What is Wormwood?

Here is a sampling of the Scripture verses that were mentioned in a print-out sent to me recently in regards to Planet X (aka Nibiru) claiming this planet is bible prophecy and headed towards earth. If we really want to understand Scriptures we can learn the context and definition of wormwood by reading more than one word or one sentence from a paragraph or two and then trying to force a prophetic revelation out of it.  The same thing happened with the Blood Moon interpretation not long ago - nobody is talking about it now.... what happened?

Reference is also made to events recorded in Revelation. I note that The Seven Shofar events are in numerical order, so when we see hail with fire mixed with water raining down, we know we are in for something much worse - which will happen before the star called Wormwood falls to earth.

Deuteronomy 29:15 - 

You are well aware that we once dwelt in the land of Egypt and that we passed though the midst of various other nations (those 40 years); and you have seen the detestable things and the fetishes of wood and stone, silver and gold, that they keep. Perchance there are some of you now whose heart is turning away from Yahweh Elohim to go and worship the gods of those people - perchance there is among you a stock sprouting poison weed and wormwood.

Wormwood is an intoxicant and poisonous. Long and intensive use can lead to addiction, corporal and psychical decline and it can lead to nervousness, restlessness and cramps. High doses can cause headaches and dizziness. Higher doses are psycho-activating and have a paralyzing effect. Overdose results in unconsciousness, coma and death.

Proverbs 5:1 - 

My son, listen to my wisdom; incline your ear to my insight, that you may have foresight,  while your lips hold fast to knowledge. For the lips of a forbidden woman drip honey, her mouth is smoother than oil; but in the end she is as bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword.

Jeremiah 9:12 - 

Because they forsook the Teaching I had set before them; they did not obey Me and they did not follow My Teaching, but followed their own willful heart and followed the Baalim, as their fathers had taught them. Assuredly (said Yahweh Elohim) I am going to feed that people wormwood and make them drink a bitter draft.  I will scatter them among nations which they and their fathers never knew and I will dispatch the sword after them until I have consumed them.

Jeremiah 23:15 - 

(Yah is speaking concerning the prophets) I am going to make them eat wormwood and drink a bitter draft; for from the prophets of Jerusalem Lawlessness has gone forth to the whole land.  Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you. They are deluding you, what they speak is from their own minds, not from the mouth of Yahweh.

Lamentations 3:13 - 

He (Yahweh) has shot into my vitals the shafts of His quiver. I have become a laughingstock to all people, the butt of their gibes all day long. He has filled me with bitterness, sated me with wormwood.

Amos 5:7 - 

Ah! You who turn justice into wormwood (bitterness, injustice) and hurl righteousness to the ground! Seek Yahweh Elohim, who make the Pleiades and Orion, who turns deep darkness into dawn and darkens the day into night, who summons the waters of the sea and pours them out upon the earth-- His Name is YHWH!  It is He who hurls destruction upon strongholds so that ruin comes upon fortresses.

Revelation Chapter 8 - 

The Seventh Seal has been opened and there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. The Seven Messengers (angels) are given each a shofar (trumpet)... The first one sounded: Hail and fire mixed with water were thrown upon the earth - a third part of the earth was burned, a third part of trees and all green grass was burned.  The 2nd one sounded: what looked as if it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea causing a third part of the sea to become blood; a third of all the creatures in the sea died and a third of all ships were destroyed (tsunami?). The 3rd one sounded: there fell from heaven a star burning like a lamp which fell upon a third part of all (fresh water sources).  This star was called "Wormwood" and a third part of the waters became bitter, poisoned and many persons died from the waters.  (Note: It, this star called 'wormwood', doesn't destroy the whole earth - it just affects a third part of fresh water sources, drinking water).... The 4th one sounded: A third of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon and stars became dark and so the daylight is a third less bright as well as the night.  The 5th one sounded: A star fell from heaven to earth and he was given the key to the abyss, which he opened and now the demon locust with scorpion stingers are loosed to torment those who do not have the seal of Elohim upon their foreheads - for 5 months this goes on! More happens and then the 6th one sounds: the four Messengers bound at the Euphrates are set free and they gather up the 200 million man army to go out and slay a third part of humanity. Much, much more happens, then the 7th one sounds and that is when the kingdom of the world becomes the Kingdom of Y'shua....

Regular use of wormwood can become addicting. The plant contains glycoside, known to be poisonous, and the volatile oil is a central nervous system depressant. Longer-term use (over four weeks) or intake of amounts higher than those recommended can cause nausea, vomiting, insomnia, restlessness, vertigo, tremors, and seizures. Overuse of wormwood can initiate nervousness, stupor, convulsions, and death. (Many drugs and poisons derived from plants are glycosides.)

The star is called Wormwood because it has the same properties as the plant called wormwood.  Not only does it cause bitterness but also causes death, in the long run, to those who drink the waters. 

Now, the trumpets won’t begin their series until after the last seal is opened.  In my studies I relate the opening of the seals with the signs Y’shua says will happen before the end will come.

The Seals of Revelation 6 relate to what Messiah has told his disciples as to the 'signs' of his return and the end of the world. It seems that the 'beginning of sorrows' is the opening of Seals 1 through 4 and these events seem pretty apparent in our day.  Seal 5 represents the 'persecution' of believers, those who are hated because of faith in Y'shua and YHWH. This is nothing new, but with the rise of Islam and increasing unrest in the Mideast, we hear/see reports of hatred towards believers in YHWH more often, to the point of killing/beheading 'Christians' -- it seem as if Seal #5 is broken and in the stages of opening.  Seals 6 and 7 are yet to be broken.

Seal #1
White horse being ridden by one who goes out to conquer (Wars and rumors of war)
Seal #2
Rider of the red horse carrying a great sword, takes peace from the earth causing people kill one another
(Nations and kingdoms will rise up against each other, fight each other.)
Seal #3
The rider of the black horse carries a balance, the price of food goes up and the oil wine (luxury items) are protected.
(There will be famine, food shortages,)
Seal #4
Pale horse whose rider is Death and is followed by the grave.  He has authority over a quarter of the world's population to kill by wars, famine, death and wild beasts.
(plagues, diseases and earthquakes in various places.)
Seal #5
Under the altar are seen the souls of them who were slain on account of the Word of Elohim and on account of the testimony to the Lamb which was with them.  They cry out asking YHWH how much longer will it take before He judges and avenges their blood.  He tells them to be quiet yet a little while until the consummation of their fellow servants and Brothers who were to be killed as they had been.
Seal #6
The opening of this seal causes a great earthquake and the sun became black like sackcloth and the whole moon became like blood. And the stars of heaven fell on the earth as a fig tree casts its unripe figs.  The heavens separate as a scroll is rolled up and all mountains and islands were moved out of their places. All the kings, nobles and captains, rich men, men of valor and every servant and free man hide for they know the day of their wrath is come and who is able to stand?

It is still during this 6th Seal time frame that the four angels/Messengers held the four winds and another Messenger had the seal of Elohim to seal the servant of Elohim upon their foreheads - 144,000 = 12,000 from each of the 12 tribes of Israel = the first fruits of the harvest of the earth. 

There are a lot of preparations made before Seal 7 is opened, which triggers the 7 Shofars Event.

Seal #7
When this seal is opened there will be silence in heaven for about a half hour... the 7 Messengers will each be given a shofar. Fire from the altar will be cast upon the earth which causes thunders, flashes of lightning and voices and an earthquake.  The 7 Messengers prepare to sound their shofars.

Since the wormwood star doesn’t fall until the 3rd trumpet is sounded, can you understand how much prophecy needs to be fulfilled prior to it? Set Apart Believers will still be on this earth during the sounding of the seven shofars. Yes, we go through 3-1/2 years of Satan's insanity but we are gathered up with Y'shua at that 7th Shofar!  

Now that we have Yahweh’s word on it (and that is where I always like to start), let’s take a look at the origins of Project Wormwood.

Project Wormwood originated as part of:

     Space Weather Services (SWS) (formerly IPS) a member of the ICSU World Data System. The World Data Centre (WDC) for Space Weather is a part of and operated by the Australian Bureau of Meteorology, Space Weather Services. The centre operates in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. 

This is from their website: 

Planetary Defense is defined as that activity concerned with protecting the Earth and its inhabitants from destruction due to impact by a large piece of space debris such as an asteroid or a comet.The term "Planetary Defense" is believed to have first been used by Major Lindley N Johnson (1993-1994) in a paper to explore required future space capabilities for the US Air Force.  However, the term received its wide use and promotion by Colonel Simon Worden when he was commander of the US Air Force Space Command 50th Space Wing. The term indicates the realization that we are under bombardment from outer space. Not from an alien aggressor, but from a sporadic bombardment by naturally occurring objects in the solar system: asteroids and comets - fragmentary space debris - which occasionally are perturbed onto a collision course with Earth.  The term furthermore, recognizes that our technology has now advanced to the point where not only can we search for and track such objects, but where we may also be in a position to deflect them from their intended path, and thus avert a disaster or catastrophe.

In the sense of a program, planetary defense then has three phases: 

1. Recognition of the threat or hazard of cosmic impact
2. Surveillance for detection of specific threats
3. Deflection or interception of the threat 

The majority of Project Wormwood activities will be follow-up astrometry (measurements) that are required to obtain precise orbits for asteroids that have previously been discovered by other programs. (end quote)

     I’m not denying that there are things out in space that we most likely are unaware of but what sticks in my craw is when folks try to attach prophecy and other Scripture quotes (using only a common word or two without taking that paragraph into consideration) to these astronomical events. The Four Blood Moons hoopla is a perfect example. I researched that as well and proved the prophecy was for the end times. Folks took a verse from the book of Joel and got all excited about it. They are doing the same thing with the word ‘wormwood’.

There have been underground military bases since at least WWII. Most of N. Korea’s bases are underground. We’ve got Cheyenne Mountain plus whatever is underneath the Denver airport terminal, Area 51 … the list goes on. We know that the logistics of FEMA include stockpiling food, water, emergency shelters, bedding, etc… There is an extremely dirty underbelly of the governments of this world, but they will receive judgment when the day comes. We need to concern ourselves with our Faith and trust in our Creator to keep us on the straight and narrow!

Y’shua told us all these things must happen, not to worry, it’s not the end yet.

Form or Function?

Physical or Spiritual?

Why do the modern day Jews and supporters of the state of Israel think they need to build another temple in Jerusalem? They certainly have overlooked First Corinthians 3:16 "Do you not know that you are the temple of Elohim and that the Spirit of Elohim dwells in you?" 

The Temple Institute's ultimate goal is to "see Israel rebuild the Holy Temple on Mount Moriah in Jerusalem". They have already chosen the priests and have bred red heifers, and have made many of the utensils required for temple service.  If they succeed, don't they realize Satan will stand in it and call himself 'god'? These people believe they are commanded to build this temple according to the vision given to Ezekiel. How can you choose to act on one vision then ignore prophecy?

That may be the key... they are fulfilling prophecy. 

In the second chapter of Revelation we read about Jews who call themselves Jews but are not, they lie, they are of the synagogue of Satan, thus doing the work of Satan, preparing the stage for the final seven years of life as we know it.

The act of building this 'third temple' isn't so much according to the vision Ezekiel had (which the Institute claims is their command to build), but is very much in line with the end times events, especially the final seven years.

Y'shua is aware of this future temple. He tells us in Matthew 24 that the "sign of uncleanness" (abomination) and desolation will eventually stand in the Set Apart place (commonly known as the holy of holies). He also refers us to Daniel 9:27: 

During one week he will make a firm covenant with many. For half a week he will put a stop to the sacrifice and meal offering. At the corner of the altar will be an appalling abomination until the decreed destruction will be poured down upon the appalling thing. Also in Daniel 11:31- Forces will be levied by him, they will desecrate the temple, the fortress, they will abolish the regular offering and set up the appalling abomination. And noted in Daniel 12:11: From the time the regular offering is abolished and an appalling abomination is set up will be a thousand two hundred and ninety days.

The sacrifices mentioned are the regular offering and the meal offering.  The regular offering is made along with the meal offering which includes drink. Exodus 29:38 and Numbers 28:3 tell us what these offerings consist of: 2 yearling lambs as burnt offerings, one to be offered in the morning and one at twilight; choice flour mixed with pure olive oil as the meal offering and the drink offering of wine. This should put to rest the argument that Y'shua was the sacrifice to end all sacrifices; his blood was shed as Atonement for Sins, not as a regular every day sacrifice.

Hebrews 10 (lightly paraphrased- Dusty) 

We choose to accept Y'shua as our High Priest who offered a one time sacrifice for sins, who sits forever at the right hand of Elohim where he waits until his foes are placed as a footstool under his feet. For, by one offering (himself), he has perfected forever them who are sanctified (set apart) by him. And the Ruach haKodesh also testifies to us by saying: This is the covenant which I will give them after those days, says Master YHWH: I will put my Torah into their minds and inscribe it on their hearts and their iniquity and their sins I will not remember against them. Now, where there is a forgiveness of sins there is no offering for sin demanded. We have therefore my Brothers assurance of entering into the sanctuary by the blood of Y'shua and by a path of life.

Getting back to that abomination, Y'shua tells us, as it is written in Mark 13:14 - So when you see the abomination of desolation standing where it should not be (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.

and Matthew 24:15 - So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination of desolation,’ described by the prophet Daniel (let the reader understand)

Daniel describes this 'abomination' as one who will make a firm covenant with many, who will eventually put a stop to the sacrifice and meal offering. At the corner of the altar will be an appalling abomination until the decreed destruction will be poured down upon the appalling thing.

This can read as the final world leader who brings peace to the world, gets many to sign an agreement and allows Jews to reinstate their tradition as a gesture of good will. He shall (after 3-1/2 years) bring an end to these rituals, having an image of himself placed in the temple and entering the 'holy of holies' claiming that he is 'god'.  All this being said, it becomes obvious that a temple will exist in the end times scenario, but is not the temple of Ezekiel's vision.

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Ezekiel was shown extraordinary visions.  He was called  by Yahweh to be a watchman for His people, the House of Israel. Could it be he was shown a representation of another reality - the 'what could be' if those who claim to be Yah's People would actually repent and return to Him - accept the covenant and terms of that covenant by actually obeying those Instructions. They had that very opportunity when the exile ended and they were free to return to Jerusalem.

The first House of Elohim was the Tabernacle. Yahweh moved from the mountain to the tent, to be in the midst of His people. Later, Yah approved His House to be built by Solomon. Yahweh moved from the tent into a permanent location, the last place where He attached His Name. Solomon's Temple was destroyed by the siege of Nebuchadnezzar and the armies of Babylon in 586 BC. Some seventy years later the exiles were allowed to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple, again by the will of Yahweh who used King Cyrus to make it so. Although modest in comparison to the First Temple, the Second Temple was later enlarged and expanded by Herod the Great. This latter temple was the one which existed during the time of Y'shua.

I came across this while reviewing my other studies which gave me one of those 'ah-ha!' moments. The writings of Paul recorded in Ephesians seem to shed some light and possibly confirm this vision Ezekiel was shown as being something so glorious and wonderful - something mere man cannot grasp or imagine in size or magnitude. Let us remember Ezekiel's other visions were also very detailed and powerful although difficult to imagine. It is possible that Ezekiel was being 'shown' the results of Man's Hope in The Good News of the Kingdom to Come and the awesome power and Love of the Father when He restores all things.

Ephesians 1:6 - That the glory of His grace might be glorified which He poured upon us through His Beloved One; by whom we have redemption and the forgiveness of sins by his blood, according to the riches of his grace which abounds in us, in all wisdom and all spiritual understanding. 12- That we should be the first who hoped in the Mashiyach, to the honor of his glory - in whom you have also heard the Word of Truth which is the Good News of your life 18- And that the eyes of your hearts may be enlightened so that you may know what is the hope of his calling, and what are the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the Set Apart believers; and which is the excellence of the majesty of his power in us who believe; according to the efficiency of the strength of his power which He put forth in His Son and raised him from the dead and seated him at His right hand in heaven.  Ephesians 2:7- That He might show to the coming ages the magnitude of the riches of His grace and His goodness towards us in Y'shua the Mashiyach. 18- Because by him there is access for us both, by one Spirit, to the Father. Wherefore you are not strangers nor sojourners but are fellow-citizens with the Set Apart believers and of the household of Elohim. And you are built upon the foundations of the Apostles and the prophets; and Y'shua the Mashiyach has become the head of the corner in the edifice. and in him all the edifice is framed together and grows into a Set Apart temple in Master Yahweh; while you also are built in him for a habitation of Elohim through the Spirit.  Ephesians 3- To me, Paul, who am the least of all the Set Apart believers, has this grace been given that I should announce among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of the Mashiyach, and should show to all men what is the architecture of the mystery which for ages was hid in Elohim the Creator of all things, so that by means of the assembly (of Set Apart believers) the manifold wisdom of Elohim might become known - which He arranged ages before and worked it through Y'shua our Master. Therefore I pray - and I bow my knees to the Father of our Master Y'shua from whom the whole family in heaven and on earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might by His Spirit; that in your inner man the Mashiyach may dwell by faith, an in your hearts by love while your root and foundation increases  greatly in strength; and that you may be able to explore, with all the Set Apart believers, what is the height and depth and length and breadth, and may know the greatness of the Mashiyach's love and that you may be filled with all the fullness of Elohim.

That we may be able to explore with our fellow believers, learning together as one from our study of Scriptures, the greatness of His Love, that we shall know the expanse: the height and depth and length and breadth of that Kingdom to Come and the mystery of the New Heavens, New Earth and the New Jerusalem. We can only be part of it if we become set apart from this world's system and false religions.

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***

In Revelation 21 we read about the restoration of all things: new heaven, new earth and new Jerusalem = the bride of Y'shua.  There was no temple to be seen in it for Master YHWH Amighty is its temple, and the Lamb.

I saw new heavens and a new earth for the former heaven and earth had passed away; the sea was no more. And I saw the Set Apart city, the New Jerusalem, descending from Elohim out of heaven, prepared like a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice from heaven, which said: Behold, the tabernacle of Elohim is with me; and He dwells with them; they will be His people; and Elohim will be with them - their Elohim. And every tear will be wiped for their eyes; and there will be no more death, nor mourning, nor wailing or pain because the former things are passed away.

He who sat on the throne said: Behold, I make all things new. I am Alef and Tav, the Beginning and the Completion: to him who thirsts I will give of the fountain of living water, freely. He that overcomes will inherit these things; and I will be his Elohim. But to the timid and unbelieving, and to the sinful and polluted, and to manslayers and whoremonger, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and to all false persons, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.

There are several similarities when one compares Ezekiel's temple vision with the restoration descriptions recorded in Revelation. This time frame is after the Kingdom of Y'shua, after Satan's last attempt to war against Yahweh; after Satan has been tossed into Fire Lake forever and ever- When our Creator restores all things.

Ezekiel’s Temple compared with John’s Revelation

Both Ezekiel and John views are from a high mountain:

Ezekiel 40:1 - He brought me, in visions of Yahweh, to the Land of Israel and He set me down on a very high mountain

Revelation 21:10 - And he bore me away in the spirit to a mountain great and high and showed me the Set Apart city, Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from Elohim

They both record the measurements that were taken:

Ezekiel 40:3 - A 'man' who shown like copper had a linen cord and measuring rod.  Revelation 21:15 - A Messenger/angel had a golden reed with which to measure the city, gates and walls 

Ezekiel 40:5 - Along the 'outside' of the temple area ran a wall on every side (one rod deep and one rod high) Square in shape. (Many other measurements are recorded) Ezekiel 48:30 - The city is square, each side measures 4,500 cubits.  

Revelation 21:16 -The city is measured and stood up four square

Ezekiel 43:13 - diminsions of the altar, trench and rim are given and is used for burnt offerings.

Revelation 22:26 - The nations shall bring their glory and honor into it (as offerings?)

Ezekiel 44:4-14 - Instructions for all the laws of the temple are given and Yahweh points out to the House of Israel all the abominations they have committed and allowed in His Sanctuary.

Revelation 21:27 - Nothing shall enter the city that is polluted, impure and false, but only they who are registered in the Lamb's Book of Life

Ezekiel 48 - Twelve exits from the city; gates named after the sons of Israel

Revelation 21:12-13 - And it had a wall great and lofty, which had twelve gates and names inscribed on them - the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel.

Ezekiel 47:1 - water was issuing from below the platform of the temple - eastward - but flowing out at the south side of the altar, gushing out from under the south wall. 9 It will be wholesome and everything will live wherever this stream goes.

Revelation 22 - A river of living water, clear as a crystal, ran from the throne of Elohim and the Lamb and in the middle of main street (broad avenue) on both sides was the tree of life.

Ezekiel 47:12 - All kinds of trees for food will grow on both banks of the stream - they will yield new fruit every month - their fruit will serve as food and their leaves for healing.

Revelation 21:2 - In the middle of the broad avenue, near the river, spanning both sides, was the tree of life which bore twelve sorts of fruits yielding one of its fruits each month and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

Ezekiel 48:35 - The name of the city from that day on shall be "Yahweh is There. Revelation 21:22 - And I saw no temple in it for Master Yahweh Almighty is its temple, and the Lamb.  And the city has no need of the sun or the moon for the glory of Elohim enlightens it, and the Lamb is the lamp of it

I conclude at this time that Yahweh gave this vision to Ezekiel to illustrate the awesome power and glory of the heavenly realm. Ezekiel was shown the Hope we have in the Good News of the Kingdom to come! He was told to share this 'vision' to those who had grown hopeless. This sharing of the Good News is echoed throughout the Renewed Covenant writings (ie: New Testament). Ezekiel, the Watchman for the House of Israel, shared this Good News with those people. Ezekiel is the type and shadow for Set Apart believers in this day and age, sharing the Good News of the Kingdom to come- a joyous time we can only try to imagine and hope for. How on earth could we describe it?

-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-

Yah's timing once again was very appropriate because this was during the Babylonian exile while the rest of the Israelites had scattered northward and beyond. 

Around 605 B.C. Nineveh and Assyria had fallen. It was just Egypt and Babylon who were seeking world supremacy. The young new king of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar, went out and defeated the Egyptians at Carchemish. He marched on to Judah, during Jehoiakim's reign, and took thousands of Hebrews back to Babylon (including Daniel, who became one of the greatest prophets). Nebuchadnezzar made two more attacks when he heard of rebellion in Judah. Each time he took captives (including Ezekiel the prophet). Only a remnant of the weakest, poorest, and least threatening Hebrews in Judea remained. King Nebuchadnezzar set up a puppet king (Zedekiah) of David's line to sit on the throne of Judah and made him swear an oath of allegiance (2 Chr 36:10-12). Zedekiah was as faithless as the rest of the evil kings of Judah. He then rebelled and allied with other enemies. When Nebuchadnezzar heard he came back for the last time (586 B.C.) to reduce Jerusalem to rubble and send the Temple up in flames. Zedekiah was forced to witness the slaughter of his sons, then his eyes were put out, and he himself was carried off to Babylon. The Babylonian Captivity lasted exactly 70 years as predicted, from the burning of the Temple to its reconstruction, 586 BC - 
516 BC.

Here is a link to historical background of these events

***The following I gleaned from a study by Steve Gregg:
When Ezekiel was given this vision (573 BC), there was no temple standing in Jerusalem. Solomon’s temple, which had previously stood there, had been destroyed earlier by Nebuchadnezzar, when he conquered Jerusalem and deported the citizens to Babylon. This means that Ezekiel was not seeing Solomon’s temple. Nor was he seeing the rebuilt temple during Zerubbabel's time. That temple ended up being much smaller, and less elaborate, than the one Ezekiel describes. 

In chapter 40 of the book of Ezekiel, "in the 25th year of our exile, the 14th year after Jerusalem had fallen, at the beginning of the year, on the 10th day of that month - on that very day " the prophet is transported in vision by the Hand of Elohim from his home among the exiles in Babylon to the Land of Israel, and Yahweh sat him down on a very high mountain. He saw what seemed to be the outline of a city on the south side. Yah brought Ezekiel over to it and standing at the gate was a a man who shone like copper, holding a cord of linen and a measuring rod. This 'man' tells Ezekiel to pay close attention to everything he was going to be shown so as to report everything to the House of Israel. 

My note: You see, there is no "command" that this temple is to be built, but everything was to be reported to the people of the House of Israel. Was Yah telling them this is what you could have, if only you would obey Me?

The response of the Jews to their opportunity to return and to rebuild their temple was notoriously tepid. Only a small remnant opted even to return to Jerusalem, while the rest were content to remain in Babylon. As a result, the temple they built proved to be inferior to the one that Ezekiel described. 

Though the Jews did not meet the conditions to have such a temple as Ezekiel’s, the pattern preserved in these chapters stands as a description of an intended order, which, had it materialized, would have testified, as the tabernacle once did, as a type and shadow of “heavenly things” (Hebrews 8:5). This, we may assume, was the long-term purpose served by the vision.

--:::-- 

Ezekiel 44:6 - to the rebellious House of Israel, says Yahweh, Too long have you committed all your abominations, admitting aliens, uncircumcised of spirit and flesh, to be in My Sanctuary and profane My very Temple, when you offer up My food - the fat and the blood. You have broken My covenant with all your abominations. You have not discharged the duties concerning My sacred offerings, but have appointed them (uncircumcised strangers of spirit and flesh) to discharge the duties of My Sanctuary for you. The Levites who forsook Me when Israel went astray from Me to follow their fetishes, shall suffer their punishment for making them stumble into guilt (the priesthood lineage now shifts to the descendants of Zadok. II Samuel 8:17 tells us Zadok was one of the priests who maintained the service of Yah's Sanctuary, the temple, when the people of Israel has gone astray.) 

Yahweh specifically mentions the priest descended from Zadok - Take a look at this chart (from bible maps) to follow the order of the priesthood over the years:

We learned from reading the first five books of Scriptures that the plan, the pattern of the Temple is to train His people on how to approach Him.  Ezekiel's vision drives this point home!

Yahweh has always desired to be in the midst of His people

From the Heavenly Realm to The Mountain, then to the

The Tent, where they traveled together 40 years

Then His House was built by Solomon

and that is the last place Yah attached His Name

His Son, Yahshua taught us

The Body is now the Temple

wherein dwells the Ruach haKodesh

Then comes

The Earthly Kingdom

where we shall be perfected until

The Restoration of All Things

That Pagan World

Over the years I have posted here and there, and shared several links to the topic of the Pagan Origins of the many things we take for granted. This is an important study and the knowledge needs to be shared - again.  Don't let yourself become overwhelmed or angry or discouraged. What I am sharing is a result of my research and study and reading Scriptures that started over fifteen years ago when I innocently looked for the origin of christmas... the journey had to start somewhere! I don't claim to be any sort of scholar, but I know a lot more now than I did back then.  And we are not the first to search these things.  Once you start looking, there have been many before us seeking truth.

I will include as much as I can and pray for this to be a source of light to those searching for His Path, continually seeking Him so that He will cause the Ruach haKodesh (His Set Apart Spirit) to reveal to you Truth in everything.

The Ten Commandments begin with Yahweh, our Creator, telling us He is the one true Elohim and that we shall have no other gods besides Him.  He goes on to define those gods as man made images (idols) of things in the heavens above or on the earth below or in the waters and Not to bow down to them or serve them. He is serious about this and will pass on the guilt of doing such things to the generations that reject Him and He will show kindness to the generations who love Him AND keep His commandments. He also knows that Satan will set up counterfeits along the way.  It is important for us to recognize the Spirit of Yahweh so as to identify the devices of Adversary.

To 'bow down to them' is to exalt, to think very highly of them, seeing them as powerful, lesser, greater or in place of YHWH. Whether made of stone, wood, gold or silver and in the image/symbols of what we think angels look like (heavens above) or man, or animal fetishes or representing fish or other things in the water, we are not to serve them.

Look around. You will notice right away a variety of images in a variety of forms representing heaven, earth, waters, sea, air, the elements -- things Yahweh said right off the get-go not to make. He wants us to be Set Apart (righteous); set apart from the world and its pagan ways, those subtle temptations that cause us to doubt the Creator, as when Satan said to Eve, "You are not going to die, but Elohim knows that as soon as you eat of it your eyes will be opened and you will be like divine beings who know good and bad."

Then what happened?
In short, they tried to hide themselves from Yahweh because of their guilt and were eventually kicked out of the Garden.

Right from the beginning Satan has been tempting us. It is our Faith in the Creator and our obedience to His Instructions, which are for our health and well being, reinforced by (witnessed) the life and death of His son, Y'shua Messiah that we choose to be Set Apart, resisting temptation cause the devil to flee from us.

Who would have thought that types of  Dance could be pagan?

“Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” (Yeshayahu/Isaiah 5:20)

Most folks already are aware of when Messiah was born.

The Origin of Christmas Tree

Just as early Christians recruited Roman pagans by associating Christmas with the Saturnalia, so too worshippers of the Asheira cult and its offshoots were recruited by the Church sanctioning “Christmas Trees”.  Pagans had long worshipped trees in the forest, or brought them into their homes and decorated them, and this observance was adopted and painted with a Christian veneer by the Church. 

 ~ Here is what God says: “... Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven [the stars]; for the heathen are dismayed at them [millions ignore this plain statement of God and read their horoscopes daily]. For the customs of the people are vain: for one cuts a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not. They are upright as the palm tree…” (Jeremiah. 10:2-5).

The Origin of Mistletoe

Norse mythology recounts how the god Balder was killed using a mistletoe arrow by his rival god Hoder while fighting for the female Nanna. Druid rituals use mistletoe to poison their human sacrificial victim. The Christian custom of “kissing under the mistletoe” is a later synthesis of the sexual license of Saturnalia with the Druidic sacrificial cult.

The Origin of Christmas Presents

In pre-Christian Rome, the emperors compelled their most despised citizens to bring offerings and gifts during the Saturnalia (in December) and Kalends (in January). Later, this ritual expanded to include gift-giving among the general populace. The Catholic Church gave this custom a Christian flavor by re-rooting it in the supposed gift-giving of Saint Nicholas.

The Origin of Santa Claus  

Nicholas was born in Parara, Turkey in 270 CE and later became Bishop of Myra. He died in 345 CE on December 6th. He was only named a saint in the 19th century.  He was among the most senior bishops who convened the Council of Nicaea in 325 CE and created the New Testament. The text they produced portrayed Jews as “the children of the devil” who sentenced Jesus to death.

In 1087, a group of sailors who idolized Nicholas moved his bones from Turkey to a sanctuary in Bari, Italy. There Nicholas supplanted a female boon-giving deity called The Grandmother, or Pasqua Epiphania, who used to fill the children's stockings with her gifts. The Grandmother was ousted from her shrine at Bari, which became the center of the Nicholas cult. Members of this group gave each other gifts during a pageant they conducted annually on the anniversary of Nicholas’ death, December 6.

The Nicholas cult spread north until it was adopted by German and Celtic pagans. These groups worshipped a pantheon led by Woden –their chief god and the father of Thor, Balder, and Tiw. Woden had a long, white beard and rode a horse through the heavens one evening each Autumn. When Nicholas merged with Woden, he shed his Mediterranean appearance, grew a beard, mounted a flying horse, rescheduled his flight for December, and donned heavy winter clothing.

In a bid for pagan adherents in Northern Europe, the Catholic Church adopted the Nicholas cult and taught that he did (and they should) distribute gifts on December 25th instead of December 6th. 

In 1809, the novelist Washington Irving (most famous his The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and Rip Van Winkle) wrote a satire of Dutch culture entitled Knickerbocker History. The satire refers several times to the white bearded, flying-horse riding Saint Nicholas using his Dutch name, Santa Claus.

Dr. Clement Moore, a professor at Union Seminary, read Knickerbocker History, and in 1822 he published a poem based on the character Santa Claus: “Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, in the hope that Saint Nicholas soon would be there…” Moore innovated by portraying a Santa with eight reindeer who descended through chimneys.

The Bavarian illustrator Thomas Nast almost completed the modern picture of Santa Claus. From 1862 through 1886, based on Moore’s poem, Nast drew more than 2,200 cartoon images of Santa for Harper’s Weekly. Before Nast, Saint Nicholas had been pictured as everything from a stern looking bishop to a gnome-like figure in a frock. Nast also gave Santa a home at the North Pole, his workshop filled with elves, and his list of the good and bad children of the world. All Santa was missing was his red outfit.

  

1931, the Coca Cola Corporation contracted the Swedish commercial artist Haddon Sundblom to create a coke-drinking Santa. Sundblom modeled his Santa on his friend Lou Prentice, chosen for his cheerful, chubby face. The corporation insisted that Santa’s fur-trimmed suit be bright, Coca Cola red. And Santa was born – a blend of Christian crusader, pagan god, and commercial idol. (I never heard this one about Coca-Cola - ckc) 

The origins of Easter

John 4:22-24 You worship something that you do not know. But we worship what we know, for life is from the Yehudeans (Messiah is referred to as the Lion of Judah). But the hour is coming, and now is when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth, indeed. For the Father, He seeks worshippers as these. For Elohim is Spirit and those who worship they must worship Him in spirit and in truth.

Mark 7:6-7 Messiah says, Yesha'yahu (Isaiah) the prophet did well prophesy about you hypocrites! As it is written that 'This people honor me with their lips (words) but their hearts are very distance from me. And vainly they fear me while they are teaching the doctrines of the (man made) commandments of the sons of men.

My husband and I don't 'celebrate' Purim or Hanukkah because they are not 'commanded' by Elohim. I realize they are of historical value, like the 4th of July or Memorial Day (which we do not celebrate, either).

Chanukah is a man made tradition. 

Quote: (John 10:22-24). Notice that this is the only reference to the festival of Chanukah (חַג חֲנֻכָּה) that occurs in all of Scriptures. Some additional "extra biblical" sources include the testimony of the first-century Jewish historian Flavius Josephus, who likewise referred to the commemoration of the Maccabees as an eight day "festival of lights", and various midrashim that quote Hillel and Shammai (i.e., two famous sages that predated the time of Yeshua) discussing the method of kindling the lights of the Chanukah menorah. One midrash states that Chanukah was to be regarded as an acronym for Chet Nerot veHalakhah K'bet Hillel ("eight candles and the law according to the House of Hillel"), referring to Hillel's view (his opinion) that we should light one candle on the first night and increase the amount by one every day (Shammai, on the other hand, thought we should light eight candles on the first night and reduce one every subsequent night). According to early Jewish tradition (preserved in Megillat Antiochus, 2nd Century AD), since the Maccabees were unable to celebrate the holiday of Sukkot at its proper time in the fall, they decided that it should be observed after the Temple was restored, which they did on the 25th of the month of Kislev in the year 164 B.C. Since Sukkot lasts eight days, this became the time frame adopted for Chanukah."  End Quote.

John 10:22 gives us a time frame, noting the Feast of Dedication (Hanukkah) occurred in Jerusalem and it was winter and Y'shua was walking in the temple in the porch of Solomon. (note: this is the only time Hanukkah is mentioned in Scriptures - there's no 2 or 3 other times to bear witness or support its importance as a feast day.)  Folks think because Messiah was 'there' that he was 'celebrating' but I think the reason he was there was because he was 'teaching', as he was accustomed to doing, not so much partaking of the feast. 

John 10 starts out with his Sheep Parable, then the feast day is mentioned, then: The Jews surround him again asking how long will he keep them waiting: "if you are the Mashiyach, tell us!" He lets them know that he HAS told them but they do not believe because 'they are not of his sheep'. Perhaps noting the feast day and the fact these Jews were celebrating it (which is why they were at the temple) and then Y'shua saying they were not his sheep, lets us know it is not of Elohim and we should not partake of it, either.

Y'shua was not celebrating Chanukah - he was present, on the porch of the Temple. It appears he was taking the opportunity to teach to those who had gathered there.  The lead in verses to John 10:22 sets the tone for what's going on.  In 10:7 he says that he is the Gate of the flock. He goes on to say if a man should enter by him (the Gate) he will live, enter and go out and find pasture. (No man comes to the Father except by Y'shua). He says he is the Good Shepherd that lays his life down for the flock. He knows those who are his and they know him. Then he says in 10:16 that he also has other sheep, those not of this sheepfold. It is necessary for me to bring them and they will hear my voice and all the flocks will become one and there will be One Shepherd. (I love this! He just told us the sheepfold is the House of Israel and the other sheep are those who have chosen to obey YHWH and have the testimony of His son - we will be One People with One Faith and One Elohim!) Well, once again Y'shua causes a stir among the Yehudeans, they don't believe, they don't recognize their Shepherd's voice and think Y'shua is possessed.

Here's info on Purim   

As a reminder, No matter what one uses for research and reference material, ALWAYS take what you have gleaned and measure it against Scriptures, the Word of God our Creator. His Ruach haKodesh - His Set Apart Spirit - will reveal the Truth as long as we maintain our Faith in the one true God. It's not about religion, but His perfect government system.  Judaism is a religion. Christianity is a religion. Islam is a religion, etc... 

Lunar Tetrad

This study is in regards to the teachings of Mark Biltz and John Hagee in regards to the 'Blood Moons' of late. They were promoting prophecy and the imminent return of Y'shua, and used Joel 2:31 as their launch pad.   In the Tanakh there is no Joel 2:31, but there is Joel 3 which reads:

After that I will pour out My spirit on all flesh; your sons and daughters shall prophesy; your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. I will even pour out My spirit upon male and female slaves in those days.  Before the great and terrible day of YHWH Elohim comes, I will set portents in the sky and on earth: Blood and fire and pillars of smoke; the sun shall turn into darkness and the moon into blood. But everyone who invokes the Name of Elohim (YHWH) shall escape; for there shall be a remnant on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem, as YHWH Elohim promised.  Anyone who invokes YHWH will be among the survivors.

Note: Before the sun goes dark and the moon turns red there are portents on the earth: blood, fire and pillars of smoke. Perhaps the blood, fire and smoke fills the air and causes the sun to darken and the moon appear red? What caused the fire? A *great earthquake* maybe?

Joel 2

Blow a horn in Zion, sound an alarm on My Set Apart mount! Let all dwellers on earth tremble, for the Day of YHWH has come! It is close - a day of darkness and gloom, a  day of densest cloud spread like soot over the hills. A vast, enormous horde - nothing like it has ever happened, and it shall never happen again through the years and ages. (The shofar/horn/trumpet is blown before the darkness and gloom*)

Note: Nothing like this has ever happened before and will not happen again - that pretty much rules out lunar eclipses as the cause of the moon turning 'blood red', because those, even the tetrads, have happened several times in the past and are calculated to occur again in the future. 

I do not deny that this prophecy most certainly concerns the end time events and the return of Y'shua haMashiyach, Son of Elohim,  but there are other signs which have been recorded that precede this scenario that have yet to occur.  Scripture does indeed interpret itself, so focusing on the lunar tetrads and trying to make something out of them that is not backed up by Scriptures can turn into a false teaching.  It's understandable, though, because these are exciting times we live in, but we must always study out events as they are written and not try to force the Word of God to fit current events.  It is important to keep Scripture in context so as not to spin a 'theory' out of control.  We have been warned against the imaginings of man. We have been told beforehand; given the facts, as it were.

In the book of Matthew, the disciples had asked Y'shua about the signs of the end and his return.  He spoke of several things and the suffering that will happen, then he said:

Matthew 24:29

And immediately after the suffering of those days, the sun will be darkened and the moon will not shine its light.  And the stars will fall from heaven and the powers of heaven will be shaken.  And then will be seen the sign of the Son of man in heaven... :31 And he will send his Messengers (angels) with a large trumpet (shofar/horn) and they will gather his chosen ones from the four winds from one end of heaven to the other. (*His Set Apart believers are rescued before the darkness and gloom)

Lets take a look at the writings in Revelation.

Revelation 6:12

And I looked when he had opened the sixth seal, and there was a *great earthquake*; and the sun became black, like sackcloth of hair; and the whole moon became like blood. and the stars of heaven fell on the earth...

The Sixth Seal has yet to be opened.  We are in the time frame known as The Beginning of Sorrows which I have studied out to be related to Seals 1 through 4, which have been opened. (See the link provided below: 'Signs')

The prophecy referred to in Joel, Matthew and Revelation is one and the same and has yet to happened.  They all report that this darkened sun and blood red moon happen before the great and glorious day of YHWH, which is when Y'shua is set to return.  But before that happens the one world united nations government system with its world leader will be in place.  The 3-1/2 years of peace and safety will have passed by and Satan will possess that final world leader to do abominations that cause desolation for the remaining 3-1/2 years.  The 'mark' will have been put in place in order to buy or sell... you get the picture.

* * *

For more detail about the signs of the times, refer to my study:
 Signs 

To understand who His Chosen people are, refer to my study:  
Who is Israel?

For more information according to astronomy, visit:
EarthSky.org

* * *

After you have prayed and studied on this yourself, let me know if I have overlooked anything. Your thoughts, input and comments are always welcomed as well as corrections when needed.

Who is Israel?

When the truth was revealed that 'biblical' Israel refers to 'the people', the original Twelve Tribes and the descendants thereof AND includes those outsiders who chose to accept the God of the Hebrews, I knew I needed a deeper study of Scriptures in an attempt to find where the idea came from that the 'Jews are God's Chosen People' as well as why folks think prophecy was fulfilled when Israel became a state in 1948.

Let me be clear about my intentions with this study: 

I am not disrespecting the Jews nor the trials they have been through, especially during the reign of Hitler.  Those were heart breaking times (to put it lightly) and an extreme example to all of us as to just how evil the heart of man can be.  I am not prejudice against anyone who claims to be Jewish. Rather, I have become aware of a clash of ideas from various people in regards to the State of Israel and its inhabitants.  There are those who promote the 'Stand with Israel' and 'United with Israel' agendas which seem sincere and may have originated in their hearts, but are inspired by the lack of understanding Scriptures and spurred on by their own 'feel good' egos. Don't get me wrong! I would love the visit Israel and walk where our Messiah walked. But I know my time will come, as will everyone's, those who obey YHWH Elohim and have the testimony of His Son, as we continue to pray for the peace of Jerusalem.  

Many have been led astray by false teachers, wolves in sheep clothing.  I pray this study will help clarify who Israel is according to our Creator.

***Note: I respectfully use the Name of God in the Hebrew language, which is - YHWH - (pronounce Yah-weh); Elohim is the Hebrew word for God; Y'shua (pronounced Yah-shua) is the name of His Son; Ruach haKodesh is the original Hebrew word poorly translated as 'holy ghost/spirit'...***

The Study 

Would you be surprised to learn that the Jews are not God's chosen people and that the modern day state of Israel is not prophecy fulfilled, as many claim?  Fact is, back in the days after the Hebrews fell into slavery in Egypt, a 'mixed multitude' became united as One People by their Faith and Trust in the One True Living God, aka: The Elohim of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Elohim had changed Jacob's name to Israel).  This multitude became The House of Israel = YHWH's Set Apart people.  These people are the 'elect' of YHWH, those who obey His commandments, laws and teachings (which are written in the first 5 books of the old testament, known as Torah). These are the same people His Son, Y'shua, refers to as his sheep.

People wrongly assume that the modern day State of Israel is the same Israel written of in Scriptures and that today's population of Jews are Elohim's chosen people.  The current and changing borders of Israel do not represent the Promised Land as described by Elohim to Abraham, and, there are 11 other tribes that make up the whole House of Israel along with Judah.  Also, anyone of any background or nationality or false belief system who leave their pagan ways behind and come to YHWH Elohim, to keep His commandments, laws, rules and Teaching and have the testimony of His Son, Y'shua the Anointed One, they become adopted, grafted into the Commonwealth of Israel.  Y'shua refers to these folks who choose YHWH as their Elohim as the 'other sheep' that he has come to gather.

The Family Tree

In Genesis 12 YHWH tells Abram the Hebrew from Chaldea that He will make a great nation from him, from his offspring.  He tells him his name will be great, that he shall be a standard by which blessing is invoked.  YHWH later promises Abram that the land of Canaan will be given to his offspring.

Genesis 13:14 YHWH shows Abram the land and has him walk about the land.

Genesis 15:18 YHWH makes a covenant with Abram and once again denotes the area of land promised to his descendants, which is from the river of Egypt to the great river Euphrates including the territories therein.

Genesis 17:2 The promise is remembered and established forever - All the land of Canaan an everlasting holding and He shall be their Elohim.  With this YHWH changes Abram's name to Abraham because he will be a father of nations.

=> Fast forward a bit to Jacob, son of Isaac, son of Abraham.

In Genesis 28:13 YHWH lets Jacob know that He is the Elohim of his father Abraham and the Elohim of Isaac and proceed to tell Jacob about the land deal and his own descendants and the blessing, the everlasting covenant.

Genesis 29 through 35 is the account of Jacob's life.

Genesis 32:29 is when Jacob's name is changed to Israel.

Genesis 35:23 lists the sons of Israel and they are 12 in number.

Short Story of the 12 Tribes

In Genesis 41:12 we read about Jacob's (Israel's) sons who each became heads of their clans: The Twelve Tribes of Israel.  Each tribe was named after each son, carrying on the Hebrew lineage: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, Joseph, Benjamin, Dan, Naphtali, Gad and Asher = The House of Israel.  These are the offspring YHWH told Abraham the Hebrew about so long ago that would eventually be as numerous as the stars, if stars could be counted.  These are the ones to whom the land of Canaan is promised.

 

Lets pick this up again at the life and times of Joseph, Jacob's favorite son.  His brothers sold him to a caravan of Ishmalites who sold him as a Hebrew slave in Egypt to Pharaoh's chief steward.  Joseph is later falsely accused of molesting Potiphar's wife, spent time in jail, was later recognized as an  interpreter of dreams, won favor with Pharaoh (who recognized the God of Joseph was with him) and eventually Joseph was put in charge of almost everything in Egypt - he was 2nd in command to Pharaoh. 

(Genesis 39 through 41)

Due to a famine in the land and the position of authority given to Joseph, he was able to send for his family: his father Israel, his brothers and all their households came to live in Egypt in the region of Goshen.  Thus in Genesis 46 we are told that Israel and all that was his, all his offspring, came to Egypt.  They were know as Hebrews.  After the original families eventually die and are forgotten, and a new generation arises, a new Pharaoh also takes his position.  He doesn't know or remember anything about Joseph or know his God or how the Hebrews came to be in his territory. But he does know he wants to get rid of them. He puts task masters over them which in turn becomes plain old slavery.  He tries to prevent male babies from surviving.

=> Fast forward  now to the time of the exodus, when the Hebrews along with that mixed multitude were led out of slavery, out of bondage in Egypt.  The mixed multitude consisted of folks other than Hebrews who had come to YHWH Elohim and attached themselves to the Israelites - they 'crossed over' and were adopted into the House of Israel and became heirs to the promised land.  Scripture says 600,000 men plus women and children along with the mixed multitude left Egypt that day.  YHWH's Chosen People, led by Moses, Aaron his brother, and Miriam his sister. They are of the tribe of Levi.

We establish early on that Israel is a people, not a place.  The land Elohim promised consists of what is the boundaries of Canaan - much more land than what is known as the State of Israel today.  All of YHWH's rules, laws, teachings and commandments apply to the entire commonwealth of Israel: the descendants of the House of Israel (the sheep) and those adopted in (those other sheep).  They ALL abide by Elohim's Instructions (Torah). His covenant is everlasting, for all generations.  All the way up until the reign of Solomon, they were a Hebrew nation.  Jerusalem is where YHWH attached His Name, which is in the territory of the tribe of Yehuda/Judah.

The Israelites are the offspring of Jacob/Israel, descendants of Abraham, who was a Hebrew.  These are they who YHWH Elohim chose to be Set Apart as He is Set Apart, through whom nations would be blessed.  The promised land of Canaan was divided among them but eventually, through a series of events, they were split into 2 groups of which 10 Tribes went northwards. Later on the tribes of Judah and Benjamin (along with some Levites and a few others) were taken into captivity by King Nebuchadnezzer of Babylon.  Toward the end of this time period King Cyrus of Persia was responsible for the release of the Israelites from Babylon, who returned to the area called Judea (the territory that was named after one of the 12 sons of Jacob: Judah). Those of the Ten Tribes who went northwards eventually scattered among the nations.

The time of Solomon, son of David, and the Division of the Tribes

The division of the House of Israel was a result of Solomon's sin against Elohim.  Solomon married many women, had many concubines - he had fallen "headlong into unreasonable pleasures" - married outside of his own people and began to worship the gods of these women, against the Will of YHWH.  Because of this, YHWH, as He promised David, would not withdraw all the people from Solomon, but would give Ten Tribes to a servant of his and leave only Two Tribes to David's grandson, Rehoboam, for his sake, because David did love Elohim, and for the sake of Jerusalem wherein He should have a temple.

Jeroboam, son of Nebat, received a prophecy from Ahijah about the parting of the dominion of Solomon and is told to be righteous and keep the laws of Elohim.  Jeroboam lived in Egypt until the death of Solomon.

David's grandson, Rehoboam, became king, but was not wise.  His behavior caused a rebellion which caused him to flee to Jerusalem where the tribe of Judah and that of Benjamin ordained him king.  The rest of the multitude appointed Jeroboam to be ruler of their public affairs. (Rehoboam is king of 2 tribes, King of Judah and Jeroboam is king of 10 tribes, King of Israel).

Now when the Feast of Tabernacles drew near, Jeroboam feared if he let the people go to Jerusalem to celebrate (as per the command of YHWH) that he would lose them and perhaps lose his own life. So he had 2 temples built - one near Bethel and one near Dan - and made Two Golden Heifers, one in each temple and convinced the people that God was everywhere and hears and sees those who worship him and that it was OK if they didn't go to Jerusalem to worship Elohim according to His rules but could worship him the way they saw fit.  Jeroboam succeeded in deluding the people which caused them to go against Elohim and transgress Torah.  This was the beginning of miseries for the Hebrews.  Jeroboam had made himself High Priest as well. Over the next 3 years, the priests and Levites and the good and the righteous of Israel left and gathered together with Rehoboam because they wanted to worship Elohim in Jerusalem, as it is written.  They were not willing to worship the idols made by Jeroboam.

Rehoboam's kingdom grew in number- it's greatness and prosperity became a transgression to men.  Rehoboam strayed from The Path, the right way of Elohim and gave into unrighteousness and pagan practices. He began to despise YHWH and eventually the people began to imitate his wicked actions.

I want to point out that having Faith in the Word of Elohim (Scriptures) is not about being Jewish, acting Jewish, following orthodox Jewish traditions, the Talmud or Kabbalah. YHWH did not set apart the Jews only, but the entire House of Israel, the descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob/Israel. YHWH's set apart times, The Feast Days, are not Jewish holidays, but intended for all His people.  Man tends to skew the Word of God under the influence of Satan.  There's more to this story, but I will stick with pointing out who Israel is (for now).

It is so important to read Scriptures every day so that we may gain understanding and insight to the events happening today, in order to peel away the layers of deceptions and expose the lies that have been handed down through the generations.  This is the path leading out of the world system (Egypt and Babylon are examples of world systems and how we become enslaved).  When we come out of this man made system, this is what helps us to become Set Apart as He is Set Apart and makes us a Light unto others.  It's not about 'loving the Jews' or the 'Stand with Israel' mind set of today - it is about obeying YHWH Elohim and our Faith in Y'shua and allowing the Ruach haKodesh (Spirit of the Heavenly Father) to write Torah upon our hearts.  This is what it has been about from the very beginning.

Part Two - 

The Gathering of YHWH's people is an End Times scenario and did not occur in 1948.

Jeremiah 32:37 "Behold, I will gather them out of all the lands to which I have driven them in My anger, in My wrath and in great indignation; and I will bring them back to this place and make them dwell in safety. :38 "They shall be My people, and I will be their Elohim…"

Ezekiel 28:25 'Thus says YHWH your Elohim, "When I gather the house of Israel from the peoples among whom they are scattered, and will manifest My holiness in them in the sight of the nations, then they will live in their land which I gave to My servant Jacob."

Jeremiah 23:3 "Then I Myself will gather the remnant of My flock out of all the countries where I have driven them and bring them back to their pasture..."

To wrap this up, here is the Sheep allegory in relation to the House of Israel and those who are adopted in, as Y'shua relates it:

John 10:11 (Y'shua says) I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down his life for the flock. But a hireling who is not the shepherd nor are the sheep his, when he sees a wolf coming he leaves the sheep and flees. And the wolf comes and plunders and scatters the flock.

John 10:14 I am the Good Shepherd and I know those who are mine. And those who are mine know me.

John 10:16 And I also have other sheep, those who were not from this sheepfold. And also them, it is necessary for me to bring them and they will hear my voice and all the flocks will become one. And there will be One Shepherd.

YHWH's Chosen People are the descendants of Abraham through Isaac and Jacob, and those who have been adopted in.

The story of Ruth the Moabite is another good example of one choosing Yah as their Elohim. In Chapter 1 verse 16 Ruth is pleading with her mother-in-law Naomi: "Do not urge me to leave you, to turn back and not follow you. For wherever you go, I will go; wherever you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people and your God shall be my God..." Ruth ends up marrying Boaz. She is grafted into the House of Israel by loyalty and faith. She gives birth to Obed who begat Jesse who begat David.... the royal lineage into which Yahshua is adopted.

As always, take what you hear or read or have been taught and take it to Scriptures where the Truth is waiting to Revealed by the Comforter = The Ruach haKodesh.