Intro:
Two House teaches that non-Jewish believers are actually blood descendants [many generations removed] of the House/stick [Ez 37:19] of Ephraim/Israel/Joseph [northern kingdom] who were dispersed as a result of the Assyrian invasion of the ancient kingdom of Israel in 740-722 B.C.E. They are identified as the offspring of Ephraim, or the lost/scattered 10 tribes. This information was hidden until this time of “revelation”, just as Joseph was hidden from his brothers, until they recognized him, and as Ephraim is recognized today as the “lost” house until the House of Judah recognizes and accepts Ephraim as her brother.
The general hypothesis of those teaching two house doctrine in Hebrew Roots [HR] is that anyone who is led to return to the ancient paths by Torah Observance and seeking their Hebrew Roots are actually of Ephraim [or the House of Joseph/House of Jacob/House of Israel – northern kingdom]. Individual acknowledgement falls into personal revelation or the “you just know” that you are of Ephraim. Some have even affiliated themselves with specific tribes also due to “direct revelation”. It is also taught that the “church” is Ephraim and needs to come to knowledge of her part in the commonwealth of Israel by keeping Torah [to make her “brother” Judah jealous] and recognizing her tribal affiliation with Ephraim in order to bring the two houses back together as one [the house of Judah and the house of Israel/Ephraim] – only when this is accomplished, will Christ return. As with most teachings in HR, mileage may vary (smile)
Gentiles and Nations
* Note: Hebrew definitions are from Brown, Driver, Briggs; Greek definitions are from Thayers.
Some in HR put forth the word “nations” (goy) in the OT and “gentiles” in the NT as always meaning Ephraim. The Scripture used to define this goes back to Isaac’s blessing over Ephraim:
Genesis 48:19 And his father refused, and said, I know it, my son, I know it: he also shall become a people, and he also shall be great: but truly his younger brother [Ephraim] shall be greater than he [Manasseh], and his seed [Ephraim] shall become a multitude of nations [H1471].
Definition of H1471: goy – meaning nation or people.
According to the OT, the term “goy” refers to the nation of Israel as well as other nations, not specifically Ephraim:
Jeremiah 31:36 If those ordinances depart from before me, said the LORD, then the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation [H1471] before me for ever.
Exodus 19:6 And you shall be to me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation [H1471]. These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.
Isaiah 1:4 Ah sinful nation [H1471], a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the LORD, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel to anger, they are gone away backward.
Zepheniah 2:9 Therefore as I live, said the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, Surely Moab shall be as Sodom, and the children of Ammon as Gomorrah, even the breeding of nettles, and salt pits, and a perpetual desolation: the residue of my people shall spoil them, and the remnant of my people [H1471] shall possess them.
Lev 18:24 Defile not you yourselves in any of these things: for in all these the nations [H1471] are defiled which I cast out before you: 25 And the land is defiled: therefore I do visit the iniquity thereof on it, and the land itself vomits out her inhabitants.
Num 24:20 And when he looked on Amalek, he took up his parable, and said, Amalek was the first of the nations [H1471]; but his latter end shall be that he perish for ever.
Deu 4:27 And the LORD shall scatter you among the nations [H1471], and you shall be left few in number among the heathen [H1471], where the LORD shall lead you.
Deu 7:1 When the LORD your God shall bring you into the land where you go to possess it, and has cast out many nations [H1471] before you, the Hittites, and the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, seven nations [H1471] greater and mightier than you;
Deu 9:5 Not for your righteousness, or for the uprightness of your heart, do you go to possess their land: but for the wickedness of these nations [H1471] the LORD your God does drive them out from before you, and that he may perform the word which the LORD swore to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
Deu 19:1 When the LORD your God has cut off the nations [H1471], whose land the LORD your God gives you, and you succeed them, and dwell in their cities, and in their houses;
Jer 9:26 Egypt, and Judah, and Edom, and the children of Ammon, and Moab, and all that are in the utmost corners, that dwell in the wilderness: for all these nations [H1471] are uncircumcised, and all the house of Israel are uncircumcised in the heart.
In the New Testament, “nation” is G1484 – ethnos – nation, multitude, people, Gentile and refers to both gentile nations and Israel [Jews]. There is no mention of the two houses in the NT, but one nation – that of the whole House of Israel.
Matthew 21:43 Therefore say I to you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation [G1484] bringing forth the fruits thereof.
Luke 7:5 For he loves our nation [G1484] and he has built us a synagogue.
John 11:48 If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation [G1484].
Acts 2:5 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation [G1484] under heaven.
Acts 10:35 But in every nation [G1484] he that fears him, and works righteousness, is accepted with him.
Romans 10:19 But I say, Did not Israel know? First Moses said, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation [G1484] I will anger you.
Luke 2:32 A light to lighten the Gentiles [G1484], and the glory of your people Israel.
Luke 18:32 For he shall be delivered to the Gentiles [G1484], and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on: 33 And they shall whip him, and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again.
Luke 21:24 And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles [G1484], until the times of the Gentiles [1484] be fulfilled.
Context for the following verse is “our fathers” referring to Abraham. God took Abraham out from the gentiles to make a people for His Name, long before Ephraim was born.
*** Act 15:14 Simeon has declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles [1484], to take out of them a people for his name.
For clarification on the following texts: The word “Jew” in the New Testament is G2453 – Ioudaios – 1) Jewish, belonging to the Jewish nation [all 12 tribes] 2) Jewish as respects to birth, origin, religion. The NT does not refer to either the northern or the southern kingdoms as separate entities. Israel means the 12 tribes, the entire nation that covenanted with God in Exodus, or the House of Israel [which is also how the OT refers to all of Israel most of the time]
Romans 11:11 I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their [Israel aka all Jews] full salvation is come to the Gentiles [G1484], for to provoke them to jealousy. [this verse is referring to the nation of Israel, not the northern kingdom only]
Romans 11:25 For I would not, brothers, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel [all Jews/12 tribes of Israel were blinded to the Gospel, not just the “northern kingdom], until the fullness of the Gentiles [G1484] be come in.
1 Corinthians 10:32 Give none offense, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles [G1672], nor to the church of God: [to reiterate, the Jews are all of Israel, not just the House of Judah].
One last critical verse:
Matthew 15:24 But Jesus answered and said, I am not sent but to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
My question would be, who were the lost sheep of the House of Israel? Were they only Ephraim or the nation of Israel? Who did Jesus teach? heal? What “house” did His disciples come from? oops …….. (smile)
As Numerous as the sand/dust of the earth; stars in the heavens
According to HR, the multitude of nations must be Ephraim or Gentiles [also considered “the church”, because the Jews [Ephraim is considered a separate house] are not as numerous as the sand/dust of the earth or as numerous as the stars – the prophecy of Abraham passed along from Isaac to Jacob and then through Joseph to Ephraim and his seed, the least amount to Judah, but a double portion to Ephraim and a large portion to Manasseh. As was indicated above, the word “Jews” means all the nation of Israel, not just the House of Judah.
Scripture basis for this teaching:
Genesis 13:14 And the LORD said to Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now your eyes, and look from the place where you are northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward: 15 For all the land which you see, to you will I give it, and to your seed for ever. 16 And I will make your seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall your seed also be numbered.
Genesis 15:3 And Abram said, Behold, to me you have given no seed: and, see, one born in my house is my heir. 4 And, behold, the word of the LORD came to him, saying, This shall not be your heir; but he that shall come forth out of your own bowels shall be your heir. 5 And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if you be able to number them: and he said to him, So shall your seed be.
Genesis 48:17 And when Joseph saw that his father laid his right hand on the head of Ephraim, it displeased him: and he held up his father’s hand, to remove it from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s head. 18 And Joseph said to his father, Not so, my father: for this is the firstborn; put your right hand on his head. 19 And his father refused, and said, I know it, my son, I know it: he also shall become a people, and he also shall be great: but truly his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his seed shall become a multitude of nations[H1471].
In actuality, Abraham’s seed are all of his offspring including that of Ishmael and all of Israel – not just the Ephraimites.
Genesis 17:20 And as for Ishmael, I have heard you: Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation.
2008 figures put the Muslim population at 1.25 billion, worldwide.
http://www.geocities.com/adnan022/l_pop1.html
All twelve tribes were already considered the dust of the earth in the OT:
2 Chronicles 1:9 Now, O LORD God, let your promise to David my father be established: for you have made me king over a people like the dust of the earth in multitude.
In King David’s time – 5,000,000
1900 estimates – 11,200,000 world wide
1933 estimates - 15,000,000 world wide
2007 estimates – 13,200,000 not factoring in the 6,000,000 lost to the Holocaust.
Judaism today, considers itself to be all twelve tribes. Of the total population of Jews worldwide, only about 5-6 million practice Judaism – the rest are secular, non-practicing Jews. Two-House refers to the Jews as the “house of Judah” as “keepers of the Torah”, compared to the “house of Israel/Ephraim” as “the church” who does not, and therefore, these two houses must be brought together “under Torah” so that there might be unity of the brethren – the house of Israel/Ephraim “grafted into the nation of Israel” by “Torah obedience”. Interestingly, one wonders if “Torah obedience” is considered achieved by the “house of Judah”, when only about a third of the Jews actually practice their religion. According to the stats, there are more Jews in disporasa than in Israel [the USA has a greater population of Jews than Israel] – oops, it looks like the Jews are as “scattered” as Ephraim.
Quote:
“About 5.9 million Jews live in the United States, and about 4.6 million live in Israel. About 350,000 Jews live in Canada, primarily in Toronto and Montréal. Sizable Jewish communities are found in Argentina, Australia, Russia, South Africa, Ukraine, and Western Europe.”
http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761567959_2/jews.html
In 1933, the Jewish population of Europe was about 9.5 million. This number represented more than 60 percent of the world’s Jewish population at that time, which was estimated at about 15 million. Hitler exterminated approximately 6 million Jewish men, women, and children. In a period of about 60 years after the holocaust, there are now between 13 to 14 million Jews worldwide once again. That is an increase of 6-7 million Jews during that 50 year time period. If we use this as a basis for the growth of Jewish population, and apply it from even the first century forward, then that alone constitutes enough people to be like the sands of the sea.
http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Judaism/jewpop.html
Add to that the 1.25 billion muslims who are also decendants of Abraham, and the many who came before them. If you add all those up, we are talking billions of people, a number that might possibly exceed the 6 billion people living on earth currently today.
Also, it is important to note that Ephraim never became the “multitude of nations” due to his idolatry and pagan practices, as stated by the prophets. According to the census [men only] in Numbers 26, Ephraim ranked 9th in number out of the 12, with Manasseh double in size of Ephraim.
Judah: 76,500
Issachar: 64,300
Dan: 64,000
Zebulon: 60,500
Asher: 53,400
Joseph – Manasseh: 52,700
Benjamin: 45,600
Naphtali: 45,400
Reuben: 43,700
Gad: 40,500
Joseph – Ephraim: 23,500
Levi: 23,000
Simeon: 22,200
Numbers census taken from:
http://www.becomingjewish.org/Twelve_Tribes.pdf
Only Ephramites are considered the “children of God”
Another Two House teaching is that Ephramites only, are considered the children of God per Hosea 1 as “not a people”.
Hoshea 1:10 Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be as the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured nor numbered; and it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said to them, You are not my people, there it shall be said to them, You are the sons of the living God. 11 Then shall the children of Judah and the children of Israel be gathered together, and appoint themselves one head, and they shall come up out of the land: for great shall be the day of Jezreel.
Ephraim is considered part of the nation of Israel, they are Jews, not non-Jews.
The text in Hosea 1:10, 11 refers to the whole nation of Israel. The children of Israel, in the OT is used to define Israel as a whole nation of 12 tribes, not the house of Israel/Ephraim. The promise of Abraham’s inheritance was that ALL of his offspring was to be as the sand, not just the House of Israel or the Ephramites as two house teaches. The “not my people” refer to all of Israel, as the whole nation had rebelled and turned away from God and disobeyed His covenant. Also, note that in verse 11, “one head” [ruler/chief] will join them as one. One can view that prophetic of Christ as fulfilled in the following passage:
John 11:49 And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said to them, You know nothing at all, 50 Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not. 51 And this spoke he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation; 52 And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God [all 12 tribes scattered according to James 1:1] that were scattered abroad.
ALL of Israel was scattered abroad, not just the northern tribes. From Acts 2, it is evident that all the tribes were found all over. As Acts 2 states, “Jews” from many countries had come to celebrate Pentecost, one of the three required feasts for men to attend. This means Jews from all 12 tribes, not one house or the other.
The following texts show that the children of God are ALL those who have put their faith in the promise of Abraham, there is no Jew or Gentile – there is no indication of “two houses” – Jews mean the entire nation of Israel through which the Abrahamic covenant was given.
Romans 9:7 Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall your seed be called. 8 That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed. 9 For this is the word of promise, At this time will I come, and Sarah shall have a son. [please note, the children of flesh or physical generations of Abraham are not the children of God in Christ]
Galatians 3:6 Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.
7 Know you therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. 8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel to Abraham, saying, In you shall all nations be blessed 9 So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.
14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
15 Brothers, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man’s covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man cancels, or adds thereto.
16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He said not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to your seed, which is Christ.
17 And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot cancel, that it should make the promise of none effect.
18 For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise.
22 But the scripture has concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.
26 For you are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
29 And if you be Christ’s, then are you Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Please note that “not a people” are all those who become children of God – not just Gentiles/Ephraim in these texts:
1 Peter 2:6 Why also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believes on him shall not be confounded.
7 To you therefore which believe he is precious: but to them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,
8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.
9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that you should show forth the praises of him who has called you out of darkness into his marvelous light;
10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. [The entire Israeli nation stumbled over the rock of offense – Jesus Christ – except those who believe in Him. They are all the believers that are a chosen, holy nation – Jew and gentile (non-Jews aka non-Israelites)]
Romans 9:24 Even us, whom he has called, not of the Jews only [the whole nation of Israel which includes Ephraim], but also of the Gentiles?
25 As he said also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved.
26 And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said to them, You are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God.
27 Esaias also cries concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved:
Romans 10:6 But the righteousness which is of faith speaks on this wise, Say not in your heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:)
7 Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.)
8 But what said it? The word is near you, even in your mouth, and in your heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
9 That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you shall be saved.
10 For with the heart man believes to righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made to salvation.
11 For the scripture said, Whoever believes on him shall not be ashamed.
12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich to all that call on him.
Note: This text in Romans also quotes Deut 32 – which was written long before the Israel was split into two houses referring to people that are not of the nation of Israel.
Romans 10:19 But I say, Did not Israel know? First Moses said, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation [G1484] I will anger you.
Deu 32:21 They made Me jealous with a not-a-god; they made Me angry by their vanities; and I shall make them jealous by a not-a-people; by a foolish nation I shall make them angry.
Ephraim is the “lost tribes” of Israel
HR teaches that Ephraim [the House of Israel] was dispersed throughout the world and is therefore considered the lost/scattered tribes of Israel. However; no where in the Bible does it say that Ephraim was a “lost tribes”. The OT is clear that although Israel was divided into two kingdoms, those that feared the Lord joined themselves to the “House” or Kingdom of Judah from all the tribes of the northern kingdom. After the exile of both kingdoms, people from all tribes came back to Jerusalem. It’s all recorded in 2 Chronicles and 2 Kings. The tribes are not lost.
The NT does not refer to the lost tribes of Israel, but rather that the twelve tribes are dispersed. Please note that James states the twelve tribes scattered abroad, not ten.
James 1:1 James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes in the Dispersion (Greek diaspora or scattered abroad), greeting:
You will notice in the above passage, that James refers to the tribes as being geographically dispersed, using the Greek word diaspora, (G5443) and not as being missing or lost. Since the New Testament was written almost 800 years after the Northern Tribes went into captivity around 740 BCE, it appears that the people retained their identity, and knowledge of tribal affiliation throughout the many centuries of captivity as proven by these passages.
Luke 2:36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;
Romans 11:1 I say then, Has God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.
In Peter’s speech on the day of Pentecost, he refers to all the house of Israel as all of Israel, not just the northern kingdom. What we are shown in this passage is Israelites/Jews who have come to Jerusalem for the appointed feasts who are speaking the language of the area where they have been dispersed into geographically. As you know, people do not usually acquire a new language in one generation of living in an area, yet they obviously still recognized their identity as an Israelite/Jew. As you read further, you will see in verse eight that they were born into these regions which are outside of Israel.
Acts 2:5 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven
6 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language
7 And they were all amazed and marveled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?
8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?
9 Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia,
10 Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes,
11 Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.
12 And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What means this?
22 You men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the middle of you, as you yourselves also know:
36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God has made the same Jesus, whom you have crucified, both Lord and Christ.
Note: As we see in the above passages, the term Israelite and Jew seem to be used interchangeably in the New Testament.
The Two Sticks
Ezekiel 37 shows two houses – Israel and Judah as coming together as one at some point in the end days. Some say that Judah and Israel [Ephraim] must be united in the land of Israel before Jesus can return. It is also said that the tribe of Joseph was split into Manasseh and Ephraim and Joseph is no longer a “valid” tribe, therefore; any references to him as a tribe really infers Ephraim as applied scripturally [ie: Rev 7]. Scriptural basis for this is and please make note of the bolded parts which proves that this position is incorrect:
Eze 37:16 Moreover, you son of man, take you one stick, and write on it, For Judah, and for the children of Israel his companions: then take another stick, and write on it, For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim and for all the house of Israel his companions:
17 And join them one to another into one stick; and they shall become one in your hand.
18 And when the children of your people shall speak to you, saying, Will you not show us what you mean by these?
19 Say to them, Thus said the Lord GOD; Behold, I will take [H 3947 - lâqach - seize, snatch, take away] the stick of Joseph, which is in the hand of Ephraim, and the tribes of Israel his fellows, and will put them with him, even with the stick of Judah, and make them one stick, and they shall be one in my hand.
20 And the sticks where on you write shall be in your hand before their eyes.
21 And say to them, Thus said the Lord GOD; Behold, I will take the children of Israel from among the heathen, where they be gone, and will gather them on every side, and bring them into their own land:
22 And I will make them one nation in the land on the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king to them all: and they shall be no more two nations, neither shall they be divided into two kingdoms any more at all.
23 Neither shall they defile themselves any more with their idols, nor with their detestable things, nor with any of their transgressions: but I will save them out of all their dwelling places, wherein they have sinned, and will cleanse them: so shall they be my people, and I will be their God.
24 And David my servant shall be king over them; and they all shall have one shepherd: they shall also walk in my judgments, and observe my statutes, and do them.
25 And they shall dwell in the land that I have given to Jacob my servant, wherein your fathers have dwelled; and they shall dwell therein, even they, and their children, and their children’s children for ever: and my servant David shall be their prince for ever.
26 Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them; it shall be an everlasting covenant with them: and I will place them, and multiply them, and will set my sanctuary in the middle of them for ever more.
27 My tabernacle also shall be with them: yes, I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
28 And the heathen shall know that I the LORD do sanctify Israel, when my sanctuary shall be in the middle of them for ever more.
It should be noted, that Ephraim, which the Two House proponents believe is now the church/Israel is not listed in Revelation 7:5-8, so which gate will they enter through? Joseph and Manesseh are listed, but Ephraim and Dan have been eliminated from Israel in this final book of the New Testament, hence, no covenant. It should also be noted that Judah, which is the banner that many people from the other tribes historically went under after their returning to Jerusalem at the reconstruction of the second Temple, is now listed first.
Revelation 7:4 And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.
5 Of the tribe of Juda were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand.
6 Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nephthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand.
7 Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed twelve thousand.
8 Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand.
Question: How do Ephraimites interpret this passage: Isaiah 7:8 For the head of Syria is Damascus, and the head of Damascus is Rezin; and within sixty five years Ephraim *shall be broken from being a people*.
Take note of verse Ezekiel 37:19 - Joseph’s stick is *taken from* Ephraim.
The Ezekiel 37 prophecy is fulfilled perfectly and fully in Christ:
Luke 1:31 And, behold, you shall conceive in your womb, and bring forth a son, and shall call his name JESUS.
32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give to him the throne of his father David:
33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
John 2:19 Jesus answered and said to them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.
20 Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and will you raise it up in three days?
21 But he spoke of the temple of his body.
22 When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this to them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said.
1 Corinthians 6:19 What? know you not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which you have of God, and you are not your own?
2 Corinthians 5:21 For he has made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
2 Corinthians 6:14 Be you not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship has righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion has light with darkness?
15 And what concord has Christ with Belial? or what part has he that believes with an infidel?
16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? for you are the temple of the living God; as God has said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
17 Why come out from among them, and be you separate, said the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.
18 And will be a Father to you, and you shall be my sons and daughters, said the Lord Almighty.
Isa 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given: and the government shall be on his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, on the throne of David, and on his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from now on even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
John 14:27; 16:33 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you: not as the world gives, give I to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. These things I have spoken to you, that in me you might have peace. In the world you shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
It is also taught in HR that the Kingdom of God is yet a future event, based on this text:
Act 1:6 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, will you at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?
7 And he said to them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father has put in his own power.
8 But you shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come on you: and you shall be witnesses to me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and to the uttermost part of the earth.
This was prophesied of Jesus by the Angel:
Luke 1:31 And, behold, you shall conceive in your womb, and bring forth a son, and shall call his name JESUS.
32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give to him the throne of his father David:
33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
Jesus spent His entire ministry preaching the Kingdom of God/Heaven. He did not teach the restoration of the kingdom of Israel because it was accomplished in Him.
Misc Biblical Notes about “Ephramites” or the Northern Kingdom:
The northern tribes intermarried with the Assyrians and became the Samaritans – to this day know who they are…all 600 of them.
The northern tribes were only in existence for about 200 years as a separate entity aka no more association with the southern kingdom. They had kings in 200 years – one every 10 years.
Eight of these northern kings were either assassinated or committed suicide. None of these kings were faithful to the Lord. Each of them promoted idolatry.
Manasseh married the daughter of a Samaritan.
Jezebel was shoved out a window by her two eunuch guards and eaten by dogs, by order of Jehu coming into the city gates right after he had murdered her husband, King Ahaz.
Jeroboam, King of the northern kingdom changed the feasts of the Lord to a different time and season.
Idol worship was a continual problem in the northern kingdom, causing extremely harsh words from the Lord through His prophets which foretold of Dan and Ephraim’s destruction.
Question: Why would anyone in their right mind want to claim to be an Ephraimite????
In conclusion:
Acts 16:30 And leading them outside, he said, Sirs, what must I do that I may be saved?
31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.
Please notice that Paul and Silas never mentioned anything about the Roman jailer joining himself to Ephraim or Israel in order for him and his family to be saved.
