zarah a son of Judah and Tamar.

Transliterating names of tribes aids in the search. King David’s Kingdom was Yahud. Its citizens were called Yahudis. The tribe of David in the KJV is Judah. The closer we stay to the ancient Hebrew the easier it becomes to locate potential wanderings of the tribes. The secular world refuses to truly investigate these things.

Josephus in his works introduces Greeks and Roman historical figures which is almost like a continuation of 1^st and 2^nd Chronicles according to Dr. Pidgeon. It reveals ancient history and where tribes initially migrated.

In the KJV Old Testament the Hebrew for Holy Spirit becomes Holy Ghost in the New Testament but in the Hebrew a better translation is Holy Breath.

Jacob’s name Israel in Hebrew would sound like Yah shah el = Israel = Upright one. “Yah shah el is my first born son” the scripture says = “the seed of” = seed is of the tree—leaves so to speak are what comes after, year after year. We are generational seed of Abraham.

Manasseh 

Joseph was the beloved son to Jacob because he was the first born of Rachel. Joseph came for the blessing from Jacob in Genesis 48.12-22. Joseph brought Manasseh the first born and Ephraim toward Jacob for blessing. Jacob reverses his hands to give Ephraim the first blessing and Joseph says, “No, no!” Jacob told him he knew what he was doing and proceeded blessing the younger Ephraim with the first born blessing.

Manasseh would become a great nation and ferocious warrior, Ephraim would become a company of nations. These prophecies have a long history of fulfillment up to the present age. (The prophecies in Genesis 49 help us understand the future of each tribe.)

Manasseh would receive a portion on both the west and east side of the Yardan River (Jordan). Their north eastern portion was in Bashan which was fertile ground for cattle and on the border which faced all oncoming future enemies. This is why Joshua was happy these ferocious warriors were located there. Manasseh would have faced Og the King of Bashan when Israelites killed him in battle.

This Bashan area would be near the present day area of the Golan Heights at the border of Syria. Interestingly today, the Hezbollah terrorist are massed against Israel there. Never ending conflict is the history of the Bible.

Manasseh would fight off many enemies of the Kingdom of Israel but would eventually be defeated in 722 BC by Assyria also known as Asshur when the Northern Kingdom fell. Isaiah 9.8-12 is a curse on Manasseh and the Northern kingdom (also referred to as Ephraim because it was the capital tribe of Israel) predicting their fall.

Assyria had developed the compound bow and there was no weapon to match it. They powerfully defeated the Northern Kingdom (also referred to as Ephraim in the O.T. because the tribe of Ephraim was the capital).

According to Dr. Pidgeon, Manasseh migrated east of the Caspian Sea into what is now Afghanistan and eventually were called the Massagetae. Mr. Steven Collins in his book, Parthia, also confirms this including Ephraim among them. The Massagetae may have been responsible for killing Alexander the Great.

Another area north east of Afghanistan would be the Scythian kingdom which would also be a major migration of lost tribes after Alexander the Great’s death.

These Massagetae (Manasseh) later would become the peoples of Genghis Kahn and the Mongol Empire. Many lost tribes would have been absorbed into this area as they were dispersed among the Gentile nations and lost their identities. The Mongol tribes of Genghis Kahn fought on horseback and conquered territories as far west as Turkey. Manasseh (Massagetae) learned this type of warfare after the Assyrian occupation.

They would have migrated into the Turkic people in an area then known as the Khazar Kingdom. This area would include European Russia, southern Ukraine, Crimea, and Kazakhstan today. The kingdom would have included Jews from all twelve tribes of the Diaspora. Simon Schama in his monumental two volume The Story of the Jews, Volume One touches on this topic: https://arthistory.columbia.edu/content/simon-schama

Many teach today that Khararian Jews are fake Jews. I’ve looked into it and believe it is a form of Anti-Semitism. In any event, many Jews who stayed in Babylon and refused to return to the land with Ezra would have migrated into this Kazaria when Babylon fell to the Medes-Persians and later to Alexander the Great. There was constant movement of Israelites throughout the world.

As these mixed peoples migrated east from Mongolia into Russian they could have crossed the ice bridge into what is now Alaska and migrated south into Canada and North America.

Dr. Pidgeon believes several Native American Tribes including Navaho (Dene) and Cherokee could have this DNA. Many Native American tribes today believe this to be true: https://www.messagetoeagle.com/native-americans-are-related-to-the-ten-lost-tribes-chief-riverwind-says/

Parthia

Over the centuries these Jews and lost tribes would have lost their identities among the Gentile nations as Yahweh Himself points out in the Book of Hosea.

Eventually a new nation called Parthia would arise in the area of Babylon which is now Iran and Iraq. Steven Collins Book Parthia the Forgotten Ancient Superpower and its Role in Biblical History covers this topic in great detail: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/322981.Parthia

The Romans and Parthia would fight ten vicious wars from 50 BC to 250 AD but you won’t find much of that history in western textbooks. The Lost Tribes of Israel became Parthia as they migrated through the Caucasus Mountains. Tribes became known as Caucasians because of their light color.

Tribe of Dan - Dan shall be a serpent by the way, an adder in the path that bites the horse heels, so that his rider shall fall backward. Gen 49.17

Dan has a very interesting history and like a serpent in the dust leaves a trail of where he was going, so Dan pronounced “Don” has left his trail leaving his name wherever he travels! Dan did not stay in his original tribal area but moved northward (Joshua 19.47-48).

Dan can be associated with many nations as he sailed through the Mediterranean Sea with his tribal brothers whom secular history call Phoenicians but were really part of the Northern Kingdom and the tribe of Asher (later we will discuss Asher).

As Dan travels west into Europe he names rivers after himself such as the Danube, Dnieper, and the Don. Eventually he will travel through North Ireland and lived among the Gaul’s. Mic Donald is a name from N. Ireland. This is why Irish were called “Mics.”

In North Scotland we have the name Mac Donald which means “son of Dan.” Then Dan moves north and establishes “Danmark” as a home. Old maps from the 1930’s have the name Danmark on their maps.

Dan was and is a city in north Israel that has a park with their golden idol at the center of the park. One of the reasons Dan is not included in the 144,000 is because he was responsible for idol worship in the north of the Northern Kingdom of Israel prior to Assyrian defeat.

Moses prophecy on Dan in Genesis 49.22 says, “Dan is a lion’s whelp: he shall LEAP from Bashan!” Dan and Benjamin may have become the Viking raiders of old. Jacob’s future prophecy on Benjamin was that is a ravenous wolf who would divide the spoil (Gen 49.27). Sounds like Vikings dividing the spoil with his brother Dan!

Judah, Tamar, Pharez, and Zarah – Genesis 38

Judah had twins with his daughter in-law who also migrated into the nations, Perez and Zarah. We begin with Zarah. He is called Hebrew after Abraham’s grandfather, Eber. It is believed the name Hebrew comes from Eber. In Genesis 14.13 Abram/Abraham is called a Hebrew. He is never referred to as a Jew in scripture—He is a Hebrew. This is the only scripture describing who Abraham was.

The word Hebrew means “one who has crossed over” as in Abram being called out of Chaldea and crossing over the Euphrates River at the call of Yahweh. When we cross over into our Hebraic roots and begin to observe the Biblical Feasts of the Lord (Lev 23) we have crossed over and are truly grafted into Israel (Romans 11 and Ephesians 2 and 3).

We follow Zarah into Spain. The chief river of Spain is the Ebro (Eber) a river in northeastern Spain that flows southeast into the Mediterranean Sea. The city of Zaragoza, Spain overlooks the Ebro River! Zarah’s emblem is the red lion. Zarah had the scarlet string attached to his hand when born. Interestingly the Red Hand of Ulster was the flag of Northern Ireland until quite recently.

Then we have Perez whose emblem is the golden lion. Dr. Pidgeon believes Perez became the sect of Pharisees. Both tribes have Spanish heritage. In Spanish names we often see the letters “ez” at the end of names like Chavez, Torrez, Perez, etc. Does the “ez” stand for Eretz Zion, the Land of Zion and Jerusalem?

The Spanish then migrated to South America from Barcelona. We know the history of the cruel Conquistadors making converts by the sword to the Catholic faith. How many of them had DNA of lost tribes? How many intermarried with the native peoples over time? Again, the Book of Hosea says Ephraim (House of Israel) has mixed himself with the nations.

When I lived in Arizona I met a jeweler who I asked if he was Mexican. He told me, “No, I am Spanish. My family heritage did not intermarry with the native born. A Mexican is a former Spaniard who intermarried with the natives.” That’s what he told me.

Finally the Spanish discover Florida and establish a fort at what is now the town of St. Augustine, Florida. It was established in 1565 and is the oldest settlement in North America from European exploration of the New World.

Columbus when sailing to find a trade route east was following the extra Biblical book of 4 Esdras 13.39-44 which speaks of ten tribes led away captive by Assyria and later crossing waters into another land.

In St. Augustine at the Pirate Museum there is a display of those Pirates known to be Jewish. How many more such Pirates don’t we know about?

Zarah also has Spanish connections. Many of them migrated to South America from Barcelona. Today there are approximately 1.5 million of them in South America.

Asher

Asher’s territory was north east of Tyre, Zidon, Acco, and Haifa. They would have done business with Tyre. Asher became merchants and port keepers, operating the daily coming and goings of merchant fleets. Rehoboam, Solomon’s son levied heavy taxes on the Asherites and the other tribes causing the Northern Kingdom of Israel to rebel and divide the nation (1 Kings 11 and 12).

Dr. Pidgeon believes Asher ended up in Venice when dispersed from the Northern Kingdom. They would have become the “Merchants of Venice.” We need to remember that the early Christians did not charge interest. They looked to the “Jews” to become the bankers because the Torah allowed charging interest to Gentiles.

Gad

Gad in Hebrew is pronounced “God.” From Gad come the Goths and Visigoths. They migrated through the Caucasus Mountains into what is now Germany and later Gaul (France) and Spain. They would burn Rome 8 times during their barbarian history.

It is ironic that Rome hated the Jews, destroyed the temple and later Jerusalem after the Bar Kokhba revolt in 132-35 A.D. later to be invaded by the Gothic tribes. Divine justice!

Ephraim

Ephraim became the Anglo-Saxons as they migrated northwest toward France and Saxony. In Hebrew Saxon means Sacs sons or Sons of Isaac. The emblem of Ephraim was a bull/ox. England’s mascot is John Bull. The word British is made up from two Hebrew words: Brit = Covenant and ish = man = British. Ephraim would become a “company of nations” when Jacob blessed him.

Lud son of Shem

Finally we have Lud a son of Shem. It is believed the Apostle Paul actually went to Spain as he said he was going to in his epistle and later went to Britain. The City of Lud was erected around Mt. Lud where today stands the St. Paul Cathedral. It is said Paul spoke on Mt. Lud. This area today is called the East Gate of the one square mile City of London = Luddon, Lud and Dan.

In Conclusion

We see that the dispersion of the Nation of Israel into the Gentile world has had mysterious and wonderful results. Elohim is working out His will and the world has no understanding of any of this. The reader should take the time to read and meditate on the following scriptures in order to understand the end of this current age:

Ezekiel 37.15-28 documents the reunification of the House of Judah and the House of Israel (also referred to as Ephraim).

1 Kings 10 thru 11 the division of the nation.

The Book of Hosea describes the diaspora especially chapter 7 and 8.

Romans 11 – Gentiles grafted into Israel. Ephesians 2.11-3.6 also describes our grafting into Israel (the unified kingdom as described in Ezekiel 37.15-28

Ezekiel 47.22-23 – Those grafted into reunited Israel receive a land inheritance in the Millennial Kingdom!

Also search this blog for articles on these subjects. The House of Israel, the northern kingdom, was dispersed throughout the earth. Judah was taken captive by Babylon and about 50,000 of them returned and rebuilt the temple. The others remained in Babylon. Many later dispersed and lost their “Jewish” identity. Those who remained in Babylon would write the Talmud (200 – 500 AD).

The end of this age and the second coming of Yeshua ha Mashiach has deeper meaning than we have realized. It will center on both the Jewish people, the lost tribes of the Northern Kingdom, and Gentiles (grafted in) with whom the tribes have mixed.

It is known as Jacob’s Trouble and the Controversy of Zion. He will be coming to save us all at the end of the Great Tribulation.

Here is the video of Dr. Pidgeon’s talk on the Lost Tribes: https://www.bing.com/videos/riverview/relatedvideo?&q=dr.+Pidgeon+on+the+lost+tribes&&mid=37411ADEABD609C2712537411ADEABD609C27125&&FORM=VRDGAR

Be Blessed!

 

THE FOUR THOUSAND YEAR HISTORY OF ESAU’S GENEALOGY—ESAU IS EDOM – GENESIS 36

Today we examine Esau’s genealogy beginning with the Biblical record and modern history. Jacob and Esau have been in a blood feud since Biblical times. Surprising information contained in this post will help us to understand the current crisis in the Controversy of Zion and Jacob’s Trouble.

The previous five posts are part of this series.

The Biblical record of Abraham’s sons Isaac and Ishmael show that God desired Abraham’s son Isaac would be the son of promise (God’s promise that Sarah, Abraham’s wife, would have a son). Abraham’s son with midwife Hagar would be mightily blessed but the birthright would be given to Isaac. Genesis 21.1-21 explains the birth of Isaac and God’s promise that Ishmael would become a great nation. Ishmael would have 12 sons and become the Arab nations.

Most of us know the story of Jacob and Esau and their birthright controversy. God told Rebekah in Genesis 25.23 that she would have twins and one people shall be stronger than the other people and the elder would serve the younger. Genesis 25.24-34 recounts how Esau glibly sold his birthright to Jacob for a bowl of red pottage.

The 12 tribes of Ishmael and Esau, who is Edom are distant cousins. Esau went to his uncle Ishmael for wives (Gen 28.8-9) while Jacob went to Haran and took wives of his uncle Laban.

From the National Library of Medicine: Archaeologic and genetic data support that both Jews and Palestinians came from the ancient Canaanites, who extensively mixed with Egyptians, Mesopotamian, and Anatolian peoples in ancient times. Thus, Palestinian-Jewish rivalry is based in cultural and religious, but not in genetic, differences.

Jacob, Ishmael, and Esau have been at odds ever since. This is root of the Controversy of Zion. It is a family feud! It also proves the truth of the Bible.

Later, instead of Rebekah waiting for God to bring about his promise of the elder serving the younger, she conspired with Jacob to receive Isaac’s blessing (Genesis 27.1-40). The result of this has been a four thousand year blood feud between the brothers. We know about Jacob’s sons and how they became Israel but we know little about Esau. Today we will examine Esau’s history and genealogy.

We must keep in mind that when God makes a promise it is immutable and unchangeable. God is God. He is our creator and His word is unchangeable. The controversy exists between the brothers. God blessed Esau and was fair to him. Esau has never forgiven Jacob or God. If he would have accepted God’s decision the world would be a different place.

God’s word and the world’s refusal to accept it are the cause of all of the problems we now face. God has given us free will to accept or decline His Law and truth. He is still the one true God. The world will experience and know this at the end of the age. The Holy Scriptures explain everything—but mankind chooses to go their own way. Elohim, Jehovah, God will reveal His glory to the world when all things are fulfilled. The time is short.

THE ANCIENT ERA

Genesis 36 details the promises and blessing God bestowed upon Esau. It tells us Esau is Edom (Edomites). Esau took his wives and family and all his cattle and riches to Mount Seir and settled there. This is south east of the Dead Sea and Esau’s descendants would build the fortress city of Petra to protect themselves.

One of Esau’s descendants was Amalek who fought against Moses and the children of Israel at Rephidim (Exodus 17.8-16). At this time the Lord told Moses to write in a scroll that the Lord would have war with Amalek throughout the generations for this attack on the Israelites.

This is the first recorded attack on Israel by Esau/Edom. They started the war against the Israelites.

1 Samuel 15 is the account of Samuel the priest telling Saul, the first king of Israel, to smite the Amalekites because of what they did to Moses in the wilderness. Saul was instructed to kill all of the Amalekites—even the animals. Saul did not follow these instructions and kept the best of the animals and took Agag, king of Amalek alive. Samuel would later kill Agag.

Now we look at the Book of Esther and the story of Haman the Agagite. Haman is considered to be a descendant of Agag. The name Haman means violence or hate in Hebrew. King Herod the Great is considered to be a descendant of Haman.

The Greek name for Edom is Idumea. King Herod was an Idumean a descendant of Esau. This is why the Jews hated Herod even though he rebuilt the Temple to appease them. We are beginning to see how this is all connected.

Now we go to the overlooked book of Obadiah. This book is an ancient prophecy against the Edomites/Esau for the attack on Moses in the wilderness, for not allowing the children of Israel to travel through their land (Num 20.14-21) on their way to Canaan, and for looting Jerusalem when it fell to the Babylonians.

Remember the Biblical pattern for Chastising nations and Israel. Elohim allows enemy nations to come against them as His rod of chastisement. The Babylonians came against Judah because of their sins, but later the Persians came against the Babylonians for their cruelty to Judah. Obadiah is a prophecy of this kind.

The vision of Obadiah. Thus hath the Lord GOD said concerning Edom: We have heard the message from the LORD, and a messenger is sent to the Gentiles, Arise, and let us rise up against her in battle. Behold, I have made thee small among the Gentiles: thou shalt be greatly humbled. The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee, thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high; that saith in his heart, Who shall bring me down to the ground? Though thou exalt thyself as the eagle and though thou set thy nest among the stars, from there I will bring thee down, said the LORD. Obadiah 1-4…for your violence against your brother Jacob shame shall cover you and you shall be cut off forever. Verse 10

The prophet is telling Edom they feel safe in their impregnable city of Petra but they are going to be brought down by the Nabateans. Nebajoth, son of Ishmael and brother in law of Edom (Gen 25.13; 28.9) is the connection. They would be the agent of chastisement against Edom and take Petra from the Edomites. This was 500 years before the birth of Yeshua.

Edomites fled to the area south of Judah and later became known as Idumeans the Greek name for Edomites. Herod would later be installed as King over Judea by the Romans. He was an Edomite.

THE MODERN ERA

As we move into the modern era things begin to get really interesting. Jerusalem fell to General Allenby and the British army in December 1917. This was the end of the 500 year Ottoman Empire.

Hussein al-Husayni a Palestinian politician surrendered to General Allenby and died shortly thereafter in 1918. His relative Haj Amin al-Husseini (1897-1974) was appointed Mufti of Jerusalem by the British in 1921 and was the most important Palestinian in Palestine during the Mandatory period prior to Israel becoming a state in 1948.

Al-Amin was a spokesman for the Palestinian Arabs during these times. He fled to Berlin in 1941 during unrest in the Middle East where he met with Adolph Hitler. The Nazi’s used him to gain support from the Arab world and to kill their common enemy—the Jews. He reportedly toured in Yugoslavia to recruit Muslims for Germany’s SS and Wehrmacht and wrote to various European leaders urging them to bar Jews from leaving their countries contributing to their demise in the Holocaust.

Some scholars believe descendants of Edom migrated to what is now called the Balkans.

Yasser Arafat claimed to be a member of Haj Amin al-Husseini clan, claiming Haj Amin was his uncle but that is not true. Arafat said that to strengthen his position as leader of the PLO.

Today Mahmoud Abbas is president of the State of Palestine and chairman of the PLO.

Hamas is led by Ismail Haniyeh. The Hamas army is 15,000 to 40,000 strong. They are not regular army but can be classified as a terrorist group. There is disillusionment among Palestinians as to who the leader should be and the goals of Hamas.

The people groups in Gaza have connection to Esau and the Philistines of ancient history. The name Palestine was given to Judea by the Romans after the Bar Kokhba revolt against the Romans in 132-135 A.D. The Roman name was in honor of the Philistines who resided in Gaza and were the Biblical enemies of Israel.

The enmity will continue until Yeshua the Messiah returns and restores order. God gave Jacob and Esau blessing of riches and territory. Esau has never been satisfied with his portion. Esau/Edom struck first in Exodus 17.8-16. That is the true history and root of the Controversy of the Land.

In 1948 the Arab nations were given a state along with the Jewish people. The Arabs rejected the offer and Israel accepted the offer. The Palestinians were told to leave by their Arab brothers in order that the Jews could be annihilated. Then the Palestinians would be allowed to return and possess the Land for themselves. The Jews won the war and the area is still contested.

Nations and men refuse to accept God’s will. Therefore there will be bloodshed and suffering by the entire world until the Messiah returns.

All hearts will be tested in the coming tribulation. After the tribulation Messiah will rule and reign for a thousand years in peace. At the end of the thousand years the nations will rebel for the final time (Rev 20). It is written and it will come to pass.

This is the history of Esau who is Edom. Prophetically in Obadiah Edom can also represent the nations that will join with them at the end of this age to destroy God’s chosen people. Ishmael and Edom are distant cousins. As I write the world is coalescing to support them in the Controversy of Zion.

In closing a video: https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2023/11/journalist-douglas-murray-schools-piers-morgan-true-horror/

The Nations are going to rage (Ps2) against the Jewish people and any who follow Yeshua. It may make many of us uncomfortable but it is the truth. Truth sets us free. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Ask for courage and fortitude in the coming trouble. Amen.

 

 

A SCRIPTURAL REVIEW OF JACOB’S TROUBLE AND THE ASCENT OF THE ANTI-MESSIAH - PART THREE

This post goes along with the previous two posts. Here we will uncover the scriptural basis for Israel’s final dispersion and re-gathering to their homeland at the end of this current wicked age. The current situation in the State of Israel is a harbinger of things to come.

Then they shall dwell in the land that I have given to Jacob My servant, where your fathers dwelt; and they shall dwell there, they, their children, and their children’s children, forever; and My servant David shall be their prince forever.  Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them, and it shall be an everlasting covenant with them; I will establish them and multiply them, and I will set My sanctuary in their midst forevermore. Ezekiel 37.25-26

The above verse is one of many in the Tanakh (Old Testament) confirming the covenant which Elohim (GOD) made with Abraham in Genesis 15. Ezekiel was speaking of the time when the two Houses of Judah and Israel (Ephraim) would become reunited during the Millennial Age (Ezekiel 37.15-28). When Judah and Israel reunite at that time they will once again become ISRAEL. (Search this blog for information on the two houses.)

We have seen throughout the Tanakh Elohim warns the Israelites that if they become disobedient and stray from Him they would temporarily be expelled from the land (Lev 26 and Deut 28). When this occurs the “rod of chastisement” is through a nation(s) that attacks them and takes them into captivity.

Nations rise and nations fall. Temporal world empires will always rise and fall. Those who attack the apple of Elohim’s eye, Israel, are later chastised in the same way by another nation more powerful than they were. This is the scriptural pattern.

Elohim does not do this to us. Elohim allows us to do it to each other. This is why there is violence in this world. Elohim created us with free will. He gave us the Torah/law to guide our lives. If the nations would follow Torah/Law there would be no violence. Creating us with free will allows us to choose. Rather than choose life the nations choose death.

The Law is our Code of Conduct. Disobedience brings disaster on the world…please do not blame God for the injustice and violence in this world—it is our choice. When our King returns at the end of “the time of the Gentiles” and righteously judges the nations there will be a thousand years of peace. Choose wisely. Read Psalm 119 to understand Elohim’s righteous judgment and Royal Law.

THE CURRENT STATE OF ISRAEL

Israel is a modern nation state today. The prior post gave a short history of how they got there. They are a secular state at this time. They are in disobedience to their Elohim. They are far from obeying and worshipping Him as the books of the prophets reveal: In that day the Branch of the Lord shall be beautiful and glorious; And the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and appealing For those of Israel who have escaped.

And it shall come to pass that he who is left in Zion and remains in Jerusalem will be called holy—everyone who is recorded among the living in Jerusalem. When the Lord has washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and purged the blood of Jerusalem from her midst, by the spirit of judgment and by the spirit of burning, Isaiah 4.2-4

The above is not the current condition of Israel or her people, nor this: And it shall come to pass in that day, that the remnant of Israel, and such as are escaped of the house of Jacob, shall no more again stay upon him that smote them; but shall stay upon the Lord, the Holy One of Israel, in truth. The remnant shall return, even the remnant of Jacob, unto the mighty God. For though thy people Israel be as the sand of the sea, yet a remnant of them shall return: the consumption decreed shall overflow with righteousness. For the Lord God of hosts shall make a consumption, even determined, in the midst of all the land. Isaiah 10.20-23 also read Isaiah 51, these are future prophecies.

Future re-gathering. Jeremiah 30.4-11 (Chapters 30-33 focus on restoration) speaks of coming terror. Verses 8-11 happen chronologically. There are 10 promises in vv 4-7. Read Jeremiah 31.1-14 in connection with ch 30. We see a remnant in Isaiah 4.2-6, Zechariah 13.8-9.

In Isaiah 49.13-26 we see comfort, people forsaken, re-gathering to blessed land, and restoration in sight of nations, rescue of captives, and punishment of oppressors. Joel 3 speaks of final battle for the land. None of this has occurred in total fulfillment.

This re-gathering will be after Elohim’s final judgment for “The time of the Gentiles” which will end the current age and move us into the thousand year Millennial Age (Read Revelation 19-22).

THAT WHICH IS TO COME

Daniel 11.12-12.13 gives us many more details. Though difficult to understand these verses describe the coming crisis the controversy of the land will create. I will give a few key verses here, you may read the entire section on your own:

Chapter 11 - And a vile person shall succeed in his place, to whom they shall not give the honor of the kingdom: nevertheless he shall come in with peace and obtain the kingdom by flatteries.²² And with the arms they shall be overflown of a flood before him and shall be broken; yea, also the prince of the covenant.²³ And after the union made with him he shall work deceit and shall rise and shall overcome with few people.

²⁸ Then he shall return into his land with great riches; and his heart shall be against the holy covenant; and he shall do exploits and return to his own land.³⁰ For the ships of Chittim (today the Western Mediterranean area) shall come against him; therefore he shall be grieved and return and have indignation against the holy covenant: so shall he do; he shall even return and have an understanding with those that have forsaken the holy covenant.

³¹ And arms shall be placed on his behalf, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that makes desolate.³³ And the wise among the people shall give wisdom to many, yet they shall fall by the sword, and by fire, by captivity, and by spoil, for some days.

³⁵ And some of the wise shall fall to be purged and cleaned and made white, even to the time of the end because even for this there is time appointed.³⁶ And the king shall do according to his will, and he shall exalt himself and magnify himself above every god and shall speak marvels against the God of gods and shall prosper until the indignation is accomplished, for the determination has been made.

³⁹ And with the people of the strange god that he shall know, he shall make strong fortresses, increase their glory; and cause them to rule over many, and shall divide the land for gain. Chapter 12 - And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince who is for the sons of thy people, and it shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there were people until now, but in that time thy people shall escape, all those that are found written in the book. And many of those that sleep in the dust of the earth shall be awakened, some for eternal life, and some for shame and everlasting confusion.³ And those that understand shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and those that teach righteousness to the multitude as the stars in perpetual eternity.⁴ But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end: many shall pass by, and knowledge shall be multiplied.

⁷ And I heard the Man clothed in linens, who was upon the waters of the river, who raised his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and swore by the living one in the ages that it shall be for a time, times, and a half; and when the scattering of the power of the holy people shall be finished, all these things shall be fulfilled. ⁸ And I heard, but I did not understand; then I said, O my Lord, what is the fulfillment of these things?⁹ And he said, Go thy way, Daniel, for these words are closed up and sealed until the time of the fulfillment. ¹⁰ Many shall be purified and made white and purged, but the wicked shall get worse; and none of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand.

We are getting a preview of the above verses as I write. The wicked are rising and the State of Israel is being blamed for ALL the tension in the Middle East. World opinion is quickly turning against the Jewish people. Those who support Israel will be targeted. Those who think they will be “raptured out” are in for a rude awakening. The church will be tested. Hearts will be tried. 

We are grafted into Israel (Romans 11; Ephesians 2.11-19) and will suffer along with the Jewish people. There will be many betrayals and disappointments among us but the true Bride will be purified like gold!

Also read Mark 13, Matthew 24, and Luke 21.

The key issue that teachers of the Great Tribulation miss is that these things are happening because of the Controversy of Zion (the LAND) which brings on Jacob’s Trouble. It is Elohim allowing the nations to become Lawless and violent towards one another in their hatred for the People of God and their presence in the land He has allotted them.

This includes Jews and Christians who will be the main targets. The “Church” for lack of a better word will not be raptured out! They/we are going to be required to assist our Jewish brothers and stand beside them. Our witness towards them of the Messiah will save many. (We have been grafted into Israel)

When Yeshua came into Jerusalem prior to His death he said:  For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me from now on until ye shall say, Blessed is he that comes in the name of the Lord. Matt 23.39

Read Zachariah 12 describing that day:

And I will pour upon the house of David and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and of prayer, and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn over him as one mourns for his only son, afflicting themselves over him as one afflicts himself over his firstborn. In that day there shall be a great mourning in Jerusalem as the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the valley of Megiddon. And the land shall mourn…Zechariah 12.10-12

A GLORIOUS FUTURE

We will all experience the Great Tribulation. Daniel says the wise will understand and do great things. This is why Joel says:

The LORD shall utter his voice before his army: for many are his camps and strong, that execute his word; for the day of the LORD is great, and very terrible; and who can abide it? Joel 2.11…read the entire chapter and you will see what will be happening in Israel at this time…For, behold, in those days and in that time when I shall cause the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem to end,² I will gather together all the Gentiles, and will cause them to descend into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and there I will enter into judgment with them because of my people and of my heritage Israel, whom they scattered among the nations, and parted my land. Joel 3.1-2

The LORD also shall roar out of Zion and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake; but the LORD will be the hope of his people and the strength of the sons of Israel.¹⁷ So shall ye know that I am the LORD your God, that I inhabit Zion, the mountain of my holiness: then shall Jerusalem be holy, and no strangers shall pass through her any more. Joel 3.16-17

All of these things are yet to come. The Controversy of the Land will lead to Jacob’s trouble. This will bring an end to the time of the Gentiles. Jerusalem will be a praise in all the earth. Israel will be restored (Ezekiel 37.15-28) and we who have been grafted into Israel (Romans 11.15-24) will dwell in peace as citizens of Israel on our own plot of land! (Ezekiel 47.22-23)

In summation I also want to bring your attention to a little known unrecognized book on this subject: The Controversy of Zion, by Dalton Lifsey. Unfortunately this book is out of print. It can be found at online book sellers for $97.00 or less. It is very detailed and makes the case above by allowing the Bible to interpret itself.

There are so many additional verses and information on this topic I will be posting on this important information moving forward the next couple of months. In closing here is a great video by Jonathan Cahn: https://wltreport.com/2023/11/09/rollingstone-attacks-jonathan-cahn/

I pray this short study will help God’s people to have a solid understanding of the things which are to come and help us pass this knowledge forward to those who need to understand. Amen.

The next post will review Esau/Edom genealogy and their position in the end time prophecies.