EZEKIEL

 

and YHWH’s

 

 Judgment

 

 

for the

 

Good News

 

PEOPLE

 

 

 

VOLUME XIII

 

The Congregation

 

 

EZEKIEL and YHWH’s

 

 

Judgment for the

 

 

 Good News People

 

 

 

 

Volume XIII--The Congregation

 

 

 

 

 

by

 

an unworthy servant

 

 

 

 

 

 

And you shall know the truth,

 

and the truth will make you free.

 

(John 8:32)

 

 

Common Law Copyright, 2003 & 2005 CE, an unworthy servant, Calder, Idaho.  The author claims his Right of exclusive ownership and control of this publication, the fruit of his labor, as a matter of Intellectual Property protected by the Laws of YHWH and as guaranteed by the US Constitution for the United States.  Permission is granted to quote provided appropriate credit is cited together with the Publisher’s web site name and postal mailing address––WWW.age-end.com PO Box 473, Calder, ID 83808, USA. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contents

 

 

 

Volume XIII--The Congregation

 

 

CHAPTER                                                                              PAGE

 

 

      -                  Cover Page                                                                                                         1

 

      -                  Title Page                                                                                                             2

 

      -                  Contents                                                                                                              3

 

      -                  Publisher’s Preface                                                                                           5

 

 

 

Part LL--The Jewish Enigma

 

      184             Attitude Toward Jews and Judaism                                                                6

 

      185             Race and Religion Enigma I                                                                          11

 

      186             Race and Religion Enigma II                                                                         19

 

      187             Religious Hypocrites                                                                                       33

 

 

Part MM--The Called Out Ones

 

      188             Qahal Ha ELOHIM                                                                                           46

 

      189             The Seven Assemblies                                                                                   52

 

      190             Sardis                                                                                                                 65

 

      191             Introduction to Philadelphia                                                                           74

 

      192             20th Century Pioneers/Contributors                                                             84

 

      193             More on Philadelphia                                                                                    102

 

      194             Still More on Philadelphia                                                                            115

 

      195             Laodicea                                                                                                          127

 

      196             Other Sabbathkeeping Groups                                                                    135

 

      197             The Obedience Issue                                                                                    137

 

      198             Fellowship                                                                                                       142

 

Part NN--Sin

 

      199             Racial Pride                                                                                                     154

 

      200             Evil People and More Evil Leaders                                                             163

SHEERIT YISRAEL

PO Box 473

Calder, Idaho 83808, USA

 

 

Publisher’s Preface

 

Greetings!  The following presentation is volume thirteen of a 36-volume production of some 6,000 pages on “Ezekiel and YHWH’s Judgment for the Good News People,” all of which is on the Internet at the www.age-end.com web site. 

 

This overall effort provides an interpretation of the Good News message in the New Testament, its linkage to the book of Ezekiel, and an application of both to the age-end prophecies relating to certain nations and peoples now out in the world.  In order for this single volume to be understood and comprehended, it is imperative that the study be read from its beginning--from page one of volume one. 

 

Anyone trying to read this volume or the study’s 6,000 pages at any mid-point will end up in a state of confusion without having read and digested the preceding material.  It is crucially important that this work be read in sequence from its beginning--otherwise, the reader will almost certainly end up missing the essence of the message! 

 

The effort was originally set on a Macintosh computer with Microsoft Word 6.0.1.  It was set in Helvetica, 12-point type (18 pt on chapter headings); single line spacings; and margins:  left 1.2”, right 0.8”, top 0.7”, bottom 0.8” and footer 0.6” (for page numbers). 

 

For further information on obtaining this study in 18 computer floppy disks (IBM-formatted, high density, 2HD, 1.44 MB, 3 1/2 inches); in a single CD-Rom; or in hard copies (when the Internet or a compatible computer is not available); please write the publisher at the above address and send a stamped, self-addressed, long (legal-size), return envelope. 

 

With a CD-Rom or computer floppy disks, the study is readable on Macintosh (systems 5.0 and later) or IBM/compatible (with Microsoft Word-Windows) personal computers.  May The Great CREATOR and SOVEREIGN OF THE UNIVERSE bless you as you study His word to learn His will and to obey Him.  Shalom (peace) to you and yours! 

 

an unworthy servant, Sukkot 2005 CE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 184--Attitude Toward Jews and Judaism

 

 

What is Needed 

 

Any person who undertakes a serious study of the Word, with a view of obeying it, must quickly come to grips with the reality that a new and different attitude and perspective is needed on the question of the Jews and Judaism. 

 

As detailed in the former chapters, there was substantial good in Second Temple Judaism and in the Second Temple synagogues.  This is a hard pill for Christians to accept.  But it is the real world in terms of the Scriptures.  This conclusion is not something this writer has dreamed up from the Old Testament.  No, it is the absolute truth and teaching of the New Testament (NT).  

 

It is the New Testament which tells us about YESHUA, Shaul, Kefa and the other persons in YESHUA’s movement and the eventual Apostolic Assembly.  We know from the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts, etc where those people worshipped and indeed how they worshipped in terms of procedures, liturgy, music and so forth.  We know because the New Testament lays it out. 

 

Yes, the NT unmistakably teaches that the Apostolic Assembly was made up of religious Jews or House of Yisrael Israelites who, out in the Diaspora, were in the process of conversion to Judaism.  That’s the real world.  Of course, of supreme importance, we know that YESHUA, Shaul and many, most or all of the others in YESHUA’s group were religious Jews of the Hillel Pharisee persuasion. 

 

 

But Change Came In

 

Now, in citing the marvelous and wonderful benefits of Second Temple Judaism, this writer is simply not suggesting or implying that the succeeding years didn’t see some modifications in the ideology and framework of Judaism, following the fall of Jerusalem to the Romans.  It’s too bad, but some changes were introduced into Judaism which were not good after 70 CE. 

 

These changes have been detailed in previous chapters.  They need no further focus here.  Suffice to say, the Jewish devotion to the Talmud on a law and authority level is not good.  Yet, the Talmud is an outstanding book for true believers to study because it explains and clarifies so much of the New Testament and the life of YESHUA and the other members of His group. 

 

However, to the credit of the many dedicated and conscientious Jewish people, sages and scholars over the years, much of the culture and mental outlook on life and religion has been preserved in modern Orthodox Judaism.  This is not to say that modern Orthodox Judaism is near the admiral level of Second Temple Judaism.  It is not!  But it is close and so close that a believer must respect it. 

 

On this reasoning, it is also useful to realize that there are many important distinctions and differences between the Orthodox Judaism of Sephardim as opposed to Ashkenazi Jews.  Manifestly, the Sephardim are far closer to truth and righteousness than the Ashkenazim. 

 

It seems that the Ashkenazi European Jews have been heavily influenced by the evil thinking of Amalekites who have come to that definition over the years. 

 

Undoubtedly, it has been the evil Amalekites and their propensity for sin to have allowed the development of the current Reform Jewish movement and its fall-outs.  While the Conservative Jews are substantially better than Reform Jews, they too have some problems. 

 

 

The Real Needs

 

Based upon the above remarks and the findings detailed in the former chapters on Judaism, any open student of truth must turn to Judaism to find answers on worship procedures, liturgy, music, congregational prayers and so forth, as found in modern Orthodox Judaism.  As will be conclusively proven later herein, Christian worship simply will not fit the needs of truth and righteousness. 

 

Hence, there must be a turn to Judaism and to it with an open attitude and not being close minded, as is true with so many Christians and Christian denominations. 

 

 

The Historic Problem

 

As noted earlier, historic Christianity has always had a basic hatred and animosity toward Judaism.  Interestingly, Christians have not had a particular dislike or hatred toward racial or ethnic Jews.  But their venom has always been turned toward Judaism and any Jew who is religious and sincere in practicing Judaism. 

 

The Christian predecessors in ancient sun worship Greece started this vile hatred of Judaism with the death of Alexander the Great.  The Greeks were not able to convert the religious Jews to the Grecian sun worship faiths.  So the Greeks responded with enormous hatred toward the Jews who wanted to keep their Scriptural Hebrew faith. 

 

Historically, for vast centuries, the Christian hatred and opposition to Judaism was out in the open.  Religious Jews were slaughtered by the thousands and/or millions.  All they had to do was give up their faith.  But many religious Jews refused. 

 

The same problem has also faced so-called Gentiles or goyim (in the Hebrew), in reference to people who are not Jews.  Any person who has practiced many or any of the Scriptural requirements of the Old Testament has been in trouble in the secular society for the past 2,000 years. 

 

It’s been all right to obey OT commandments which promote humanism and define man’s duties, needs and requirements with other men.  But when a person undertakes to show love to The MOST HIGH and observe things which will demonstrate that love (like in keeping certain religious feasts, eating certain food or engaging in certain liturgy in worship), the person is then in trouble. 

 

Since some form of religious freedom has come about in the last one hundred years in much of the Christian West, things are not as bad now as they once were.  It used to be that if you tried to keep the Seventh day Sabbath and the watching society found out about it, you would be burned alive at the stake.  The Christian world presently does not impose that punishment upon people obeying the Torah. 

 

But the groundwork is being laid on right now in the New World Order to re-impose that former dictatorial religious state.  It’s coming.  We can be sure of it--not whether, but only of when. 

 

 

The Jewish Role

 

In describing the great hurt and persecution which has come upon good religious Jews over their acts of faith and obedience of the Torah, it must be noted that the Jews themselves have somewhat brought on the punishment which has befallen them. 

 

The worst thing which the Jews did was to allow John Hyrcanus and his colleagues to forcibly convert the diabolical, Satan directed Amalekites before 100 BCE.  These workers of evil and depravity, in the form of the Herods and the Herodians, brought enormous hurt upon good Jews.  Surely, they were the main force to perpetuate the Roman wars and the destruction of Jerusalem. 

 

With the conquest of Jerusalem, many or indeed perhaps most of the Amalekite workers of evil vanished from the ranks of Jewry.  Many of the Amalekites in the Jerusalem area were killed and destroyed by the Romans.  Others fled Palestine for the North.  And many, of course, sold out to the Romans and became Roman citizens (this gave the Romans a surge of Amalekites into its ranks). 

 

Not content with being largely free of the Amalekite children of Satan, world Jewry in the 8th century CE allowed the Khazars of Eastern European (who seem to be the very Amalekite people who had earlier fled Palestine) to convert to Judaism and reassert their work of destruction once more.  This was a terrible blunder by the Jewish leaders to allow these Amalekites into their midst. 

 

Much of the persecution and trouble on the Jews in Europe in the succeeding centuries came about precisely because of the presence and works of evil from these Satanic people.  This was certainly true in the pre WWII days, when Germany, under Adolf Schicklgruber, turned against the Jews to punish and hurt both good Jews and bad Jews. 

 

As noted earlier, and as will be proven later herein, it was the Amalekite workers of evil who completely set WWII up.  Amalekites--like the Roosevelts, Schicklgruber and likely Churchill (whose mother was evidently an Amalekite Jewess)--led the way in murdering and killing millions of people in Europe. 

 

In discussing the work of these Amalekite Jew workers of evil, it must be said that huge numbers of Amalekites have also converted to Christianity, Buddhism, Islam and other worldly religions.  Too, many of them are outright atheists. 

 

But regardless of their religions, many of them are in the US and White British Commonwealth nations where they have been accepted and allowed into leadership roles--just as happened in the first century BCE and first century CE in Palestine.  The Jews made a mistake in those days and the gullible Christian goyim have done the precise same thing in the last couple hundreds of years in the US and Britain. 

 

 

Therefore

 

This exact situation therefore brings into play something that few people are ever able to grasp in today’s modern world.  There is a sharp distinction between true, religious Jews (who probably have some good Adamic gene lines) and the evil Amalekite children of Satan who pretend to be Jews (but are not Jews). 

 

True Jews and the Jewish religion (other than the Reform religion which is basically evil) are good things.  The Amalekite Jews are bad.  It has been and will continue to be the Amalekite Jews who have brought such great hurt on not only the good Jews, but indeed upon the world at large. 

 

 

The Confusion 

 

Certainly, the world at large, and particularly the world of Christendom in the US and White British Commonwealth, is totally lost in trying to recognize this distinction in the broad classification of the Jews.  People simply are unable to distinguish between the Jewish religion and good Jews and other ethnic Jews who are actually Amalekite sons of Satan. 

 

This indictment applies to the whole world.  It seems to affect all of Christendom, to include even the world of Christian Identity.  It appears that there are few, if any, persons out there claiming to be Christian Identity adherents, who have the foggiest notion of what Judaism is and is not and what and who the Amalekites are and who they are not.  People are simply lost on these issues. 

 

What is sadly needed is a whole new approach to the Jewish question.  Assuredly, this new approach will come about in the world tomorrow when YESHUA rules this globe directly.  But the need is ever present in the world right now. 

 

This writer has broached this difficult theme at length in the previous chapters addressing Judaism and the Jews.  But in an effort to reduce the dilemma down to its basics, the following chapters will present the reality of the problem and particularly of it in terms of the modern Christian Identity movement. 

 

There may be only a few people who do grasp the significance of the problem.  But hopefully, there will be some out there who benefit from the following presentation made in this production. 

 

This outline of the problem and an attempt to understand it will set the stage for succeeding commentary on what should comprise the age end congregation of righteousness.  In order to properly address this coming ideal entity, it is imperative that the student of truth have some perspective on the Jews and the importance of Judaism. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 185--Race and Religion Enigma I

 

 

The Topic of Race 

 

Although there is no intent presently to rehash the several previous chapters in this publication on race, there is a need to point out something which the reader perhaps has not yet grasped in the context of why this theme was handled the way it was herein. 

 

Race, racial differences and racial identifications are profoundly important topics in YHWH’s Word.  This reality is in sharp contrast to what the modern Christian culture and society tell the dumb sheep under their control. 

 

The Scriptures offer an abundance of data on race and acknowledge that The ELOHIM has made a large number of His decisions based precisely on this factor--whether anyone likes it or not. 

 

It is The MOST HIGH Who has chosen to make the primary separate races of humans/humanoids (Adamite, behemah and chaiyah).  Put another way, The ELOHIM, Himself, has created the three major races of White, Black and Red peoples.  He is responsible for the different races! 

 

These all were good creations.  They were all made for various purposes, whether any modern Christian can understand them or not.  From these basically good creations, Satan and men collectively have chosen to alter The SUPREME’s creations, as if there was something inherently wrong with them (as they were created by The CREATOR). 

 

Beyond the basic three races, Nachash quickly seduced Eve and apparently introduced a fourth racial type into history.  Shortly thereafter, the messengers also came down and cohabited and crossed with the various humans/humanoids. 

 

And very quickly (pre-flood and later), the Adam kind began miscegenating with the descendants of Kain, the behemah, the chaiyah and messengers to produce a whole variety of mamzer and nokri/nekar peoples which today are found all over the globe. 

 

With these numerous acts of miscegenation to produce the great racial variations found today, they clearly constitute efforts on the part of Satan and limited little men to change and alter the basic separate creations of humans/humanoids which The HIGHEST created as good at the beginning. 

 

Why would anyone want to change the marvelous and perfect creations of wonderful true Black, White and Red peoples into imperfect, flawed mongrels?  Why would anyone want to change what The MOST HIGH created as good into something that is obviously not good?  Yet, this has happened and is happening regularly. 

 

 

Addressing the Differences 

 

Of course, this production has had to deal with the various words used by YHWH in His Book to describe the different classes of so-called human beings (the different races) and outline His plans for them in the context of the creation and in the definition of who are the people of the Good News. 

 

Despite this necessity, however, it must be realized that there are enemies of truth out there in the world who will take these words and misuse them by attacking this effort as racist of some sort.  People can and do easily twist truth in order to serve their own evil purposes. 

 

Never mind what the Scriptures say, these wretched souls will burn the midnight oil in an effort to condemn, hurt and punish, if possible, this work simply because the (politically incorrect) subject of race (however important it is in the Word) is a taboo topic which no one can dare address in today’s contemporary society.  To be politically correct, this issue must be swept under the rug. 

 

Perhaps one of the main problems is that whenever the Amalek-Edomites claim to be The MOST HIGH’s chosen people (Israel), society looks upon this as being normal and good.  But let any other group come along and claim to be The ELOHIM’s chosen people (Israel) and they are immediately branded as racists.  And if they are White, they are furthermore called White supremacists. 

 

 

Christian Hatred 

 

As suggested earlier, this hysteria has created a situation whereby society at large has a great fear of the Judeans, as was true in YESHUA’s day (Jo 7:13).  While the general public has this incredible fear of the Judeans, it is interesting that most Christians have a most extraordinary hatred of the Jewish religion, in particular, though there aren’t many around with the same passionate hatred of Jews racially or ethnically. 

 

The position of Christians historically has been that racial and ethnic Jews are wonderful people if they abandon Judaism and convert to Christianity.  This was always the cry in the dark ages when Rome ruled the world and persecuted “religious” Jews without mercy. 

 

During the Spanish inquisition, the only way out for a religious Jew to survive was to abandon his faith and become a Christian.  Specifically, he had to submit to Catholic Christian baptism (“Hunted Heretic,” p. 6).   Jews were either baptized or they had better flee for their lives because Catholic authorities would murder them if they were caught. 

 

Once the most vile, evil and diabolical Amalek-Edomite of all has left Judaism and declared himself a Christian (even if he still is a secret Satanist in his heart), he will be accepted by the Christian Israelite community with open arms--all the while that these Israelites foolishly ignore his real plan and purpose of destroying them because he positively hates them as a result of his blood and seed lines. 

 

The exception on this racial acceptance, if there is one, is primarily among Christian Identity religious adherents, so-called right wing participants and historic Nazi figures.  A relatively “few” of these people have “supposedly” had enormous hatred for both Judaism and Jews without distinction. 

 

But there is little or no proof of this alleged hatred because there have been any number of Amalek-Edomite Jews in the German Nazi party (including the Nazi leader Adolf Schicklgruber, himself); the American Nazi party; the Ku Klux Klan; and more recently, in the modern Christian Identity movement. 

 

There is also some question about the incredible hatred which the modern Arabs bear for Jews.  Some of this hatred seems to be along racial or likely political lines and not involving religion at all.  Arab hatred of Jews was outlined in a former chapter and will be further addressed in later chapters. 

 

 

Some Examples From History 

 

Even one of the most famous, alleged, Jew haters in American history, Gerald L. K. Smith (who was an ordained minister of the Disciples of Christ Church), really had no particular problem with the Jews, per se. 

 

As his biographer Glen Jeansonne mentioned, Smith believed that Jews could become religious brethren by renouncing Judaism (which he considered to be the forces of the Devil) and accepting “Christ” (“Gerald L. K. Smith, Minister of Hate,” p. 102).  In 1964, Smith publicly supported Christian Jew Barry Goldwater for president, per Jeansonne (ibid, p. 166). 

 

The same condition existed with Martin Luther of the 16th century--who had a fantastic reputation for anti-Semitism and Jew hatred.  But this reputation collapses when one looks more carefully at the real thinking of the famous reformer Martin Luther.  An article by Rick Aharon Chaimberlin on “The Judgment” in the Oct-Dec 1999 “Petah Tikvah” (p. 14-15) laid out some interesting things about Luther. 

 

As Chaimberlin wrote, Luther, at first, wrote and spoke well of the Jews.  Apparently, he did so in the context that he expected them to join in with his brand of Protestant Christianity that was developing.  When they did not abandon Judaism to join him, he turned on them with a vengeance. 

 

One must understand that this Luther hatred of the Jews was not really a racial hate at all.  He hated Judaism.  Any Jew willing to convert to Christianity was a good Jew.  Any Jew who refused to convert was a bad Jew.  Luther took his hatred out on these so-called bad Jews who would not convert. 

 

This “Petah Tikvah” magazine quoted Luther from “The Jew in the Ancient World” by Marcus (p. 167-169), which was cited by William Nicholls in “Christian Anti-Semitism.”  The essence of this Luther condemnation was an attack upon Judaism.  Luther argued that the synagogues should be burned down, that Jewish prayer books and the Talmud be kept from them, and that “rabbis” be forbidden to teach. 

 

While he spoke against Jews, Luther did so in the context of them being Jews--religiously.  Again, the evidence is persuasive that those Jews who abandoned being a Jew and Judaism in order to convert to Christianity was a good person.  There is no question about it whatsoever, Luther hated Judaism and not racial/ethnic Jews, per se. 

 

It seems that any Jew and/or Edomite willing to become a Christian is a good person in the eyes of even the biggest of Jew haters.  This is a most fascinating phenomenon because the liberal establishment has come to call these right wing people “White supremacists, racists, anti-Semites, bigots and Jew haters.” In truth, they really have little or no problem with racial Jews or Edomites at all.  Their problem is with Judaism.  

 

The one thing that all Christian Israelites (with few if any exceptions) readily agree upon is that they totally hate Judaism and want to see it destroyed, just as the racial Edomites want to see them destroyed.  Christians, including right wing types, are typically not racists at all.  Their main focus is on religion.  They may be religious bigots.  But they are not racists in terms of the Jews! 

 

This Christian anti-Judaism goes back a long way.  The evidence is most persuasive that it started within Christendom at the very beginnings of Christianity in Rome in c42-50 CE (to be assessed in some detail in later chapters)--although the tragedy was much older, as will be shown in the succeeding comments. 

 

 

The Real Source of This Hatred 

 

While some persons might try to make a case that the ancient Romans were fairly tolerant of all religions (including Judaism), this is not totally true.  The problem with ancient Rome and the Roman Empire is that its culture and civilization was Grecian.  This reality will be addressed in some detail in subsequent chapters. 

 

The “Dictionary of Judaism in the Biblical Period”  (p. 43) addresses this issue in an article on pagan anti-Semitism.  This article suggests that before 200 BCE, there was some pagan neutrality towards the Jews.  But as early as 200 BCE, the story was told that the Jews worshipped a donkey in the Jerusalem Temple (per a writer named Mnaseas of Patara). 

 

This article also says that evidence for pagan anti-Semitism primarily developed during the times of the Maccabees.  Advisors to the Seleucid king maligned the “misanthropic and impious customs” of the Jews.   Apparently, the Romans were not as bad as the Greeks.  But even some Roman literature had condemnations of Judaism and Jewish practices (circumcision, Sabbath keeping and not eating pork). 

 

The “Dictionary of New Testament Theology” (DNTT, v. 2, p. 310) has an article which discusses the terms Judah, Jew, Jewish and Judaism from the standpoint of early historical times.  This source suggests that the word “Jew” was used by Gentiles as a contemptuous term of abuse and that the Gentile world did not understand the peculiarity and necessary separation (kodesh) of the Jewish people. 

 

Going on, DNTT says that because the Jews could not take part in the Gentile cults and social life, they were regarded as godless, haters of foreigners, and even haters of men in general (yes, pagan Greek sun worshippers looked down upon Jewish followers of YHWH and the Torah as “godless,” just as they still do today in Christendom). 

 

DNTT adds that Alexandrian writers, in particular, spread horrific tales about the history and worship of the Jews which were readily believed and copied.  Contempt for Judaism also resulted in hatred which worked itself out in bloody persecutions (per DNTT). 

 

Perhaps some of these tales commenced the incredibly ridiculous theory of Jews sacrificing Christian children at Passover (as is assessed in some detail in other comments herein).  This charge is too stupid to be discussed.  But it became the real world of Christian thinking for the long, dark ages that the Roman Catholic Church effectively ruled the world and called the shots for secular kings.   

 

 

More on This Hatred 

 

The above remarks establish the reality that very early in the times of Grecian rule (when the Greeks imposed their culture on the civilized world), enormous hatred was developing for Judaism.  This hatred was never against the Jews, per se.  Instead it was essentially focused upon the Jewish faith and religion. 

 

Surely, the fact that a religious Jew would not participate in pagan ceremonies, holidays and customs must have been a primary focus of this hatred.  If the Jew would but compromise his faith and act like the pagan sun worshippers, then everything would have been all right.  He would be a good Jew.  And this happened among some Jews in the context of Hellenism.  Many Hellenistic Jews compromised their beliefs. 

 

Of course, all that the Greek sun worshippers wanted was for the Jews to do like everybody else--assimilate, mix, integrate and adopt the Greek sun worship religion, culture, gods, holidays, customs and practices (all of these will be addressed in detail in subsequent chapters herein). 

 

Probably, it was the failure of Greek rulers to impose the Greek religion and culture upon the Second Temple Jews which made them such arch enemies of Judaism.  This reality has been discussed in previous remarks.  Needless to say, the Greeks tried hard to convert the Jews to Grecian thinking.  But the work of the Maccabees in the second century BCE put down this evil effort. 

 

The failure to make Greeks out of the Jews must have hurt their pride.  After all, they seemed to have success wherever they went in Asia and Europe in making the people adopt the Greek polytheistic religion, culture, philosophy and civilization.  It was only in Palestine with the Jews that the Greeks failed. 

 

 

Hatred for the Jewish Religion 

 

In any case, it was soon established that the Greeks had a passionate hatred for Judaism (not the racial or ethnic Jews, per se).  The focus was effectively upon religion.  As always, any Jew who was willing to turn from his religion and adopt the Greek religion and culture was a good Jew in Greek eyes.  The problem was manifestly those Jews who would not convert. 

 

This prevailing Greek hatred of Judaism (not racial or ethnic Jews) continued through the years until the establishment of Christianity.  It was picked upon and became a cardinal part of Christian theology, almost from Christianity’s earliest days.

 

Certainly, the anti-Judaism position was well established in Christianity and the Roman Empire by the mid second century CE when Justin Martyr wrote his attack upon Judaism (“Who Wrote the New Testament? The Making of the Christian Myth,” p. 267).  Later chapters herein will discuss Christian history in some detail to prove how the seeds were successfully sown for this venomous hatred against Judaism. 

 

In any case, there has been an enormous anti-Judaism motivation within Christendom from its earliest days.  This has continued on into modern times.  Christians have no problems with Jews, per se (if they turn their backs on Judaism and become Christians).  Christians have problems and hatred for Jews who will not abandon Judaism.  Judaism, in Christian eyes, is one of the primary enemies of Christianity. 

 

 

The “Why” For This Continuing Christian Hatred 

 

The question must inevitably surface on the “why” for this incredible hatred by collective Christianity toward Judaism?  This writer is convinced that the Christian motivation here is its intense hatred and animosity toward the Torah and YHWH’s mitzwot.  Most Christians thoroughly hate YAH’s Torah, as was discussed in comments heretofore. 

 

Sometimes, it is possible to believe that this Christian hatred even extends to the Old Testament YHWH, Himself, and particularly in view of such depraved thinking by early Christians--like the kook Marcion, discussed at length previously.  It’s not that any Christians are going to admit it.  They won’t.  But they do possess these motives which spill over into their hatred toward Judaism. 

 

The problem with Judaism is that it teaches the Torah and obedience of all of YAH’s commandments and not just the few of them that some Christians will highlight and espouse.  It’s not to say that Jews understand all of The ELOHIM’s laws (like laws dealing with environmental pollution).  They don’t!  But they don’t talk against them (as Christians routinely do). 

 

Christians are opposed to such teachings about the Torah and obedience to it.  Hence, they respond by criticizing and attacking Jews, the Talmud and the Jewish religion, never understanding what the real problems are in their own Western Christian religion and culture. 

 

If asked, the usual Christian will commence with some diatribe about the Jews rejecting “Christ,” never understanding that people who reject YHWH’s Torah and disobey are themselves rejecting the NT Jewish MESSIAH. 

 

Yes, faith is tied to obedience and works (Jas 2:1-26).  It is impossible to have the true gift of faith, described herein, if one is in rebellion towards the perfection, righteousness and love found in YHWH’s Torah. 

 

People may give lip service to and offer meaningless words about some so-called acceptance and belief in Gee-Zeus.  But if they reject YHWH YESHUA’s Torah, they categorically reject Him.  At least, the religious Jew is informed and intellectually honest on what he believes in his rejection of YESHUA.  He is not a hypocrite in this rejection. 

 

Ignorant Christians are generally like other sun worshipping pagans who know not what they believe (I Cor 2:2-16).  At best, they may have some zeal for The ELOHIM while in a state of ignorance (Rom 10:2).  However, in all cases, they are hypocrites when they claim to believe in Him while rejecting His words and commandments. 

 

 

The Christian Attitude 

 

The Christian position was well stated by Conservative Vatican leader Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger (as cited earlier herein).  He created a storm of protests among Jews when he publicly declared that “the Catholic Church is waiting for Israel and Jews to embrace Christianity” (Sep 22, 2000, “Jerusalem Post,” p. 3).  Yes, that has been the cry for virtually all of Christianity for 2,000 years. 

 

Christians generally (to include Christian Identity people, almost without exception) want Jews to abandon Judaism and become Christians.  Christianity has never hated Jews.  What Christendom hates is Judaism!  Once a Jew abandons the Scriptural Sabbath and feast days (Passover, Sukkot, etc) and accepts Sunday, Christmas and Easter and once the Jew starts eating pork, then he becomes a good Jew. 

 

In Christian eyes, it is religious Jews who are bad (really because they keep Scriptural feasts and eat Scripturally clean foods).  Moreover, it is Jewish men who wear beards and Jewish women who are covered in public--both of which constitute problems in the Christian world.  If they would just change and give up those OT practices, they would become good Jews--fully deserving of Christian love, care and concern. 

 

 

John Sturgnell 

 

There is one more feature of this discussion on race and Judaism which must be acknowledged as being of enormous importance.  This condition was brought out by John Sturgnell, former chief editor of the Dead Sea Scrolls, and a professor of archaeology at Harvard University.  In preparing his book on “Understanding the Dead Sea Scrolls” (p. 260-261), Hershel Shanks interviewed Sturgnell. 

 

Like almost all Christians, all over the world, Sturgnell has absolutely nothing to say against Jews.  But he is extremely anti-Judaism.  He postulates the Christian position that the Jewish problem would be immediately solved by their “mass conversion” to Christianity. 

 

But Sturgnell goes one step further when he outlined his primary complaint against Judaism.  He charged that it “is originally racist...it’s a folk religion; it’s not a higher religion” (“Understanding the Dead Sea Scrolls,” p. 260).  While Sturgnell was very biased and prejudiced because of his Christian religion, his remarks are interesting, although largely incorrect. 

 

Incidentally, Sturgnell is known to have had a problem with alcoholism (May/Jun 2002 “Biblical Archaeology Review,” p. 33).  So maybe, he was drunk when he uttered those words. 

 

While he was editor of the Dead Sea Scrolls (from 1984 to 1990), his work (or lack of work) brought much criticism from other scholars.  During his tenure, he only published one volume of material on the Dead Sea Scrolls.  This compares with 30 volumes published by his successor Emanuel Tov from 1991 to 2002 (ibid, p. 34).  Possibly, when Sturgnell left the scrolls’ project, he left with some bitterness toward the Jews. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 186--Race and Religion Enigma II

 

 

Modern Hypocrite Christian Identity Leaders 

 

Recently, this writer watched a home video documentary put out by “Saxon” productions on Christian “Identity.”  The gist of this effort was a short presentation by several of the leading Christian Identity preachers on the subject of Identity and now evident social and moral problems in the United States. 

 

In the presentation, there was much discussion about “God’s law” and the fact that Americans are in rebellion toward that law.  Over and over, some of the speakers would condemn the rest of rebellious Christendom for their opposition to the law, as if Christian Identity people know about the law and keep it. 

 

While these speakers could make these statements, one could look at their physical appearances and immediately perceive the absolute sin and rebellion in each of their hearts. 

 

All of them were clean shaven (a couple of mustaches were present) and it is doubtful that there was a one of them who had the foggiest notion that YHWH’s law addresses that question (Lev 19:27).  One of the biggest law advocates in the group is reportedly a pork eater which goes to establish that he is a hypocrite for sure.  As will be discussed later, the Torah says that they were all in sin! 

 

Going on, one can be sure that the very clothes which they were wearing was in rebellion toward the Torah--probably with mixed blends of cloth since that is mostly what the secular society sells.  Indeed, a true commandment keeper must go out of his way to obey YHWH on this mitzwah (Lev 19:19; Deut 22:9-11). 

 

If someone would mention to these preachers topics like physical circumcision, Sabbaths, Scriptural feast days, dwelling in booths at Sukkot, dogs being unclean animals and environmental pollution, they would laugh and make fun of the very suggestion. 

 

You can just about bank on it that not a one of these Christian leaders had any information at all about phylacteries (Ex 13:1-16; Deut 6:4-9; 11:13-21), and talitoth (the plural of talith) with tzitzityot (Num 15:37-41; Deut 22:12).  Instead, the film tried to make points by questioning an elderly Jew with a beard, who appeared to be in obedience of these physical laws. 

 

 

Easy Marks of Identification 

 

Now, these are just some of the physical issues which an observer can immediately spot without even listening to spoken words or attempting to ascertain what is really in hearts.  Question, when people refuse to obey even the simplest physical points in the Torah, how in the world can they ever begin to appreciate the weightier matters in the Torah, involving loyalty, compassion, truth and justice?  

 

In listening to these Christian leaders, it was quite manifest that they were all very proud and self righteous individuals (as almost all Christians are).  In that sense, they were classic hypocrites (just like almost all other Christians and Jews as well).  It is no big deal when a person meets a proud hypocrite because so-called human beings tend to lean in that direction.  As Augustine said, pride is the essence of sin. 

 

Thus, if Christian teachers are opposed to physical circumcision of the flesh, it is inconceivable that they would know anything at all about spiritual circumcision of the heart where the evil, proud, vain hearts are cut and crushed and replaced with genuine humility.  This whole theme on pride and circumcision was addressed in previous chapters. 

 

 

Another Illustration of Christian Identity Thinking 

 

For a number of years, there has been a unique Christian Identity preacher named Clyde D. Edminster (or Edminister), who has lived and/or worked out of Western Washington (in the Tacoma and/or Rainier areas).  His work was known to me some 20 years ago.  Whether he is still in the Christian Identity business or not is unknown now.  But his story can be told the way it once was. 

 

This Edminster was/is a classic Christian Identity Sunday keeper who talks about obedience, but doesn’t obey much of anything himself--at least in terms of the Scriptures.  He seems to be a Pentecostal or Charismatic Holy Roller, as is true with a huge number of other Washington state, Christian Identity people. 

 

Edminster once published a Christian Identity periodical and used to visit different Identity groups for revivals and/or Christian meetings.  Having heard him speak on a couple of occasions, it was apparent to me that he didn’t like Jews (as is the normal Christian Identity mode). 

 

Clyde may not have hated the Jews as passionately as some of the other Christian Identity types, but he clearly was no fan of them (or at least, he was supposedly no fan of Jews, as he conveyed that impression publicly in his meetings).  In many of Edminster’s evangelistic and preaching campaigns, he has had a much younger man with him (whose name may have been Smith, as was reported to me). 

 

This younger person was interesting in his own right because he was/is Clyde’s son-in-law and Clyde advertises him as a converted “Christian Jew” in his Christian Identity preaching campaigns.  If Smith was/is his name (as was suggested to me), one must be suspicious that his name was something else in earlier years (perhaps Smithinberg or Smithinstein or something else). 

 

Likely, he or one of his paternal ancestors changed the Jewish name to a more Anglo name--like Smith.  Presumably, this Edminster son-in-law believes in the Christian Identity message and theology since he often travels with Clyde and seems to present the same pitch and outreach. 

 

Now comes a problem.  Why is it or how is it that a Christian Identity, Jew hater can have a Jewish Christian son-in-law and take him to his Christian Identity, Jew hating meetings and proudly introduce him as a Jew?  This is quite a paradox and especially since Edminster and his Christian Identity colleagues all accept and fellowship with the Jewish man without a whimper of opposition.   

 

Well, the solution to this dilemma is not so difficult after all in the case of Clyde and thousands of other Jew hating, Christian Identity people.  When all of the fat is boiled away (down to the meat of the issue), neither Clyde or most or all of his Christian Identity colleagues hate Jews, per se.  What they hate is the Jewish religion (just as is true with Christianity at large). 

 

Since Christian Identity people seem to be more prone to loudly advertise and talk about their alleged Jew hatred (as opposed to what one normally hears from nominal Christians, who tend to be quieter about the subject in today’s controlled society), it appears that they probably have a demonic problem that is fueling their enormous hate.  As a minimum, they never understand the issue (just like other Christians). 

 

In any case, when this Smith fellow (or whatever his name was or is) became a Christian and married Clyde’s daughter, he automatically became a good person (in the eyes of the Christian Identity movement). 

 

Now, whether Smith was a true Israelite Jew or an evil Amalekite pretender matters little or nothing in Christian thinking.  Once he converted, he became good in the eyes of Christendom and its Christian Identity stooges (another perfect illustration of this Christian Identity hypocrisy surfaces in the case of former Christian Identity leader William Potter Gale, a stealth Jew, who will be addressed in later chapters herein). 

 

Christian Identity people are such gross hypocrites, coupled with some very present ignorance and lack of understanding.  Whenever they think about Jews and however much they may froth and foam at the mouth in alleged hatred, the true is that they don’t hate Jews at all.  What they passionately hate with venom is Judaism (just like generic Christianity at large). 

 

 

Earl Jones and the Christian Problem 

 

This production has quoted Christian Identity preacher Earl Jones of Deming, New Mexico from time to time (Jones died in 2001).  Mr Jones was an elderly man at his death and was very unique in many ways while he lived.  He was an intelligent man and an excellent researcher and teacher (as evidenced in his bi-monthly publication “Intelligence Newsletter”). 

 

Jones was a Christian and specifically a Christian Identity proponent.  If he had one weakness, he was like other Christians in that he seemed to be Scripturally shallow and weak in the Word.  He was good on history and race, but sadly lacking in terms of comprehending the Book.  This is not unusual for Christians.  In the generic sense, Christians are grossly inadequate in terms of the Scriptures. 

 

Christians may know some NT verses and can quote them.  But tragically, they usually misquote them; and certainly misunderstand them because of the general Christian rejection of the Tanakh.  Couple this reality with the fact that most Christians are extremely proud and vain (like everyone else in the world) and some of them are even downright stupid or grossly lacking in any scholarship ability. 

 

There is a great source of pride, arrogance and hatefulness among many of the Christian Identity people.  Some groups have significant problems.  For example, the Christian Identity newspaper “Jubilee” for Sep-Dec 1999 (p. 12) said that the Christian Identity, Aryan Nations sect (previously cited) was made up of idiots, morons and feds.  

 

Certainly, this is a true assessment for Aryan Nations which not only has a problem with IQ levels, but is entrapped into occult ceremonies, political Nazism and worship and/or adoration of Adolf Schicklgruber (who is addressed in some detail elsewhere herein).  Thus, much of the Christian Identity movement is in the buffoon class (and this clearly is true with many of the motion’s preachers, teachers and leaders). 

 

Like generic Christians, the Identity people are Scripturally shallow and filled with intense hatred for the Jewish religion (as discussed earlier).  They differ from other Christians (who tend to keep their hatred and animosity quiet toward Judaism), in that they are very vocal and come out in public with their venom (which they express toward all Jews--who are still Jews and have not yet converted to Christianity). 

 

Anyway, Earl Jones was in this class of Christian Identity, Jew haters (despite the fact that he was a man of intelligence and a capable writer and teacher--not on the Scriptures, but on history and race).  Regularly, Mr Jones used to put out some very excellent material in his bi-monthly letter.  Normally, it was hard to criticize him at all. 

 

 

Jones Zeroed In On the Talmud 

 

But Jones certainly bombed out in his Jan-Feb 2000 issue (p. 1-4), which was a sad demonstration of his hatred for Judaism (not Jews, per se, if they convert to Christianity, but Jews who choose to remain as Jews).  As always in Christian hate, the Talmud and the Pharisees are the whipping posts in discussing Judaism. 

 

Of course, Jones focused upon the Talmud and the Pharisees, neither of which he obviously knew much about.   He opened his barrage with a charge that Christianity did not come from Judaism (which he was actually correct on--but in a strange way, not understood by him, as will be proven in later chapters on Christian history). 

 

He then asserted that “Jesus Christ came to save Israel from the Talmudic Pharisees,” by trying to use Luke 1:68-73.  Jones went on by charging that the enemies discussed by Zechariah in Luke 1 were the Talmudic Pharisees and that “Jesus” spent his entire ministry countering the effects of Talmudism.  Per Mr Jones, the entire chapter of Matthew 23 was dedicated to the problems of the Talmud. 

 

While the case can be made that the NT Zekharyah spoke of the racial Amalekites in his use of the word “enemies” (as cited by Mr Jones), there manifestly was no way that he could have been referring to the Talmud or the Hebrew religion that he was in profound support of. 

 

After all, Zekharyah was a priest intimately involved in both work at the Temple and the development of the Talmud (that was still in the theory stage in those days). 

 

For sure, any person who believed this Jones nonsense still believes in the tooth fairy business.  The utter failure of these remarks is assessed in detail throughout this publication at hand.  Jones could not have been more wrong on all points (except that Christianity did not come from Judaism--which it categorically did not).   He simply never got any thing right in his statements on the Talmud. 

 

In some few of his other charges, Jones did a little better (by getting them partly correct).  As he saw the problem, the Talmudic Pharisees controlled both of the governments of Rome and Judea.  Per him, it was because of the strong opposition to Talmudism, including overturning the money changers’ tables, which brought about the death of The MESSIAH. 

 

Though he has these complaints wrong, there are some elements of truth present.  For instance, the overturning of the money changers’ tables played a key role in the execution of YESHUA (as will be established in subsequent chapters herein on YESHUA’s murderers).  It is also true that there were some evil Amalekites in Rome and Judea who were calling the shots (to be later established and proven). 

 

 

Jones Lacked Understanding 

 

But the thing that Jones was completely ignorant about is the fact that the Amalekites are not religious Jews.  They may “pretend” to be religious Jews (just as they pretend to be atheists, Muslims and Christians).  But in fact, they are true racial and religious sons of Satan.  They are Satanists/Luciferians--which is exactly what Revelation 2:9 and 3:9 say. 

 

As far as the Talmud or the zillions of Christian commentaries on the Scriptures, none of this stuff has any relevance whatsoever to Satanic Amalekites.  Of course, some Amalekites may quote and use the Jewish Talmud--just as they may quote and use the writings of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, Ellen White, Joseph Smith, Matthew Henry, John Calvin and thousands of other Christians. 

 

But all of this is mere window dressing because Amalekites are not interested in any of this stuff--only in the pursuit and promotion of Satanism/Luciferianism and the destruction of Israel.  So, what Christian or Jewish books Amalekites use is quite irrelevant.  It means nothing! 

 

Previous chapters have already described the Talmud in some detail.  There is no need to go though those remarks again.  The short of it is that the Mishnah is a commentary on the Torah, and the Gemara is a commentary on the Mishnah.  Much of this stuff is opinion and means nothing in terms of authority. 

 

Admittedly, some of it in the Talmud may be irrelevant to the Torah or even be bad information (just as is true with Christian commentators like Ellen White, Matthew Henry, Adam Clarke, John Calvin, John Wesley, Joseph Smith, Billy Graham, the Pope, Wesley Swift, Earl Jones, Pete Peters, Dave Barley and tens of thousands of other Christian writers who have written some bad stuff or irrelevant remarks). 

 

 

Jones Missed the Point 

 

Beyond all of the bad information that Jones passed along in his Jan-Feb 2000 letter, perhaps the worst of it came out when he said.  “By historical definition, Phariseeism is Talmudism and a Jew is one who believes in the Talmud.  It has nothing to do with race...” 

 

First, all Jews do not believe in the Talmud.  Many do, but not all--in NT times or even today (i.e. the Essenes, Karaites and secular Jews, to include Amalekites, can be cited).  Next, the Pharisees in Second Temple days were but one sect or part of Judaism.  Judaism and the Jewish people were far bigger definitions than just the Pharisees. 

 

The Pharisee dimension (however much modern Christians may not understand the Pharisees or Second Temple Judaism) included YESHUA, Shaul and most of the Apostolic Assembly, as proven earlier.  Last, the primary question in the NT is exactly one of race and nothing else. 

 

There is no particular focus or concern over any alleged evils of the religion of the NT people (although some of the sects had problems and shortcomings, which were criticized from time to time by YESHUA and the Apostolic Assembly, but never the theology of the Hillel Pharisees). 

 

Besides the general attitude of disobedience, the conflict, trouble and sin that the Adam kind faced was on race from day three of Adam in the Garden of Eden and on forward.  It was on racial sins in Noah’s day and racial sins in Israel in the days of the judges and kings.  Racial sins were the point in Second Temple days (in that the Jewish leadership allowed evil Amalekites into fellowship). 

 

There is still a problem today over racial sins (in that the House of Yisrael nations have done exactly what the Jews did some 2,000 years ago when they allowed evil Amalekites into their nation and became subservient to them).  There is one major difference on this between the Jews of historic times and the modern Christian Israelites in the House of Yisrael nations. 

 

The difference is that the problem is far more serious today than it was 2,000 years ago.  Just as the Jews were unable or did not correctly deal with the difficulty back then, the modern House of Yisrael nations have followed suit in not dealing with the problem of race.  Jones completely missed the point. 

 

 

The Church of Jesus Christ, Christian--A Classic Case 

 

The Church of Jesus Christ, Christian, better known as the Aryan Nations in North Idaho, mentioned above and in earlier chapters, offers perhaps the best illustration of all on how confusion persists in Christendom between race and religion.  This group is supposedly a Christian Identity Church.  But they are heavily into political Nazism and various occult activities, as noted earlier. 

 

To top it off, this sect is fully devoted to Adolf Hitler.  The Church salutes Adolf, praises him, parades on his birthday and effectively adores, worships and pays homage to him.  The church magazine, “Calling Our Nation,” had his picture on the front cover of issue #12 of 1999, as the man of the millennium.  The interesting thing about this adoration and worship is that Adolf’s biographical information is well known to them. 

 

The “Universal Jewish Encyclopedia,” “Encyclopedia Britannica” and various other biographical sources plainly reveal that Adolf was a Jew named Schicklgruber.  His great evil proves conclusively that he was an Amalekite Jew.  There can be no dispute on this reality.  Yet, the Jew hating people at Aryan Nations love, adore and worship the Amalekite Schicklgruber (just like German Christian Nazis of 70 years ago). 

 

There is no doubt but that the Aryan Nations leadership knows the truth about Adolf because a Jewish Defense League (JDL) man on local radio ridiculed both Schicklgruber and the Aryans for their planned march on Adolf’s birthday in 1998 (surely, the Aryans heard his words).  Too, this writer wrote them a letter about it and offered to supply documentary proof on Adolf’s origin if they would contact me.  They never bothered to contact me. 

 

So here, we have a group of Christian people who excessively and regularly hate and condemn Talmudic Jews, but who simultaneously love and adore a racial Amalekite who was extremely occultic, evil and corrupt.  This reality is an illogical and incomprehensible paradox.  These Church of Jesus Christ, Christian people simply do not understand the problem. 

 

Like other Christians, they will complain to no end about Talmudic Jews and then worship and adore an evil Amalekite.  Obviously, the truth quickly comes out.  The Aryan Nations people are just like other Christians.  They hate Judaism and not Jews, per se.  Since it is Judaism that they hate (and not Jews), why then do they even use the word Jew in their condemnations.  Why not be honest and just address Judaism? 

 

 

Again, the Problem 

 

There is one undeniable proof of this Christian hatred for Judaism and not for Jews (unless those Jews practice Judaism).  In any conversation with most Christians about Jews, it is inevitable that they commence a tirade of hate about the Talmud.  Christians like to condemn and blast the Talmud and Talmudic Jews, as if they are the problem (because of Jewish attachment to the Talmud). 

 

The truth is that the Talmud was reality ages before John Hyrcanus went down to Edom and forcibly converted the Amalekites to Judaism.  The Amalekites didn’t invent or originate the Talmud.  The Talmud is a commentary on the Torah from religious Jews who had been exiled to Babylon or who came back to Palestine from Babylon.  It contains a multitude of beliefs, ideas and thinking from many diverse positions. 

 

One can find a host of pro and con arguments in it because the speakers/writers involved were free men who were allowed to have absolute freedom to express their wills and positions without fear or restraint (which is not true in modern America and particularly in modern Christianity where thought crimes and political incorrectness can bring enormous hurt upon a person). 

 

Admittedly, some Amalekites surely made contributions to the Talmud after they came into power in Judea under Herod.  But these contributions were made in the context of religious freedom.  They could say whatever they wanted to say.  And many did (just as many Amalekite Christians make contributions to the various Christian Talmuds). 

 

It is a paradox that the Christian haters of the Jewish Talmud themselves do not have religious and speech freedom.  They had better watch out what they say.  Actually, Christians need to take a look at the Jewish Talmud and see if they can ever begin to grasp what true religious freedom is.  The Jewish Talmud is an expression of genuine, religious freedom. 

 

This genuine and real religious freedom characterized Judaism in the first century when YESHUA lived and practiced it as His religion.  Perhaps the case can be made that this religious freedom was the feature which made Second Temple Judaism so good.  A man could have and could express an opinion which differed from others without fear of castigation and condemnation for being politically incorrect. 

 

 

The Real Hate 

 

So the biggest Jew haters in America (to include the Christian Identity people) reveal their true colors.  They hate the Talmud and Judaism.  In every writing or speech focusing on Jews, a reference inevitably is made to Talmudic Jews.  Over and over, the Talmud is condemned/criticized.  This is really quite a joke because Amalekites are not concerned with the Talmud, the Tanakh or anything else of a Scriptural nature. 

 

The Amalekites (and even those many who pretend to be agnostics and atheists) are truly children of Satan (both physically and spiritually).  Whatever religion they have or express is always in the vein of service to Satan.  Yet, ignorant Christians condemn Jews generally (including the Amalekites) over the Talmud (which the Amalekites could care less about). 

 

On rare occasions, some Christian Jew haters will mention the Edomites.  But even then, their words are expressed in a state of Christian confusion and not with any evidence of real understanding and knowledge (because these Christians are in a state of ignorance and lack real knowledge and understanding).  After all, the problem has been with the Amalekites for 2,100 years plus and most Christians are uninformed on this issue. 

 

Yes, this Christian hatred of the Talmud and Judaism is enormous.  It actually goes back even earlier to the Greek sun worship of 2,300 years ago when the Greeks were determined to destroy the OT religion which had found a presence and acceptance among the Jews in Second Temple days (from the work of Ezra and others). 

 

 

More Astounding Christian Confusion and Hypocrisy 

 

As will be broached in subsequent chapters, this writer lived in Northeast Washington and became acquainted with some Holy Rollers in a divided group North of Colville near the Canadian border, who “ostensibly” keep the Sabbath (apparently, they are not overly committed to it, but do give some lip service to the idea of the fourth commandment in the Decalogue). 

 

By and large, this group of Holy Rollers are Christian Identity people and fantastic Jew haters.  In almost any conversation, it isn’t long before they spew out this hatred and bitterness toward Jews. 

 

This writer is also acquainted with an elderly man who is not a Holy Roller.  But otherwise, he seems to have quite a bit of fellowship with the Jew haters.  This elderly man or old gent was commented upon in preceding chapters on  pride and vanity.  He is a very proud individual and likes to boast and brag about his “Bible” knowledge. 

 

In any case, he doesn’t share this Jew hatred which most of the others exhibit in conversation.  One could almost call the old gent a Jew lover because he does say good things about the Jews and avoids the hatred and animosity.  He doesn’t necessarily argue and support the Jews publicly too much in his dialogue with the Christian Identity haters.  But privately, he has expressed his pro-Jew position to me. 

 

Now comes the kicker.  At a first glance, one would have to suppose that this old gent and the Holy Roller Identity people are in worlds apart and that reconciliation between them is impossible.  But in actuality, they are virtually in the precise, exact, same frame of mind in terms of the Jews.  You see, the problem is not with the Jews in either case.  Both parties have a problem with Judaism. 

 

The Christian Identity Jew haters have no complaints with Jews who abandon Judaism and convert to Christianity.  In the view of these Jew haters, their hatred ends if and when a Jew converts to Christianity.  So all the hype, talk and foaming at the mouth about the evil Jews is really a gross hatred of Judaism. 

 

The old gent involved is in precisely the same profile.  While he does not complain and carry on about Jew hatred, he makes it plain that he hates the Talmud and the Jewish religion.  So this is quite a paradox.  A group of Jew haters are actually in the same ball park with a Jew lover. 

 

Both parties really have no problem with racial or ethnic Jews, per se.  Their whole focus is upon the Jewish religion which they both hate passionately.  The writer of this study at hand has seen, known and talked to a number of Christian Jew haters and Jew lovers over the years.  And this indictment holds true for all of them known to me.  They all hate Judaism--not Jews, per se. 

 

 

More Christian Identity Hatred and Hypocrisy 

 

This Christian (and particularly Christian Identity) hatred and hypocrisy surfaces in all kinds of strange ways--which can completely leave the student of truth dumb frazzled.  For instance, one of the favorite Christian Identity tricks arises when they attack the words and instructions of The MOST HIGH and call them Jewish and therefore not applicable to Christians (usually from the OT, but also the NT on occasion). 

 

Yet, by some strange quirk of intelligence and justice, these same Christian Identity adherents will gladly substitute some man-made rules and rituals that are totally foreign in both the OT and NT.  For people with brains above the idiot level, they can quickly ascertain that the substituted doctrines and theology have their basis, in fact, with some bad Jews of over 2,000 years ago.  They are totally a product of bad Jews. 

 

The best illustration of this stupidity and hypocrisy concerns the matter of the acceptance of the OT--the Masoretic Hebrew text used by the Jews (which seems to have some support from the previously discussed work at Hebrew University on numerical sequencing codes) or the Greek Septuagint text used by the Greek Orthodox Church.  This subject has been described in some detail in prior chapters. 

 

Suffice to say, people with some honesty, intelligence and integrity must wake up and have brains enough to understand that the Hebrew OT is not an invention of the Jews.  The Jews didn’t originate it or dream it up.  It came from The CREATOR, Himself.  The only tie it has to the Jews is that YHWH committed His Word, the Hebrew OT, to the Jews for preservation and transmission (Matt 5:18; 23:1-3; Rom 2:17-20; 3:2). 

 

Romans 3:2 is profound and cannot be confused.  The ELOHIM committed His Words in Hebrew to the Jews.  These Words were not those of the Jews, nor did they belong just to the Jews.  The only issue is that The HIGHEST chose the Jews to serve Him.  He did not choose the Greek Orthodox Church, the Roman Catholic Church, the Protestant Church, the British people or the modern Christian Identity movement. 

 

He chose the Jews (obviously religious Jews and not Judean Amalekite tares).  And the Jews have done their job.  They have preserved and transmitted the Hebrew OT forward to our time in the Masoretic text (which is amazingly accurate, per the Dead Sea Scrolls). 

 

Conversely, the Septuagint is largely an origination and production of Jews (surely, bad Jews), who took liberty with the OT text and hurt it profusely in Greek. 

 

 

Scripturally Shallow Christian Identity People 

 

Now, in modern times, the uninformed and Scripturally shallow Christian Identity motion has come forward to denigrate and condemn the Hebrew OT (as originated by YHWH and preserved by the Jews)--while simultaneously giving credence and authority to a Greek translation with much corruption and great variation, as generally made by apostate or at least bad Jews.  This situation is just totally insane. 

 

Carrying this one step forward, many of the Christian Identity people are now charging that the luni-solar calendar used by religious Jews has to be wrong since it is Jewish.  Thereupon, they substitute a solar calendar invented some 2,100-2,200 years ago by Amalekites or apostate Jews (in the books of Enoch and Jubilees).  Much of the demonized Holy Roller movement does this as well. 

 

These Christians simply cannot get it through their unscholarly heads.  The luni-solar Scriptural calendar comes from The MOST HIGH.  It is found in the OT Scriptures.  It was invented by Him and not the Jews.  The only thing that the Jews have done is to use it (this issue will be addressed in later chapters herein). 

 

Next, Scriptural feast days and Sabbaths (originated by YHWH and outlined in His Hebrew OT) are called “Jewish” and therefore are not for Christians (per the theology of the generic Christian Church). 

 

Yet, these same Christian hypocrites have tried to substitute festivals which owe their origin to the ancient sun cults, apostate Jews or Amalekites.  The Jews did not invent the festivals and Sabbaths of Leviticus 23.  They came from The ELOHIM. 

 

Surely, this mass of Christian confusion must be attributable to incredible stupidity or at least gross hatred and opposition to Judaism and/or anything Jewish.  While many Holy Rollers and Christian Identity people are the worst in support of this stupidity, they are not the lone rangers.  Many other Christians share this same thinking. 

 

 

A Real Paradox 

 

The above presentation on the Christian Identity movement on its absolute hatred and animosity toward Judaism (and not against Jews, per se, if they convert to Christianity) raises a fascinating fact of reality.  As just noted, the Christian Identity motion is exactly like the generic world of Churchianity on this astounding hatred for Judaism. 

 

As outlined above and as will be commented upon in later chapters, this incredible hatred goes back to the Greek sun worship religion and culture--which has definite links and ties to Christendom, as will be established in succeeding chapters herein.  The hatred of Judaism is quite old among evil people who are opposed to the Torah and righteousness. 

 

As noted earlier, the main problem with Judaism from Second Temple days until now (in Christian eyes) is that it is based upon a measure of acceptance, respect and obedience of the Torah. 

 

This condition infuriates false religions and pagan religious worshippers.  They hate righteousness and anybody and anything that would dare begin to approach righteousness (yes, they hate the Torah and the Talmud which is a commentary on the Torah). 

 

This Christian Identity hatred is much like the entire Christian definition.  The primary difference between the Christian Identity people, as opposed to Christians generally, is that the Identity people tend to be big mouths who proclaim their hatred in public pronouncements.  They are not humble or quiet about it. 

 

Contrariwise, most of Christendom keeps their hatred of Judaism bound up inside of themselves.  All or almost all Christians hate Judaism and the Jewish religion.  Some, like the Identity people, are vocal and out front with this hatred, while most others are more reserved and quieter with their hatred.  

 

Now, the paradox surfaces.  Though these hypocritical and ignorant Christian Identity persons are essentially the same in disposition as generic Christians, the Christian world passionately hates its own Christian cousins in the Identity movement.  Thus, most Christians hate both Judaism and the theology and beliefs of the Christian Identity motion (because of the race factor and not over the hatred for Judaism).  

 

Significantly, most of the Christian Identity believers tend to love their Christian brethren and accept this Christian hate without a whimper or complaint.  Sometimes, so-called “loving” Christians get so worked up with their hatred for their Identity brethren (who they basically agree with) that they commit acts of violence and terrorism against their brethren (to be proven in subsequent chapters). 

 

This very obvious paradox conclusively proves that Christianity has some definite problems.  The whole motion hates Judaism.  Yet, those that publicly speak out are hated by the rest of the faith (who share the exact same hatred, but do so without any public proclamations about it).  Here, one can easily talk about Christian hypocrisy and ignorance. 

 

Not only is there this gross state of hypocrisy and ignorance prevalent in Christendom at large, but it is part and parcel of the Christian Identity movement.  It looks like the Christian Identity people would have brains enough to figure out what has happened to themselves in the over all Christian definition, but they never seem to catch on.  Truly, ignorance and hypocrisy dominate both factions of Christianity. 

 

 

Yes, Hate  

 

Probably, this is a good place to recall some previous comments on the incredible ability of Amalekites to hate and especially to hate Christian Israelites.  Yes, it is true that the evil Amalekites are extraordinary haters of all true Israelites.  It is in their blood and they carry this hate with them to the grave--often unconsciously. 

 

But in all fairness, the Christian goyim generally and the Christian Identity goyim particularly also hate as much or almost as much.  Of course, the Israelite goyim really hate the Jewish religion while the Amalekites genuinely hate racial Israelites (as noted earlier and to be further described in the succeeding chapters). 

 

While both groups of haters are filled with incredible hate and with an unexplainable passion and commitment, there is at least one primary difference between the Amalekite hatred of Israel and the Christian Identity goyim hatred of Judaism. 

 

The Amalekites are usually very intelligent people.  Their hatred is on a much smoother, intellectual level.  They are tough fighters on both the inside and outside.  The same thing cannot be said for the hatred of the Christian goyim. 

 

Many of the Christian goyim and especially Christian Identity goyim are either extremely stupid or alternatively, ignorant and uninformed.  In their state of stupidity or ignorance (whichever the case may be and there is a difference between being plain stupid, as opposed to being ignorant, uninformed or misinformed), the Christians are not open to the teachings of the Word, but seem to be in tune with demonic spirits.   

 

In any case, Christian goyim are no match for crafty, foxy, clever, Amalekite bankers/masters of deceit and evil.  But aside from that, the truth remains that the stupid or ignorant (whichever) Christian Identity goyim are also filled with indescribable hatred for Judaism.  This hatred is manifested in a passionate, stubborn, rebellious fashion which simply will not allow them to listen to the Words of the Torah. 

 

Several of the Christian Identity preachers are, in particular, so filled with hatred for Judaism that it is impossible to talk to them or have dialogue.  The evidence is most persuasive that they will only listen after going through the fire of persecution and suffering.  The commencement of tribulation upon Christian Identity people seems assured.  It will be addressed in subsequent chapters. 

 

 

The Race-Religion Dilemma, Revisited 

 

The point of this is that the religion that a person may publicly subscribe to means little or nothing in the long pull in the context of persons who were alleged to have Jewish connections.  Jews can turn to any religion (including Judaism, Christianity, etc).  But what is important about them is their works, deeds and acts--which can be indicative of their true, racial origin--whether of Yisrael or of Esau and the Amalekites. 

 

The tragedy here is that so many dumb Christian goyim look upon the Jewish religion as the culprit for the evil that the Amalekites do.  Famous Jew haters, like Gerald L. K. Smith, discussed earlier, have always laid the Amalekite problem on the Jewish religion.  Some fools even hate all of the collective Jews on the premise that the Jews are bad people because of their Jewish religion.  Yes, fools make Judaism the culprit. 

 

These ignorant fools believe that once an evil Amalekite becomes a Christian, he, all of a sudden, is a good person.  This is ridiculous.  An Amalekite can’t change his spots (his racial genes) by changing his religion--nor can a leopard change his spots, as the Word says.  In fact, no one can change his genetic profile upon changing his religion.   

 

Ignorant Christian goyim can never understand that the wretchedness from the Amalekites comes not from their religion, but from their genes.  Amalekites are born to be evil.  Whether they are raised in the Jewish or Christian religion or convert to a different religion means nothing--zero.  And that’s why numbers of Amalekites are out in world and are supposedly not connected to the Jewish people in any manner. 

 

Amalekites are not evil because they have ties to Judaism or Christianity or anything else.  They are evil because they are Amalekites.  Amalekites represent the totality of evil and wretchedness in the world, as understood and taught by good Jews 2,000 years ago (in the synagogue piskas and from people like Yeshua Ben Sira). 

 

A final word must be said here about two pretenders (who claim to be Jews) but are far afield from the good features of Judaism.   These two are Abe Foxman of the Anti-Defamation League and Ruth Bader Ginsberg of the US Supreme Court.  All one must do is look at these two individuals and their identity surfaces at once.  You don’t even have to wait and fool around with deeds to recognize whom you are dealing with. 

 

In the view of ignorant and foolish Christians, they would look upon Foxman and Ginsberg as good candidates for conversion to Christianity.  Supposedly, if these two very obvious Khazars would just convert to Christianity, they would be good people.  Oh, how utterly stupid!  In the eighth century, religious Jews thought that if people like Foxman and Ginsberg would convert to Judaism they would become good Jews. 

 

This is absolutely ridiculous and out of the question.  The genes which these two alleged Jews were born with define them and their works positively.  These two persons seem to epitomize what one would expect to find in the Amalekite workers of evil (who are totally devoted to the destruction of the Christian goyim in the House of Yisrael nations). 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 187--Religious Hypocrites

 

 

Hypocrites in Second Temple Days 

 

In His indictment of the evil scribes and Pharisees of Second Temple days, The MESSIAH criticized them for tithing to the enth degree while ignoring the weightier matters in the Torah, such as judgment, loyalty and faith (Matt 23:23). 

 

The point of this is that they correctly should be doing both--keeping the literal, physical aspects of the Torah, along with its spiritual, weightier considerations.  They all apply, and they all apply equally with the same force and authority.  The violation of any one of them is wrong. 

 

Is it conceivable that the Pharisees would have been right in Second Temple days to keep the more complex, weightier matters of YHWH’s Torah while simultaneously ignoring the certainly obvious physical aspects which were more clear in terms of obedience?  All it takes to become a sinner is a violation of any one of YHWH’s mitzwot. 

 

And it doesn’t matter whether it is a minor physical issue or a more subtle spiritual question.  A violation of either one produces the same judgment--a death sentence for sin.  Like Yakov wrote, a violation of any one point in the law makes the sinner guilty of all points and deserving of the same death as a person who is guilty of all points (Jas 2:10). 

 

In other words, the person guilty of one minor point is just as guilty and just as deserving of death as is the most evil person of all who has violated all points.  Who is the biggest sinner?  Could it be Adolf Schicklgruber or how about Slick Willy Clinton? 

 

Any man who has ever violated any one of YHWH’s mitzwot (whether it is physical circumcision or spiritual circumcision) becomes guilty of all of it (in terms of sin and death) and just as guilty and condemned as Adolf Schicklgruber or Slick Clinton. 

 

Of course, in His day, YESHUA found many, many, proud, self righteous hypocrites among the Jewish leadership.  The same situation can be found today in the same Jewish leadership.  Yes, many, most or all of them are proud hypocrites. 

 

 

Christians Too 

 

But yes, the same indictment pertains to Christian leaders, the Christian public and indeed the people of all other worldly religions as well.  We’ve all got the problem, and there are no exceptions.  If the reader believes he is an exception, he is surely a liar and there is no truth in him. 

 

However, there is an important difference between religious Jews and religious Christians on the hypocrite theme.  At least, religious Jews (as proud, self righteous and hypocritical as they may be) acknowledge, teach and support YHWH’s mitzwot (though they may not obey them personally--like US Senator Joseph Lieberman, who is almost all smoke and mirrors). 

 

Wicked Christians don’t even do that (other than the Identity types, mentioned earlier and to be further discussed in later chapters.  They talk a good tune, but are hypocrites personally for their blatant disobedience--just like some of the Jews in Second Temple days).  Like YESHUA said, blessed is the man who does and teaches the least of YHWH’s mitzwot--whatever that least might be (Matt 5:19). 

 

Not only do men generally have an enormous propensity for hypocrisy, but it is commonly found in religious people, as just noted.  Yes, religious Jews and Christians are hypocrites, just like everybody else in the generic population. This phenomenal presence of hypocrisy ushers one back to the hate category, discussed previously. 

 

Yes, coupled with hypocrisy, Christians and Jews alike also have a fantastic linkage to hate in the human heart--also like everybody else in the general population.  Manifestly, hatred and hypocrisy go hand in hand and seem to be two of the attributes of evil found today commonly in all men. 

 

 

Anti-Judaism  

 

Of course, the whole problem in Churchianity (as outlined in the preceding chapters), to include Christian Identity, is that there is a basic hatred and opposition to YHWH’s Torah--which becomes manifested in hatred toward Judaism.  As the Apostle Shaul correctly observed, the human, carnal mind has basic hatred toward The ELOHIM and will not be subject to His Torah (Rom 8:7). 

 

In the case of Christendom, she takes this hatred out on the Jews in the context of the Jewish religion and particularly the Talmud.  This writer has seen a number of Christian books which have been written to attack the Talmud by quoting some reference involving opinion which means little or nothing in terms of reality. 

 

A good illustration of this is a recent book by Christian Identity leader Colonel Jack Mohr on “The Effects of the Talmud on Judeo-Christianity.”  While Mohr may never begin to grasp it; but in truth, the Talmud has evidently never had any impact upon Christianity.  Christians don’t read or obey the Talmud and they are abundantly ignorant about what it says.  They passionately hate it! 

 

Thus, even Christian Identity and right wingers take their frustrations out on Judaism and the Talmud, never understanding that religion is not the problem.  In their view, any Edomite willing to convert to Christianity is all right.  The problem is with those Jews and Edomites who will not abandon Judaism (at least, from the typical Christian’s viewpoint). 

 

 

David Flusser, Revisited 

 

This whole dilemma brings to mind some of the scholarly works of Professor David Flusser, formerly of Hebrew University (where he taught Second Temple Judaism and Early Christianity), quoted several times herein.  Flusser’s “Judaism and the Origins of Christianity” compiled a number of his excellent articles written over the years. 

 

In this volume (“Judaism and the Origins of Christianity,” p. 390-465, 617-644), Flusser raised questions over the validity of the NT books of Matthew, John and Revelation because of the alleged anti-Judaism in them. 

 

He suggested that these books were all written later than what their contents would suggest and even allowed that whole parts of the book of Revelation was effectively plagiarized from other works and rewritten many years after the fall of Jerusalem.  In the case of Matthew, he allowed that there were several “redactors” who revised the book over the years (ibid, p. 552-587). 

 

Flusser seemed to want to believe that these alleged anti-Jewish tendencies came into being in the Greek stages of the “Gospel” writings (ibid, p. 552).  In this instance, he implied an original Hebrew story of YESHUA which was later rewritten by various writers and ultimately in the final Greek forms of the “Gospels.” 

 

He indicated that there was a process of de-Judaisation of “early Christianity” (ibid, p. 552).  The writer of this present study agrees that there was an early de-Judaisation of the NT Good News, but would disagree with Flusser that Christianity is even in the Old or New Testaments.  In other words, Christianity is not the religion of the Scriptures. 

 

In any case, Flusser interpreted the traditional Christian view from the NT as being “anti-Judaism,” especially in Matthew and John (ibid, p. 552, 575, 595).  As David Flusser saw it, this anti-Judaism is only slowly disappearing.  The writer of this study would suggest that there is little or no reason to believe that the anti-Judaism of Christianity is disappearing at all. 

 

 

Present, But Subtle 

 

The hatred problem discussed above and in preceding chapters is that the Christian anti-Judaism is more subtle and discreet than it has been in earlier years.  With the Christian West’s focus on secular humanism, it has become politically incorrect to criticize and condemn popularly accepted religions (like Judaism, Catholicism, and most large Protestant faiths). 

 

It’s all right to condemn (and murder, as in the case of the Branch Davidians at Waco, TX) minor, insignificant Christian sects (and some minor Ultra Orthodox Jewish groups, as will be later established) which do not parrot the politically correct position of the secular society.  But it is out of the question to publicly attack one of the world’s politically correct and approved religions. 

 

Thus, the present Christian society has backed off from some of its previous public condemnations of Judaism.  Despite this “public” back-off, the basic hatred and anti-Judaism feelings are still present in not only Christendom, but the world at large.  It’s just that those feelings are now latent or subdued and not as readily visible as they once were.  They are still out there. 

 

In the age end, they will resurface with a vengeance when the Beast man, the False Prophet and Satan, himself, assume open rule of the world’s peoples and nations.  True Judaism will assuredly become politically incorrect during the great tribulation.  Liberal Jews, so anxious to see the Davidians murdered, should keep this reality in mind.  One day, the shoe of persecution will be put on their feet.

 

The anti-Judaism seems to be as strong as ever.  Not only is it as strong as ever, but there is no way that it is going away now or in the future, as long as the Christian religion prevails in the civilized West.  In any case, it must be acknowledged that Flusser’s conclusions do have some merit in terms of reality and in the context of how Christians view things. 

 

Yes, Christians are very, very anti-Judaism.  Yes, Christians believe that the NT has many, many remarks communicating anti-Judaism.  Yes, Christians believe that not only Yohanan, Mattityahu and Shaul were opposed to the Jewish religion, but they actually believe that YESHUA and the entire Apostolic Assembly were opposed to Judaism. 

 

 

Jews Too 

 

Tragically, many Jews share the same thinking as the Christians in believing that the NT is anti-Jewish in all respects--in terms of both secular and religious Jews.  The comments of David Flusser were just quoted above on his beliefs.  Additionally, a previous chapter herein cited a Jewish friend of this writer in Israel who believed in YESHUA, but yet rejected the NT because he thought it was anti-Semitic. 

 

This strong Jewish feeling of adversity toward the NT has plagued Jews for ages.  Inevitably, Jews will quote this alleged anti-Semitism, never understanding the problem at all.  Even in modern times, Jews are consciously aware of this allegation. 

 

The Oct 4, 2002, “Forward” (p. 3) had a story on “Goldhagen’s Latest Says Church Has a ‘Bible Problem’” which reported on the writings and thinking of well known Jewish author Daniel Jonah Goldhagen.  For some time now, Goldhagen has been quick to criticize and condemn Christians for various and sundry things. 

 

The Catholic Church’s actions in WWII, in support of Schicklgruber’s persecution of the Jews, has received particular attention from Goldhagen.  Beyond Catholicism, Goldhagen has also went after the New Testament, charging it with so-called anti-Semitism. 

 

Recently, Goldhagen has charged that the Catholic Church should expunge all of the alleged anti-Semitic comments in the Greek NT (ostensibly, to make it more acceptable to Jews).  Though the Roman Catholic Church may or may not entertain these suggestions, one can be sure that Protestant Christians will be more reluctant to now commence a “re-editing” of the Scriptures (or will they?). 

 

Of course, Goldhagen’s ideas are too evil and wretched to even be entertained by people of true faith and belief because the problem is not over the words in the NT; but rather, over how they are interpreted and understood.  This issue will now be broached next. 

 

 

The NT Is Not Anti-Jew or Anti-Judaism 

 

In truth, this Christian and Jewish thinking won’t hold up to the light, although there is an abundance of highly critical remarks about certain Jews (correctly Judeans) by particularly the Apostle Yohanan in his various writings. 

 

Thus, some students of the Word have concluded that Yohanan was a very anti-Semitic person.  And here, one can quote the above remarks of Daniel Goldhagen and David Flusser, and the words of the previously quoted Darrell W. Conder and others. 

 

Actually, this thinking completely misses the point about both the NT and Yohanan.  Yohanan was a religious Jew and probably a racial Levite.  Since he spoke the Semitic Hebrew, he hardly would have criticized himself.  He was not stupid, nor was he a hypocrite. 

 

In fact, he thought so well of his Jewishness and Judaism that he actually wrote and quoted YESHUA as saying that the Samaritans worship that which they do not know while the Jews worship that which they do know--for salvation is of the Jews (Jo 4:22). 

 

The point is Yohanan was not anti-Jew or anti-Semitic.  He was very pro Jew and pro Judaism.  Actually, as several previous chapters have demonstrated, Yohanan’s problem was not over true Jews and Judaism; but rather, over illegal Amalek-Edomites calling themselves Jews. 

 

Consequently, in the real world of things, anti-Judaism is not the message of the NT at all--despite its popularity and acceptance in the entire Christian West.  No!  The truth is that YESHUA, Kefa, Yakov, Yohanan, Mattityahu, Shaul and on and on were all religious Jews.  Never once did they speak against Judaism or even utter words of possible condemnation/criticism of Judaism as a religion. 

 

They always spoke well of their Jewish religion.  Moreover, there is no way that they could ever be called anti-Semites (since they were all Shemite Hebrews, speaking the Semitic Hebrew language).  Yet, the NT leaders spoke the strongest possible words of condemnation against certain evil Amalek-Edomite Judeans (living principally in the Jerusalem area) who were pretending to be Jews, but were not Jews. 

 

These Amalek-Edomites were actually sons of Satan--belonging to the synagogue of Satan (correctly Satanists/Luciferians, consciously or not), though many of them pretended to be Shammai Pharisees (just as they today pretend to be persons they are not).  Thus, the NT focus is not on the Jewish religion at all.  Instead it is a matter of race! 

 

 

Blood Libel, Revisited 

 

The Amalekite tie to Satan brings up another point.  Historically, Christians accused Jews and the Jewish religion of sacrificing Christian children at the annual Passover ceremony (as mentioned earlier).  Now, it appears that Arabs have picked up on these allegations and are busy promoting them (as discussed elsewhere herein). 

 

These blood libel allegations are too ridiculous to be discussed (and particularly in the context that true, religious Jews would ever drink unclean blood which is categorically prohibited by the Torah).  But they have persisted. 

 

While true, religious Jews would never even think about drinking blood of so-called human beings, one must allow that the evil Amalekites would not only do it, but they would provide the leadership for others to ritually murder innocent White children and drink their blood. 

 

As will be broached in a later chapter on the super rich and their linkage to Satanism, there is much evidence of child murders and sacrifices as a part of that phenomenon.  Since many of the Amalekites are both in the wealthy and Satanist’s categories, it must be allowed that some of them (along with other Satanists) have engaged in child murders.  Surely, the Amalekite Satanists have led the way in this evil. 

 

But there is no way that this charge can be laid to the Jews and Judaism.  Truly religious Jews would never participate in such barbaric practices.  To the extent that Satanists (Amalekites and/or Christian goyim Satanists) might practice human sacrifice is another matter.  But the charge should not be laid to the overall Jews (as traditionally happened in Christendom and now among the Arabs). 

 

 

Yes, Race is the Issue! 

 

This whole race-religion dilemma brings to mind the situation with the Canaanites and the extermination order YHWH gave Israel (as previously elaborated upon).  Christians will argue to no end that the problem with the Canaanites was their religion which necessitated their slaughter.  No!  The problem was their racial condition, as the Book assuredly communicates. 

 

The prophet Yirmeyahu may have had this issue in mind when he asked if an Ethiopian can change his skin or if a leopard his spots; how then, can people who are accustomed to do evil turn to do good (Jer 13:23)?  Well, evil people may turn to do good.  But it is no easy proposition, as the remark plainly suggests (actually, it requires YHWH’s intervention). 

 

Of course, uninformed Christians believe that all an Amalek-Edomite has to do is convert to Christianity and then he will all of a sudden become good and do good.  How ridiculous!  It is in their hearts and genes to do evil and most of them have rolled in wickedness during their entire lives.  It matters not one whit whether they call themselves Jews or Christians, they have precisely the same motivation. 

 

The apparent Amalek-Edomites--Adolf Schicklgruber, Franklin Roosevelt, Eleanor Roosevelt, Teddy Roosevelt, Karl Marx, Adam Weishaupt and so forth--were just as wicked and depraved as Christians as any Edomite Jew ever was.  Nothing changed in their lives (or their father’s lives) on conversion to Christianity. 

 

The previously quoted Amalekite, Harold Wallace Rosenthal, wisely said:  “We are what we are!  No matter what we join or adopt it doesn’t change what we are.  I am a Jew and nothing can change me because I take up another religion.  Such stupidity!” (pamphlet, “The Hidden Tyranny,” p. 40-41).  Other chapters herein have or will discuss Rosenthal’s thinking more fully. 

 

 

Christian Identity Jew Haters, Revisited 

 

The former chapters mentioned a number of modern Christian Identity Jew haters who typically start in on the Jews by referring to them as Talmudic Jews.  In fact, much of their venom and hate is not placed upon the Jews, per se; but rather, it is spewed forth upon the Talmud.  Christians passionately hate Judaism and the Talmud. 

 

In terms of this traditional Christian hatred of the Talmud and Judaism, the just offered remarks above, in this section on the reality that religion has no impact upon the wicked Amalekites, are interesting and would appear to be contrary to the ideas exhibited by the Christian Identity people (with their hated of the Talmud and Judaism). 

 

If the villains in the world were Judaism and the Talmud, it would suggest that the Amalekites were good people before they converted to Judaism and adopted the Talmud.  But that’s simply not the real world, per the Scriptures, cited heretofore.  The Amalekite Khazars were always evil. 

 

 

More on Amalekite Khazar Evil 

 

In fact, “Encyclopaedia Judaica” (v. 10, p. 948) was quoted earlier which said that the central Jewish authorities (in Iraq) had little interest in the Khazars (following their conversion to Judaism in c740 CE) partly because of their imperfect adherence to Judaism and their retention of a number of pagan (shamanist) customs, dating back to their Turkic past. 

 

In his video on “Come Lord Jesus,” Catholic Priest John O’Connor makes the case that the Khazar kagan or emperor adopted Judaism in hopes that it might introduce some morality, honesty and character into his people.  Before the conversion, they were extremely immoral, dishonest and evil people.  As O’Connor notes, the conversion meant nothing to them.  They were just as bad after conversion as before. 

 

Conversion to Judaism meant absolutely nothing to these evil Amalekites.  They were evil before conversion.  And they were still evil after conversion.  There is no way that the case can be made that the Talmud made these Amalekite Khazars wicked.  They have been that way all of their lives, and the Talmud and Judaism had no impact upon them at all. 

 

The same is true when Amalekites supposedly convert to Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism or any of the other worldly religions.  Religion simply means nothing to these evil Amalekites. 

 

Like Harold Wallace Rosenthal said, quoted above, nothing will change them.  The reason is because their evil is racial and genetic.  Categorically, it is not because of their religion (whatever that religion might be). 

 

Any ignorant Christian trying to say that the Talmud and/or Judaism makes people evil is simply lost as to reality.  This is not true and cannot be true--and certainly, in the context of the Amalekites who are born and live their lives as evil people. 

 

Surely, when one converts today to Judaism (like Elizabeth Taylor, Sammy Davis Jr, etc), their lives are not changed to evil by the Talmud.  The truth is that most of these people were extremely wicked and depraved before conversion.  If anything, they become better people after conversion than they were before.  No one can argue that the Talmud made Davis or Taylor more wicked than they had been earlier. 

 

 

All Edomites? 

 

Having made this charge against the Edomites and their genes, it must be observed that this writer is not making an indictment against all (100%) of the Edomites.  It is “possible” that a few of them (an isolated one or two here or there) “may” have some sense of honor, integrity and character, as pointed out in a prior chapter (although ancient Jews contended that the Amalek-Edomites are totally evil). 

 

To whatever extent some Amalek-Edomites could be involved in generic Orthodox Judaism, one would have to speculate that their presence is limited (since Amalekites do not normally flock to righteousness).  At a first impression, it would be easy to believe the same thing about the modern Ultra Orthodox and Hasidim sects (to be later addressed). 

 

However, the Eastern European ancestry and history of the Ashkenazi Ultra Orthodox do raise questions because of the huge presence of Amalekites in Eastern Europe.  Plus, it must be remembered that the modern Hasidim do not represent the same type of people and theology found in the Second Temple Hasidim, as outlined earlier. 

 

The modern Hasidim have connections to the Kabbalah (which arose in the last 800 years) and are far more prone in worship to ecstasy, mass enthusiasm, close-knit group cohesion and charismatic leadership (as is also found among Christian Pentecostals and Charismatics). 

 

In a way, it’s possible to see some obvious similarities (in the sense of supposedly being super righteous in ritual) between the current Ultra Orthodox and the Haverim and Shammai Pharisees of Second Temple days (which were heavily infiltrated by Amalekites).  So some caution is called for in trying to ascertain the presence and influence of evil Amalekites in all portions of modern Judaism. 

 

Although these very conservative Jewish movements surely are not predicated upon Amalek-Edomite participation, direction or support, one must be prudent and allow that there could be some Amalekite membership in especially those Ashkenazi groups. 

 

Such involvement would likely not predominate since the Amalek-Edomites have more often tended to identify with the liberal Reform/Reconstructionist movements in the West. 

 

 

More 

 

Thus, it’s not to say that all Edomites are automatically morally corrupt and depraved--although many of them assuredly are since it is something that is in their genes.  It is theoretically possible (although not absolutely certain) that there are even some good Amalek-Edomites out in the world; or certainly, a few with some sense of honor and honesty (perhaps if they have a suitable mix of non-Edomite genes). 

 

This is the same type of conclusion that must apply to Blacks.  All Negroes are not automatically stupid and/or criminals.  There might be a few out there who are not (again, depending upon their mix of non-Black genes).  Clearly, the issue focuses on the norm and standard and not the complete spectrum of possibilities in a bell curved distribution. 

 

Modern fools can look perpetually at cities like Cairo, Calcutta, Mexico City, Nairobi, Lagos, New York, Washington, DC and on and on and never understand what the problem is in these places for the great depravity and social sickness. 

 

Inevitably, they ignorantly will try to blame the weather, climate, geography, etc--never understanding that the problem in all these locales is race!  It is people that create the crime, sickness and squalor in Washington, Calcutta, etc. 

 

Just as more and more Western cities become like Calcutta and Mexico City, in terms of demographics (New York and Los Angeles are fast approaching that level right now), they will duplicate those places in other respects as well.  The whole issue facing man is genes and race! 

 

 

The Edomite Strength in Kosovo   

 

The year 1999 was ablaze with the problem in the Balkans between the Serbs and the Kosovo Albanians.  While it is true that Slick Clinton was one of the primary antagonists to bring on the war, death and mayhem in the region, there were other issues at stake to induce Yugoslavia President Slobodan Milosevic to force the Albanians out in the guise of alleged “ethnic cleansing.” 

 

Most persons suppose that the conflict has been one of religion--in that the Albanians are Muslims while the Serbs are Christian Orthodox.  But the truth is that the primary problem is not religion.  It is race.  The Serbs are racially from Japheth while the Muslim Albanians are Edomites.  The two factions have deep seated racial hatred that goes back 600 years ago when the Ottoman Turks conquered and ruled the area. 

 

 

Northern Ireland 

 

The years of conflict between Irish Catholics and the Protestant British offer another interesting example.  At a first glance, one may suppose that this is a classic illustration of religious antagonism.  No, this is not true.  This conflict goes back centuries and it is basically due to racial factors.  The confusion surfaces because the races involved parallel two religions. 

 

As pointed out in previous comments, some part of the Palestinian Phoenicians apparently migrated to Ireland and settled at an early time.  While these Irish Gaelic Phoenicians miscegenated greatly with earlier peoples and later migrations (like the earlier mentioned Danites), they have predominated in the South of Ireland and have produced the very red headed and red complexioned peoples known today as Irish. 

 

These Phoenicians became Catholic Christians at an early time while people that came over from Scotland and England to later settle in Northern Ireland have become Protestant, as is the situation found in most of Britain and Northwest Europe.  These Phoenician descendants of Esau have a perpetual hatred toward many of the Protestant British peoples.  And they haven’t given upon this hatred over the centuries. 

 

Thus, the main participants in this conflict have been the Irish Phoenicians (essentially Catholic) and British peoples (mainly Protestant).  So the two major populations now in Northern Ireland are at serious odds and constantly fighting each other. It has largely been the Phoenicians who have been the primary antagonists.  They have pushed and provided the impetus for most of the trouble. 

 

Numbers of both Protestant and Catholic theologians have tried to promote peace between these peoples.  But the Irish Phoenicians will not even listen to their own Catholic leaders because the problem is genetic and not religious.  This conflict will end when the Edomites finally gain the upper hand (as appears to be the case with the 1998 peace accords worked out). 

 

 

The Paradox 

 

The amazing thing about this Edomite conflict with others is that even the Protestant Christian world is on the side of the Edomites and not their opponents.  The same paradox surfaces in the just cited Serb-Edomite conflict involving Eastern Orthodox descendants of Japheth.  For example, Kosovo, though historically a Serb land, was divided between Christian Serbs (from Japheth) and Edomite Muslims. 

 

The stupid, gullible Christian world (in Europe and North America) sided with the Moslems and literally destroyed the White Christian population in Kosovo and turned the province over to the Muslims.  With their success in Kosovo, the Edomites next turned their attention to the conquest of Macedonia (where the population is mainly Christians from Japheth, but with a minority Muslim Edomite population). 

 

Naturally, the gullible, stupid Christian world has jumped in to support the Edomites in this conflict.  The Muslim Edomites are carrying on their war of killing or expelling all of the Christians from the area.  Though the Edomites are a minority, they likely will have continued support of the stupid worldly Christians until they achieve ultimate success--unless, by some chance, Russia intervenes on the side of the Christians. 

 

 

Christian Conversion Changes Nothing! 

 

Returning to the Canaanites and all of their cousins and relatives, to include the various mamzer, nokri and dog peoples as well, there is just no way that any of these persons are going to change their genes upon conversion to Christendom in the present age.  Obviously, that was behind YHWH’s extermination order for the Canaanites. 

 

Yet, Christians will argue to no end that upon conversion, Canaanites and Edomites automatically become good people producing good deeds, as if the problem was always one of religion.  No!  The problem was always one of race--not religion.  Hence, when these persons or the behemah or chaiyah convert, it means nothing though Christians continue to believe that a leopard can change his (genetic) spots. 

 

Just as Christians will argue on and on about this message on race, clearly demonstrated in The ELOHIM’s Word, they will argue on and on about how bad and terrible Judaism is, never understanding that the problem is not with the Jewish religion; but rather, it is with certain wicked Amalek-Edomites who by and large can never be classified as truly religious Jews at all. 

 

In the main, it is also doubtful that Satanic Amalekites even read the Tanakh or the Talmud.  To whatever extent they do, it is a certainty that they use these writings in the same way in which they use Christian writings, the US Constitution, the Declaration of Independence and anything else they can use to support their overall agenda of deceit and treachery to destroy Israel. 

 

If an Amalek-Edomite has any true and honest feelings toward Judaism, it probably only exists in the context of saying the annual Kol Nidre prayer (mentioned elsewhere herein). 

 

Also, it appears that some of them have turned to the modern Kabbalah movement (as discussed earlier, in the context of what’s happening in Hollywood).  This occultic Kabbalah motion seems to be something which would appeal to evil Edomites. 

 

 

Can Race Change? 

 

In a word, the problem is race (just as it was in Yehoshua’s day and earlier in Noah’s time)!  The point of demarcation between the subjects of religion and race is that religions can change and do change.  But racial factors essentially are fixed and cannot change by persons living here in the flesh (without a supernatural intervention).  This is why race is such a profoundly important theme in YHWH’s Word. 

 

The sun worshipping practices of Rebekah, Rachel and Leah could and evidently did change.  But the leopard is not about to change his spots, nor is the Edomite about to change the diabolical evil in his heart toward Yisrael. 

 

Categorically, the flesh of men cannot and will not change through any efforts of men.  If and when there is an alteration of the flesh, it will only come with a miraculous act by YHWH to impose the change.  Not only is it impossible to change the spots on a wicked Edomite, but the same problem is faced by all of so-called humanity in terms of the carnal flesh (i.e. pride and vanity). 

 

Will the Edomites ever give up this hatred and animosity toward Yisrael?  Well certainly, not here in the flesh in this present age.  How about in the future?  Of course, when YHWH resurrects dead Adamites in a future age for the process of reconciliation and change, some Edomites could conceivably be included. 

 

If Edomites can be classified from Adam, then they will perhaps have a future calling in which they will change--because of the possible supernatural intervention of The ELOHIM to force them to go against their basic fleshly nature and genetics of evil (although Obadiah 1:18 makes it doubtful).  If it can happen, YHWH can do it! 

 

What Christian Israelites can’t seem to understand is that there is a vast difference between Judaism (which is a fairly good religion, in comparison with other worldly faiths), all Jews (many of which are good figs/people) and the evil Edomites who are not Jews at all; though many of them pretend to be Jews and call themselves Jews--while really being secret members of the synagogue of Satan (Rev 2:9; 3:9). 

 

The point being is that the Christian Identity movement and indeed Christianity, in general, need to re-examine their religious beliefs and stop this Jew and Judaism hating which is unscriptural and contrary to truth. 

 

 

This Hatred is Wrong! 

 

While the Amalek-Edomites are the most diabolically evil people of all history and need to be recognized for what they are, the true believer should not even hate them--as wicked and depraved as they are, as discussed previously (Deut 23:7). 

 

Incidentally, mention of Moshe’s words, that the true believer must not even abhor a wicked Edomite, brings to mind the situation with these wretched Edomites (whether they pretend to be Jews, Christians or whatever).  They almost without exception are thoroughly filled with a diabolical and passionate hatred for all true Israelites, as noted previously (including both true Jews and persons of the lost tribes). 

 

Since this hatred is genetic, there is no need to suppose that many or any of them are necessarily even conscious of it.  It would be foolishness to charge them collectively with any conscious conspiracy of hatred toward Yisrael (although there may be some conspiracies involved in some of their specific acts against true Israelites, to be described later in the context of the Amalek-Edomite bankers/masters). 

 

If there is an overall conspiracy of hatred, it probably exists in the supernatural world of mental telepathy where Satan and demonic powers use mental telepathy to direct these evil Edomites in specific acts against true Israelites.  Back in the 1950s, the Edomites pushing racial integration on American Whites were surely motivated and focused by demonic powers using mental telepathy. 

 

The Edomite purpose has always been to destroy Yisrael for the last 3,900 years, as mentioned often in this work. 

 

It is because of their unbelievable animosity, coupled with their great power in Yisrael, that the typical Christian Israelite can never understand them and their true motive to destroy Yisrael (and they are “not” attempting to do this by advocating Judaism).  This is especially true whenever the topic of race comes up. 

 

The Amalek-Edomite bankers/masters in control of the Western Christian civilization do not want this race theme ever broached by anyone, because an investigation of it can eventually lead a person into an appreciation of who these evil Edomites really are and what their genetically inspired plan and purpose is for the lost House of Yisrael. 

 

 

More Hate 

 

Tragically, many Christians and particularly Christian Israelites choose to help the Edomites by hating Judaism and the Jews collectively, as if they are the source of the problem.  Of course, neither the Jews or Judaism is the problem. 

 

The problem has always been one of evil Amalek-Edomites posing themselves as Jews to bring on persecution and hatred of a lot of good Jews. 

 

What a tragedy it has been for innocent and good Jews who stupidly allowed themselves to be linked to the vile and corrupt Amalekites (just as the modern Americans are doing).  Amalekite evil has brought much harm and hurt upon good Jews. 

 

Clearly, it is a part of the overall plan and purpose of these Edomites to bring hatred into the minds of collective Israelites to make Jews hate Christian Israelites and to make Christian Israelites hate good Jews and Judaism.  Surely, the Edomites and their father Satan are behind all of this animosity.  This whole episode is a great tragedy for all Israelite brethren--whether Christians or Jews. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 188--Qahal Ha ELOHIM

 

 

The Congregation of Believers 

 

One feature of modern Christianity is the focus upon a physical building, and a membership or grouping of people centered around that building or facility, in the context of the church.  While other discussions herein, in subsequent chapters, focus upon the undesirable features of such a facility, it is still prudent to consider some NT texts which are related to the idea of an assembly or congregation of people. 

 

The first thing which strikes one is the presence of the phrase “Church of God,” found some twelve times in the KJV of the NT (Acts 20:28; I Cor 1:2; 10:32; 11:16, 22; 15:9; II Cor 1:1; Gal 1:13; I Thes 2:14; II Thes 1:4; I Tim 3:5, 15).

 

If there is a NT organizational name for the true believers and followers of YESHUA (in the Nazarene sect of Judaism, as is elsewhere described herein), assuredly it would have to connect in some way to this NT phrase (but in its original Hebrew). 

 

An examination of the word church indicates that it is incorrectly translated (per other commentary, elsewhere herein) from the Greek “ekklesia,” which more correctly means a group or assembly of people called out of the population at large.  In this sense, the ekklesia is an assembly of called out ones. 

 

The basis for ekklesia is, of course, the comparable Hebrew word which is qahal (with long “A’s,” although some persons incorrectly transliterate it as qehal)--which means an assembly specially convoked, or a congregation as an organized body (per Brown, Driver and Briggs’ “A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament”). 

 

The English word “God” (which has a very bad meaning, as will be subsequently demonstrated in a later chapter herein) comes from the Hebrew EL, ELOAH or ELOHIM.  In Nehemiah 13:1 (after the return of the Jews to Palestine, following the Babylonian exile or captivity), one finds this very phrase “Qahal Ha ELOHIM.”  It appears in the KJV as “the congregation of God.” 

 

At the outset, it must be noted that this qahal is a reference to people.  The same conclusion applies to the Greek ekklesia.  There is nothing in either word which will permit an attachment to the idea of a building or physical facility. 

 

Such usages and concepts are strictly a product of Christian Church thinking and not the Scriptures.  In the Word, YAH’s building for worship is called a House of Prayer for All People (Isa 56:7; Matt 21:13). 

 

 

The Synagogue 

 

In the Greek NT, the Greek word sunagogee (meaning a synagogue) is the physical place where believers worshipped.  Within Judaism, the synagogue is often called and/or referred to as a house of prayer for all people, in the sense of Isaiah 56:7. 

 

If there is any doubt whatsoever about the fact that the New Testament believers worshipped regularly (at least weekly) in the Jewish synagogues, the student of truth only has to check the usages of the Greek “sunagogee.”  The Greek NT refers to Jewish synagogues some 57 times and almost always in the vein of the worship site of YESHUA and His disciples. 

 

Tragically, most English translations don’t always translate the Greek sunagogee as synagogue (as happens at Acts 13:43 and James 2:2), but the linkage is manifestly clear otherwise.  Beyond these 57 uses, it is also absolutely fascinating that the Greek episunagoge” is likewise used (at II Thessalonians 2:1 and Hebrews 10:25).  This term correctly means “going to synagogue” (as is discussed elsewhere herein). 

 

In another interesting revelation, the Greek “aposunagogos” is one more important tie to synagogue where it is used at John 9:22, 12:42, and 16:2, in the sense of being expelled or put out of the synagogue and congregation (as happened to believers in later years, long after the NT was written--as is also described at length elsewhere herein). 

 

The point is that believers in YESHUA in New Testament days worshipped in Jewish synagogues.  There is never one instance or recorded record where any believer worshipped in a Christian Church.  Christian Churches and ignorant Christian preachers teach this nonsense.  But the church possibilities are categorically absent in the Greek New Testament. 

 

 

More 

 

Before leaving this sub-topic, it should be noted that there is one more Hebrew word which is sometimes translated and used in reference to the Congregation of Israel.  This word is “edah.”  Per Young’s “Analytical Concordance” (p. 107), edah means “an appointed meeting.” 

 

Apparently, the difference between edah and qahal is that edah means the physical assemblage of the congregation in one, single, called meeting or assembling together; while the word qahal is a little broader, with an application to the collective people in the congregation (the general membership, so to speak), in the sense of being in the overall group. 

 

In his audio tape on the “Synagogue,” Dean Wheelock suggests that in the Scriptures, the Hebrew word qahal is translated in the Greek to the word “ekklesia.”  Thus, in Greek translations, qahal usually comes out as “ekklesia.”  But in some 36 instances in the Septuagint, it appears as “sunagoge” or synagogue in English (“Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament,” v. II, p. 1991). 

 

If there is a difference between qahal and ekklesia, it is that, in the OT, qahal refers to the collective people of Yisrael called out of all the nations at large; while in the NT, the word ekklesia refers to the individual Israelites in the Israelite election called out from the general population. 

 

 

The Synagogue Organization 

 

Per Wheelock (in his audio tape on the “Synagogue”), the basic synagogue organization seems to match the pattern used in the assembly organization in the NT. 

 

In the synagogue, all older men were known as elders (probably, all the male members over age 30 fit into this category).  This body of elders would choose a board of 3, 7 or 12 elders as the basic policy making group over the synagogue (with the approval and concurrence of the congregation).  In later synagogues, this group was typically made up of 12 elders. 

 

Governing board member positions were not normally full time jobs, nor were they commonly paid positions.  If any were full time, they were paid, but at a subsistence level only.  In other words, it was not a job to make money.  This board would choose one of its own to be the president of the synagogue (called the nasi), who served one year and could not succeed himself.  The position of nasi circulated within the board. 

 

Next, there was a “beit din,” or house of judgment, in the synagogue (of three or more elders) to adjudicate conflicts or problems in the fellowship. 

 

Last, the board would appoint a member of the congregation to be the shammash (to be shortly addressed), who typically was the only full time worker.  He was the man who took care of the synagogue and performed physical functions in the meetings.  In larger synagogues, the shammash may have had one or more assistants to help him in his work (some of these could be full time paid positions as well). 

 

The synagogue was the community center and focal point of fellowship for the members, plus being a house of prayer and worship of The MOST HIGH.  Study and the learning of truth and righteousness were among its many purposes.  Therefore, the teaching of Hebrew and the Torah (during the week and on Sabbaths) was crucial.  In Second Temple days, the synagogue school was the place for educating children. 

 

Some larger cities may have had two or more synagogues.  Wheelock suggests that in such cites or areas, there was a governing board of 12 elders (men) who oversaw all the synagogues.  Finally, in Jerusalem, there was the Sanhedrin, made up of 70 members, plus a nasi.  The Sanhedrin was a national or international organization, overseeing all synagogues and offering final judgment on all conflicts and questions. 

 

Apparently, this basic organization is what the NT laid out for the Apostolic Assembly.  First, there was an international organization.  And evidently, each local congregation also had its own organization.  Wheelock suggests that there were some explicitly Messianic synagogues (just as is true today).  Assuredly, they would have followed the basic synagogue organizational pattern. 

 

In the international organization, there was an overseeing board of twelve elders, called apostles (Acts 1:26).  In the case of the generic Apostolic Assembly, it is evident that appointment to this overseeing board was a lifetime appointment. 

 

Next, for the international organization, there likely was a NT council of 70 elders (as was the pattern during the Exodus and possibly in the NT--Num 11:16; Lu 10:1-17).  Probably, council members served as judges, as was the pattern from the Exodus.  Finally, there was a group of seven shammashim (plural of shammash), who took care of the congregation (Acts 6:5). 

 

 

The Ministering Functions 

 

To benefit the functioning of this qahal or congregation of believers, the NT reveals a series of operations, services and gifts that serve and profit the collective body; which, by the way, is one of the great mysteries of the Scriptures--the mystery of the Body of The MESSIAH, the Congregation (I Cor 12:27; Col 1:18, 27).  It will be assessed in more detail in a subsequent chapter. 

 

The NT reveals these five officials, workers or servants of the Assembly--apostles (from the Hebrew saliah), prophets, evangelists, shepherds (called pastors in the KJV) and teachers (Eph 4:11).  Some students of the Book suggest that these duties are actually functions and that the shepherd function is combined with the teaching operation (per Dean Wheelock, in his audio tape on the “Synagogue”). 

 

Apparently, any of these servants, or other members of the Body, can also provide these additional functions--discerning of spirits, working of power/miracles, dispensing healings, providing helps or government, understanding of different languages and interpreting other languages (I Cor 12:28-30). 

 

Within these classifications, some of the jobs or duty positions involved the role of an overseer or supervisor (which the KJV defines as a bishop), while others were helping or assisting positions, such as the shammashim (who are generally called deacons in the KJV). 

 

Although most of these duties were accomplished by the elders, it’s possible that other persons in the Assembly could carry out some of the functions.  For example, women could be teachers of other women and children (but never of the collective congregation).  In other cases, the supervising board made the determination (and possibly the chief shammash somewhat) of who would do what. 

 

The workers of the assembly were the ministers of the group.  They were effectively servants or bond slaves.  Again, they served as either overseers or assistants (board members were certainly overseers, while most of the shammashim were assistants). 

 

In all cases in the NT organization, all workers were servants of the congregation.  They were expressly forbidden from lording over the membership (as is found in the secular world and in other religions).  No titles were used.  All persons referred to each other only as “brother” (Matt 23:8; Acts 9:17; 22:13; I Cor 5:11). 

 

Thus, the most important and highest ranking officials to the lowest ranking persons in the Apostolic Assembly were all addressed only as “brother” with no distinctions in titles (clearly, this reality has never been a part of traditional Christianity). 

 

 

The Gifts 

 

To accomplish these just mentioned services, functions or duties (within the collective Body of The MESSIAH), a series of spiritual (intellectual and mental) and/or physical powers (gifts) were dispensed to the Apostolic Assembly, in the context of the Baptism of The RUACH HA KODESH and/or the Baptism of Fire (to be discussed later). 

 

These gifts were:  faith, words of wisdom, prophecy, discerning of spirits, words of knowledge, works of power-miracles, gifts of healing, uses of different languages, interpretation of other languages, teaching (of doctrines), diligence to lead (in administration and government), exhorting, mercy or cheerfulness to show mercy, simplicity of giving, service (to the Assembly), revelation of the knowledge of mysteries, speaking, strength, love, sound mind (wise discretion) and spiritual understanding (Rom 12:6-9; I Cor 12:3, 8-10; 13:1-13; Eph 3:16; Col 1:9; II Tim 1:7). 

 

In an assembly or meeting of the Body, different people could offer or have available the following for service to the group:  a revelation, prophecy, different foreign language, interpretation of a foreign language, psalm, hymn, spiritual singing and praising, prayer, testimony, healing, casting out of bad spirits and exhortation or preaching--as may be relevant and appropriate, and by all means in an orderly controlled fashion, per the decision of the nasi or shammash (I Cor 14:3-5, 26; II Cor 12:19; Eph 4::17; 5:19-20; Col 1:3, 9; 3:16; I Thes 5:17; II Thes 1:10; I Tim 1:11). 

 

All of these gifts, services, operations and offices were to provide for the perfecting of the called out ones, for a work of service to others, and to effectively build up and edify the collective assembly or Body of believers. 

 

Three of these gifts are intellectual in content.  These three--knowledge, understanding and wisdom--were assessed in some detail in prior chapters.  Hence, there is no need to repeat that presentation.  

 

But the point must be made, in respect to these three gifts as well as all the others, that no organizations now evident in Christendom in 2003 seem to exhibit any evidence of the actual outpouring by The HIGHEST of these gifts on any religious organizations now in existence. 

 

 

To Be Reinstated 

 

Just as the first century CE Apostolic Assembly had these persons, operations, services, gifts, etc, there is every reason to believe that they will be reinstated with the Philadelphia Assembly, as it is formed in the age end (to be discussed in later chapters hereafter). 

 

In offering this likelihood, this writer certainly is in no way endorsing any organized Christian Church now claiming these activities/attributes.  The present manifestations seem to be all false and demonic, and particularly in the modern Pentecostal and/or Charismatic movements (as will be proven in later chapters herein). 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 189--The Seven Assemblies

 

 

An Overview of the Seven 

 

As noted in other remarks herein, the first three chapters of Yohanan’s record of YESHUA’s revelation focuses upon the famous seven assemblies (the Greek ekklesia, meaning the called out ones; in Hebrew, ha qahal, as discussed in the prior chapter) of true believers in the election (the election are mentioned with some discussion in several other places in this study). 

 

Most of the seven assemblies, mentioned by Yohanan, have been or will be commented upon to some degree elsewhere in this study.  But this and the next chapters bring all seven together to demonstrate their linkages and supply some further historical and doctrinal information about each one of them. 

 

While these seven specific groups (or congregations) certainly existed in Asia Minor in apostolic times (as named), there are some prophetic aspects of YESHUA’s revelation which have been largely misunderstood in historic Christianity. 

 

It’s very probable that those seven congregations in Asia Minor (at Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea--Rev 1:11) were indicative and reflective (from the perspective of doctrinal beliefs, obedience and faith) of the whole, entire Apostolic Assembly at large when those words were written (c64-66 CE). 

 

In other words, one could find other congregations and groups of supposed believers throughout the Roman Empire which were of the same type, caliber and nature as the one at Ephesus. 

 

This same statement can be made for the other six groups as well.  In future remarks in this and succeeding chapters, this line of thinking will be elaborated upon in connection with the writings of Shaul to congregations with those same characteristics. 

 

Beyond the Apostolic Age implications, it is manifest that those seven assemblies (in type) will exist in the age end when YESHUA returns to commence His millennial rule of planet earth--just as they contemporarily existed when He came in c70 CE (this early return was broached previously). 

 

Christendom has typically misunderstood these prophecies and erred when she has tried to link them to Christianity--often in the context of so-called church eras and time spans.  In terms of the typical fulfillment of these wonderful prophecies, they apply to Sabbathkeeping groups in the age end (as suggested in other presentations in this study) in contrast to Sunday keeping Christendom. 

 

 

Yes, They Were Sabbathkeepers 

 

This is a profoundly important distinction to understand.  The letters to the seven congregations in Revelation 1-3 address Sabbathkeeping, Messianic groups.  There are no Sunday keeping organizations in that list of seven.  The fact that at least five of those seven groups have decided problems and shortcomings does not alter the reality that they are Sabbathkeepers, nor should it surprise anyone. 

 

Tragically, there are many Sabbathkeeping believers in YESHUA today who are filled with gross shortcomings, just like those five assemblies. 

 

About all that one can say for most of these Sabbathkeepers is that they do possess the sign of the Seventh day Sabbath, and have some measure of faith in a Jewish MESSIAH, as described in the NT (howbeit, that faith is generally distorted and confused). 

 

 

The Whore and Her Daughters

 

Otherwise, the book of Revelation assesses Sunday keeping Christianity in Revelation 17 where the whore woman represents the mother church of Christendom--the Roman Catholic Church. 

 

This harlot mother church has daughters which came out of her (Rev 17:5).  These daughters are harlots, just like their mother, with very few, if any, real differences. 

 

This whole system, with its sign of Sunday worship (per Rev 17:5, in the KJV, in the word MYSTERY--meaning a secret sign or symbol, just as the Seventh day Sabbath is a sign to Sabbathkeepers), will be described in detail in later chapters herein. 

 

As mentioned above, the seven assemblies were all in existence when The MESSIAH returned around 70 CE.  Moreover, these exact, seven assemblies will be contemporarily present, in the world and in the same defined types when YESHUA returns the next time, perhaps in Yechezkel’s 37th year (Rev 2:5, 16, 25; 3:3, 11, 20).  Apparently, they will each claim to be the bride of YESHUA at that time (Isa 4:1). 

 

In other words, all of the different Sabbathkeeping groups and people accepting the NT, now in the world, can eventually be classified by one of the seven Scriptural types. 

 

It should be noted that the seven prophetic types of congregations were/are sequential in appearance in history, and they present definite links between each other.  In other words, they all seven connect sequentially, one to another (actually, via an old mail route in the ante-type in the first century CE, and with organizational and geographical connections in the type since 70 CE). 

 

 

Some Background 

 

Remarks to follow below and in other presentations herein have or will describe what happened in the then existing seven congregations when YESHUA returned around 70 CE for the faithful of the collective Apostolic Assembly.  Philadelphia and perhaps some part of the other groups were alive to meet Him when He returned. 

 

The rest of the 144,000 Shavuot election of 70 CE paid for their sins and shortcomings by going through the then great tribulation (c66-70 CE).  After being sealed, most of them were slain by the beast power (Rome), and thus became overcomers (which qualified them for the election). 

 

When YESHUA came for the elect still alive in about 70 CE, the rest of the Shavuot election, then dead and in their graves, were resurrected to life to go to heaven with YESHUA and the election then still alive.  This group has been in heaven, along with the Passover harvest, for the last 1900 plus years (Rev 6:9-11; 7:9-17). 

 

With the death or removal of the people of faith from the seven assemblies by 70 CE (the ones who became overcomers), in the seven assemblies, there still were numbers of people left in those groups who were not overcomers or otherwise too young for redemption (perhaps under the age of 30). 

 

But they were members or participants in the five assemblies which had gross shortcomings (omitting certainly Philadelphia and Smyrna, which were clearly in  other categories).  In other words, these persons did not measure up to the requirements necessary for reconciliation, deliverance and salvation at that time. 

 

Some of these Sabbathkeeping hanger-ons seem to have provided the impetus for the development of what came to be called the Ebionites.  These Sabbathkeeping Ebionites existed (under great persecution from Rome) with some semblance of identification and organization from time to time, in the rough period of 70 to 600 CE. 

 

Otherwise, in the remnant of the Sabbathkeeping assemblies in 66-70 CE, a number of other persons were very weak in faith and shallow in truth.  They quickly abandoned the Sabbath and the developing Ebionites to join in with Eastern, Chrishna sun worshippers to form the basis of the earliest of the Sunday keeping, Eastern, Christian Churches.  This group paralleled the time frame of the Ebionites (c70 to c554 CE). 

 

These Eastern, Sunday keeping Christians never did set well with the developing Roman Catholic Church in the West; although they shared many of the same, sun worship doctrines and teachings.  It was this situation which gave rise to the Western Roman Catholic conflict with the Quartadecimancins, to be described in later chapters. 

 

 

More Entities, Now Extinct 

 

In time, these Eastern Christians either came under the domain of Rome (by 554 CE, under Justinian) or disintegrated (although some remnant of them apparently formed the eventual, Eastern Orthodox, Christian Churches). 

 

Through the years, another Sunday keeping group (called Paulicians), independent of Rome, slowly developed in the East from some of the fragments of the old, Eastern, Chrishna-Christian church. 

 

These Christian Paulicians existed, mainly in the East, from about 500 CE to about 1000 CE.  Though they were Sunday keepers and maintained much of the traditional Christian faith found in the Roman Catholic Church and the eventual Eastern Orthodox Churches, the Paulicians never really submitted to either power.  They maintained their independence and were, thus, heavily persecuted and driven underground. 

 

Contemporary with the Paulicians, there was a second, Seventh day, Sabbathkeeping entity, which organized from a combination of the Paulicians and the fading remnant of the Ebionites.  This new Sabbathkeeping group was called the Athingians. 

 

But over the years, the Paulicians and Athingians both died out--perhaps because of the awful persecution by the world ruling, Roman Catholic Church. 

 

The basis of this loss surfaced when some new ideas combined with the old, fading Paulicians to form a new, Sunday keeping Christian entity called Bogomils (in Bulgaria), Cathari (in Germany) and/or Albigenses (in France).  They lasted from c950 CE to c1400 CE. 

 

Furthermore, there was a new Sabbathkeeping group which developed from a marriage or link between the Bogomils and the old Athingians, which were then fading out of existence.  This new group was the Pasagians.  The Pasagians seem to have been fairly observant of the Torah.  Not only did they keep the Seventh day Sabbath, but they practiced circumcision and obeyed the literal requirements of the Torah. 

 

 

Ephesus 

 

It was the Bogomils, Cathari and/or Albigenses who provided the foundational support for the development of the next sequential group, the Waldensians, which spread across Europe, primarily as a result of the preaching and teaching of one Peter Waldo, around 1170 CE.  Perhaps Waldo infused some new thinking and dedication into the former groups (opposing Rome and then fading out). 

 

Interestingly, the Waldensians seem to have carried different names in the different areas where they existed.  Thus, they were also known as Beguines, Beghards, Petrobrussians, Picards, Lollards, Sabbati, Arnoldists, Insabbatati, Vaudois, Henricans and Lombardists. 

 

Why the different names?  Evidently, because the groups were underground, widely separated and had little contact with each other, they went by different names in different areas. 

 

The Roman Catholic persecution was enormous and the dissenting groups left little or no histories to reveal their inner workings.  Most of what is known about them comes from Catholic authorities, who hated them and called them heretics.  Rome was careless in discussing these different groups and made no effort to understand their connections and/or differences. 

 

In time, these Waldensians spread out across Europe and even into the British Isles.  Most of them were Sunday keepers; though some or all of the Sabbati, Insabbatati, and Picards and perhaps even a part of the Lollards were acknowledged Sabbathkeepers.  These Sabbathkeepers probably learned about the weekly Sabbath from the Pasagians, who were then fading out of history. 

 

It is these Waldensian Sabbathkeepers who formed the basis of Yohanan’s letter to  Ephesus.  They clearly started in the 12th-14th centuries in Europe and persisted through the years and must be present today. 

 

Certainly, Sunday keeping Waldensians are still alive and functioning.  Many of the Sunday keepers migrated to Burke County, North Carolina in the late 19th century.  Some are also still to be found in Northern Italy. 

 

Theologically, Yohanan’s remarks at Revelation 2:1-7 and Shaul’s letter to Ephesus, categorically affirm the theology of the Waldensians (some of this thinking has been or will be commented upon in other chapters herein). 

 

The Waldensian Sabbathkeepers share this basic, same theology with the Sunday keepers, but essentially differing only on the Sabbath question. 

 

One of the key points in the Waldensian identification was their rejection of the priests of Rome (the Nicolaitanes, as will be addresssed in some detail in later chapters) and their decision to accept The MESSIAH YESHUA as their MEDIATOR with The EL (instead of the Roman Catholic Church).  In other words, they discovered YESHUA, Whom they had not known or understood beforetime in Catholicism. 

 

In broaching the Nicolaitanes, it must be said that while the Waldensians discovered the evils of this philosophy of Catholicism the same finding cannot be attached to the rest of Christianity.  Indeed, almost without exception, Christian preachers dominate and lord over their lay people flocks (which they often look upon as the dumb sheep). 

 

In particular, this Nicolaitane attitude becomes manifested as pride, arrogance and meanness in many/most Christian leaders (to include most of the leaders in the other assemblies cited by Yohanan in Revelation 1-3).  Even much of the Sardis Church of God and Sacred Name movements and the Christian Identity motion (to be defined and addressed in later comments herein) have the same attributes. 

 

For example, the Worldwide Church of God (WWCG) and its fall-out groups (especially the Global/Living Church of God, but the others as well), the Bethel Assemblies of Yahweh and most Christian Identity groups are/were all characterized with leaders filled with pride, arrogance and mean spirits.  The one thing which is just not commonly found among these persons is any semblance of humility. 

 

Not only did the old WWCG have this problem in its leadership (from Herbert and Garner Ted Armstrong on down the line), but after this group began breaking up in the late 20th century, the fall out preachers continued to maintain the same pride, arrogance and meanness. 

 

This writer is acquainted with some of these former WWCG big shots who became Sacred Name leaders.  The problem is seemingly present with all of them.  They all seem to be proud, arrogant and mean-spirited (and also fairly shallow in Scriptural knowledge and understanding, beyond what they learned from the old WWCG). 

 

Along with the pride, arrogance and meanness, most of these leaders are obsessed with titles of importance (condemned in Matt 23:7-12, as discussed elsewhere herein).  The Sardis and Identity groups love the titles pastor and elder--though both titles are never used by anyone in the Book (in addressing people).  As noted earlier on pride, most all persons look for opportunities to be elevated and lifted up in front of others. 

 

 

Smyrna 

 

Next, in sequence, the early 15th century CE saw the work of a Catholic priest named John Huss in Bohemia.  Huss was a brilliant man, a powerful speaker and apparently a man of some faith.  He beheld the efforts of his church to come to Bohemia and sell indulgences (discussed elsewhere herein) and he didn’t like what he saw.  So he spoke against Rome. 

 

And as was her usual response, Rome didn’t approve of this dissension and proceeded to burn poor Huss alive at the stake in 1415.  But Huss had started a fire that would not soon go away.  His teachings set the stage for the development of the later, Sunday keeping Hussites or Bohemian Brethren and even the eventual Protestant Reformation of the 16th century. 

 

Very early, the developing Hussites came into contact with some neighboring Waldensians who were in Bohemia in numbers.  Significantly, a Waldensian bishop or elder named Stephen was one of three Waldensian ministers who laid hands upon and ordained some of the ministers in the developing Bohemian Brethren group, arising from the work of Huss. 

 

Importantly, one Waldensian group, called Grubenheimers (because the members hid themselves from the Roman Catholic authorities by hiding in caves or caverns), amalgamated early on with the developing Hussites. 

 

The contacts and linkages between the Sunday keeping Waldensians and Hussites in Bohemia were both significant and relevant in Europe in the 16th century. 

 

The Roman Catholic Church didn’t approve of the Hussite breakaway in Bohemia.  So she quickly dispatched an army there to force them back to Rome or kill them, as the case may be.  A number of battles were fought and perhaps the most notable one was when a one-eyed Hussite general, named John Ziska, defeated the Catholics at the battle of Mount Tabor in c1427 CE. 

 

Soon thereafter, Ziska and his Taborite followers must have come into contact with Waldensian Sabbathkeepers.  Consequently, this Hussite group accepted the Sabbath and formed what was to become the “Sabbatarian” organization of Eastern Europe. 

 

While many of the Sabbathkeeping Hussites stayed in Eastern Europe over the years (with many going to Russia), numbers of the Sunday keeping Hussites (later called Moravians) migrated to Pennsylvania and North Carolina (where they settled Old Salem in the 18th century). 

 

Doctrinally, the previously mentioned Sabbatarians match up to Revelation 2:8-11 and Shaul’s epistle to the Colossians.  Some of their history and teachings have been commented upon in prior chapters and need no explanation now.  The one idea which describes them is that they early on discovered that YHWH’s Word was to be their rule of faith. 

 

 

Pergamos 

 

This takes one to Pergamos.  In time, many of the Bohemian Brethren found their way into Switzerland in the early 16th century when the Protestant Reformation was beginning as a result of Martin Luther’s work in Germany. 

 

Luther nailed his famous, 95 theses to the door of the Wittenburg, Germany Catholic Church in October 1517.  This began the Protestant Reformation and the message of justification by faith. 

 

By the 1520s, quite a Protestant center had developed in Zurich, Switzerland where the Reformer Ulrich Zwingli was in charge and busy teaching the new Reformation message.  Some of Zwingli’s students began to perceive that the Protestant break with Rome was not heading in the right direction.  This dissatisfied group included people like Conrad Grebel, Felix Manz and Simon Stumpf. 

 

They came to be called the left wing radicals of the Reformation.  By 1525, they met independently and formed the nucleus of the Anabaptist movement (which advocated rebaptism for believers, who had been baptized as infants in the Roman Catholic Church).  Historically, the Sunday keeping Anabaptists were closely linked to the Sunday keeping Bohemian Brethren then in Switzerland. 

 

This early Anabaptist baptism was still by the Catholic sprinkling or pouring method.  Immersion was to come on the scene later with the Baptist denomination which evolved from the preceding Anabaptist movement (along with the Hutterites, Amish, Mennonites and Quakers). 

 

Soon, Sunday keeping, Anabaptist preachers were reaching much of Europe and Britain.  Some of them went to Bohemia which was still a hot bed of religious fervor. 

 

One early leader of the Anabaptists in Bohemia was a man named Oswald Glait.  By 1528, Glait had come into apparent contact with European Sabbatarians and accepted the Sabbath.  Just as the Anabaptist faith reached Britain, so did the Sabbath beliefs of the Anabaptists also evidently arrive in England. 

 

But there was much persecution of dissenters in Britain and particularly during the reign of Bloody Mary in the mid 1550s--before Elizabeth assumed the throne.  Therefore, some of these early re-baptizing believers (called Separatists) fled Britain and went to Holland and eventually to America, as the later Baptists. 

 

 

Growth 

 

Thus, the Anabaptist movement was slow in getting started in England.  However, with the rulerships of first Elizabeth, and later James I, things began to loosen up a little.  Soon, the Baptist movement became a reality in Britain. 

 

With this Baptist presence in Britain, it was logical that some of them would, in time, accept the Sabbath.  In c1617, they did so and eventually founded the previously mentioned Seventh Day Baptist (SDB) denomination.  

 

By the late 17th century, and into the early 19th century, Baptists were surfacing in America in numbers (perhaps initially because of the work of Roger Williams of Rhode Island).  In Rhode Island, they established both Sabbath and Sunday keeping congregations, which quickly spread out in all directions. 

 

By the 19th century, the Baptists were significantly present all over America--although divided into many, many, different, Baptist groups, as has been a common, Baptist problem for much of its history. 

 

In theology, the SDB stem from the Pergamos assembly and are defined in Revelation 2:12-17.  Shaul’s writing to Romans also presents an outline of their doctrines which are basically justification by faith and adult believer’s baptism.  The Sunday and Sabbathkeeping Baptists are basically the same in beliefs except for the Sabbath question. 

 

In the way of a classic fulfillment of Rev 2:13 (in the vein of the Pergamos martyr Antipas), it is fascinating that one of the facts of history associated with the Seventh Day Baptists in England is that the pastor of the White Chapel or Bull-Stake Alley Sabbatarian Baptist Church (in 1661) was John James who was hanged and his body quartered (his head was cut off and put on a pole opposite the church by the King Charles people for daring to say that “Jesus Christ” was the king of England, Scotland and Ireland--per Church of God historian Richard Nickels). 

 

One more relevant fact of history about Pergamos concerns Revelation 2:14-15 in that Pergamos would adopt and follow both the doctrines of Balaam (on racial integration, miscegenation and amalgamation) and the Nicolaitanes.  Both of these doctrines are manifestly present in the modern Seventh Day Baptist Church. 

 

 

Thyatira 

 

This takes the student of truth up to the year of 1831 when a New England Baptist farmer named William Miller began teaching that the year 1844 would spell the end of the world and the second return of the Christians’ Gee-Zeus. 

 

At first, Miller preached to local Baptist congregations in New York and New England.  But his message caught on and his outreach was soon over much of the US and especially to the Midwest.  His motion became known as the Second Advent or Millerite movement. 

 

By 1844, problems developed when Miller’s dating scheme proved to be wrong.  Simply stated, YESHUA did not return that year.  Therefore, the Sunday keeping Adventists were in quite a quandary and split into several different factions. 

 

One Sunday, at a Millerite meeting in Washington, New Hampshire, a Seventh Day Baptist woman, named Mrs Rachel Oakes, was present to hear a sermon by Adventist preacher Frederick Wheeler.  After services, Mrs Oakes asked Wheeler about the Seventh day Sabbath and when was he going to obey it.  Soon Wheeler and many of his people became Sabbathkeepers. 

 

Thus, the Seventh day Adventist (SDA) group was born and quickly gained some prominence from the efforts of the prophetess, Mrs Ellen White.  From the beginning, the early Seventh day Adventists had much contact with the Seventh Day Baptists and actually used some of their literature and tracts on the Sabbath. 

 

Manifestly, Thyatira is the SDA with her false Jezebel prophetess, Ellen G White, who has taught the SDA people many bad teachings over the years.  Yohanan’s message (Rev 2:18-29) and Shaul’s letters to Thessalonians sum up the SDA theology.  Their focus has been on prophecy and the return of The MESSIAH. 

 

Incidentally, though this writer makes the case that the Seventh day Adventist Church must be Thyatira, the point has to be made that the SDA Church itself claims to be the Laodicean entity.  This is fascinating that a modern Christian Church would want to be and claim to be the Laodiceans.  But it represents the real world out there for the Adventists in the early 21st century. 

 

As a matter of information, this writer has known several SDA people over the years.  While they are extremely Scripturally illiterate, they do keep the Sabbath and accordingly have something in common with me. 

 

One day, in a conversation with an Adventist minister known to me, the question was posed to him on why would the SDA people want to be known as Laodiceans (in view of the great condemnation and criticism cast upon Laodicea in the Book)?  The man involved could not or would not answer me. 

 

If the reader wants to have a real revelation about the ignorance in the SDA Church, all he has to do is ask an Adventist about why he or she wants to be known as a Laodicean.  This simple question can throw an uninformed Adventist follower of Ellen White into a state of shock. 

 

 

A False Prophetess 

 

With just a minimum of Scriptural understanding, the developing SDA people should have had brains enough to see through Ellen White and perceive that she was a false prophetess.  At least, her visions generally had some false information present, perhaps often mixed in with some true information. 

 

In her first vision in December 1844, she allegedly saw the Adventist people on their way to heaven.  This vision alone should have been enough to alert observers that something was wrong with poor Ellen.  But most of them evidently failed to pick upon the truth. 

 

Initially, Ellen and her husband James White were not Seventh day Sabbathkeepers.  They opposed the Sabbath and labored against it. 

 

But when it became obvious that the Spirit of Truth was being very successful in putting the Sabbath message over, Ellen changed her tune and had a vision in support of the Sabbath (but one which tragically had some bad information included on The MESSIAH resting in the grave on the Sabbath day and being resurrected on Sunday morning--as was proven wrong in a preceding chapter herein). 

 

In one vision, Ellen saw a long haired “Gee-Zeus” in a white robe in heaven.  Like the others, this one should have alerted witnesses that something was very wrong with Ellen (the issue of men wearing long hair is discussed in detail elsewhere herein, as addressing the subjects of beards and hair length for men.  Suffice to say, it is a sin for a man to wear long hair, as Shaul so correctly pointed out). 

 

Perhaps one of the most prominent SDA leaders was Captain Joseph Bates of Massachusetts.  From the beginning, Bates didn’t believe in the visions of Ellen White.  Obviously, it would take some real convincing to change his mind. 

 

Being a sea captain, Bates had some knowledge of astronomy and particularly heavenly signs (which were used in navigation).  In November 1846, Ellen had a vision in his presence, specifically designed to convert him to her cause. 

 

She had a vision in which she described certain astronomical features--like the planets Jupiter, Saturn and Uranus in sequence.  She reported four moons around Jupiter, the belts or bands around Saturn and six moons around Uranus.  This demonstration from a young girl, supposedly uninformed on astronomy, deeply impressed Bates.  Thus, he became a follower. 

 

Ellen had it right about the sequence of the three planets.  And in terms of 1846 scientific and astronomical knowledge, she would have been right on her other remarks.  But ultimately, she had it wrong on the number of moons around each of the planets (as subsequently proven from discoveries in modern astronomy since 1900). 

 

For example, it is now known that Saturn has 30 moons and Jupiter has 39 moons (Jun 7, 2002, “The Week,” p. 20).  Some eleven of these 39 satellites around Jupiter were discovered in 2002 (ibid, p. 20).  Obviously, Ellen had it grossly wrong in terms of reality, although she probably looked good in 1846. 

 

So, where did Ellen get her information?  Would The MOST HIGH (or Satan) have given her some bad data to impress Bates?  Or could she have come up with this thinking on her own (thinking which was contemporary and accepted as true by many persons at that time)? 

 

Well significantly, Bates had written a tract on “The Opening Heaven” on May 8, 1846.  In it, he discussed the very things which Ellen saw in vision.  All things considered, it seems almost a certainty that Ellen had access to this tract before she had her vision.  She must have memorized the pertinent points which would be needed, under demonic control, to influence Bates. 

 

In 1847, Ellen had a vision which supported the shut door theory, prevalent among the early Adventists (mentioned in “A Word to the Little Flock”), although she later tried to deny it.  This belief was predicated upon the so-called close of probation and that the door was shut for salvation. 

 

However, over time, all of those early Adventist people died.  Since then, the SDA Church has added millions of members to her membership rolls.  This fact alone would ostensibly prove how utterly false Ellen’s visions were--if church membership equates to being saved in some manner (which it doesn’t). 

 

 

More on Ellen

 

One of Ellen’s favorite tricks was to occasionally criticize or rebuke some of the various Adventists for alleged wrongs.  One time, in 1882, SDA preachers E. P. Daniels and E. R. Jones were preaching in Michigan, while Ellen was apparently in Colorado.  Allegedly, one of the men made an offensive remark to someone.  The church gossip was that it was Daniels (when in fact it was Jones). 

 

In any case, the gossip reached Ellen.  So she conveniently had a vision, supposedly from heaven, to castigate and condemn Daniels for the remark.  In the August 14, 1883, “Review and Herald Supplement,” Daniels set the record straight.  The point of this was that Ellen got the wrong man--evidently based upon church gossip. 

 

There were numerous other prophetic failures for anyone interested enough to spend some time with her prophecies and truth. 

 

But there is more to come on the situation with poor Ellen.  The Nov 1981 “Evangelical” magazine had a story on “Visions or partial complex seizures” by Dr Delbert H. Holder, a pediatrician with subspecialist interest in neurology.  Holder suggests that her visions were a type of epileptic seizure, arising from a head accident she had as a child. 

 

Some persons make a case that Ellen was a prolific writer of many very successful books.  And in fact, she was--both in quantity and in distribution. 

 

However, there are other persons who will argue about the value and truth of those works.  As a minimum, she was notorious in plagiarizing from other writers, as is now a known fact.  Poor Ellen stole whole blocks of material from other writers for her own books (without giving credit). 

 

 

The Shallow Adventists 

 

From time to time, in this study at hand, mention is made of the manifest problem that the Seventh day Adventists have had in Scriptural understanding.  In essence, the SDA people are extremely shallow on the Word.  They don’t seem to know much at all--unless it is something which Ellen G. White or the SDA leadership discovered and focused upon. 

 

While the typical Adventist knows little or nothing from the Word, they are almost all extremely knowledgeable and informed on Ellen.  They love her words and writings; and many of them devote their lives to the study and contemplation about her, and what she has said about things.  What a tragedy it has been that these people haven’t adopted the same fascination and devotion to the Scriptures. 

 

Anyway, this writer has recognized this pathetic reality on the mentality of the typical SDA person.  Accordingly, this study recognizes that condition from time to time herein.  However, this writer has not been the lone ranger in the discovery of the problems Adventists have over the Book.  Sabbathkeeper Daniel Botkin mentions his difficulty with them in the Jul-Aug 2001 “Gates of Eden.” 

 

In his early life, Botkin, like so many others, was a Sunday keeping Christian.  However, from time to time, he came across the fourth commandment and a need to address it.  In an article in this cited Gates (p. 15), he claims that he was open minded and eventually had some contact with the SDA people--viz: 

 

“As a young believer I had studied the subject (of the Sabbath) as best I knew how.  I had even talked to some SDAs (Seventh Day Adventists) about it, but they could not refute the objections I had read in some anti-Sabbath literature.  Even though I was very willing to be persuaded, the Adventists did not know the Scriptures well enough to persuade me.” 

 

Obviously, Botkin came to the same conclusions which the writer of this production determined long ago about the SDA people.  Simply stated, they are extremely shallow on the Scriptures.  This reality hurts them when they try to present truth.  True, they have had enormous growth in numbers.  But this growth cannot be traced to truth.  Instead, it surely represents the strength of their overseeing spirit or spirits. 

 

By the way, this mention of Daniel Botkin necessitates some remarks about him which will be very important in broaching the Laodicean entity in a later chapter.  Botkin (a Pentecostal/Charismatic in theology) came out of the “Jesus People” movement of the 1960s.  In time, he adopted the Sabbath and today seems to be linked in with the Messianic Jewish motion, which is heavily into Pentecostalism. 

 

 

The Bottom Line 

 

With the 1844 Adventist failure, the essence of the Millerite movement split into several different directions, as described above.  Some Millerites soon became Seventh day Adventists while others came to form the eventual Advent Christian Church or one of the other Sunday keeping groups which didn’t last long.  This set the stage for the next group--Sardis--which will be addressed in the following chapter. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 190--Sardis

 

 

Sardis 

 

In the late 1840s, a former Millerite preacher named Joseph Marsh of Rochester, NY, came to learn about the importance of an organizational name (which he understood to be the “Church of God,” as promoted by John Winebrenner and a Reform Church of God group in Pennsylvania) and information on the coming millennium on earth (which came to be called Age to Come Adventism). 

 

In time, Marsh came into contact with other persons who accepted the same views (like O. R. L. Crozier, Ephraim Miller, and J. M. Stephenson). 

 

Most of these persons were former Millerites, although some new blood and thinking came into the group in the context of Benjamin Wilson (an immigrant from England and former member of the Disciples of Christ Church, who lived in Geneva, Illinois), and John Thomas (later founder of the Christadelphians). 

 

The Disciples of Christ Church was a descendant of the work of Thomas and Alexander Campbell, just as was true with the Church of Christ and possibly the Christadelphians as well.  It might be that both the Disciples of Christ and Church of Christ had some success in Britain as well as the US.  Clearly, these two groups are close kin and are linked into the definition of the Campbellite motion. 

 

Through the contact with John Thomas and Benjamin Wilson, the developing Age to Come Adventists had clear ties to the later Disciples of Christ, Church of Christ and Christadelphian denominations (as well as the Campbellite Christian Church denomination).  By the 1850s, these Adventist people were beginning to form state conferences and have periodic meetings--often with nearby Advent Christian groups. 

 

In the 1870s and later, the early Age to Come people had some periodic contact and linkage with Charles Taze Russell and the developing Jehovah’s Witnesses (as will be assessed in a later chapter herein on the Witnesses).  Not only did Russell have ties to some of the Age to Come people, but the theology of the later Jehovah’s Witnesses was heavily influenced by Age to Come doctrines. 

 

Adolph E. Knoch, leader of the Concordant Publishing Concern of Saugus, California, was another important linkage for the Age to Come Adventist people in still later years. 

 

Actually, along with Knoch and the Concordant Concern, the Age to Come people over the years had some contact with a number of the leading spokesmen for the “salvation of all” belief which was one of the important doctrinal fall-outs of the old Millerite movement and one which was diligently promoted by Knoch. 

 

In time, this Age to Come Adventist organization (Sunday keeping) centered in the Midwest (Illinois, Michigan, Indiana and Ohio) and adopted the denominational name of the Church of God Abrahamic Faith.  The early Abrahamic Faith people located their headquarters in Oregon, Illinois where it stayed until the late 1980s, when the group’s home office moved to the Atlanta, Georgia area. 

 

 

Gilbert Cranmer 

 

In the meantime, the Seventh day Adventists were also growing in the Midwest--especially in Michigan where they established their headquarters (at Battle Creek, before moving it in later years to the Washington, DC area).  One of their ministers in Michigan was a man named Gilbert Cranmer, who became dissatisfied with the prophetess Ellen G. White and left the SDA Church. 

 

In the period 1858-1860, Cranmer apparently came into contact with the Church of God name movement and Age to Come Adventism (largely founded by the just mentioned Joseph Marsh) and adopted its theology, with the addition of the Sabbath which he had gotten from the SDA people. 

 

In any case, Cranmer combined the different theologies and laid the groundwork for the whole Sardis movement, starting with the mother Church of God (7th Day) and her many offshoots and fragments which have developed over the years--including much of the Sabbathkeeping Sacred Name element and many of the Pentecostal and/or Charismatic groups (which will be assessed in the following chapters). 

 

Sardis is clearly represented by Yohanan (Rev 3:1-6) and in Shaul’s two letters to the Corinthians.  This study has presented some of the Sardis beliefs in some detail from time to time and will outline more in subsequent chapters.  The Sardis focus has centered upon the assembly entity in the context of group name and organization and Age to Come Adventism. 

 

While Shaul’s two letters to the Corinthians communicate much about the Sardis people and the Sardis theology, two points from I Corinthians seem especially pertinent.  First, this effort has been notorious for splitting and fragmenting (as has been true with the Baptists, who split and divide for almost any reason). 

 

And second, Sardis has similarly been notorious for allowing the Pentecostal and Charismatic advocates into its fellowship (as just noted above).  Both of these theological options have hurt Sardis, as will be further covered in comments to follow. 

 

This publication greatly criticizes the gross pride and vanity and unscriptural doctrines found among modern Sardis peoples (of the Church of God--Seventh Day, Sacred Name, Pentecostal/Charismatic and other definitions with the same weaknesses, like the Christian Identity Churches). 

 

Truly, these Sardis entities have much wickedness present and shortcomings that the age end elect would not want to emulate.  But the Sardis category, however bad it has been, has produced or at least has broached some wonderful truths since it started in Michigan some 145 years ago.  This finding has been cited in former chapters. 

 

But it is being repeated here because it was this Sardis motion which at least helped to introduce the Scriptural feast days to some portion of the age end Christian Israelite population.  This event seems to have happened in the early 20th century with the work of a former SDA preacher named G. G. Rupert of Britton, Oklahoma. 

 

 

More on G. G. Rupert 

 

In 1911, the above cited G. G. Rupert operated the Union Publishing Company in Britton, Oklahoma (which also at some point in time was located in Choctaw, Oklahoma and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma).  He was reportedly from the Midwest in earlier years where he had known and was friends with James and Ellen White of the SDA denomination. 

 

In time, Rupert (once the president of the Oklahoma SDA Conference) had some affiliation or linkage with the then Church of God (7th Day) at Stanberry, Missouri (although he was not licensed by Stanberry as a minister).  But Rupert apparently did ascribe generally to the Age to Come teachings.  So, in 1915, he started his own independent Church of God work with a periodical called “The Remnant of Israel.” 

 

Importantly, in describing Rupert and his work, one must be impressed with the fact that he advocated and taught the applicability of all of YHWH’s laws--to include the weekly Sabbaths and the seven annual feasts cited by Moshe in the Torah.  These teachings were unprecedented in the Church of God configuration. 

 

Though Rupert seemingly did not teach all of the details of the Scriptural festivals correctly, his efforts on the whole Torah were certainly unique because they appear to be a possible first in Christianity in modern times. 

 

While some small portion of the then Church of God (7th Day) entity bought into some aspects of the feast days, it rejected the idea of obedience of all of the Torah.  Though she always talked good on obedience, the Church of God (7th Day) was in no mood to obey all of YHWH’s laws (yes, many Christian groups have tried to claim obedience of the law over the years, but have generally fallen short in terms of deeds). 

 

Despite his work in bringing YHWH’s ordained festivals to the attention of many people, and particularly those in the Church of God (7th Day) movement, Rupert failed to pick upon the so-called Jewish festivals.  This was one of the failures of his work.  In any case, with Rupert’s introduction of the Scriptural feasts to various Sabbathkeeping persons, several groups/people began keeping them between WWI and WWII. 

 

Next, it is relevant to note that Rupert also believed in and taught Israel Identity; and in time, that the US was Ephraim--per the previously quoted William J. Walker, of Opportunity, Washington, who became editor/publisher of The Remnant in c1967 and read/studied almost all of Rupert’s works. 

 

Walker told this writer in a conversation that Rupert did not believe in the brotherhood of man, as he had extensive knowledge/understanding about the differences in the races of man--to include understanding on the Blacks, Whites, Asians, Jews, etc (perhaps similar to some of the later views of the Christian Identity people). 

 

Rupert died in 1922, but his family and others continued the Remnant, evidently until 1929.  It then temporarily ceased publication.  In time, it was revived by his daughter and son-in-law I. C. Sultz.  With some later health problems of Sultz, the just cited William J. Walker became editor and publisher. 

 

Though many or most of the people reached by Rupert were Church of God (7th Day) types in theology and philosophy, they were often independent persons and not actually a part of Stanberry.  Most of them were eventually to form the basis of the later Sacred Name movement which arose in the 1930s, as will be discussed below. 

 

Though G. G. Rupert personally may or may not have been a Philadelphian, his work was certainly profoundly important in the scheme of things; and likely, as a minimum, involved the spirit of Philadelphia or Philadelphia theology. 

 

 

Dugger and Dodd 

 

While the historic Sardis Assembly and people have been extremely dead, lethargic and don’t care over the years, it must be noted that two of her early 20th century leaders (besides the just noted G. G. Rupert) did make “some” useful contributions to truth.  These two persons were A. N. Dugger and C. O. Dodd--both influenced by Rupert.  Dugger was an important Sardis leader in the 1920s.  Dodd came along later. 

 

Dugger was a fairly conscientious man and tried to push the Church of God (7th Day), then at Stanberry, Missouri, to adopt a stronger stand against pork eating and tobacco smoking (two points that some members of the church refused to give up).  As time passed, and as it became evident that Stanberry was not Scripturally organized, Dugger began to communicate with others about a need for a Scriptural organization. 

 

The plan was to have a board of twelve overall spiritual leaders, a group of seven appointed men (like deacons or the previously mentioned shammashim) to do the day to day running of the church, and a council of seventy elders/evangelists.  All of this thinking had a Scriptural basis and agreed much with the synagogue organization (as outlined in a prior chapter herein). 

 

Apparently, Dugger tried to do it initially at the General Conference level.  But this didn’t pan out; and he lost out in a power play, in about 1932.  Accordingly, he and his colleagues broke to form a separate Church of God (7th day) at Salem, West Virginia.  This second church fell under some of the leadership of Dugger and C. O. Dodd; but primarily under other persons as the twelve main leaders. 

 

Many of the more independent Churches of God and Oregon leader Herbert W. Armstrong (who was heavily influenced by G. G. Rupert) went with the Salem faction (though Armstrong was independently minded and refused to share his tithes with Salem--thus, causing an Armstrong conflict with the Salem group).  Armstrong’s later work will be profiled shortly below. 

 

Dugger and Dodd collaborated and wrote one of the first histories of the Church of God (7th Day) in the form of “A History of the True Religion.”  In it, they claimed that their Church of God had historic roots and ties to the Apostolic Assembly of the NT.  

 

They attempted to trace a connection between different groups through the ages that led to the Salem Church (by misappropriating some history from some of the earlier Christian Churches).  Importantly, they suggested that the Salem, WV split was the Philadelphia group of Revelation 1-3.  While the previously described SDA people were happy to be Laodiceans, the Salem Church of God wanted to be Philadelphians. 

 

Whatever faults and shortcomings Dugger and Dodd personally may have had, they did try to push for some improvements in ethics and general Scriptural obedience (that were clearly Philadelphian in philosophy) upon the Salem faction that they headed for the first few years of its history (from about 1933 to about 1936). 

 

 

The Salem Problems 

 

The Salem group used the process of lots to determine its twelve member board of supervisors and seventy evangelists (which has Scriptural support, on the surface). 

 

Tragically, when the names of the church elders were thrown into the pot to take the pick from, the pot contained many names of the old Sardis leaders who were lethargic, indifferent and locked in the old Sardis spirit.  So the lots ended up producing twelve primary overseers who were merely of the same essential dead caliber as prevailing at Stanberry. 

 

These dead, lethargic leaders were in no mood to keep the feast days (as promoted by Dodd), or in taking a step up, in terms of just a closer walk with truth (as promoted by Dugger).  So, in 1936, Dodd was simply locked out of his office and not allowed to function in the church (he was secretary and editor of the church paper at Salem). 

 

Dugger was eventually forced or kicked out and any attempt to make this Sardis group take any further steps up ended for all purposes.  The dead faction (headed by C. L. Royer, R. A. Barnes and others) took over ultimate control of the Salem group. 

 

In 1948, much of the Salem and Stanberry factions merged to form the present mother Sardis group, now situated in the Denver, Colorado area.  However, a part of the old Stanberry group refused to join in with the merger (this element eventually became the General Council of the Church of God, 7th Day, in Meridian, Idaho). 

 

Also, some part of the old Salem group refused to join in with the merger, including a part of the former Salem, WV segment and a later group at Caldwell, ID (the Seventh Day Church of God, which was originally influenced on the Scriptural feast days by G. G. Rupert and on the 12/7/70 organization by A. N. Dugger--but later, under Martin Ogren and Paul Woods, succumbed to Pentecostalism, as the Holy Rollers moved in to literally destroy it). 

 

After the merger, a bitter squabble ensued and continued over the years for the publishing house at Salem by the faction remaining in Salem and the mother church at Denver (this conflict caused a huge lawsuit in a civil court in which Denver lost).

 

After being locked out in 1936, C. O. Dodd began publishing a paper called the “Faith;” which, in time, adopted the Sacred Name theology (to be discussed below) and became a big promoter of it.  Last, one of the 70 evangelistic leaders chosen at Salem in 1933 was the above noted Herbert W. Armstrong.  He will be addressed next. 

 

 

Herbert W. Armstrong and His Church of God 

 

This presentation on Sardis necessitates some remarks on Herbert W. Armstrong (a man with evident behemah and Cain genes) and his Worldwide Church of God (WWCG, previously cited) which gained some notoriety from about 1938 to 1986. 

 

The WWCG seems to have been basically Sardis for its history--though the group did have some aspects of Philadelphia (the spirit of Philadelphia/Philadelphia theology) in its early days, probably before Herbert’s wife Loma Armstrong died in about 1967.  Mrs Armstrong was apparently a stabilizing force with some character on her husband and his work.  With the death of Mrs Armstrong, the work lost much of this early character. 

 

But admittedly, Mr Armstrong did have some success as a speaker and writer (despite plagiarizing much material from others).  In particular, Armstrong stole ideas, words and indeed whole books and writings from the mother Church of God (7th Day) and others and put them out as WWCG publications/theology without any credit at all (i.e. Has Time Been Lost?, other Church of God and Israel Identity books, etc). 

 

In background, Armstrong was an advertising man; and thus, he was generally effective in communicating his points to others.  Some of his opponents claim that he was a classic con-man (plus he was an incestuous pedophile/pervert for reportedly violating one of his own daughters for a period of several years). 

 

Yet he was a very charismatic and persuasive person who actively taught British Israelism and the Scriptural feast days (but in accordance with the calculated Jewish calendar, instead of the true Scriptural calendar as determined by astronomical features--as will be described later).  In his earlier days in Oregon (before moving to Southern California in c1947), Armstrong also placed quite a focus on the subjects of race (which will be defined in the following chapters) and human carnality.  All of these teachings were significant since they are basically Philadelphian (except for following the Jewish calculated calendar). 

 

With the death of Armstrong in 1986, some of his alleged friends/followers (but apparently his enemies), like Joseph Tkach Sr and Joseph Tkach Jr, took over the WWCG (based on a decision by HWA himself) and began to remove any influence that Armstrong had once had in the organization.

 

The Tkachs repudiated most of the Armstrong writings (calling them heretical) and quit putting them out.  Reportedly, the new WWCG, under Tkach Jr, has even abandoned the weekly Sabbath for all purposes (and perhaps the annual festivals as well). 

 

The Philadelphia Church of God, a WWCG splinter group at Edmond, OK, started reissuing the Armstrong booklets.  But the WWCG brought copyright infringement charges against this group.  This resulted in a nasty lawsuit which lasted for six years.  Finally, in early 2003, the WWCG simply sold its copyrights to some 19 Armstrong works for $2 million to the Edmond group (May 2003 “Philadelphia Trumpet,” p. 2-9). 

 

Herbert W. Armstrong was surely a student of G. G. Rupert (as discussed above) and picked upon many of his teachings, to include the YHWH ordained festivals.  In time, HWA successfully put them over to thousands, if not millions, of Christian Israelites (by plagiarizing, without credit to Rupert).  HWA, like Rupert, had some misunderstanding, problems and errors in his comprehension.  But his promotion effort was significant. 

 

Too, Armstrong rejected and repudiated the so-called Jewish festivals (like Hanukkah, Purim and the fast days) which stance hurt him and his followers over the years.  In terms of the whole law approach advocated by Rupert, Armstrong often talked this tune.  But in practice, he and his group never really taught or obeyed all of the law. 

 

Nevertheless, the work of Armstrong (despite his vast plagiarizing efforts) and his predecessors--Rupert, Dodd, Dugger and others--did pave the way for some exposure of the seven festivals of Leviticus 23 to a large segment of the Christian Israelite population (to include the modern Christian Identity movement, which has partly picked upon them as well). 

 

 

The Sacred Name Movement 

 

Before proceeding on in the next chapters with a further discussion on Philadelphia, some comments are needed here on the Sacred Name movement which has been briefly mentioned heretofore. 

 

Richard Nichols’ Sacred Name History (on the Internet at www.giveshare.org) notes that Angelo Traina once pastored the Gospel Kingdom Assembly in Irvington, NJ.  Sometime by 1936, Traina apparently held some studies on the Name issue with some of his members/associates like John Briggs, William Bishop, Paul Penn (a Jew) and a Czeck named August Sheffick.  Sheffick was adamantly against use of the word “Christ” (believing it was pagan).  So he may have first pushed Hebrew alternatives. 

 

But the actual Sacred Name motion may have started in about 1937 when Paul Penn (a believer in YESHUA) reportedly entered into a Sabbathkeeping Christian congregation in Philadelphia, PA attended by Ruth Fink, Richard Francis, possibly Angelo Traina and others (Traina’s wife, Ruth Fink and Richard Francis were all siblings from the same family).  The story is that Penn asked this congregation why they didn’t use and refer to The MESSIAH’s true Hebrew name. 

 

His words created much interest and this group went on to begin promoting Hebrew names for The HIGHEST, instead of the traditionally used Christian names.  Soon, Clarence O. (C. O.) Dodd of Salem, WV (as discussed above) learned of this event; and he, too, began promoting the so-called “Sacred Names” in the “Faith” magazine. 

 

Dodd himself, perhaps Traina, and many of the others whom he was in contact with were clearly former students of G. G. Rupert. 

 

Therefore, Dodd was able to combine the Sacred Name theology with the annual festivals and some Israel Identity ideas, as advocated by Rupert/others, and reach quite an audience.  He had a noticeable measure of success by the time of his death in c1956. 

 

After Dodd’s death, the “Faith” was continued by others and remains today (in Holt, MI) as an important part of the Sacred Name outreach (though the Holt group and several other assemblies are into Pentecostal/Charismatic theology). 

 

While the Sacred Name motion was adversely impacted with incorrect presentations of the names YHWH and YESHUA, credit must be given to it because it did do some worthwhile work in revealing and opposing much of the paganism found in traditional Christianity.  C. O. Dodd, in particular, wrote some good material on this line. 

 

In later years, Jacob O. Meyer of Bethel, PA followed up with some good material.  However, this work by Meyer has its own shortcomings.  While it would appear to be somewhat more obedient than most other Sacred Name groups (many of which are very rebellious), it does have many things wrong doctrinally.  Too, there is a gross sense of arrogance among the Bethel leadership (as noted in prior comments herein). 

 

 

Sacred Name Problems

 

For some time (back in the 1970s), this writer allowed that possibly Philadelphia could come out of the Sacred Name motion. 

 

But this thinking never measured up to truth, historically before 2003--because while some of the Sacred Name factions have talked a good tune about Israel Identity and obedience of all of the Torah, both of these doctrines of Philadelphia have received little attention from them otherwise. 

 

Except for the weekly Sabbaths, the feast days and avoidance of the pagan names, most Sacred Namers are not interested in obeying the Torah in the general sense (i.e. many male members refuse to wear beards, and most women refuse to cover their heads).  Like other Christians, most of them are Scripturally shallow, extremely proud, self righteous and filled with apathy and don’t care.  And finally, the overall motion has been heavily infiltrated by the Pentecostals and Charismatics, which has profoundly hurt its prospects for truth. 

 

 

No Philadelphia

 

In short, the Sacred Namers never seemed to be Philadelphians in philosophy to this writer (though some of the people in the effort may be or will become Philadelphians).  There simply is a serious lack of scholarship and obedience in the movement, coupled with a strong presence of the just cited Pentecostal mentality (which is very evil, as will be later proven) and much division and hate among participants. 

 

The Sacred Name focus on getting rid of the pagan names has been commendable.  But the movement over the past 65 years has made little progress otherwise. 

 

There continues to be gross confusion over what the names and titles are in Hebrew (the Sacred Namers typically refuse to accept the simple Hebrew words found in the Tanakh) and most Sacred Namers still don’t understand the Scriptural calendar. 

 

Therefore, in looking at this motion, with its focus on division and lack of brotherly love, this writer concluded years ago that it must still be a part of the historic Sardis Church of God reality (as discussed above). 

 

Except for the early influence of G. G. Rupert, many Sacred Namers presently seem to have roots with the Sardis Church of God entity.  Certainly, the disobedient and dead spirit of Sardis prevails in this entity. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 191--Introduction to Philadelphia

 

 

Philadelphia, Revisited  

 

The discussion in the former chapter takes the student of truth to the next organization--Philadelphia (Rev 3:7-13), number six, as mentioned earlier.  At the outset, it must be relevant to observe that this entity is number six in sequence (Rev 3:7).  Clearly, the number six is a number of man.  Perhaps this number six reality demonstrates that man (despite his many shortcomings and failures) does have a capability for good. 

 

In terms of the importance of the Philadelphia Congregation (the Qahal HA ELOHIM), it is crystal clear that the people who will eventually make up this group have to be the very elect called out ones who have been addressed in previous commentary herein.  Yes, the description of Philadelphia in Revelation 3 is clearly to people in the very elect category. 

 

And since the word Philadelphia means “brotherly love.”  It is manifestly clear that brotherly love must be one of the key ingredients of this coming congregation of called out ones. 

 

 

The NT Ante-Type

 

In the historic ante-type of Philadelphia, as mentioned in the Apocalypse, the town of Philadelphia was about 25 miles from Sardis (on an ancient mail-route which started at Ephesus and ran the gauntlet of the seven assemblies to its end at Laodicea).  

 

This town or city of Philadelphia was built in about 140 BCE by Attalus II, a king of Pergamun, for his brother Anomaneous II.  Because of this supposed brotherly love that Attalus had for his brother, the name Philadelphia was attached to the new city or town (as Attalus Philadelphia, meaning, in Greek, brotherly love). 

 

Later, as the New Testament Apostolic Assembly developed, after the death of YESHUA, an actual congregation was organized at Philadelphia.  In Revelation 1-3, this congregation at Philadelphia became the NT assembly of Philadelphia. 

 

 

The Linkage 

 

Just as the precedent was established in the former groups, in terms of linkage and method of developing, the best estimate is that Philadelphia has or will follow suit as its predecessor assemblies. 

 

Therefore, the initial Sunday keeping group to form Philadelphia must logically start in some manner with a connection to the Sunday keeping Church of God Abrahamic Faith or one of its several fall-out groups--like the Christodelphians, Church of Christ, Disciples of Christ, the Jehovah’s Witnesses, Christian Identity, etc.  That’s the historic pattern and it should repeat itself with Philadelphia. 

 

As of 2003, Philadelphia and possibly even some aspects of the later Laodicea entity may now be future.  Or at least, this writer has some question about the presence of what ultimately will constitute Philadelphia at this time (in early 2003). 

 

Probably, Philadelphia has or will start first as a Sunday keeping group which might come out of, or have some discernible tie, to the previously mentioned Church of God Abrahamic Faith (or conceivably, one of its theological cousins/offshoots, as cited above; or conceivably, some other linked group). 

 

Philadelphia will start with the basic, Age to Come, Adventist theology and concern over the Assembly organization and name, but with some slight modifications, and then add some radical new thinking--which will allow a focus on true brotherly love and deportment. 

 

One of the important forms of theology which must assuredly link to Philadelphia has been known as British Israelism (or now, the Christian Identity movement, as will be described in comments to follow), as it developed as a fallout from the revelations on the identity of the lost tribes of Yisrael (as outlined herein in former chapters).  Surely, this motion must have a discernible link to the Church of God Abrahamic Faith. 

 

And yes, there does seem to be two or more connections between the two.  First, in modern times, both entities or motions share similar Age to Come Adventist thinking (which came originally from the Church of God Abrahamic Faith).  Too, there have been at least one or more historic persons who have tied the two lines of theology together (as will be described in the following comments). 

 

 

The Race Issue Defines the Movement

 

The whole idea of brotherly love and deportment inevitably opens the door to certainly two key components.  They are:  (1) Who is thy brother? and (2) What is love?  Both of these ideas have received considerable focus in prior chapters herein. 

 

Manifestly, the direction on who is thy brother must inevitably take one to the concept of thy racial kinsman.  In terms of the people of Yisrael, who assuredly will be involved in the Philadelphia Congregation, they connect to each other in the vein of the Hebrew word “rea,” as described in a previous chapter herein. 

 

Of course, the word rea means “racial kinsman.”  Therefore, the rea racial kinsmen have to the very people involved in any attempt to define and know Philadelphia. 

 

In the preceding chapters on Locating the House of Yisrael, the common racial and ethnic ties between the Anglo-Saxon-Celtic peoples are sufficient to see that surely these very people will make up the elect body to be known as Philadelphia in the age end. 

 

This very presence of something called racial identification opens the door to a religious movement and faith called “British Israelism,” as cited above and as broached earlier.  It will be elaborated upon in succeeding commentary because it is a critical component of the whole Philadelphia concept, as will be conclusively proven herein. 

 

 

Obedience

 

The second important component of Philadelphia has to address the matter of obedience.  Obedience is the essence of love as the earlier comments on the Torah explained.  Obedience of YHWH’s commandments represents love. 

 

Clearly, in terms of Philadelphia, one must accept that the people in this group will be linked together racially and be extremely dedicated to obedience or love in terms of the fellowship and brotherhood involved. 

 

Historically, there has been much Christian focus upon the idea of obedience.  It’s not that Christians obey.  They don’t obey much of anything from the Word.  But at least they talk about obedience and pretend to obey.  Assuredly, this is true of the Sardis people, as described in the prior chapter.  They talk a good tune about obedience.  Yet, their hearts are simply not in it. 

 

It is the racial component of the idea which is certainly never discussed in a favorable way in Christendom.  Christianity is a multiracial religion which knows little or nothing about any distinctions in the racial groupings of man.  This is a very important condition to grasp in terms of Philadelphia.

 

Actually, as proven herein, race is a bigger and more profound topic that anything else that people at large in today’s world can even begin to appreciate.  Race is important; though extremely neglected by the world’s scholars and thinkers. 

 

If we were to attempt to tie the theology and thinking of Philadelphia to one word, it would undoubtedly have to be race (or an understanding of the racial identifications of man as being the issue describing Philadelphia).  This will be a hard pill for most modern people to grasp because they operate under the delusion that there are no racial differences or distinctions in man; thus, meaning we are all alike. 

 

 

The Present Problem

 

Other chapters herein have and will define both brethren and love more fully.  Manifestly, both definitions involve concepts, ideas and thinking which are simply not present in modern Christianity.  In fact, the evidence is abundantly present establishing that neither of these ideas have ever been present in any of Christianity. 

 

So, if the reality of brotherly love is not presently in existence now or historically, in terms of Christianity, then there has to be an acceptance or a recognition that a congregation of people dedicated to brotherly love is future, as of the date of this writing. 

 

The present non-existence of Philadelphia doesn’t mean that Revelation 3:7-13 will not happen.  It just means that Philadelphia does not now seem to be present on planet earth.  Of course, someday it will make its appearance--at the right time and right place and under the right circumstances, as established by The ELOHIM.  Categorically, it is future. 

 

Yet, there is much evidence of the beginning formation of the Philadelphia congregation and theology, as briefly allowed in preceding commentary, and as will be more fully explored in later presentations herein.  Therefore, if the world has seen the beginning formation of Philadelphia, why is it that there seems to be no presence of Philadelphia here in the early part of the 21st century? 

 

This writer has studied this enigma greatly over a period of thirty years or so.  It has been utterly baffling to me why Philadelphia is not now present in the world and particularly so since it seems to have had a beginning, perhaps eighty or ninety years ago. 

 

 

To Resemble Pergamos? 

 

To tackle this dilemma, this writer was finally compelled to go back to the Pergamos Assembly and look at it more carefully. 

 

As discussed earlier, the evidence is massive that the Pergamos Assembly started in the form of the famous Anabaptist movement which sprang up in the early days of the Protestant Reformation (actually about 1525). 

 

The Anabaptist Pergamos work started precisely in its fashion as a re-baptizing motion.  Since most of the peoples of Europe were formerly baptized by the Catholic Church as babies, the pitch of the Anabaptist movement was a need for their re-baptism as adults; thus, adult believers baptism (which was a good thing). 

 

In those days, the motion involved the Catholic method of pouring or sprinkling.  Immersion had not yet arrived on the scene.  Consequently, the early Anabaptist motion still had some of the Babylonian theology of mother Rome which did not go away for another century or so. 

 

But since the Anabaptists had a tie to the Hussite Bohemian Brethren, which made up the Smyrna group, the Anabaptists did start off in the right direction with some ideas of a closely knitted brotherhood, as was common among the Hussites.  This was probably a good asset of the early Hussites, as well as the Anabaptists. 

 

 

More on Pergamos

 

Per the earlier discussion, the Anabaptists started as a Sunday keeping group in Switzerland.  The motion quickly spread out to parts of Europe (including some elements of it which migrated West to the British Isles, as had also happened earlier with the Waldensians and likely the Hussites). 

 

Very quickly (c1528), a Sabbathkeeping component of the Anabaptists surfaced in central Europe from the work of Oswald Glait (as was described previously).  Though this Sabbathkeeping Anabaptist effort evidently spread out as well over Europe (probably even to the British Isles), it died out within a few years, leaving only the Sunday keeping component. 

 

It was out of this Sunday keeping Anabaptist motion which soon arose the famous Mennonites, the Amish, the Hutterites and many other groups with a focus on the brethren aspects of the carryover from the Hussites. 

 

By the early 17th century, there was a large group of Anabaptists in Holland (per Baptist historian William Estep, the Anabaptist theology was brought to Holland by one Melchiar Hofmann, perhaps in 1529).  In 1536, Menno Simons, the founder of the Anabaptist Mennonites, was in Holland (also, per Estep). 

 

Now, Holland or the Netherlands was important to Yisrael because its early progenitors seemed to be Aramaeans.  It was the Aramaeans to the East of the Jordan which absorbed a huge number of Israelites--especially those Israelites living East of the Jordan.  In time, these people became fused and integrated before thy were eventually conquered and absorbed by the more dominant Assyrians from the East. 

 

 

Backdrop on Protestantism in England

 

This racial composition of the people of Holland meant that huge numbers of them were very attuned to the people of Great Britain (who were, in fact, their relatives).  The Netherlands seem to have had close ties to Britain for ages--unexplainable unless one realizes the racial origin of the Dutch. 

 

The Protestant Reformation in Britain was largely kicked off by King Henry the VIII who decided to break from Rome and its tight rules on divorce and remarriage.  Henry liked women, and he certainly wanted to get himself a new wife occasionally.  Since Rome would not accommodate him, he merely broke the church in England from Rome. 

 

While the argument can be made that Henry the VIII was a very evil man, it must be acknowledged that his evil and lust for women expressly paved the way for the Protestant Reformation in England.  Without Henry’s push, England would have had some trouble breaking from Rome. 

 

Seeing the benefits of a powerful church-state tie, Henry wanted the Protestant Church in England to be a state-linked Church of England (the Anglicans).  With Henry’s death and the coming to power of Bloody Mary and Elizabeth I, trouble for people trying to obey continued to be a problem. 

 

Certainly, Mary, Henry’s daughter, made a genuine effort to take Britain back to Rome and slaughtered a huge number of people in the process.  But Mary’s reign didn’t last long and Elizabeth, another daughter of Henry, came to power.  She ruled England for many years and granted “some” limited religious expression, but still in the vein of a church-state link. 

 

James I (from Scotland) came to power with Elizabeth’s death in 1603.  In his early years, he too wanted a powerful religious state built upon the Church of England.  So, for a number of years, England moved from a dictatorial Roman Catholic state to a dictatorial Protestant state under the Church of England. 

 

But the Church of England was also filled with shortcomings and sin (much like mother Rome; although Rome was far the worse of the two tyrants).  It was this Christian corruption and sin which precipitated continuing problems within the Church of England.  While the problems were harshly worse with Henry and Mary, things did loosen up a bit with Elizabeth. 

 

In the late 16th century, two lines of thought came forth in England.  One was called the Puritans.  They wanted to reform the Church of England from within (on the lines of Calvinism).  They did not want to break away from the Anglican Church. 

 

But there were other people who believed that the Church of England could not be reformed.  They wanted to completely break from England and start their own churches.  They were the independents of their day. 

 

They came to be called Separatists.  Probably, their existence and work was most influenced by the other earlier opponents of Rome who came to Britain--like the Waldensians, the Anabaptists, maybe the Hussites and so forth.  Thus, the Separatists surely had ties to these earlier groups which had broken from Rome. 

 

 

More on the British-Dutch Ties

 

During the reign of Elizabeth and the early days of James I, many of the English Separatists fled to Holland to find religious freedom (in Holland, they soon linked in with the Anabaptists, like the Mennonites).  In fact, by 1594, they had organized the first English speaking Anabaptist Church in Holland (per Estep). 

 

In describing this Separatist tie to the Anabaptists, William Estep says that there was a “pronounced affinity” of the Anabaptist ideas to the English Separatists.  By 1600, two very influential Separatist ministers, John Smyth and Thomas Helwys, fled Britain for Holland with their joint congregation in tow. 

 

By early 1609, Smyth was baptized by the Mennonites (per Estep).  He led his church to reorganize on the basis of believer’s baptism.  Soon, Helwys split from Smyth and organized a separate Separatist-Anabaptist congregation in Holland.  A man named Leonard Busher soon organized a third Separatist-Anabaptist group in Holland. 

 

With their ties to the Anabaptist motion, Helwys and his supporters left Holland in 1611 to return to England to start the first Arminian (General) Baptist Church in England.  Smyth died in Holland.  But some of his people reportedly later came to America on the Mayflower. 

 

By 1617, a Sabbathkeeping Baptist Church surfaced in Britain.  From then on, the Baptist motion grew in Britain and eventually in America (as was described in the former comments on Pergamos). 

 

 

Thus

 

The point of this backdrop is that the Anabaptist motion in Europe commenced the work of Pergamos to fulfill some part of Revelation 2.  This motion reached Holland where, some years later, it came into contact with English Separatists who bought into the Anabaptist thinking. 

 

These Anabaptist Separatists left Holland for England and the American colonies where they transitioned into the eventual Baptist denomination (which clearly came out of the Anabaptist effort, along with the Quakers, which also had Anabaptist links). 

 

The Baptists never had the brethren affinities, so common with the Hussites and the Anabaptist groups (like the Mennonites, the Amish, and the Hutterites).  But it was the Baptist effort which finally evolved into the eventual Pergamos typical fulfillment. 

 

In studying this motion, this writer now leans in the direction that the eventual Philadelphia motion will probably have a similar history. 

 

Thus, Philadelphia has had a beginning, as will be described in comments hereafter.  But this work has largely perished over the years so much so that by 2003 it simply has no relevance to the ideas and thinking required in the Scriptures for Philadelphia.  Thus, it has largely died out. 

 

However, this writer believes that from this initial work, the eventual Philadelphia group will surface when some of the thinking or people of the early group will come into contact with some new people and new thinking (obviously, on race and obedience) to place a correct focus on brotherly love, as needed in Philadelphia. 

 

In this sense, the eventual Philadelphia might resemble some aspects of the historic Pergamos Baptists.  And this leads one to the British Israel or Israel Identity issue. 

 

 

History of the British Israel Motion  

 

The first real presence in modern times of Israel Identity (at least, in the vein of British Israelism) occurred in the days of Oliver Cromwell in Britain (1635-1658).  One of Cromwell’s advisors was a man named John Sadler, who believed that the British peoples were to be identified as the lost tribes of the House of Yisrael.  He put forth his views in a book called “Rights to the Kingdom” (“Encyclopedia of American Religions”). 

 

The same time-frame saw a Dr Abade of Amsterdam state:  “Unless the ten tribes have flown into the air, or have been plunged into the center of the earth, they must be sought for in the north and west, and in the British Isles.”  Truly, Abade was right! 

 

By the late 18th century, a Canadian named Richard Brothers (born Dec 25, 1757, Placentin, Newfoundland) was in Britain promoting his beliefs about British Israelism (that the lost tribes of Israel are the British peoples). 

 

Brothers, a half-pay officer in the British Navy, came to believe that he himself was a descendant of King David.  In time, he set forth the theory that he was the rightful heir of the British crown (Aug 1981 “Truthline”). 

 

Obviously, this thinking did not set well with British authorities and poor Brothers was soon arrested and tried for treason.  Eventually, his case was concluded and he was judged to be a lunatic and shipped off to an insane asylum.  He died in disgrace and poverty in 1824. 

 

But some of the thinking of Brothers prevailed and was picked upon by a number of people in Britain and later in the US and other British related colonies and countries.  Books in the 19th century by John Wilson and Edward Hine acted to popularize Anglo-Israel thinking.  By the time of Queen Victoria, the ideas of British Israelism were well established.  Victoria herself believed in it. 

 

Thereafter, the belief spread rapidly that the Anglo-Saxon-Celtic peoples of Britain and in Britain’s various colonies and fall-out countries were the lost tribes of Israel. 

 

 

To the US

 

A document on the Christian Identity movement by Conrad Goeringer from the Internet (www.skepticfiles.org/american/aanes 106.htm; #6. AANEWS, 4/9/96 AANEWS is a service for atheists. American Atheists. a nationwide movement) outlines a history of the Identity movement, per the American Atheists. 

 

Goeringer says that British Israel ideas began to take root in the US by 1879, from the work of one Joseph Wild, pastor of the Union Congregational Church in Brooklyn, New York.  By the year 1880, a man named G. W. Greenwood of New York also began promoting the same view in America (Aug 1981 “Truthline”).  It grew rapidly in the US. 

 

The Atheists add that (at an early date) American and Canadian writers like W. H. Poole and C. A .L. Totten began to grind out their refinements of British Israel thinking.  Soon, they were joined by a man named A. A. Beauchamp who began disseminating Totten’s writings,  Beauchamp published a periodical called “The Watchman of Israel.” 

 

Quite a following fell into place and particularly so when the many links that the British throne had with the ancient House of David were revealed (as discussed in a previous chapter herein). 

 

 

British Israel Ties to the Advent Motion

 

To appreciate the Adventist ties to the British Israel ideology, a man named Ralph G. Orr prepared a paper by 1999 which became a part of the Worldwide Church of God website on the Internet.  Orr’s work was entitled “How Anglo-Israelism Entered Seventh-day Churches of God, a history of the doctrine from John Wilson to Joseph W. Tkach.”

 

John Wilson, as noted in prior comments, was one of the 19th century writers who played perhaps the most important role of all in promoting British Israelism in Britain and perhaps even in the United States.  Joseph Tkach was the man chosen by Herbert W. Armstrong to succeed him (which happened in 1986 when Armstrong died).  Orr seems to have been involved with the WWCG and evidently wrote from that perspective. 

 

Orr introduced some of the history and characters in the early British Israel motion, as described above.  But he went much further by bringing into the process of how this motion and its leaders affected Herbert Armstrong and the Worldwide Church of God.  Though the WWCG would, in time, repudiate the theology, British Israelism was a key component of Armstrong’s work. 

 

As the Orr work outlined, the key man who introduced British Israelism to the Advent motion was George Storrs.  Storrs was a well known person who lived through the so-called “Great Disappointment” of the Adventist movement.  After the 1844 failure, he went on to become an important theologian and religious teacher in the Adventist’s fall-out groups. 

 

Per this Internet contribution, Storrs was the man who introduced or at least became the primary teacher of “soul-sleep” which had it that at death man does not go to heaven but to the grave in a position of sleep.  This is the well known conditional immortality thinking which was adopted by all or almost all of the Adventist groups which fell out of the Millerite motion. 

 

In time, Storrs read and recommended John Wilson’s book (“Our Israelite Origin”).  Because of Storrs influence, it is evident that some number of Adventist people in the various groups may have heeded Storrs’ advice and checked into Wilson’s book. 

 

One such person might have been a former Millerite named R. V. Lyon who just happened to be one of the early leaders of the Church of God Abrahamic Faith motion which developed in the Mid-West in the 1850s.  As noted in prior comments, this group must logically have a key relationship to the eventual Philadelphia congregation. 

 

Besides his involvement with some of the fragments, which fell out of the old Millerite movement, Lyon seems to have had a publishing effort that reached a huge number of people in the Civil War era. 

 

Lyon’s importance is not that he bought into British Israelism, per se. 

 

Instead, the focus and concern of Lyon were more in the direction of asking what happened to the national House of Yisrael.  He seems to have recognized a clear distinction in the Scriptures between the states of Israel and Judah during the divided kingdom days.  But he made no effort to tie lost Israel to the British peoples, as happened with BI teachers.

 

 

The Church of God (7th Day) Tie

 

It is unclear from Orr’s work whether Lyon ever bought into British Israelism.  But as a minimum, he did seem to address and teach some of the ideas on Yisrael inherent in British Israelism.  Thus, he did play an early role, either intentionally or accidentally, in promoting British Israelism, certainly in the Church of God (7th Day). 

 

Some of Lyon’s writings on lost Israel reached a man named R. V. Reed in Iowa in the post Civil War days.  Reed was a member of a Sabbathkeeping Church of Christ in Marion, Iowa which was one of the predecessor churches that formed the eventual Church of God (7th Day). 

 

Per Ralph Orr, Reed wrote an article for the “Hope of Israel,” the predecessor periodical which would soon become “The Advent and Sabbath Advocate” and eventually the “Bible Advocate,” the most important of the Church of God (7th Day) periodicals. 

 

Reed’s article followed the pattern established by Lyon when he outlined his position and questions about what happened to national Israel.  Orr says that Reed’s work clearly showed the influence of Lyon’s questions on Israel. 

 

 

Jacob Brinkerhoff

 

In March 1874, Jacob Brinkerhoff became sole editor of “The Advent and Sabbath Advocate” and shortened its name to the “Sabbath Advocate” (before it later became the “Bible Advocate”).  Brinkerhoff did publish some of Lyon’s writings which may have fueled some interest in the British Israelism ideas. 

 

But apparently, Brinkerhoff was personally much opposed to the BI thinking and would, over the years, fight it. 

 

In 1884, a letter to the editor of the “Bible Advocate” from a “Brother Ellsworth” (which was printed in the paper by Brinkerhoff) noted a belief and support of the British Israel theology. 

 

Per Orr, Brinkerhoff didn’t like this report from Ellsworth.  So he proceeded to write an article to ridicule the thinking.  Six months later, Brinkerhoff followed up with another article in opposition to the idea. 

 

In 1885, Brinkerhoff published a couple of articles from a paper called the “Bible Banner” which supported British Israelism.  But he followed up with his position that the theology lacked any supporting evidence. 

 

From that point forward, the BI thinking seems to have entered a period of some silence in the Church of God (7th Day) until the 20th century, as will be addressed in the following chapter. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 192--20th Century Pioneers/Contributors

 

 

Merritt Dickinson

 

In the early 20th century, one of the British Israel spokesmen was a man named Merritt Dickinson.  He moved to Oklahoma just about the time of the turn of the century (following a trip to Palestine).  Ralph Orr posits that Dickinson came into the British Israel beliefs around 1900 in Oklahoma. 

 

Around 1910-1912, Merritt, as a Church of God (7th Day) preacher, introduced the British Israel thinking to A. N. Dugger (a leader in the 7th Day Church of God), and evidently as well to some of the Seventh Day Church of God people in Oklahoma. 

 

As Dickinson was in Oklahoma, it might be that, in the early 20th century, he also introduced the theology to G. G. Rupert of Britton, Oklahoma; the Walker family, who then lived in Southeastern Oklahoma; and possibly the Davidson family of Fairview, Oklahoma. 

 

Orr leaves open the possibility that the Davidsons in Fairview may have been the early and biggest promoters of British Israelism within the Church of God (7th Day).  While the Church of God (7th Day) never did formally adopt the BI thinking, some of its members/associates did--like Dugger, Rupert, Armstrong and so forth. 

 

Since Dickinson or other British Israel teacher(s) had some success with Sardis, it would seem that by then British Israel thinking (which was evidently promoted from its beginning by Sunday keeping Christians) had been linked to Age to Come Adventism. 

 

 

F. L. Austin

 

Perhaps next, in time, on this theme, one of the 20th century leaders in the Abrahamic Faith group, was a man named F. L. Austin (born on Sep 26, 1870; died on Jul 2, 1952 in IL; and buried at Mount Emblem Cemetery in Elmhurst, IL--per records of the Church of God Abrahamic Faith). 

 

By 1902, Austin, while then living in Indiana, was active in the Church of God Abrahamic Faith ministry and busy working for that group in Indiana and Illinois.  Austin held a number of pastorates in both Indiana and Illinois for the next many years (at South Bend, IN; Ripley, IL; Macomb, IL; Oregon, IL; etc). 

 

Jan Stilson, historian of the Abrahamic Faith Church, informed this writer that F. L. Austin’s wife Evelyn said that her husband was the secretary and chief administrator of the formation of the Church of God’s General Conference, which was organized in 1920. 

 

Austin was the editor of the church periodical, “The Restitution Herald” (1922-1931), and obviously played a key role in the development of the Church of God Abrahamic Faith.  Importantly, Mr Austin held the general Israel Identity/British Israel belief (per Dave Opel of Wenatchee, WA). 

 

It is clear from the history of the Church of God Abrahamic Faith that Austin was unsuccessful in selling his Identity beliefs to that entity or its people. 

 

But he must have had some contact with some of the Israel Identity proponents of this belief in portions of the US--where he (or others) may have had more success in selling them on Age to Come Adventism (which has come to dominate much of the British Israel and Identity motions).  So there must have been a link somewhere between the two faiths involved! 

 

From the information which this writer has compiled on Austin, it is unclear when Austin first learned about British Israelism and when he first began to teach it.  He could have picked up on it very early in life--perhaps from the influence of George Storrs or R. V. Lyon.  As he was born in 1870, he could have promoted BI from anytime in 1890 up until his death in 1952. 

 

It is also unclear what contacts he had with the other proponents and believers in British Israelism who were then active in the US.  As Austin was an active preacher and leader within the Church of God Abrahamic Faith, it is almost a certainty that he did have some contacts outside his own church organization.  It is also safe to believe that he shared his beliefs with others--to include his BI thinking. 

 

As is communicated herein, there is some question about who, when, where and how the Age to Come thinking first entered the British Israel movement.  But over the years, that theology has come to completely dominate both the British Israel and Christian Identity proponents (as noted earlier and as will be covered in later comments herein). 

 

Manifestly, some person taught and promoted Age to Come beliefs within the British Israel ranks at an early time in the late 19th or early 20th centuries.  It is unclear who this person was.  But in fairness, one must put the name F. L. Austin on the table as being perhaps the best candidate for that honor. 

 

 

G. G. Rupert

 

G. G. Rupert’s work and influence on the Sardis Church of God (7th Day) is described in the former chapters.  There is no intent to repeat that presentation.  But some more facts about Rupert will now be shared and also some facts about Rupert’s contribution to the eventual Philadelphia congregation. 

 

Like Austin, G. G. Rupert was another person who taught and advocated a form of British Israelism at a very early time in the 20th century.  Rupert (born on May 12, 1847 in Ohio and died on Jul 17, 1922 in OK--per Church of God historian Richard C. Nickels) certainly became important in reaching the more independent persons who were active in the Church of God (7th Day) organization in the early 20th century. 

 

Per Nickels, Rupert’s Israel beliefs were more focused upon Israel in prophecy and Rupert’s efforts to tie prophetic Israel to modern peoples (in terms of a religious persuasion).  But William Walker told this writer that Rupert’s beliefs were more in line with what one now finds in the modern Christian Identity motion.  Certainly, Walker personally was strong on race and knew much about the Jewish problem. 

 

In April 1915, Rupert commenced publishing a periodical in Britton, Oklahoma called the “Remnant of Israel” (in Hebrew, Sheerit Yisrael).  He did so for seven years until he died in 1922.  Thereafter, his daughter continued the publishing work for some years.  By 1967, the above cited William Walker of Opportunity, Washington, had become editor of the Remnant. 

 

Rupert was in a relationship and contact with the Church of God (7th Day).  A. N. Dugger, who was editor of the “Bible Advocate” in those early years, published some articles from Rupert and advertised some of his books.  But Rupert was never a minister of the Church of God (7th Day) and may have never even become a formal member (if that condition meant anything in those days). 

 

Like the Sardis Church of God (7th Day) was a fall-out of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, the same applied to Rupert.  He was a former member and preacher of the SDA Church for 30 years (after having been a Methodist earlier in life) 

 

Nickels has it that Rupert was a SDA missionary in South America, and a president of the Oklahoma Conference of the SDA Church.  But he left the SDA group in about 1902 and evidently became an independent of sorts--though he, in time, came into contact with mother Sardis, then in Missouri.  Apparently, he had much contact with Sardis for a number of years before striking out on his own. 

 

Rupert’s contribution to Philadelphia is not so much on his Israel Identity thinking (though some of his prophetic thinking was quite good); but rather, on his espousal of the feast days of Leviticus 23 and his advocacy of all of the Torah.  Obedience of all of the OT laws was a (re)newed concept in the early 20th century, much opposed by Christendom at large (including Sabbathkeeping Christianity). 

 

This obedience of the law thinking was very much basic Philadelphia theology; although it is safe to say that Rupert was perhaps never a person of Philadelphia himself in personal thinking and advocacy.  While he had some appreciation on race, he certainly didn’t grasp what all was involved in his publications.  Without the importance of race, his work appears to have been somewhat limited. 

 

Therefore, it probably is true that Rupert and the Remnant of Israel cannot be cited as the Scriptural Philadelphia (which, by the way, is still future at the time of this writing).  However, as a minimum, Rupert must be given credit for making a major contribution to the eventual Philadelphia.  In fact, it might be argued that he is to be given credit for the first commencement of Philadelphia in his promotion of obedience. 

 

 

J. H. Allen

 

In 1917, a writer named J. H. Allen wrote an excellent book on “Judah’s Sceptre and Joseph’s Birthright,” which was discussed in some detail earlier on the linkage between the throne of David and that of Britain.  The previously cited A. A. Beauchamp published this Allen work and became its primary promoter. 

 

Whether Allen was into much else, besides BI, remains on the question block.  But for sure, he did become one of the biggest promoters of British Israelism, certainly in the United States with his excellent book.  This production was to have a profound impact on the thinking of many people who would, in time, adopt the British Israel beliefs. 

 

 

Reuben H. Sawyer

 

In trying to discover the ultimate history of what will be Philadelphia, it has to be assumed that the basic theology should come from a Sunday keeping component which will start off with the work of one or more men who have or will gain some presence/prominence. 

 

In history, men like Peter Waldo, John Huss, the triune Anabaptist leaders, William Miller, and Joseph Marsh all became the persons who would provide the leadership and outline of the needed new theology to commence the assemblies of Revelation 1-3. 

 

When looking at what will likely become Philadelphia, the new focus seems to be on race and racial identifications in terms of defining brotherly love.  And on this line, it is clear that an Oregonian named Reuben H. Sawyer must be given credit for being the trailblazer for much of this theology in modern times.  It’s not to say that Sawyer was a Philadelphian. 

 

Since he died and since Philadelphia was future with his death, surely he was not a Philadelphian.  But he may go down in history as the being the catalyst or trailblazer to establish the beginnings of the Sunday keeping aspects of the Philadelphia motion. 

 

 

Some of His Family History

 

According to a genealogical presentation on the family of Horace Burbank Sawyer, Reuben Horace (a son of Horace Burbank, a Union veteran of the Civil War, and his wife, the former Malinda Veits) was born on Sep 14, 1869 in Whiteford, Monroe County, Michigan. 

 

Horace Burbank’s family probably had a brief stay in Lucas, Ohio before finally moving back to Michigan and ultimately to Arkansas City, Crawly County, Kansas.  Reuben probably followed his family in these moves to Ohio and Kansas.  On Jul 16, 1913, Reuben married Anna E. Brown. 

 

As a young man, Reuben must have been converted to the Disciples of Christ Church.  Because, by the time of WWI, he seems to have showed up in Portland, Oregon as the pastor of the East Side Christian Church (per Ralph Orr in his article on the Internet), which must have been a Disciples of Christ Church. 

 

Darien Brown, a student at Whitworth College of Spokane, Washington, cites Reuben’s pastorship of this church in Portland before 1921 (per Brown’s comments in an e-mail record from the Stone-Campbell Archives on the internet).  But it might be true that Reuben was a member of the Disciples of Christ Church even before WWI and had his pastorate in Portland in the 1910s. 

 

In any case, Sawyer for sure played a key role in the organization of the British Israel World Federation (BIWF) which came into being in 1919.  Orr says that Reuben was “instrumental” in the establishment of that organization (quoting Michael Barkun’s “Religion and the Racist Right”). 

 

Sawyer helped draft the constitution of the BIWF and was present at its first congress in London in 1920 (along with J. H. Allen).  At the congress, Reuben gave three addresses and presided over a session (per Orr).  He also spoke at other BI conferences in England at that time.  In 1929, Herbert Garrison, the president of the BIWF, journeyed to Toronto, Canada for a meeting.  Sawyer was on hand to meet him. 

 

Whether Sawyer deserves most of the credit for the BIWF remains in doubt.  But there is no dispute in the fact that he was a key player in that group from 1919 on forward.  Orr notes that he was on a list of the federation’s vice-patrons, along with people like the Marchioness Dowager of Headfort and Admiral Sir Richard H. Pierse. 

 

In addition to his work on the umbrella BIWF, Sawyer in the 1920s had a role in the establishment of Portland’s Anglo Israel Research Society, helped organize a speaker’s bureau to promote Anglo Israelism and supported a BI bookstore then in business in Portland (per the Nizkor Project on the Internet).   

 

 

Sawyer and the Klan

 

Also, by the 1920s, Reuben H. Sawyer had another interesting focus.  He was a key player in the Oregon Ku Klux Klan with Klan leader Fred Gifford, from 1921 to 1924.  The Klan work then occupied much of his time (per Orr). 

 

Reuben spoke to 6,000 people at Portland’s Municipal Auditorium about the Klan on Dec 22, 1921.  The next year, 1922, he also spoke to a crowd in Eugene, Oregon on a stage decorated with a sword, “Bible,” flag and an image of a burning cross (per Orr). 

 

Another meeting in Portland, evidently in 1922, brought out a full house (the meeting hall was guarded by robed Klansmen) and the need to turn some 1,500 people away from the meeting hall as they could not get in to hear Sawyer. 

 

In 1922, Sawyer wrote and published a writing on “Truth about the Invisible Empire, Knights of the Ku Klux Klan.”  This pamphlet is available as a part of the Oregon History Project, now on the Internet.  

 

An article by Jeffrey Kaplan on “Right Wing Violence in North America” (also from the Internet) adds that Sawyer’s primary claim to fame lies in his being the first to combine Identity theology with Ku Klux Klan leadership.  Orr concludes that Sawyer’s work with the Klan laid the seeds of what would eventually become the anti-Semite branch of British Israelism. 

 

Another article from the Internet (from the Watchman Fellowship and its Profile feature) said that Sawyer transformed Anglo Israelism into a virulent racist theology by linking Judaism with Bolshevism.  As this source further noted, a number of Klan people have adopted Israel Identity beliefs. 

 

The writer of this study would just add that it seems today that almost all Klan people believe in Christian Identity (except, of course, those Klan members who are secretly linked to the Federal government and the various Jewish hate groups--like the Anti-Defamation League and the Jewish Defense League.  The Klan has been heavily infiltrated by its enemies for a number of years now).   

 

 

More on Sawyer

 

Per Darien Brown, Sawyer left his Disciples of Christ Church pastorate in 1921.  Orr adds that Reuben traveled extensively over the next 16 years to lecture in the Pacific Northwest and in Canada to various groups--evidently in support of his British Israel and Ku Klux Klan beliefs.  Because he was an accomplished speaker and had some success, the US Amalekite Jews grew to passionately hate him. 

 

The National Foundation for Jewish Culture has an article by Robert Singerman on the Internet labeled “Contemporary Racist and Judeophobic Ideology Discovers the Khazars, or, Who Really Are the Jews?”  This article focused on the Arthur Koestler book on the Khazars and how it has influenced people. 

 

Per Singerman, Sawyer contributed some very hard hitting diatribes against the “synagogue of Satan” in “The Jewish Question,” a rare booklet of 16 pages printed in England and issued in 1925. 

 

From a section of this pamphlet on “Who Are the Jews,” Sawyer applauded the Sephardim Jews for having “contributed some of the most honoured leaders to the great nations of the world, while the Ashkenazim Jew has been a constant menace to every country into which he has thrust his unwelcomed presence.”  He compared the Sephardim to the good figs of Jeremiah 24:2 and the Askenazim to the “very naughty figs” (the Khazar converts to Judaism). 

 

Sawyer added “and from thenceforth were called Jews by the world, being accepted as thus by the Jewish scholars and people.  Who can deny that from that day to this there have been large numbers of so called Jews in the world who are not of the Hebrew race?  But this fact from history, important in itself is but a single detail in the story of the decline and degeneracy of a portion of a great people to whom was entrusted the mighty Sceptre and an honoured part in a world-wide mission.”

 

 

The Bottom Line on Sawyer

 

As noted above, Reuben spent about sixteen years from 1921 to 1937 speaking throughout the Pacific Northwest and Canada on British Israelism and evidently  the Ku Klux Klan.  He traveled widely and must have had some recognition and appreciation from his audiences. 

 

At  some point in time, he seems to have retired to Modesto, Stanislaus County, California, where he died on Jul 28, 1955.  His wife Anna survived him. 

 

Per Orr and the several reporters on the Sawyer work in Oregon, several conclusions can be drawn on his contributions to truth and righteousness in the 20th century.  First, he must be credited with being perhaps the most important person who laid the groundwork for Philadelphia with an involved focus on race and on the Jewish question (which must concern every person who takes the Scriptures seriously). 

 

While he may not have had it all right on the Jews, he certainly was able to see that there is a line of demarcation between the Sephardim and the Askenazim.  For sure, he knew that there were both good figs and bad figs.  This is something that most of the world simply has never understood.  Even the subsequent Christian Identity motion lacks this same comprehension. 

 

Like the overall Christian definition, Sawyer probably did not fully grasp how important and good Judaism was to the whole scheme of things.  But apparently, he did not have any criticism for the Judaism of the Sephardim (whom he seemed to praise and appreciate). 

 

It is also unclear what all Sawyer knew or had to say about the overall subject of race.  But with the fact that he was heavily involved with the Ku Klux Klan, one can be sure that he was totally opposed to racial integration, mixing and intermarriage.  All of this was good thinking which would soon be trashed in the years following WWII. 

 

Probably Sawyer much resembled his predecessor in the Adventist motion, William Miller.  Miller preached the Second Advent ideas for about 13 years before the failure of 1844 came,  From this Millerite motion, several different religious groups came into being (the Advent Christian Church, the Seventh-day Adventists and the Church of God Abrahamic Faith). 

 

It might be that Sawyer’s 16 years of teaching resembled Miller’s thirteen years.  Too, it must be recognized that following the close of Sawyer’s work in 1937, several groups came into existence. 

 

Armstrong’s work in Oregon surfaced in about 1938.  And quickly, in Southern California, Clem Davies, Wesley Swift and others began having periodic “Bible Studies” to lay the groundwork for the Christian Identity focus.  Of course, the whole BI effort can be partially laid to Sawyer, as well as the Ku Klux Klan focus on Israel Identity. 

 

In conclusion, Sawyer was a trailblazer who must be recognized for his contributions on what will ultimately become Philadelphia. 

 

 

A. N. Dugger, Revisited

 

Andrew N. Dugger was apparently born in the 1880s in the US Mid West.  His father was an early leader of the Sardis Church of God (7th Day).  A. N. went to college and soon taught school, evidently in Nebraska where he met and married his future wife. 

 

By 1905, he was an elder and leader of his church.  And in 1914, he became editor of the church paper, the “Bible Advocate,”  As noted in former chapters, Andrew tried to push the lethargic dead Sardis people into a more obedient profile by teaching them to give up pork eating and tobacco usage--two things which the evil Sardis people were simply unprepared to do. 

 

Besides service as editor of the paper, and a leading elder in the church, Andrew also served as president of the church’s General Conference in the 1920s.  As noted earlier, he came into contact with the British Israel message around 1910-1912 or so and sort of accepted its basic premise (reportedly). 

 

But A. N. also had his problems on compromising; so he did not fully push the BI ideas (as he noted, his church colleagues would never buy it; which assuredly was the truth). 

 

In about 1932, A. N. Dugger lost out in an election at the General Conference level.  Another faction, the really spiritually dead ones, took power over the Church of God (7th Day) General Conference.  Andrew was then out of power. 

 

About this same time frame, A. N. began to appreciate that the Church of God (7th Day) was not Scripturally organized, and that the church headquarters should be established in Jerusalem.  Perhaps it was these ideas which precipitated his removal from power in the church.  After all, the dead Sardis people were in no mood for anything as advanced as Dugger was proposing. 

 

In the fall of 1933, Dugger and some of his colleagues met in Salem, West Virginia to establish another Church of God (7th Day), which was different from the faction that remained in Stanberry, Missouri.  The Scriptural organization of the 12, 7 and 70 (as described in former comments herein) became its cornerstone.  Dugger and Dodd became leaders of sorts of the Salem faction at its start. 

 

But too bad for Salem, the top overall leadership choices fell on a bunch of the old dead Sardis people.  So the Salem church could never make any new progress into truth.  In 1936, Dodd was locked out and eventually Dugger too left the Salem group.  Andrew had a church in Oregon for awhile, and in time went to Jerusalem to publish a paper called “The Mount Zion Reporter.”  He died in Jerusalem in the late 1970s. 

 

The purpose in mentioning A. N. Dugger was not to suggest that he was a Philadelphian.  Of course, he was not.  But he tried to promote and teach some Philadelphia theology and particularly on the need for a more Scriptural organization with its headquarters in Jerusalem.  This is very Scriptural teaching. 

 

 

Paul Penn

 

The work of Paul Penn, a Jew, was cited in a former chapter.  When Paul introduced the idea of Hebrew names for The MOST HIGH in Pennsylvania, in about 1937 (instead of the Christian “Jesus, Lord and God”), it was revolutionary thinking.  It was profoundly important and will ultimately prove to be one of the key issues defining the eventual Philadelphia congregation. 

 

Penn himself can possibly be classified as a Messianic Jew or perhaps as a part of Sardis.  For sure, his contacts were with Sardis and he had a measure of success, as will be proven below in remarks on the Sardis Sacred Name movement. 

 

 

C. O. Dodd

 

While Paul Penn must get credit for introducing the idea of Hebrew names for The MOST HIGH, it was really Clarence O. Dodd of Salem, West Virginia who put the message over, commencing in about 1938. 

 

In 1933, Dodd, along with the above cited A. N. Dugger, was a key person who worked with Sardis diligently to try to improve its lacking theology and many shortcomings.  As noted above and earlier, Dugger was a big promoter of a Scriptural organization (something largely unheard in much of Christendom historically).  Dodd worked with Dugger in this effort which must be described as Philadelphian in philosophy. 

 

From what this writer has been able to learn, Dodd was a very conscientious believer who was much devoted to the obedience ideas of G. G. Rupert (which had found some acceptance in parts of the Sardis movement, principally among so-called independents). 

 

As church secretary and editor of the church paper, Dodd certainly tried to push the Salem Church of God (7th Day), then headquartered in Salem, WV, into accepting the annual feast days of Leviticus 23.  The rebellious and evil Church of God (7th Day) people became upset with Dodd and locked him out of his office. 

 

In 1937, Clarence commenced publishing the “Faith” magazine as an outreach to his former colleagues with the Church of God (7th Day).  But his effort was accepted by only the more independent thinkers, as the old line Sardis people were simply opposed to anything new. 

 

Along with his focus on the feast days and the Sacred Names, Dodd also became an important student of the gross paganism and evil present in historic Christianity.  He paved the way with this writer in demonstrating how utterly false and pagan historic Christianity is and has been.  This come out of Christian Babylon has to be recognized as Philadelphia thinking. 

 

While it is probable that Dodd cannot be classified as a Philadelphian, per se (after all, he died in late 1955 or early 1956, long before Philadelphia would begin to reach its destiny/potential), it is clear that he had much Philadelphia ideology and was an early promoter of some of the beginnings of Philadelphia thinking.  Dodd deserves more credit than what he has received from Christendom and the Sacred Name factions. 

 

 

Sacred Name Movement, Revisited 

 

The Sacred Name entity has been touched upon in a former chapter.  The above comments of Paul Penn and C. O. Dodd add to the mix to suggest that these two workers did introduce some good Philadelphia thinking into some of the then independents of the Sardis Church of God (7th Day). 

 

But tragically, the people generally in this developing Sacred Name motion remained Sardis in philosophy (though they were introduced to and partially accepted some of the surfacing pieces of Philadelphia theology). 

 

They did accept the feast days and there is even some evidence of some of them keeping Sukkot in booths in the early days of the Sacred Name movement.  It was good to the extent that these people did obey some of the Torah (not all, but at least some). 

 

Obviously, these persons never really dealt with the ideas on race that were beginning to take shape among some of the independent thinkers in 1936-1940.  While the Sacred Namers have had some limited forms of acceptance of British Israelism, it is not really anything of genuine care and concern.  It exists in the form of a diluted milk doctrine which really has no substance or meaning to the Sacred Namers. 

 

As discussed earlier herein, many of the modern Sacred Namers actually believe in and teach, allow or condon interracial marriage (such as the Mansagers in MO, Frank Brown of Clarksville, AR, evidently Jacob O. Meyer of Bethel, PA and leaders in Dallas, TX and other places).  Obviously, these persons simply are lost on the basic tenants of Philadelphia. 

 

Later chapters herein will broach the problem with the Christian and Sacred Name ministries.  If the people in these groups were not evil enough, in their own rights, they have chosen leaders who are even more evil and depraved.  These men are proud, arrogant, evil and mean spirited.  Unless and until their people break free from their present leaders, there is no hope for them. 

 

So while there might be some potential Philadelphians in the Sacred Name movement, the truth is that presently the movement is simply a part of dead Sardis.  Any good  people in it will have to one day break the link that exists for them with the bad spirits in charge of dead Sardis. 

 

When these evil Sacred Name preachers introduce the name subject to potential recipients, the overseeing spirits (demon spirits?) allow the recipients to accept the names Yahweh, Yahshua and similar variations from the Sacred Name teachers.  But the gullible recipients never have brains and strength enough to obey I John 4:1-4 and go to the Scriptures to confirm the validity of the names taught. 

 

Of course, the names Yahweh, Yahvah, Yahshua and such variations are simply not in the Hebrew Scriptures (yet, the true names and pronunciations are there; it’s just that the Sacred Namers are so limited in scholarship and truth that they are totally unable to come to the knowledge of the correct names in Hebrew). 

 

So the ignorant fools accept the wrong names and fervently believe in them; never understanding that they are simply unscriptural.  This is the most tragic reality of the Sacred Name movement. 

 

They recognize that the Christian names of “God, Jesus and Lord” are wrong (and this is good); but then they lack Scriptural knowledge and understanding to accept and believe the true Scriptural names which are present in the Hebrew Tanakh. 

 

The bottom line here on the Sacred Name movement is that its people have come to some limited knowledge and understanding that the names used in Christendom are pagan and wrong.  But then, they can never go to the Hebrew Scriptures and determine what the true and correct names and titles are in Hebrew. 

 

 

Herbert W. Armstrong, Revisited

 

If there has been a 20th century ante-type of Philadelphia, it has to be Herbert W. Armstrong and his Radio Church of God which later became the Worldwide Church of God (WWCG). 

 

In terms of tying this effort to Pergamos, as suggested heretofore in other commentary, it probably can be argued that the work of Armstrong has resembled for Philadelphia what the work of Oswald Glait did for the early Anabaptist movement in fulfillment of Pergamos.  In that vein, Oswald Glait seems to have started what ultimately became Pergamos. 

 

But this Sabbathkeeping element soon died out and Pergamos never really got its start with Glait.  Pergamos had to wait some years for the surfacing of the Baptist motion, as a spin out of the Separatists and the Anabaptists of Holland.  After the Baptists went to England, in about 1611, Pergamos saw its real beginning by 1617 with the first Sabbathkeeping Baptist group. 

 

Anyway, there is much evidence to suggest that this pattern from Pergamos, as involving the Anabaptist movement and its later blossoming into the Baptist definition, probably is a prime example of what might unfold for Philadelphia. 

 

Philadelphia may have started with the work on race and racial identities of Reuben H. Sawyer in Portland, Oregon.  Sawyer’s work lasted about 16 years.  It then faded out to be replaced with the Christian Identity motion in Southern California and Herbert W. Armstrong’s effort in Eugene, Oregon (following Armstrong’s departure from the Salem Church of God in about 1937). 

 

Armstrong first came into contact with the Church of God (7th Day) in Oregon in about the year 1926.  Although Armstrong and his family were from Iowa, they had migrated to Portland, Oregon in the mid 1920s.  Herbert’s father lived in Salem, Oregon and it was there that Herbert’s wife Loma met some people named Runcorn who were members of the Church of God (7th Day). 

 

In time, Herbert and Loma became Sabbathkeepers, largely from the influence of the Runcorns.  This was the situation in 1927 which prompted Herbert to begin receiving the “Bible Advocate,” which was then edited by A. N. Dugger. 

 

 

Pyramidology 

 

In the spring of 1927, the Advocate published a couple of articles on the subject of the Great Pyramid in Egypt and how it supposedly outlined the plan of The MOST HIGH with a chronological presentation of events (as could allegedly be determined with measurements from the shaft leading to the king’s chamber). 

 

Pyramidology in the late 19th century had caught up Charles Taze Russell (who founded what eventually became the Jehovah’s Witnesses).  Apparently, in 1927, it must have had some fascination within the circles of the Church of God (7th Day).  Armstrong read the Pyramidology articles in the Bible Advocate and quickly professed an interest in the subject (per Ralph Orr). 

 

Apparently, the theme of Pyramidology was closely connected to the subject of British Israelism as some of the same people taught and preached these same two subjects in the same breath.  Once Armstrong was into Pyramidology, it was natural that he soon would be thrust into the theology of British Israelism. 

 

One of the prophecy focuses of the Church of God (7th Day) in the 1920s was a supposed determination of the “Third Angel’s” message in Revelation 14:9.  Many of the Church of God (7th Day) people, including A. N. Dugger, was caught up into this subject and tied the Third Angel’s message to the work of the Church of God (7th Day). 

 

With Armstrong’s fascination with the Great Pyramid and British Israelism, he immediately began to link British Israelism to the Third Angel’s message.  He wrote a large paper on the supposed linkage and tried to get Dugger or some other publisher to publish his manuscript. 

 

He failed in that effort at that time; although in later years he published some part of his work in the form of a booklet on “The United States and British Commonwealth in Prophecy.”

 

 

Ties to Reuben H. Sawyer?

 

In the late 1920s, Armstrong was frequenting the Portland Public Library, often in his studies on religion.  Orr says that the library then housed a number of books on British Israelism.  Undoubtedly, Armstrong must have read many or all of them. 

 

The library also probably had some knowledge of the local Anglo Israel Research Society, as pushed by Reuben H. Sawyer, who was discussed in the above remarks.  Surely Armstrong must have learned from the library information on Sawyer and his BI work. 

 

Since Armstrong seems to have been delving into British Israelism in Oregon, in the late 1920s, and as Sawyer was there with a well known British Israel effort at that time, it’s highly plausible that the two men came into contact with each other in Portland in that time frame. 

 

Because of Armstrong’s beliefs on race and racial identifications, it might be that Sawyer’s position on this theme impressed Armstrong.  In citing Armstrong’s grasp of some aspects of the race subject, it must be noted that Armstrong never actually bought into Sawyer’s focus upon the Jews. 

 

Armstrong seems to have maintained the traditional Christian view of the Jews, except that he allowed that they were all or mostly all descended from the House of Judah instead of the House of Israel.  Thus, Armstrong saw the modern Jews as being the descendants of the House of Judah while the British peoples were descendants of the lost House of Israel. 

 

Armstrong never seems to have grasped any understanding on the Khazars or the differences between the Sephardim and the Ashkenazim, as evidently was true with Reuben Sawyer. 

 

 

More Differences

 

Despite their common interests and their very likely contact, it is useful to note that Sawyer and Armstrong were surely very different in religious philosophy and attitude (and this remark is not being made in the context that Armstrong became a Sabbathkeeper in difference to Sawyer who probably remained a Sunday keeper for his entire life). 

 

Actually, the difference between the two men surely devolved to their personal morals, integrity and standards.  While there is every reason to believe that the Sunday keeping Sawyer was probably a man of some honor and integrity, the same cannot be said for Armstrong.  Armstrong appears to have been a scoundrel for much of his life. 

 

Perhaps Herbert started off on the wrong track at birth, as has been commented upon in previous chapters herein which addressed him and his work.  Pictures of him and his father show them both to be men with very strong evidence of behemah genes in their ancestry.  The bone structure of their heads make this case easily enough. 

 

Herbert’s mother was related to his later wife Loma.  While Loma was undoubtedly a woman with some character, it is fascinating that her blood type was a negative one.  Since she and Herbert’s mother were likely small women, it would give much credence to the ideas that the family of these women involved the genes of Kain. 

 

Herbert’s dark coloring and facial bone structure, plus his small size, goes on to build the case that with his behemah genes he also had some genes from Kain and Kain’s father.  Now, Herbert was not the lone ranger on this thing because multitudes of other people have had some of the same genes--since man has consistently integrated and miscegenated for the last 4,600 years. 

 

 

The Real Problems

 

But the genetic issue was only the scratching of the surface.  Herbert had a definite morals problem.  While an early minister with the Sardis Church of God (7th Day), he reportedly began his perverted, incestuous, pedophile attack upon one of his own daughters.  The beginning of this contact seems to have started in the early 1930s in Oregon, all the while that Herbert was teaching the dumb Sardis types to repent. 

 

The story is that Herbert started in on the girl, when she was young and vulnerable, with the words that “God gave her to him,” meaning that he was free to plunder and exploit her fully. 

 

By the early 1940s, the girl was turning into a young woman and the pervert Herbert was still using her as a secret whore in his household.  In time, the young woman finally married a man and this seems to have broken the incestuous relationship Herbert had with his daughter for those many years. 

 

Apparently, Garner Ted, Herbert’s son, followed in his dad’s footsteps because he too liked to play around with airline stewardesses and coeds from Armstrong’s college in Pasadena.  It seems clear enough that the two Armstrongs were grossly evil men who put much hurt on people. 

 

But Ted, to his credit, reportedly became very angry when learning about his dad’s rape and continuous violations of his sister.  This may have been one of the reasons for the falling out that Ted had with his father in the 1970s. 

 

But there is another aspect about the father and son pair which is more commonly known among most of the old time ex-members of the WWCG.  Both of the Armstrongs were extremely arrogant, proud, evil and mean-spirited men.  They were just bad people to have to deal with. 

 

 

But Some Reality

 

It has been a long time mystery to this writer how in the world that anyone, as evil and depraved as Herbert Armstrong was, could ever be used by The MOST HIGH in a constructive way to fulfill prophecy and YHWH’s will on this planet.  But it just goes to show how limited my thinking is. 

 

After all, if necessary, The ELOHIM could and would raise up rocks and stones to fulfill His will.  Certainly, he could use a scoundrel like Herbert W. Armstrong (just like he seems to have used an apparent Amalekite named Theodore Herzl to propel the wonderful Zionist motion into fruition, as is noted elsewhere herein). 

 

Truly, there is a certain sense of mystery associated with the ways of The CREATOR.  It is a mystery which most of us can never begin to grasp and understand.  He can and will use whomsoever is necessary or has the qualifications to fulfill His will and purpose.  This is hard pill or concept for most of us to accept.  But it is the real world out there.

 

 

Herbert’s Valuable Qualities

 

Despite the many evils and much depravity that characterized HWA, it must be said that he was a man of some qualifications.  Importantly, he could write and he had an excellent gift of the gab (as is true with many other people with some significance presence of behemah genes). 

 

It wasn’t only that Herbert could write, but he could write in a very convincing and persuasive manner which easily took in many people who came into contact with him and his ministry (including the writer of this present study). 

 

And while he himself seems to have always been a very proud and arrogant man, it is a truism that he did teach some of the pitfalls about carnality to his congregation.  This is a paradox that he could be so proud all the while that he could teach the dangers of carnality to his people. 

 

 

His Methodology

 

While he personally was very weak on Scriptural knowledge and understanding, he did have brains enough to be able to go to the writings and works of other more informed people and plagiarize some truths from them.  Herbert would steal these ideas and thinking of others and put them out as his own ideas and thinking. 

 

Since he was a convincing good writer, he could take these ideas and put them across in a manner to really sway readers. 

 

For example, the mother Sardis Church of God (7th Day) taught the three days and three nights theology which is outlined in a previous chapter herein.  This theology was taught by the Seventh Day Baptists and surely earlier groups of Sabbathkeepers long before the Baptists took hold of the teaching. 

 

For vast years, neither the Baptists or mother Sardis ever did any thing constructive with this marvelous teaching on the three days and three nights.  Herbert Armstrong came along and borrowed it (or stole it) from Sardis and put it out as one of his discoveries.  And he did what his predecessors all failed to do.  He successfully sold it to hundreds of thousands of modern Israelites. 

 

For years, many writers tried to sell British Israelism to the public.  They all essentially failed (except for John Wilson, somewhat, in 19th century Britain).  The work of J. H. Allen was cited above and earlier.  Allen wrote a marvelous book on “Judah’s Scepter and Joseph’s Birthright.”  But it never went anywhere. 

 

Herbert Armstrong came along in the late 1920s and 1930s and stole the whole outline and many of the words of Allen’s book and put them out in his own writing on “The United States and British Commonwealth in Prophecy.”  The difference between Allen and Armstrong is that Armstrong was an excellent writer while Allen was simply no match. 

 

By plagiarizing and stealing much of Allen’s work, Herbert rewrote it and put it over to hundreds of thousands of modern Christian Israelites in the US and British Commonwealth.  He sold the writer of this publication on British Israelism as he also sold multitudes of others. 

 

Consequently, however much any of us can criticize and disapprove of Herbert W. Armstrong, it is a fact of life that he took some of the valuable ideas of truth and righteousness on the Word from others and put them out to a huge segment of the American and British populations.  He succeeded where so many others failed. 

 

What a tragedy it is that he was so evil that he had to steal and plagiarize to accomplish this dissemination of truth.  He just as easily could have given some of the people credit for their ideas rather than pretend that they were his ideas and research. 

 

Actually, this evil approach is very common among most preachers.  The Sardis preachers in the Sacred Name and Christian Identity motions are all generally shallow and weak on the Word.  Many of them only are able to come up with things as they can steal and plunder the works of others. 

 

 

More of Herbert’s Good Teachings 

 

It is not clear where all of Herbert’s teachings came from.  Since he was actually somewhat personally shallow on the Word, and since he stole so much from so many others, it has to be questionable that he ever came up with anything original in his ministry (this is not to deny that some of his followers and students did do some useful research--like Herman Hoeh and his work on the peoples of the world). 

 

In his early days in Oregon, Armstrong was extremely strong on racial separatism.  In fact, it is said that he had no Blacks in his church for years as he did not want them and did not believe that they could be in a state of grace.  This attitude was to continue until Herbert moved to Southern California in the late 1940s and until the 1950s when he began having many Colored converts. 

 

It has been variously reported that he was a member of the Oregon Ku Klux Klan (if so, likely a secret member as this condition has not been heavily reported).  Surely, he thought and acted like he was a Ku Klux Klanner. 

 

Up until the racial changes began really reaching fruition in the 1960s in the US, Herbert maintained segregated congregations (that is after he began to allow the admittance of Coloreds). 

 

Racially segregated congregations continued until the 1960s when racial attitudes began to change.  Actually, the last break between the races at the WWCG festivals was promulgated by Roderick Meredith at Jekyel Island, Georgia in 1970.  There, before, the festival congregation was segregated. 

 

For years, Herbert was completely opposed to interracial marriages.  With his own marriage, in the 1970s, to a half-breed Indian woman from Oklahoma, this barrier began to come apart.  Certainly, with the death of old Herbert, it completely collapsed in the WWCG and apparently in all of the fall-out groups from the WWCG. 

 

It’s hard to precisely date these changes in the Worldwide group, but the admittance of Blacks happened in the 1950s (probably by the year 1956).  The integration of the congregation happened in the 1960s and intermarriage likely came about still later.  Therefore, it might be said that the decline in the WWCG started in about 1956 and accelerated in the 1960s.  Surely, it was all over by late 1969. 

 

In linking the push for the changes in racial thinking (which is a vital and crucial component of Philadelphia) to events in Herbert church, it can be argued that the years 1956 to 1969 saw the demise of the Philadelphia connection to the Worldwide Church. 

 

This writer is convinced that while there were some good Philadelphia features in Armstrong’s work from about 1938 to 1956-1969 (despite Armstrong’s personal failures and evil), those features all eventually turned sour.  By the 1970s, the attributes of Philadelphia in Armstrong’s work had apparently all vanished. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 193--More on Philadelphia

 

 

British Israelism, Revisited

 

The former chapters discussed to some extent the development and perpetuation of the British Israel motion which has had a presence, certainly in Britain, for vast centuries. 

 

This study sees the need for a lengthy presentation on the British Israel movement because it seems to be the most important contributing theology on the matter of racial identifications. 

 

It’s not to say that the coming Philadelphia congregation will be only focused on British Israelism.  Actually, British Israelism is one of the contributing lines of theology which will go on to ultimately influence Philadelphia and establish its doctrinal basis.  The primary focus on Philadelphia will eventually devolve to the overall question of race and racial identifications and not just BI thinking. 

 

Of course, it goes without saying that British Israelism will be a very important component of Philadelphia.  But Philadelphia will have many attributes and beliefs which were evidently never addressed in the historic BI presentation. 

 

 

The Change 

 

In the early days of the development of British Israelism and the focus on racial identifications, the great bulk of the believers in the developing theology remained members of their own old-line churches (ultimately, including the Sardis Churches, as defined in previous chapters). 

 

Many of the early believers were members of the Church of England in Britain and in mainline Sunday keeping Churches in America (like the Episcopalians).  There were evidently no British Israel Churches, per se, in the 19th century or early 20th century. 

 

This was the prevailing situation up until about the time of WWII when specific Christian Identity fellowships began to arise as people in the motion exchanged ideas.  Perhaps the previously discussed F. L. Austin or some similar teacher with Israel Identity and Age to Come beliefs came into contact with some of these people in this time-frame (by the WWII period) and had some impact on their thinking. 

 

In time, these persons began leaving the old traditional Christian beliefs on the future to adopt some of the Age to Come thinking (of the Church of God Abrahamic Faith).  Logically, this move must have come from some teacher with those views, though this writer has been unable to document exactly who, when, where and how it occurred. 

 

Along with accepting some of these new beliefs (from Austin/others), the movement began to form specific Christian Identity Churches or entities (which separated from and broke the links to the old-line Christian Churches where those people formally belonged).  In the early years, the participants were largely Sunday keeping Christians who clearly had little or no interest in the Scriptural festivals (as taught by Rupert). 

 

 

Expanding the Subject of Race

 

As it developed, by and just after WWII, much of the Christian Identity thinking spread to other questions about race and racial separatism (per the command to Israel to be a separate people--Ex 33:16; Lev 20:24-25)--beyond just the matter of the lost tribes of Israel. 

 

Concern soon focused upon who were the Negroes, the Mongolians and other peoples--to include ideas of physical, racial separation in addition to moral separation.  This new focus opened up an assessment in some Identity circles on the role of the behemah and chaiyah (which were described in previous chapters herein) in the Scriptures and in history. 

 

Great attention was also focused upon the Jews, in terms of trying to understand the racial differences in the so-called definition of man.  This subject opened the door to a study of the sex sin of Eve and Satan to produce Cain in Genesis 3 (as was addressed in former commentary herein). 

 

The acceptance of the Eve-Satan link opened the door to something called two seedline or dual seedline theology; in contrast to what might be described as single seedline theology.  The dual ideas allowed for the Eve-Satan tie (as is discussed and detailed in the Jewish Talmud) while the single theology followed the traditional Christian approach that Adam fathered Cain. 

 

Most of the advocates of the dual seedline theology came to believe that the two seedlines were in opposition and conflict among themselves and found their reality among the Jews as opposed to the White Israelites. 

 

In a possible move in the wrong direction, many adherents began to speculate that all Europeans/Northwest Europeans were Israel (to include not only the lost tribes of Israel, but some advocates added in the House of Judah into the definition--perhaps because of some anti-Jew feelings).  Perhaps this modification prompted the movement to abandon the name British Israel and adopt the appellative Christian Identity. 

 

Of course, it was these developments which put the Christian Identity people into a profile of being the arch-enemies of Amalekite Jews, particularly in the US. 

 

For ages, the Jews have had an exclusive right to be racial Israelites and “God’s Chosen People.”  Anyone else trying to hog in on these Identity ideas is called an anti-Semite.  He is then in trouble in the modern society and establishment power structure (Est 8:17; Jo 7:13). 

 

For sure, any criticism or complaint about the Jews automatically makes a person an enemy of the state.  This Christian Identity conflict with the Jews can be contrasted with how the former British Israel people tried to get along with the Jews as racial kinsmen. 

 

In any case, the anti-Jew (particularly anti-Judaism) feelings have cast this whole movement into the world of not only hate from their fellow Christians, but also from all the powers that be in the government (which are under Amalekite control and this includes most of the US and state governments).  In other words, almost everybody hates the modern Christian Identity people (simply because of their religious beliefs). 

 

 

Southern California

 

Around 1938-40, in Southern California, a man named Clem Davies perhaps kicked off the eventual Israel Identity message in that area (per Ray Capt, in a conversation with this writer).  Davies (a Klansman and British Israel believer from Victoria, BC) had a large Identity library and apparently shared with others interested in the subject. 

 

During and after WWII, William Potter Gale (cited earlier), Bertrand Comparet, San Jacinto Capt and Wesley Swift (a Klansman who evidently had once been a Pentecostal preacher--as he had formerly preached at Aimee Semple McPherson’s Foursquare Pentecostal Church, per Gale) probably get most of the credit for putting together the present Christian Identity theories on racial identity (other persons like Conrad Gaard of WA state and Richard Butler of Aryan Nations were soon to follow). 

 

Of these several persons involved in Southern California, perhaps Wesley Swift is the most important one in notoriety.  The US Amalekites hated him passionately.  He was a son of a Methodist preacher in New Jersey who came into Israel Identity thinking as an adult.    

 

It is not clear when Swift was first introduced to British Israel thinking--whether back East or in later years in Southern California.  But by the 1940s, he was an active promoter of the theology, along with some of the modifications, as discussed above.  He had much contact with the previously cited Gerald L. K. Smith which made Swift an arch enemy of the Amalekite Jews, along with Smith. 

 

Swift and many of his colleagues in Southern California came to be believers and advocates for the dual seedline theology (in contrast to a later successful Identity teacher in Arizona named Shelton Emry who taught the single seedline message--reportedly because Emry did not believe in the existence of Satan; thus, meaning that he could not teach a Satan’s sex tie to Eve). 

 

 

Changing Directions

 

The Emry teaching and influence caused a sharp break between the old time Identity advocates and many of the newer proponents in the late 20th century (like James Bruggerman, Dave Barley, Peter Peters, etc).  Incidentally, in citing the Emry influence, it must be said that the single line people are just as anti-Judaism as the dual line proponents.  Both lines have the traditional and historic venom and hate of Judaism. 

 

Tragically, many of the later Identity people were also led into Pentecostalism (especially in WA and CO) which deterred from their ability to make much progress in the Scriptures, and grossly hurt the overall motion (as will be later covered herein).  The British Israel Purvis family in Canada, and later Waynesville, NC seems to have become the biggest group promoting Pentecostalism in recent years. 

 

This Purvis group has had a measure of success.  Besides Pentecostalism, it has advocated the so-called Sacred Names (that is--the distorted and incorrect words or names that have been promoted in the Sacred Name movement since c1937) and a turn to the Hebrew feast days of Leviticus 23 (but the Purvis people have adopted a solar calendar instead of the Scriptural luni-solar approach). 

 

 

More Problems 

 

Too, the Identity leadership is generally plagued with pride, arrogance and mean spirits.  Most all of them claim that they do not know which day is the Sabbath--meaning that they remain ignorant Sunday keepers.  People like Dave Barley claim that the calendar was changed and they can’t know which day of the week is the seventh day (this nonsense will be addressed in later chapters herein).

 

Subsequent chapters herein will also address the enormous lack of scholarship and understanding in many of the Sardis preachers--to include the leaders of the Christian Identity motion.  When the blind lead the blind, they both fall into the ditch. 

 

The Christian Identity preachers love titles, as is true throughout Christendom.  While the Sacred Namers love to be called elders, the CI big shots cherish the title pastor.  Many of them declare themselves to be pastors, as if they were really big shots over the dumb sheep.  Tragically, for their followers, they are extremely evil people with bad spirits and with little Scriptural understanding. 

 

The largest detriment to the Israel Identity motion has been these largely Scripturally ignorant and shallow preachers and leaders (who generally have nothing original to offer; instead they are great plagiarizers who steal regularly from each other and others in order to ever have anything new to offer to their dumb sheep followers).  They are a bad crop of people who are bringing great hurt on their ignorant followers. 

 

This is not to say that there is no scholarship in the movement.  Of course, in the early days, there were some people with some understanding who did blaze a trail which could have been developed into something really useful--like J. H. Allen, Reuben Sawyer and Bert Comparet (they were all three discussed earlier herein). 

 

In more modern times, it must be said that Charles A. Weisman of Burnsville, Minnesota has done some useful work with some evidence of scholarship and understanding.  Weisman has written several excellent books which address race and Identity (some of them are quoted and mentioned herein). 

 

Recognition is also due a man named V. S. Herrell of Kodak, TN, who promotes the dual seedline theology and leads a group called the “Christian Separatist Church Society.”  Though he does seem to have some of the common pride and arrogance problems found among his CI colleagues (he uses titles like International Overseer, Doctor, Ch. D., and Pastor to describe himself), he is an excellent Greek scholar who is sadly neglected by both the other CI people as well as the rest of the Christian world. 

 

Herrell has done some outstanding work on understanding of the Greek New Testament.  In fact, he has made his own translation of the Greek New Testament (“The New Testament Anointed Standard Translation”).  This is a very good translation; although it does have some limitations and problems, as is true with apparently all English translations of the Greek NT. 

 

But V. S. Herrell has fallen into the same trap that most all Greek students fall into.  Inevitably, they place stress upon the Septuagint and its handling of the Hebrew OT.  This is a bad move because the Septuagint is a grossly wrong work.  Any person wanting to address the Scriptures must go to the underlying Hebrew, as discussed at length in previous chapters herein. 

 

Mr Herrell, like most of his compatriots in the Christian Identity motion, has come to believe that somehow the distorted Septuagint is inspired and should be used as the final authority to establish truth and righteousness.  This is a tragic mistake and wrong direction.  What is needed is a turn to the importance of Hebrew and the Hebrew Scriptures. 

 

Even the proponents and supporters of the Septuagint recognize and realize that it is a translation from preceding Hebrew originals.  There is simply no way that a translation can be superior to a preceding original text.  Obviously, it is utter folly to place authority with a Greek translation instead of with its underlying original text. 

 

While it remains out of the question that the current Christian Identity entity will become Philadelphia, per se, it may be the Sunday keeping component which offers some of the primary contributing lines of theology to Philadelphia (along with the Abrahamic Faith source and beliefs, as noted earlier).

 

 

The Reality 

 

Thus, most Christian Identity people are Sunday keepers.  But there is some presence of Seventh day Sabbathkeepers--like with the Church of Israel (Schell City, MO) which keeps both the weekly Sabbaths and the annual feasts.  The leader of this group, Dan Gayman, says that he faithfully listened to the Herbert W. Armstrong radio broadcasts when he was in high school. 

 

Gayman came into Christian Identity by the 1970s and soon mixed it with the annual feast days of Leviticus 23, probably through some influence from Armstrong and perhaps his own grandfather.  He adopted the weekly Sabbath in about 1986. 

 

It is unclear why Gayman made this move to the Seventh day Sabbath; although he had made contact with a former Armstrong man named Jerry Gentry who just happened to be a multi-millionaire.  Gentry soon gave Gayman a million dollars (to build expensive mansions and swimming pools for the Gayman family and colleagues).  Maybe, this was the reason that Gayman adopted the Sabbath. 

 

Of course, most unconverted persons out in the Christian and secular world will gladly change their beliefs and principles for a million dollars.  It seems that this might be the underlying reason why Gayman adopted the Sabbath. 

 

In more recent years, Gayman allegedly shared in some money stolen by a group in the Pacific Northwest which was known as the Order.  The story is that the FBI got on the trail of Gayman and it looked like he might go to jail.  Supposedly, in order to pacify the FBI and prove that he was like the rest of the world, he became an informer on his former friends in the Order.  Anyway, that’s their story. 

 

While Gayman seems to have beat an indictment and prosecution, he did thereafter begin to modify his stance on politics considerably.  Because of the work of the previously cited William Potter Gale (a stealth Jew who infiltrated the movement in the 1950s), Richard Butler and others, there has been a tendency to mix politics and religion in the Christian Identity definition. 

 

Gayman apparently followed suit in his early days.  But after having his run in with the FBI and possible jail time, he has toned his political stance down.  Now, he is content to claim to be non-violent and even patriotic and supportive, in terms of the US government.  He allows his followers to vote, enter the military services and do other secular oriented activities. 

 

 

Paganism 

 

While there are a few good features in Dan Gayman’s work (he is an excellent speaker), it must be said that his group is, like other Christian groups.  It is thoroughly filled with Christian paganism.  In fact, some people in the Christian Identity motion look upon Gayman’s Church as the Anglican Church West.  Gayman has copied much from the mother Church of England which he is devoted to for theological direction. 

 

Too, Gayman is a profound plagiarizer.  So he has taken or stolen material from any number of other ministries without giving credit.  This seems to be a common attribute of Christian Identity preachers, as noted above, and as will be further discussed in future chapters herein. 

 

It certainly is very likely that there are some people now in Christian Identity who will be in the election.  Perhaps when Big Brother’s attack on Christian Identity commences in earnest (and the current evil leaders are imprisoned, removed or murdered by Big Brother), the present entity will dissolve or disintegrate and its good people will be absorbed into the coming Philadelphia organism. 

 

 

More on Christian Identity 

 

While Philadelphia itself seems to be future, as of 2003, some of its theology likely surfaced in previous years or is under development at some stage somewhere out there in 2003.  Surely, some Philadelphia theology was present in some of the work of Reuben Sawyer, G. G. Rupert and Herbert W. Armstrong in his early years (especially in Armstrong’s early days of teaching/supporting racial separation). 

 

Therefore, in the vein of current efforts, this writer has long looked with interest at the Sunday keeping Christian Identity motion as being one of the better candidates here in the early 21st century for some of the ideas ultimately required in Philadelphia. 

 

Of course, it goes without saying that the present Christian Identity movement is a heathen, Scripturally shallow movement which seems to offer little in terms of overall truth (its problems over the Septuagint have been outlined earlier herein).  Certainly, its leadership is proud, arrogant and evil (as noted above).  But there is hope for some of the lay people in the movement (as will be discussed in future chapters herein). 

 

Importantly, this motion does have some perception on race which is profoundly relevant here in the age end (when almost the whole world is totally mesmerized and zombiized on race by the powerful Amalekite bankers/masters).  The very fact that the Christian Identity motion has essentially opposed the Amalekite plans on race mixing means a giant plus on its theology. 

 

Therefore, the contemporary Christian Identity movement is grossly sick and pathetic in terms of Scriptural obedience in almost all facets, except for a realization of the paramount role of race and racial separation.  This racial consciousness/awareness means that Israel identity will play a profound role in the understanding of brotherly love and the development of the ultimate age ending Philadelphia congregation. 

 

As elsewhere described herein, having some understanding about race is critically and crucially important in identifying Philadelphia.  So, as sorry as the pagan Christian Identity effort is, in terms of obedience of the Torah, the motion does have some perception on the vital point of race.  Except for the racial identification issue, it is manifest that the Christian Identity motion is otherwise sadly lacking. 

 

Over the years that this writer has had some contact with the Christian Identity people, many examples and illustrations of their vast confusion, paganism and lack of Scriptural knowledge and obedience have come to my attention.  There is no intent here to try to even begin to broach this sickness and depravity. 

 

As large as this work is in size, it still would need much more space to start to cover the shortcomings of the Christian Identity movement.  About all one can say for this motion is that many of its participants are beginning to become racially conscious and have some ideas on the lost tribes of Israel out in the Diaspora. 

 

Several chapters throughout this study comment upon the Aryan Nations sect in North Idaho.  As bad as Aryan Nations has turned out to be, she is not the lone ranger on sin, sickness, moral depravity and Scriptural illiteracy.  Much of the rest of the current Christian Identity motion is in the exact same ball park. 

 

 

Peter Peters, Revisited  

 

One of the most successful of the Christian Identity proponents (in contrast to the failure and lack of success by the Aryan Nations people) is the Church of Christ in LaPorte, Colorado, as also mentioned elsewhere herein.  This group is headed by a Christian “pastor” named Peter J. Peters.  The arrogance and lack of this entity and its leader have already been commented upon in other places in this work. 

 

However, the LaPorte people (or at least, its big shot leader) does exhibit some work from time to time that is especially noteworthy.  Some of these efforts are good and some are very bad and filled with gross shortcomings (which will only serve to bring on sin and hurt upon Christian Identity people--who someday could conceivably become part of the very elect). 

 

A previous chapter outlined some of the current thinking of the LaPorte people on that baptism (by an evil, false, Christian preacher) spells out the remission or forgiveness of sin.  In other words, Peters and his colleagues have been teaching that a sinner can be forgiven by simply being baptized by a pagan, false worshipping preacher. 

 

 

But With Success

 

Because the Christian Identity leader Peters seems to be one of the more successful Identity adherents, it would be well to note some peculiarities about his operation and theology, as pushed upon the Scripturally shallow, Christian Identity people. 

 

As will be described in later chapters on the Scriptural calendar, one of the most profound areas for confusion and pandemonium in the Christian world arises in a look at the pagan sun worship calendar present in Christianity versus YHWH’s calendar, as outlined in the Book.  Subsequent chapters will address the calendar question in some detail and need not be discussed here. 

 

As also described in various places in this production, the Sardis movement has been particularly affected for the last 100 plus years over calendar questions.  Of course, Sardis bounces around from one state of confusion to another state and never seems to go the Word in order to determine the Scriptural calendar. 

 

Inevitably, calendar demons come to the Sardis big shots and communicate some ridiculous calendar idea which can be used in a way to lead the Sardis people into a ditch of confusion and uncertainty.  Much of this tragedy will be covered in some detail in later chapters and will not be broached here.  However, Peters of LaPorte has also gotten in on the calendar act at least several times to show his personal confusion. 

 

One of the coming presentations on the calendar will discuss the situation with Gene Heck and his incomprehensible theory that days should run from noon to noon.  Heck has been closely connected to the LaPorte people.  Of course, this is just more of the classic Christian calendar confusion, as fueled and promoted by demonic influences. 

 

Some part of the Christian Identity motion has latched onto Heck’s ideas to try to justify its outright rebellion and contempt for the Torah--in its practices of gross sun worship.  Many of these false Christian worshipers have had to take a look at the fourth commandment and try to justify their pagan worship.  Heck, Peters and several others have promoted this noon to noon day to justify their false worship. 

 

 

Peters Went Further

 

But all of a sudden, Peters went even further in 2001 with new efforts to cause more confusion, rebellion and sin within the Christian Identity movement.  For the last several years, some small part of the Identity movement has begun to look at the Scriptural feast days and wonder if maybe they should be observed, instead of the pathetic sun worship holidays (like Easter and Christmas). 

 

However, Peters has not been one of the big proponents of these calendar and festival discussions heretofore (perhaps because of ignorance and a lack of understanding).  Even after latching onto Heck’s stupid calendar theory, Peters continued to say very little about the calendar issue. 

 

In any case, he and his LaPorte people have put out a “Special Alert for Overcomers” in late April 2001 to reflect his new thinking and analysis.  He implies that he discovered near the Christian Easter in 2001 that the lunar-solar calendar (which is the Scriptural calendar, to be described later herein) was all wrong.  Maybe, from his perspective, it was wrong because the Jews follow a luni-solar calendar. 

 

Anyway, Peters decided that his followers should now (all of a sudden) keep the Passover--which, per his view, must come on a solar calculation (without the role of the moon).  For 2001, his Passover should have been on April 2d.  But since he didn’t get the word out, he directed his followers to keep it--per the Scripturally allowed one month later (or on May 2d with his then new insight). 

 

To move on his new discovery, he put out his April alert with a title which read-- “Observe the Five Sacred Days and Live.”  In order to keep his dumb sheep in line, Peters seems to arrogantly have a practice of threatening and frightening his followers in order to make them toe the mark (per his directions). 

 

Hence, he laid on his baptism requirement by saying that people can now be saved by letting a Christian preacher baptize them (in the unscriptural Christian mode, ed). 

 

Next, he grabbed hold of the Passover and seemed to promise salvation to his followers who would keep his Passover on May 2d of 2001 (which they “must keep,” as he so charged).  He ended his instructions by saying “I’m warning you” --to not sin on his calendar issue. 

 

Beyond the Passover on May 2d, Peters also cooked up four more days which his followers must likewise “observe to survive coming destruction” and “to live,” as he put it in his special alert.  He said that four 91st days in the year (determined by a solar, sun worship method) are important and must also be kept as Sabbath days.  With his solar Passover and these four solar days, power can be infused in us--per his words. 

 

It was unclear in his alert what he had in mind for the four 91st days (although they seem to be four designated days just about the time of the two solar equinoxes and the two solar solstices, per his special alert, as noted earlier), but they might relate to the 91st days of each calendar quarter perceivable in a fixed 364 day new calendar arrangement--as now advocated and wanted by persons attempting to disrupt the weekly cycle (to be discussed in a later chapter). 

 

The thinking by Peters seems to agree with this new, man-conceived, solar calendar that would have four quarters of 91 days each and the last single day (# 365) would be a world holiday which would not count in the weekly cycle.  Thus, this new calendar would disrupt the weekly cycle and cause a changing seventh day each year.  

 

This whole calendar teaching by Peters seems to be too foolish to be discussed by rational people, but he appears to be successfully putting it over to some part of the Christian Identity motion.  It just goes to prove how incredibly shallow and Scripturally illiterate the Christian Identity movement really is in fact. 

 

 

The Point Is

 

The point of these comments is that though there may be some ultimate hope for the Christian Identity people (with their perception on the race question), the movement is severely handicapped by false, Scripturally shallow preachers who appear to be leading their flocks into absolute Christian Babylonian confusion and rebellion. 

 

Once some wicked ruler (like perhaps Slick Clinton or some of his Amalekite handlers) gains power and starts arresting and removing these present Christian Identity leaders, maybe the dumb sheep under their influence can break free and turn to the Scriptures and truth.  If and when that happens, there is hope for them. 

 

In the meantime, it is patently clear that demonic influence has entered the sadly lacking Israel Identity motion to bring on gross calendar confusion/pandemonium (as also has happened with the Sardis people over the last 100 years or so).  Manifestly, demons are fueling some bad thinking into the Christian Identity movement. 

 

Incidentally, much of this calendar confusion coming into the Christian Identity motion seems to be predicated upon input from demonized Holy Rollers who have infiltrated the motion (this problem will be assessed in some detail in subsequent chapters). 

 

It appears that much of the Christian Identity movement and leaders have freely allowed Pentecostals/Charismatics to come into their congregations and promote demonic theories.  Possibly, this is what happened to poor Peters.  The Holy Rollers are notorious for teaching calendar confusion. 

 

Manifestly, any person wanting to become a Philadelphian must commence with defining brotherly love.  So the question at hand must be--who is a brother Scripturally? 

 

Well, in the main, brethren are those who obey and do the will of Ha AV.  But there is more to it and particularly in the sense of a racial calling and election, as described previously.  In short, brotherly love involves brethren (racial rea and racial separatism, as discussed earlier) and obedience (which is what love is all about). 

 

The Christian Identity motion is right now full of the paganism of false Christianity (yes, most of its people have been and are Sunday keepers--though there are a few Sabbathkeepers in the generic movement, but these people are Sardis types and not Philadelphians).  However, some of the sinning people could change and particularly so if a tribulation strikes them soon, as envisioned herein in later chapters. 

 

Per the historic pattern on the seven assemblies--once a Sunday keeping group of people exists organizationally which has the right perspective on brotherly love and deportment, it will only be time before they accept the Seventh day Sabbath (perhaps as a result of the work of some Sabbathkeeper who has been involved with one of the Sardis, Sabbathkeeping groups).  Philadelphia will then reach its ultimate form. 

 

The big question facing the student of truth is whether this transition has happened historically or whether it is still future in 2003? 

 

 

More on History 

 

Preceding remarks noted the work of several important figures in Israel Identity, including a man named Merritt Dickinson who introduced Anglo-Israelism to the Church of God (7th Day).  Dickinson seems to have done his work around the years 1900-1912 in Southeastern Oklahoma, strangely enough, near a town called Sardis, Oklahoma. 

 

It is unclear whether Dickinson was a Sabbath or Sunday keeper in his early days (but in time, he became affiliated with the Church of God--7th Day), or how much he was influenced by Age to Come Adventism (though his ties with Sardis would have linked him to Age to Come).

 

However, for sure, he played a key role in the revelation of truth to dead Sardis (and may have influenced the later Christian Identity motion as well as contributing to a determination of Philadelphia). 

 

But there is still another important historical event which could go on to identify Philadelphia.  Preceding commentary discussed the work of G. G. Rupert of Britton, Oklahoma and his advocacy of all of the Torah. 

 

The evidence is massive that Rupert was exposed to British Israelism, perhaps near 1912 in Oklahoma from the work of Merritt Dickinson.  Importantly, Rupert commingled some form of Israel Identity with some obedience of the Torah and the Scriptural feasts (which seem to be Philadelphia theology).  He could have been the man who must be given credit for the introduction of Philadelphia/the spirit of Philadelphia in our time. 

 

For sure, Rupert’s effort was absolutely commendable, and especially as things existed in 1915, just after the outbreak of WWI (plus Rupert himself seems to have been a very obedient person--for sure, in 1911, he had sufficient understanding to wear a beard as a photo of him of that date illustrates). 

 

Interestingly enough, it was this work of primarily Rupert, but also Dickinson, which laid the groundwork for the previously mentioned Sacred Name movement (which generally share some BI beliefs and which otherwise does have some other good points, as noted earlier) and to perhaps also provide some influence to the above discussed Christian Identity motion which came on the scene in the post WWII era. 

 

Apparently, early Church of God (7th Day) and other Sabbathkeeping Christians--like A. N. Dugger, C. O. Dodd, Herbert Armstrong and Earl Bigford (of Grand Ledger, MI and a later elder of the Holt, MI Assembly of Yahweh)--were all students of Rupert (or at least received and maintained files of material from Rupert).  Possibly, the Philadelphia spirit or theology was present in the works of some of these persons. 

 

The work of Reuben H. Sawyer was discussed earlier at some length.  There is no need to repeat that presentation.  Suffice to say, there are many reasons why it might be that Sawyer will prove to be the Sunday keeping leader who kicked off the whole Philadelphia motion and its focus upon race and racial identifications. 

 

Finally, Herbert W. Armstrong is particularly important because he broke from the Salem Church of God in late 1937 and became independent by 1938.  Likely, he knew Reuben Sawyer in Portland in the 1920s and probably even Clem Davies in the early 1940s in Los Angeles (as HWA was there at that time and had a link to Davies, per his autobiography).  HWA’s teaching on racial separatism in his early years is significant. 

 

 

Still Future

 

But all of these early manifestations were never really representative of what the coming Philadelphia will encompass and present to man.  The ultimate Philadelphia is still future in 2003.  Thus, it might be that the outline on Philadelphia may follow the pattern established in Pergamos. 

 

Maybe, there was three lines kicking off the beginnings of Philadelphia.  Evidently, Rupert started the idea of obeying all of the Torah in Oklahoma in 1915.  He was soon followed by Sawyer in Oregon, just after WWI, to repeat the work of John Huss, William Miller and others in kicking off the Sunday keeping message (which may be the more important one to define the movement).  The Sunday keeping work gravitated to Southern California (c1938) where much additional work evolved from Wesley Swift, Bert Comparet and others. 

 

But about the same time frame saw Herbert W. Armstrong break from Sardis and start his own work (that also moved to Southern California in the late 1940s)--which involved Sabbathkeeping, the feast days and some obedience of the Torah, as taught by Rupert. 

 

But all of this useful work seems to have begun to die out in about 1956 in Southern California.  With Armstrong, it happened when Garner Ted Armstrong began to have influence in his dad’s church. 

 

Ted was a liberal and a gross womanizer who brought much hurt on the Armstrong church.  With racial integration in the United States in the 1950s and 1960s, the Armstrong focus abandoned the racial separation beliefs of the old man in the 1960s.  Certainly, by 1967-1969, it was all over for Armstrong. 

 

The year 1956 was evidently also a catalyst year for the Sunday Keeping Christian Identity people in Southern California.  That was about the time that William Potter Gale became influential in the motion.  Gale knew little about the Scriptures; but he manifestly was much concerned with Jew hatred and politics.  He provided leadership in the direction of becoming more militant and militant in terms of politics. 

 

This work by Gale hurt the developing Christian Identity motion in Southern California (this hurt is understandable in view of the fact that Gale’s father was originally an Amalekite Jew named Charles Grabfiker who changed his name).  Wesley Swift must have had some political ideology as well because he too turned in that direction. 

 

Richard Butler came on board in the late 1950s/early 1960s.  He also had political ambitions and apparently an agenda of trying to duplicate the German work of Adolf Schicklgruber in the US.  Butler had his own nazi symbol of a cross and uniforms for his supposed followers.  But to his credit, Butler did advocate fellowship and comradeship among the right wing White people (this was good). 

 

While the ultimate Philadelphia now seems future, some things have transpired historically which would allow for its beginning.  The works of Dickinson and Rupert, in Oklahoma, before WWI, and of Sawyer and Armstrong in Oregon, after WWI and before WWII, have to be significant.  As a minimum, Oklahoma or Oregon, in those years, would provide the right time and place for the start of Philadelphia. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 194--Still More on Philadelphia

 

 

The Very Elect, Revisited 

 

In previous remarks, the point has been made that there seems to be a provision for a class of people, called the very elect, which will be a portion of the 144,000 election in the age end.  Because of reasons cited so far, this group (Philadelphia) will ultimately probably number around 7,000 males.  In the Book, they probably constitute the daughter of Zion and the Remnant of Israel (Sheerit Yisrael). 

 

Furthermore, it is logical to think that there could be something in the neighborhood of 7,000 females as well.  Probably, this group of persons will be mature adults--around age 30 or more (at least by the time of their redemption, which could come as late as Yechezkel’s 37th year). 

 

This age ending, Philadelphia group will likely be organized in a communal, community organization (necessitated because of the present trouble and not to purposefully oppose the Scriptural provisions of private ownership of property), probably resembling the early Apostolic Assembly in Jerusalem (Acts 4:34-37); and in some respects, the Qumran community of the Essene sect of Second Temple days. 

 

Much of the theological support for this coming entity hangs on the reality of the family (with the father, mother and siblings all bound together for good and bad and for their joint futures).  In this sense, it is one for all and all for one--which is a concept simply unheard of in traditional Christianity (the problem is how can you have private ownership of property and yet have all for one and one for all?).

 

Yes, as will be shortly addressed, the very idea of private ownership of property seems to be totally opposed to the concept of one for all and all for one.  Surely, this is a paradox or at least a great enigma.  The very reality of private ownership means that carnality, selflessness, greed, get, acquire, pride and vanity result.  Yet, YHWH’s way dictates private ownership with one for all and all for one. 

 

 

The Racial Ties 

 

From the single family unit, the rea (the racial kinsmen) expanded to create clans and groups (where effectively everyone in the clan or unit had some racial ties to the others--maybe not close ties, but they were all cousins of some sort if a genealogist could trace all the family lines back to the earliest common progenitor).  The presence of one of more of these clans quickly produced peoples and nations. 

 

Obviously, there is a paramount role in the vein of race and racial separation (Ex 33:16; Lev 20:24-25) here which would and does affect a grouping like this.  Truly, as the Hebrew concept of “rea” demands (as discussed in former chapters), the people were racial kinsmen. 

 

Therefore, the historic idea of community, sharing and benefiting from being together was not as difficult to entertain and accept in the Scriptural days as it would be today.  After all, the people back then had common racial ties which bound all or most of them together.  Now, it becomes obvious why the modern United States has such enormous problems when trying to address the need for collective brotherly love. 

 

In the case of the ancient body of people known as Israelites in Egyptian slavery, they were truly racial kinsmen in an absolutely true sense.  Once Moshe formed the community into some form of an organization and led it out of Egyptian slavery, the community aspect clearly was in existence in the wilderness wanderings. 

 

Truly, it should have been a true community in the wilderness where it was one for all and all for one (although it wasn’t completely so).  On entrance into the promised land, each family had its own tract of land (allowing private ownership of property; but under YHWH’s plan and purpose, this private ownership was still couched in the idea of all for one and one for all). 

 

While the whole nation still should have leaned in the direction of the racial kinsmen concept of sharing (one for all and all for one), this private ownership reality began driving them apart (when pride, greed, selfishness and carnality took over). 

 

Certainly, in the last 3,500 years following the Exodus, the people of Yisrael have profoundly drifted apart; where today, there is much hate, competition, strife, greed, selfishness, get and acquire which make it a very difficult process to perceive how a true community of believers might can exist and function. 

 

 

The Idea of Sharing 

 

Although The MESSIAH did not initially demand the establishment of a community of believers (in sharing community goods, assets and benefits with all the members of the group), this concept did underlie the entire motion (yes, hospitality was to be extended to each other, collections were made for the needy in the group, etc). 

 

Most of this brotherly love involved things common in the Essene community.  The Essenes were not the Apostolic Assembly.  But in fairness, the student of truth must be impressed with their practices of brotherly love in the fellowship (as best as can now be determined from historical records). 

 

Thus, while it might be that there could be some separation along the lines of private ownership of property and individual (or family) efforts at survival, the plan in ancient Yisrael and in the Apostolic Assembly was always one whereby the membership was to have care, concern and outreach to its needy brethren.  It always was to be a group effort of one for all and all for one. 

 

Please understand that this concept of all for one and one for all was to exist in the “group” and not in so-called humanity at large.  The matter of sharing to all of alleged humanity comes from Greek sun worship and not the Scriptures.  In the Book, the idea was always of sharing to people in the group (which involved the rea or racial kinsmen). 

 

Even YESHUA’s Words in the Sermon on the Mount involved His specific election being called out of overall Yisrael.  This reality will be discussed in some detail in later chapters herein.  The idea in sharing was always in the sense of the designated group entity and not with collective so-called humanity. 

 

Thus, there was to be charity, sharing and assisting each other (and not simply a greedy get all you can get environment).  Yes, even the idea of private ownership of property dictated that the collective group was to always express that ownership in the vein of all for one and one for all (in sharing and helping each other). 

 

This means that even when one owned property, he could not be selfish and limit the benefits of that property to himself only.  He had obligatory duties to share with his brethren in the group and especially in the context of their needs. 

 

The coming persecution and great trouble that impacted upon the Messianic fellowship in Jerusalem made the community idea (of the pooling of all resources) totally mandatory (Acts 2-6).  There was only one way the people could survive in that adverse climate. 

 

 

They Had to Combine Their Resources 

 

They had to sell all of their goods and combine themselves into one family, where it was truly one for all and all for one.  Individualism and “what’s in it for me” and “look I don’t owe you anything” became social sick ideas of the past which simply could not be allowed in the Jerusalem organization. 

 

The only way that this historic congregation could make it was by pooling themselves and their assets under competent leadership.  And that’s the same predicable method that the age ending Philadelphia group will surely adopt in order to survive and accomplish its commission and purpose. 

 

In terms of group organization, prior chapters have discussed the Jewish synagogue (which is the pattern for the coming Philadelphia group) and the early work of the Salem Church of God (7th Day).  There will likely be a similar overall organization and then local congregations or regional groupings with like organizations. 

 

Logically, the overall organization will be headed by a group of twelve elders (with one of them serving as the rotating nasi--as Yakov was the NT leader in Jerusalem and not Kefa, as some suppose).  Under the twelve, there will be some seven shammashim and a sanhedrin of seventy elders or evangelists.  At least one beit din will serve at the overall level (this may be the total sanhedrin or council or just some part of it). 

 

Each local congregation or area will probably have similar organizations--but on cut down levels (an overall council of seventy elders seems doubtful on the local level). 

 

 

The Importance 

 

The importance of this group of very elect Israelites is that here in the age end they will not see death, but will live on to be translated to immortality when YHWH YESHUA returns.  Since the seven Assemblies (all Seventh day Sabbathkeepers, as described earlier) addressed by Yohanan (Rev 1-3) will be contemporary in the age end, this group will be identified as one of them (specifically Philadelphia). 

 

Beyond Yohanan’s remarks in the Revelation (3:7-13), it should be noted that Shaul’s letter to Philippi relates to Philadelphia.  The focus of Philadelphia will be on the individual relationship between the brethren in the fellowship and in the context of deportment and brotherly love. 

 

A person wanting to know about Philadelphia should certainly study Philippians and Revelation 3:7-13.  Also, the Apostle Yohanan was known as the apostle of love because of his writings on this theme. 

 

The student of truth should carefully consider Yohanan’s works for the brotherly love connection, plus the fact that Yohanan will most likely be one of the real, two witnesses--who may dispense the genuine and authentic Baptism of The RUACH HA KODESH to this body of the very elect (not the false Pentecostal baptism now in evidence, as will be described in subsequent chapters). 

 

Since the word Philadelphia means “brother love,” surely brotherly love (to include deportment, which is the theme of Philippians) must be the backbone of her theology, along with extreme obedience since her members will be sealed (evidently with the Tetragrammaton and the pronunciation of the Name) and accounted worthy to escape the trouble coming first on Yisrael and later on collective man. 

 

A detailed presentation on brotherly love was presented in previous chapters herein.  Suffice to say, Scriptural brotherly love is not what one has found in false Christian worship for the past 2,000 years.  Real brotherly love is something entirely different! 

 

In terms of obedience, it seems that these persons will likely achieve perfection in the flesh (stop sinning) and hence reconciliation (salvation) with the true Baptism of The RUACH HA KODESH.  Of most importance, in assessing their attributes, they will largely conquer human nature and the carnality of the flesh (pride, vanity, lust, envy, jealousy, greed, selfishness, etc). 

 

 

Good Eyes, Revisited 

 

Former chapters discussed the matter of having good eyes as opposed to bad or evil eyes.  As noted earlier, this was an idiom of the Hebrew culture in Second Temple Judaism--in that a good eyed person was generous and giving while an evil eyed individual was tight, stingy and very selfish.  This issue of good eyes is clearly a part of the mental makeup of Philadelphians (as outlined by Shaul in Philippians). 

 

Though it is true that many modern Christians advertise and say that they are generous people, the truth seems to be something entirely different.  When Christian people become entrapped in their Christian Churches and denominations, they can and do give much money, time and resources to their churches and pagan groups.  However, this giving is not predicated upon truth or the love of truth. 

 

Like Shaul wrote to the Corinthians (I Cor 13:3), if a man gives all of his money to feed the poor and if he gives up his own body to be burned at the stake (as so many Protestants were burned alive, because of faith during the Reformation), it means nothing without love--which involves the acceptance and obedience of the Torah (as established in a prior chapter herein). 

 

But there is another facet of giving and particularly the giving of money in a Christian Church tithing arrangement (where the church forces its members to give a certain sum of money periodically or face the wrath of the “Christian Gawd”).  Christian suckers will shell the money out when their Christian leaders create the need and link it to the supposed status of Christian salvation. 

 

And why will Christians so willingly shell the money out for an unscriptural and illegal tithing demand or simply give money and resources to a false, corrupt system?  The “why” is simple.  People give money for pride and vanity purposes (as noted in former remarks herein).  People love to give, if they will be lifted up and elevated in pride and vanity.  Christian giving and tithing do this (as promoted by smooth, lying preachers). 

 

Beyond the pride and vanity role, there is not much evidence that Christians, or anyone else for that matter, have much of any interest or concern at all in the matter of giving to righteousness and truth, simply on the basis of righteousness and truth.  This reality is spelled out in Shaul’s writings to the various NT congregations. 

 

 

A Revelation 

 

It may be quite a shock to Christians, but the truth is that not a one of the NT assemblies gave Shaul anything personally--except for one.  The believers at Philippi gave to his needs.  The believers at Philippi gave financial and other help to Shaul, perhaps three or more times when he wrote them and pointed that fact out. 

 

He specifically wrote them to thank them for their generosity to him (Phil 4:10-19).  In this thank you, the apostle went further by making it known that they had given to him before (more than one time) and that they were the “only” group of believers who ever gave him any support.

 

What a revelation this writing communicates.  Here, late in the ministry of Shaul, he goes on record and says that only the Philippians gave him help.  What did the other assemblies give Shaul?  Obviously, they gave him nothing!  This reality is borne out in II Corinthians 11:7-11 and 12:13-16, where the apostle notes how the assemblies in Macedonian (Philippi) gave to him while the others did not. 

 

Despite the fact that it was only the people at Philippi who gave to Shaul; his writings, over and over, teach and advocate generosity and giving--obviously, for truth and the sake of truth (Rom 12:10-13; I Tim 1:5; 2:15; II Tim 2:19-22; 3:10; Titus 2:2; I Pet 4:8; II Pet 1:4-10). 

 

Too, Cornelius was a giver to truth (Acts 10:1-4).  Of course, the Scriptural basis for these words comes from the Tanakh (Deut 10:17-18; Ps 132:15; 145:15-17). 

 

And by all means, any Scriptural giving must include a focus upon widows (I Tim 5:9-10). 

 

Along with generosity and giving, there is a related message which also is profoundly important--that of hospitality.  Manifestly, the people of YHWH are both generous and hospitable (Gen 18:1-5; Jud 13:15; Acts 10:21-23; 21:8, 16; Rom 12:13; Heb 13:2; I Pet 4:9).  As can be concluded, it is clear that both the Apostolic Assembly leadership (I Tim 3:2; Titus 1:7-8) and the Philippians were hospitable (Acts 16:25-34, 40). 

 

 

Giving or Selfish  

 

So, are Christians generous, giving and good eyed people?  No!  They are just like most other people.  They are selfish and evil eyed.  Can they be motivated to give?  Why yes--if the giving can be linked in some way to their attainment of pride and vanity (not for the attainment of truth, which almost no one cares about one way or the other). 

 

How about the groups of so-called believers at the assemblies addressed in the NT (like those at Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira and Sardis) and their modern counterparts among the Waldensians, Seventh Day Baptists, Seventh day Adventists and the Sabbathkeeping Churches of God.  Well, they are all alike.  They will not give to truth or for truth’s sake.  But they will give for pride and vanity purposes. 

 

This writer can think of no Christian group that will give for the sake of truth.  If Shaul, Kepa or even YESHUA, Himself, was alive in the flesh today, it seems a certainty that most all of the Christian groups would not give any of them the time of day. 

 

Furthermore, if one of these persons showed up in Christian meetings, he would not be allowed to even speak.  He would be showed the door if he tried to say something!  Christian leaders are very jealous over their pulpits! 

 

The bottom line on this matter of giving is that the true Philadelphians will be extremely different from contemporary Christians and even the people who make up the other assemblies (of the seven).  Philadelphians will be generous, giving people with good eyes.  They will love and support truth, righteousness and justice. 

 

 

Safety for the Very Elect 

 

This very elect group of Philadelphians will be over-comers in the true sense of that expression.  It now appears that while these persons will escape the age ending, great tribulation of 3 1/2 years, many of them (but not necessarily all) will earlier have to undergo some tribulation and trouble at the hands of the Anglo-Saxon-Celtic national governments before achieving reconciliation and ultimate safety. 

 

It is indeed tragic and perhaps a paradox of sorts.  But we sorry, limited, little, humans/humanoids will not change or be reconciled on our own.  Therefore, It will take a dramatic and powerful intervention by The MOST HIGH to crush and destroy the pride and carnality in the wicked hearts of each elected Philadelphian.   

 

Consequently, these chosen people will not change on their own, until YHWH punishes and corrects them.  For many of them, not corrected earlier, their correction comes when YHWH puts them through the melting pot or ringer in a terrible persecution from Big Brother. 

 

This process will be similar to the melting, purification and production of refined silver (the election are symbolically silver in the Word which could include the very elect; or alternatively, the very elect could be like refined gold).  Also, it’s like the case of a human father punishing and chastising his children for corrective purposes and for their own good, as described in previous chapters. 

 

In the final stages of the fall of the House of Yisrael nations, these very elect Israelites, who have not yet escaped to Jerusalem (or Jordan or a Palestinian state), will ultimately somehow escape there probably with some of the rest of the election and a number of other Israelites in general (as will be outlined in subsequent chapters herein). 

 

Evidently, most or all of Philadelphia will largely escape the ante-typical tribulation portion of Yakov’s Trouble which is coming on Protestant Christianity at the fall of the Anglo-Saxon-Celtic nations--probably starting with the sixth seal of the book of Revelation. 

 

Later, these Philadelphians will escape the great tribulation, as well, because YHWH will guide them to a place of safety with protection from the Dragon and the Beast (Rev 12). 

 

 

Petra

 

This takes one to the so-called place of safety.  On this, there is one and only “one” place of safety in the Scriptures.  That place categorically is Petra (in Greek) and in the Hebrew Tanakh called Sela (Rock City), Seir (hairy), the Strong City (Ps 108:10-11), and the Rock (where the eagles gather--Matt 24:28).  These terms refer to a precise physical place of geography in modern Jordan and/or ancient Edom (meaning red). 

 

In a September 1997 ministry letter from the Southwest Radio Church, Noah W. Hutchings quoted a recent article from the “USA Today” paper and noted that a new highway has been built up to the entrance of the 6,000 foot narrow El Ciq (the only way now into the sanctuary by foot or on animals, although plans are now underway to make it accessible to tour buses). 

 

Inside Petra, the old water system used by the Nabateans is being restored by the UN.  Question--is the UN now busy preparing facilities which will be soon used by the very elect?  If so, they are certainly doing it unknowingly and unconsciously (actually serving YHWH since both good and evil people serve Him). 

 

Hutchings says that references to Petra (Mt. Hor--place of caves, Mt. Seir--hairy, Sela, the Strong City--Ps 60:1, 9-12, City of the Edomites, etc) are only second in number behind Jerusalem in the Book.  Supposedly, Petra is to become an international city free of all political control and “belonging to the world“ which could be profoundly important (per the article). 

 

Mention was made in Hutchings’ letter to Petra as being “Israel’s Hiding Place” in the tribulation.  An ad on Chuck Missler’s “Bible Study Tour” described Petra as the “probable home of millions of Jews” in the 3 1/2 years tribulation (“Personal Update,” Dec 1997, p. 47).  

 

 

Millions or 14,000?

 

Another question--can the 132 square miles of Petra hold and sustain millions of people or does 14,000 seem more plausible?  Some Christians, apparently including Hutchings and Missler, see Petra as a refuge for part or all of the Jews, not understanding that Petra is to be a refuge for the very elect believers in YHWH YESHUA of the lost House of Yisrael. 

 

These Philadelphians will evidently be at Petra for 1260 days or 3 1/2 years while Satan unleashes his great tribulation on the remnant of YHWH’s people.  At the end of this 3 1/2 years (of great tribulation), the Beast man’s army seems to commence a move against them (as will be assessed in some detail in later chapters herein). 

 

This appears to be the situation which precipitates the first (of the age ending) returns of YESHUA when He comes to Bozrah to rescue the very elect of Philadelphia, then under threat from the Beast army (Isa 33:14-16; 34:1-15; 49:13; 62:11-12; 63:1-6; Jer 49:13; Ezek 35:1-15; Zep 1:7; Matt 24:15-31; Rev 14:14-20). 

 

 

Sea of Glass

 

With the rescue of the very elect, they are taken to the Sea of Glass, as noted by Yohanan (Rev 15:1-3).  There probably could be any number of theories on exactly where this sea of glass is physically present.  As a minimum, it will be a place of safety and protection when YHWH unleashes the seven last plagues upon so-called humanity. 

 

While this writer has some uncertainty on locating the sea of glass, the case can logically be made that it is a space ship or platform of some sort in orbit around the earth (perhaps similar to the ones being used by the US and Russia in the late 20th and early 21st centuries). 

 

Although this writer cannot be dogmatic at this point on the total make-up of this rescue (beyond Philadelphia at Petra), it appears plausible that at this rescue of Philadelphia, YHWH also rescues all of the rest of the election then still alive in the world (perhaps only some part of the 144,000 since many of them will have likely died for their faith during the great tribulation). 

 

Perhaps the resurrection of the dead members of the election also surfaces at this Sea of Glass safety time (which would encompass the rest of the 144,000), although it could also come 30 days later (after the seven last plagues or vials) when The ELOHIM returns to the Mount of Olives to precede His entrance into Jerusalem. 

 

For the moment, this writer leans in the direction that this resurrection of the elect dead will come in conjunction with the rescue of the election still alive.  However, this writer would not argue the point either way since the case can be made that it will happen later when YESHUA returns to enter Jerusalem. 

 

But for sure, the very elect and almost assuredly the balance of the election still alive are at the Sea of Glass when the seven last plagues (or vials) are poured out upon earth, as a prelude to YHWH YESHUA’s final return, to be described in later chapters. 

 

For a fact, all of Philadelphia will eventually relocate to Jerusalem and certainly before the great tribulation.  Also, of enormous importance, it seems likely that the final assembly, Laodicea, will be in existence in Jerusalem and probably before the start of the work of the two witnesses to publicly preach to the world. 

 

 

Philadelphia, A Recap 

 

From Revelation 3, the book of Philippians, and the above comments, it is possible to conclude some features of Philadelphia--viz: 

 

She will have works and will serve The MOST HIGH.  The open door spells out an opportunity for service for this group. 

 

She will have a little strength; or more correctly, power (from the Greek word “dunamis”), meaning the genuine Baptism of The RUACH HA KODESH” and/or the Baptism of Fire.  Philadelphia will experience the latter rain in time (Jas 5:7), in the same sense that this experience came to the first century CE Apostolic Assembly. 

 

She will be a very obedient group which keeps YHWH’s mitzwot in His Word/Torah. 

 

She will not deny YHWH YESHUA’s name--which means that she will correctly know it, its pronunciation and meaning. 

 

She will correctly understand the reality of the synagogue of Satan (yes, she will know about the evil Amalekites, who claim to be Jews, but are not Jews). 

 

She will keep the word of YHWH’s patience (from the Greek “hupomone,” meaning endurance and continence, as at Rev 3:10 and 14:12). 

 

Much of the future of Philadelphia is spelled out as the woman in Revelation 12:6, 13-17 and as the very elect of Matthew 24:15-22; Mark 13:14-20; and Luke 21:20-23.  Possibly, the Eliyahu and Yohanan witnesses may link someway to Philadelphia (Mal 3:1-3; 4:5-6).  Surely, in the restoration of all things, the concept must include a restoration of the Apostolic Assembly. 

 

 

The Historic Philadelphia 

 

In terms of what has had to have happened or what must still happen, Philadelphia probably started as a Sunday keeping fallout in some way from the Church of God Abrahamic Faith in an area logically in the Western US (which has been the strength of Sardis).  The British Israel and/or Christian Identity motions meet this need. 

 

In the context of history, this may be the situation with the development of the work of G. G. Rupert in Oklahoma in 1915 (which must have linked with the British Israel work of Merritt Dickinson, just before the advent of WWI).  In those days, Oklahoma was indeed a new Westward missionary outreach area for the old Church of God (7th Day).  So, in time and place, Philadelphia could have commenced just then. 

 

As noted earlier herein, Rupert died in 1922.  His family and others continued putting the Remnant of Israel out until 1929, when it temporarily ceased publication.  Later, his daughter and son-in-law (I. C. Sultz) revived the effort.  William J. Walker of Opportunity, Washington continued some aspects of the work of Rupert for many years. 

 

Contemporary with the work of Rupert, Reuben H. Sawyer seems to have started the Sunday keeping component of Philadelphia in Oregon with his understanding and promotion of racial ideas in the 1920s and 1930s.  This work was discussed in previous chapters and needs no further comment here. 

 

In the early 1930s, both A. N. Dugger and C. O. Dodd were obvious students of Rupert.  When they organized the Church of God (7th Day) at Salem West Virginia in 1933, the spirit of Philadelphia/Philadelphia theology was plainly in this work as both Dugger and Dodd tried to put over some obedience of the Torah to this group. 

 

However, this spirit or theology of Philadelphia effort collapsed in 1936 when the old dead Sardis mentality took over and locked Dodd out of his office.  Soon, Dugger was also forced out.  Thus, whatever presence of Philadelphia in Salem ended around 1936 (although the organizational aspects of Philadelphia survived with Martin Orgren’s work with the Seventh Day Church of God, before Pentecostalism took over). 

 

But by 1937-38, the spirit/theology of Philadelphia resurfaced again in two new directions.  First, Herbert Armstrong split from Salem and started his Radio Church of God in Eugene, Oregon (which moved to Pasadena, CA in the 1940s).  While HWA had some problems, the case can be made that there was an aspect of Philadelphia present in his work in the early years--up until his wife Loma died (in c1967). 

 

The other important development, which must have involved the spirit of Philadelphia or Philadelphia theology, arose when Dodd started publishing the “Faith” magazine in 1937.  By 1938, Dodd’s work had linked in with the Sacred Name development and quickly spread across the US.  In those days, this represented a giant leap forward in terms of truth and righteousness. 

 

Admittedly, with the death of Dodd in c1955-1956, this motion began to lose its early flavor and focus.  From the 1960s on, it seemed like the Sacred Name effort had tragically transitioned back to the old dead Sardis spirit.  However, in saying this, it must be allowed that the spirit/theology of Philadelphia probably has had a continuing presence in some individuals in the Sacred Name movement ever since its inception. 

 

 

The Feast Days 

 

Despite the presence of the dead spirit of Sardis present in most or all of the Sacred Name, Christian Identity, the Seventh Day Church of God and Armstrong Church of God factions, most of these groups have had some focus on keeping the Scriptural feast days of Leviticus 23 for many years now--thanks to the work of G. G. Rupert, C. O. Dodd and Herbert W. Armstrong, as described above and/or earlier herein. 

 

To the extent that modern Christian Israelites have learned about and put into practice the annual observance of the Leviticus 23, YHWH-ordained feasts and the seven annual Sabbaths, this has been a marvelous development.  The primary remaining tragedy about this affair is that few people in Christendom has seemed able to pick upon the value and importance of the so-called Jewish festivals. 

 

If Christian Israelites would have been keeping the Jewish fast days of the fourth, fifth and tenth months, they would have had some perception of what was coming to their nations in the context of future prophecies.  Assuredly, Christian Israelites would have benefited themselves and their descendants for generations if they would have kept Purim and followed Moshe’s instructions on remembering the deeds of Amalek. 

 

 

Possibilities for the Future

 

Because of the paramount role of race in Philadelphia, it is highly probable that the dual seedline proponents of the right wing Christian Identity movement will play some role in the eventual surfacing of Philadelphia.  There are some good people in this motion.  But they are badly handicapped by extremely shallow and evil leaders.  If some of these persons can break free of their useless leaders, there is hope for them. 

 

Next, there are some ex-Jehovah’s Witnesses (JWs) in the United States who are showing some signs of openness and independent thinking (beyond what they were formally taught by the JWs’ organization).  It’s hard to pre-judge what direction all of these individuals will finally take.  Conceivably, some of them might ultimately become Philadelphians. 

 

But for the present, it is fascinating that some of these ex-JWs are showing definite signs of entertaining new thinking on truth and righteousness.  For sure, these ex-JWs must be watched carefully and especially since the JWs have had clear historic ties to the Church of God Abrahamic Faith. 

 

Of course, there remains the question of how any broaching of race (as so relevant in terms of Philadelphia) can reach these ex-JWs since they have been so brainwashed on any discussion of race by the controlled society.  It may take a revelation of truth on race to wake people up on this theme.  Thus, one may speculate that it is possible that only some persons in the racialist right wing will ultimately be attuned to reality. 

 

Finally, it seems that the Philadelphia entity must materialize and organize somewhere and pack up and move to Palestine eventually (perhaps directly, or maybe even via Australia or New Zealand in a movement West if that factor is relevant in the vein of the Westward movement of the seven congregations).  Probably, Philadelphia’s most important work remains future at this time in Palestine/Petra. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 195--Laodicea

 

 

Lethargic Laodiceans 

 

This then brings up the final group (Laodicea).  Like the ultimate reality of Philadelphia still seems future in early 2003, the same possibility could be true for Laodicea--which must come out of or link to Philadelphia in some manner.  Other comments herein have suggested that perhaps all of the eventual Laodicean Assembly will find initial safety in Jerusalem before the start of the great tribulation.  And this seems to be true. 

 

But as outlined earlier, the Laodiceans have clear problems in their make-up and theology to prompt them to be neither hot or cold (double minded and receiving nothing from YHWH, per Jas 1:7-8?).  Accordingly, when the great tribulation strikes (of the last three and one-half years of man’s misrule), Laodicea will not be delivered to safety as Philadelphia will. 

 

In short, these luke-warm Laodiceans (who probably also are indifferent, lethargic and could care less about real truth and righteousness) will go down the tubes and through the great tribulation--to be cleaned up, along with the remaining evil Christian Israelites in Jerusalem and around the world, as will be discussed in later comments in this and subsequent chapters. 

 

So the question comes up--what is the problem with the Laodicean Sabbathkeepers, mentioned by Yohanan (Rev 3:14-22)--beyond the obvious in them being neither hot or cold?  Well, in turning to Shaul’s letters to the seven assemblies, it appears that the epistle to the Galatians probably pertains to them. 

 

 

Trust in Judaism? 

 

The situation with the Galatians seems to involve a belief and trust in Judaism, the Temple and Jewish religious rituals and practices (to include animal sacrifices) for redemption.  Historically, this letter to the Galatians dove-tails with the Acts 15 conference, discussed in a previous chapter. 

 

The point of these writings is that redemption is a gift of unmerited grace and involves no works of any kind--circumcision or whatever.  No sinner can ever obey any law, perform any ritual or take any action to ever gain and receive reconciliation. 

 

The reality of this simple truth forever destroys any possible validity in the false theory of Christian preacher Peter Peters that Christian baptism means remission of sins, as was noted in former chapters herein.  Actually, this warped theory also predominates in Catholicism where there is a moral cleansing with baptism.  As will be discussed later herein, this theology comes from the old sun cults. 

 

Importantly, only YHWH YESHUA can grant remission of sins and salvation--as He does through His gifts of faith, repentance and grace. 

 

Of course, this is not to say that believers should not obey the Torah (to include being circumcised, keeping Sabbath days, Temple sacrifices, if appropriate, and so forth).  Yes, believers should obey all of the Torah to avoid sin, and they need all of the help that they can get from Judaism and/or Jews who may know the law. 

 

But believers should not become mentally deposed to believe in or trust in law obedience, the Jews or Temple sacrifices as the means or path to salvation.  This is the most likely dilemma which the Laodiceans will face, although it could also extend beyond these basics into the Kabbalah, as described formerly. 

 

It might be that the Kabbalah catches on within Judaism to not only entrap numbers of Jews; but also, Messianic believers of the Laodicean Assembly. 

 

The true faithful should have an appreciation, love, respect and support for the Tanakh, the Hebrew language, the Temple, Second Temple Judaism and for the restoration work of the two witnesses (or more likely the four carpenters, who will be described in later chapters). 

 

Any and all Sabbathkeeping believers should count themselves blessed if they are able to escape to Jerusalem and have some role to play in the building of the Third Temple and the restoration of true worship in Jerusalem. 

 

But these persons need to keep things in the proper perspective and not get carried away with Judaism and Temple sacrifices as a means of achieving redemption.  Therefore, Judaism (as good as it may be) does not and will not save anyone.  Salvation comes to the election by the choice, decision and will of The MOST HIGH. 

 

 

Some Possibilities

 

While this writer is still somewhat open on the question of identifying all of the features of the coming Laodicea entity, a group in Florida has surfaced which may embody what is involved with this coming seventh assembly.  The Florida group is the Fellowship Church and the Tzemach Institute of Casselberry, Florida.  They publish a periodical called the “Tzemach Letter.”  It is quoted several times herein. 

 

This Fellowship Church is very much a Christian Church.  Yet, it is also very Jewish.  As it has a Pentecostal-Charismatic focus (complete with the Holy Roller baptism and born again teachings), it would be a good candidate for the Kabbalah and the dark features of Judaism. 

 

Along with this Florida group, the Maoz Israel work in the state of Israel is one more which seems to be Laodicean.  Maoz is quoted elsewhere herein. 

 

It is also a Pentecostal-Charismatic group which seems to be both pro-Christian and pro-Jewish (but not on the Orthodox level) and one which could easily succumb to the Kabbalah.  The pastor’s wife, Shira, was reportedly a goy Pentecostal from Dallas, Texas (her father was a Pentecostal preacher) before conversion to Judaism. 

 

 

The Apparent Laodicea 

 

This then brings up the final linked group, which must start with a Sunday keeping entity that gives a related Sabbathkeeping fallout a theological and historical basis.  At the moment, the evidence is massive that this presentation arose in the 1960s in the form of the Sunday keeping “Jesus People” movement. 

 

The impetus for the Jesus People reality was that in the early 1960s many young people became turned off on the hypocrisy and evil present in their parents, in society leaders (especially in government leaders; but also, in the economic, religious, business and cultural leaderships) and in the contemporary culture and society at large. 

 

These youngsters became the modern so-called hippies who focused on drugs, free sex, folk songs and other expressions of rebellion toward the Establishment and the gods of the Establishment (it was then true, just as earlier and later, that man is a very hypocritical being--in that he talks one tune, but practices another). 

 

Evidently, in San Francisco/Los Angeles initially, and other cities later with a hippie presence, some Christians arrived on the scene to prompt many of these hippies with some motivation to turn to “Jesus” as the answer to the depravity, evil and hypocrisy which they beheld in the generic society. 

 

Since the Sunday keeping Christian Identity people held similar views on the depravity in government and the collective society (the difference is that the Christian Identity people were right wingers while the hippies and Jesus People were left wingers), and since they both were in California in the same time frame, it is entirely plausible that the Christian Identity motion made some philosophical contributions to the developing Jesus People effort. 

 

In any case, the Jesus People motion was a success in the years 1965-1967 and spun out or influenced several Jesus People Churches--including the well known Calvary Chapel in Southern California (as started by Chuck Smith in 1965--probably Smith had had some contact with Wesley Swift, who apparently had Pentecostal roots, and who preached at Aimee Semple McPherson’s Foursquare Pentecostal Church where Smith and his family attended), the also well known Jesus People USA Church in Chicago (which organized in 1972), some real kooky groups and several other entities (most of which quickly became linked to Pentecostal/Charismatic theology). 

 

In looking back at this early movement, it is easy to see some philosophical linkage between it and the just noted Christian Identity motion (though most observers would never allow or perceive a tie).  Both groups became dissatisfied with the general society (in terms of leadership, government and direction) and turned to The MESSIAH and His government and coming Kingdom as the solution to societal evils. 

 

 

The Messianic Jews, Revisited 

 

The preceding remarks take the student of truth to the next Seventh day Sabbathkeeping entity--the Messianic Jews (as broached in a prior chapter).  Along with the Jesus People influence, there also seems to be at least a couple of other lines of philosophy and/or beliefs which also greatly influenced and contributed to the developing Messianic Jewish movement. 

 

As developing, in the early 21st century, this has to be one of the more important groups of Sabbathkeepers and the almost certain eventual Laodicean entity (although the present motion may undergo some more evolution before it reaches the ultimate Laodicean status). 

 

In a conversation this writer had with Moishe Rosen, founder of Jews for Jesus, Mr Rosen suggested to me that the modern Messianic Jewish movement started with the work of Lawrence Duff-Forbes of Whittier, California by the year 1956. 

 

Forbes, a goy Christian, titled his work the “Jewish Evangelistic Witness” (later called the “Jewish Educational Witness”), which may have met at Gorman’s Mortuary in Los Angeles.  Apparently, Forbes held a very Jewish approach to the questions of YESHUA and worship/liturgy. 

 

While Mr Forbes must have taught a more Jewish approach to the historic Christian beliefs, his efforts were evidently quite limited with no appreciable outreach or influence on the larger religious world.  It must have died out soon because this writer has been unable to obtain further information on it after the 1950s. 

 

Per Mr Rosen, Forbes and Edward Brotsky (a Jew) ordained each other as “Messianic Rabbis” in Whittier, around 1956.  Brotsky was evidently from Toronto, Canada, though he would gain some recognition in Philadelphia in the 1960s when he founded a group called the “Congregation of the Messiah,” which later evolved into the Messianic Jewish “Beth Messiah” and “Beth Yeshua” entities (per “Messianic Judaism,” p. 102). 

 

Historically, Jews who came to believe in YESHUA were known as Christian Jews or Hebrew Christians. 

 

These Jews were very Christian and typically members of one of the mainline Christian Churches.  Though they had had some earlier exposure to Judaism, they largely lost it on becoming Christians.  For all purposes, they became just Sunday keeping Christians, as was the usual situation with the historic goy Christians. 

 

But the hippie/Jesus People revolution of the 1960s caused a number of these young Jews (who often had been former hippies) to turn--not to “Jesus,” but to YESHUA--as the answer to the dilemma of the hypocrisy and evil found in the collective society.  There remains some question of exactly how this process came about.  But this writer has studied the question and arrived at some conclusions which are probably valid. 

 

Dr David Rausch wrote the just cited book, “Messianic Judaism,” which laid out much of the history of Messianic Judaism (less any mention of the work of Forbes).  Without saying it, Rausch seems to allow that the motion may have started with or involved the work of a Jewish Christian named Manny Brotman, who graduated from the Jewish Studies program at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago in the 1960s (ibid, p. 72). 

 

The author of this study has come to believe that indeed Brotman must be given credit for kicking off the eventual Messianic Jewish motion which surfaced by the early 1970s (following the earlier work of Lawrence Duff-Forbes).  Of course, there were other people involved.  But Brotman surely provided much of the early leadership. 

 

By 1965, Brotman had organized a “young” component of the existing Hebrew Christian Alliance of America (HCAA), then functioning in Chicago (this alliance was organized in 1915 in the sense of providing some linkage of the Jewish Christians in the nominal Christian denominations).  In that year of 1965, Brotman also organized a youth conference as a part of the Jubilee Conference of the HCAA. 

 

Some fifteen young people attended Brotman’s first conference (including a young Jewish believer named David Chernoff, son of Martin Chernoff of Cincinnati).  For the next several years, Brotman continued these conferences at different locations in the US, and involving young Jews from various parts of America.  By the year 1970, some 70 young Jews were in attendance at one of Brotman’s conferences. 

 

By then, attendees had included a Jewish girl named Sandra Sheskin from Washington DC (she later married Manny Brotman) and Joe and Debbie Finkelstein from Philadelphia.  In the 1971 conference, in Detroit, the Finkelsteins brought with them some 25 hippies (ibid, p. 72).  Reportedly, the Finkelsteins had started opening their doors in Philadelphia to hippies in the late 1960s. 

 

While there is some difference in opinion of which person was responsible for the present Messianic Jewish movement, this writer takes the position that it probably arose out of the meetings conducted by Brotman (with influence from earlier pioneers like Lawrence Duff-Forbes). 

 

 

The Early Groups 

 

For sure, in 1970, Martin Chernoff organized one of the first modern Messianic Jewish congregations in the form of Beth Messiah in the city of Cincinnati. 

 

Phillip Goble and Ray Gannon, two Christian goyim, put together a very Jewish Messianic group in Encino, California by the early 1970s.  Their ministry started in the fall of 1970, but it was in 1973 before their congregation was organized.  This effort was hosted by the Assemblies of God on the premise that it was a Hebrew Christian operation; when, in fact, the liturgy and worship practices quickly became very Jewish. 

 

Simha Pearlmutter may have had a Messianic Jewish work in Florida in the 1960s (as suggested to me by Rick Chaimberlin and Moishe Rosen).  Whether this congregation actually existed in the US at that time as a Messianic Jewish group is still uncertain to me (it may have been Hebrew Christian).  In time, Pearlmutter induced a few people to go with him to Israel where he had a Messianic Jewish congregation by the 1970s. 

 

The summer of 1970 saw Moishe Rosen move from NY to San Francisco to start the Jews for Jesus group (“Not Ashamed,” p. 31).  Rosen’s outreach was to young hippie Jews with a view of converting them to “Jesus” (ibid, p. 78).  While Rosen’s work remained a Hebrew Christian work (he and his people even fellowship with local Christian Churches), he did allow some presence of Judaism to influence it. 

 

In a backdrop, the Jesus People revolution in the 1960s set the stage for the almost simultaneous Messianic Jewish focus--perhaps because some 20% to 30% of the hippies in the early 1960s were Jews (ibid, p. 78).  Once Christian preachers and teachers began presenting “Jesus” to these hippies as the solution, it would cause a ripple in Jewish circles. 

 

For sure, Jews for Jesus is an absolute fall-out of the Jesus People effort which must be recognized as having some influence over the then developing Messianic Jewish entity--though the Jews for Jesus people have never adopted the Messianic Jew identification, instead choosing to remain Christian Jews or Hebrew Christians. 

 

 

Money

 

It’s too bad that this work didn’t turn more to Judaism.  But perhaps, Jews for Jesus looked to the goyim Christians for financial support; and therefore chose not to present too much Judaism for fear of losing its financial base. 

 

This same push for money seems to exist with some of the other Messianic Jewish groups (like Maoz Israel).  Some of them receive financial support from some goyim Christians.  In that context, they will compromise some part of the truth they hold on the Torah just to be in harmony with their Christian financial supporters.  Manifestly, this willingness to sell out truth for money has to be Laodicean. 

 

Building on a rejection of the depravity in the contemporary society and on an acceptance of YESHUA and His government and coming Kingdom as answers, the developing Messianic Jewish movement turned more and more to its historic Jewish roots in worship rituals, festivals, music and liturgy. 

 

In trying to recover the historic Jewish worship found in synagogues, in the vein of a belief in YESHUA, it meant Sabbathkeeping and a Jewish focus.   Thus, the groups began abandoning the idea of being Christian Jews following “Jesus” and instead chose to be called Messianic Jews following YESHUA. 

 

In the years 1973-1975, the HCAA showed the new attitude by changing its name to the Messianic Jewish Alliance of America (MJAA). 

 

 

The Laodicea Identification 

 

Yes, it is very plausible to connect the Messianic Jews to Laodicea, simply on the basis of their theology and background (even the Nov 2002 “Yavoh He is Coming” periodical [p. 5] notes that some of the Messianic Jewish groups promote the agenda and teachings of Judaism and deny the “deity of YESHUA”). 

 

Otherwise, it is true that some of the Messianic Jewish groups are very Christian.  As outlined earlier, many of them maintain a stance of simply being Christian Jews.  Their worship practices and rituals are still contaminated with Christian ideas and especially with Pentecostalism.  Obviously, this is not good for people in pursuit of truth and righteousness. 

 

The above comments noted the status of the Tzemach Institute and the Maoz Israel Ministries.  Both of these groups are apparent Messianic Jews which have succumbed to Pentecostalism.  Actually, there is a growing presence of the Pentecostal-Charismatic influence within the modern Messianic Jewish movement (perhaps in 50 to 90% of the groups--just as there has been with the Jesus People motion). 

 

When this Holy Roller influence is combined with the prevailing attitude of Jews on how great and wonderful that they think they are (in their minds--Jews are “God’s Chosen People” and they are the greatest and above criticism, as cited in previous remarks herein) and on the possibilities of acceptance of the Kabbalah, it presents a very proud and vain lot of people. 

 

Presently, this writer believes that this combination spells out the reality of the Laodicean Assembly. 

 

In this sense, it isn’t so much that these persons will believe in the Temple and Temple sacrifices for salvation, but it will be that they believe in their own ethnic self righteousness for salvation (in that they are Jews, “God’s Chosen People,” who are above criticism, and who have or will have the Pentecostal/Charismatic experience, possibly combined with the Kabbalah). 

 

It is very likely that the case can be made that Gentile/goyim converts to Messianic Judaism will become so obsessed with the glory and greatness of Jews that even they will want to identify themselves as Jews (which will elevate them also into the state of super-righteousness and being above criticism).  For sure, this belief could easily bring out the Laodicean mentality. 

 

The essence of this tragedy is that both Jews and goyim converts will come to believe that by being Jews they are saved and have salvation.  It is also interesting that this same mentality has influenced some of the goyim Christians in the Christian Identity motion.  They come to suppose that because they are racial Israelites, they are saved.  Of course, all of these ideas are patently wrong and contrary to the Word. 

 

 

The Link to Philadelphia 

 

In terms of time and place (from the 1950s, with the work of Lawrence Duff-Forbes to the early 1970s, particularly in CA), the Messianic Jewish movement certainly qualifies for Laodicea.  The question remaining is how this effort connects to Philadelphia.  This writer has struggled for some time in trying to piece together the linkage. 

 

At the moment, the best option on a link to the predecessor Sabbbathkeepers seems to be with Lawrence Duff-Forbes, Edward Brotsky or Manny Brotman, and/or with one or more of the other early pioneers (in the years 1956 to 1970) who probably had some contact with the Herbert W. Armstrong ministry (which had a massive radio and TV outreach from Los Angeles in those years). 

 

Armstrong’s message about rejecting the pagan Christian holidays and adopting the Sabbaths and Scriptural festivals, and eating kosher food (which was the earlier message of G. G. Rupert) would have appealed to Forbes and interested Jews. 

 

Dr Michael Schiffman’s “Return of the Remnant” (p. 31) mentions the work of Forbes and says that he utilized Messianic terminology, had Shabbat and Jewish Holy Day services, and utilized Jewish liturgical forms in worship. 

 

Clearly, many of the same practices were also advocated by Armstrong (which allows for a tie in the LA area).  Moishe Rosen even allows that there was perhaps some tie between the two men.  In a conversation with this writer, the above mentioned pioneer Ray Gannon told me that he first had contact with the Armstrong work in 1962 and took its magazine and studied its literature. 

 

In the late 1960s and early 1970s, Herbert’s son Garner Ted was handling the radio and TV outreach.  He had quite a focus on social problems and the environment which were beginning to capture the fascination of numbers of young people (like those in the hippie and Jesus People efforts). 

 

These Armstrong messages (involving the spirit of Philadelphia/Philadelphia theology) would have appealed to young Jews.  This writer believes that perhaps the Armstrong work and the Six-Day War (with the Jewish seizure of old Jerusalem) combined with the success of the Jesus People motion to motivate numbers of young Jews to turn to their Jewish roots in terms of worship and deportment (and in the vein of YESHUA). 

 

The conclusion here is that surely the Messianic Jewish movement constitutes what one would expect to find in Laodicea (though some individual believers here may eventually become Philadelphians).  Despite this identification, the move here to a Jewish format and liturgy in worship is a marvelous development.  After all, this is the Scriptural position as well. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 196--Other Sabbathkeeping Groups

 

 

Other Groups 

 

Beyond the Sabbathkeeping congregations, as discussed in the prior chapters, there seems to be two other types of Sabbathkeeping, Messianic groups which do not precisely (100%) fit into the definitions discussed so far.  It might be that when the age end trouble comes that these groups will largely disappear with their members dispersing to the Sardis, Philadelphia, Laodicea or other Assemblies. 

 

First, there is the question of the Pentecostal and Charismatic Sabbathkeepers (which was mentioned previously in the vein of Sardis, Christian Identity, Jesus People and Messianic Jewish entities). 

 

Tragically, some part of these classifications have included some Holy Roller, Sabbathkeeping, Identity believers.  While the case might be made that many of the Christian Identity people will possibly find their way to Philadelphia, this seems virtually out of the question for the Holy Rollers. 

 

The Holy Roller mentality and demonic attachment (to be described in later chapters) so fills the participants with pride and vanity that it seems highly unlikely that they can ever gravitate to Philadelphia.  Some Holy Roller individuals might make some spiritual progress if they repent of the demonic Holy Roller influence.  But otherwise, it seems out of the question. 

 

In any case, Shaul’s first letter to the Corinthians clearly places the Holy Rollers into the vein of Sardis.  And they correctly should be tied to Sardis.  After all, except for the Holy Roller nonsense, these peoples and their organizations are manifestly Sardis to the core in theology and belief. 

 

However, because of the preceding commentary on Messianic Jews, it is manifestly clear that numbers of Holy Rollers have already and will in the future infiltrate that motion to adversely affect it as well. 

 

 

Mormon Sabbathkeepers? 

 

One more difficult category is the Mormon Sabbathkeepers.  Apparently, there has been a minority, few Mormons who have accepted the Seventh day Sabbath over the years.  But this reality seems to be essentially a few scattered individuals and not any real organized effort--beyond Dan Gayman’s Church of Israel and a small communal group in West Central Utah (both of which were discussed in prior chapters herein). 

 

This Utah group probably cannot be classified exactly as Mormons.  In its early years, the group had a prophet on the order of Joseph Smith, and many of its members evidently once were Mormons.  Clearly, the group has had much in common with the Mormons.  Anyway, the group’s members do have a point of identification in claiming to be Sabbathkeepers. 

 

However, that issue is subject to debate.  Their concept of the Sabbath was or is to keep it from sunrise until sunset on the Seventh day. 

 

Except for this one consideration, this group was and is, otherwise, strictly a part and parcel of heathen Christianity--complete with Easter, Christmas, Gee Zeus, Lord Chrishna and the works of sun worship paganism (some of this evil was covered earlier and the rest will be described in detail in subsequent chapters herein). 

 

This writer visited this Utah group under discussion once many years ago.  At that time, the Utah members had a so-called community Passover meal which involved some of the facets of the Jewish seder celebration.  Some other Christian groups do this and also have a lamb for their “alleged” Passover meals (whether the Utah people have went this far or not remains a question to me presently). 

 

In any case, the Utah Passover meal was not conducted on the right Scriptural day and it did not include the articles of the consecrated grape juice and unleavened bread and foot washing, as established by YESHUA.  Certainly, this group made no effort to observe the festival of unleavened bread.  The whole group exercise involved the single meal. 

 

The final sickening thing about this largely pagan group was that on the next Sunday morning, many or most of the members trotted out to a local hillside to have a Easter sunrise celebration--worshipping as the sun rose to the East.  The truth of the three days and nights (as cited previously herein) had apparently been presented to them.  But it had no impact on them.  They loved their pagan, sun worship, Easter ceremony. 

 

So, where do the members of this Utah group fit in?  Frankly, it might be that they don’t fit in with the Sabbathkeepers outlined herein.  They are so pagan and so limited to a daylight hours Sabbath that it seems questionable to even try to call them Sabbathkeepers. 

 

In any case, when trouble soon strikes the US, groups like the Church of Israel and the one in Utah will quickly vanish into the woodwork.  These groups likely won’t be an issue or even around when YESHUA returns. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 197--The Obedience Issue

 

 

The Problem of Obedience 

 

In any discussion of the truth and righteousness associated with the Torah (as was done in preceding chapters herein), one must inevitably come to grips with the question of obedience.  There are manifestly a few Christians or Christian groups today, out in the world, which talk about obedience.  But their words are far removed from their actions (this can be called hypocrisy). 

 

Even in the NT, everything ultimately devolves to obedience.  Many Christians whine and carry on about being born again and having the spirit; but without exception, they fail to note that even these definitions are tied to obedience (Acts 5:32; Heb 5:9).  Possibly, part of the Christian dilemma is that when Christians speak of obeying they don’t have in mind the same type of obedience that the Scriptures define and discuss. 

 

Importantly, in the Book, the question of obedience is always cast in the vein of the mitzwot of the Torah.  Christians simply don’t understand this message and concept.  Therefore, Christianity has developed her own theories of obedience in the vein of humanism and the brotherhood of man.  Christians acknowledge that the Torah speaks of other duties, laws and edicts (beyond those associated with good deeds to certain people), but they say that those words were written off and abolished in the NT. 

 

Thus, the Christian view is that the NT came along and established new teachings about righteousness in the context of humanism and the brotherhood of man (which is pure and simple Greek sun worship philosophy).  These Christians believe that the whole NT thrust is one of doing good deeds to one’s fellow man.  That’s what Christianity is supposedly all about. 

 

So while the bulk or totality of Christianity would acknowledge the humanism and so-called brotherhood of man concepts and support them with lip service (words and talk), many Christians are not even anxious to devote themselves much to this thinking from Greek sun worship.  They talk a lot about these ideas.  It’s just that not many of them are anxious to put their words into action in terms of deeds (and money). 

 

Actually, Christendom is not unique in her devotion to humanism and the brotherhood of man.  Almost all of the world’s organized religions have the same ideas.  The only exception here might be among some of the primitive religions found among Blacks in Africa or Mongoloids in Asia or North America.  Some of the very primitive, pagan religions do not subscribe to the brotherhood of man. 

 

But the one thing grossly absent from around the world is any devotion to the 613 mitzwot found in YHWH’s Torah.  It seems that absolutely no one is interested in these words.  Of course, there is a presumption that maybe some Jews take the Torah seriously.  And this is true, especially among some Ultra Orthodox.  

 

So while there are some Ultra Orthodox (and maybe even some Orthodox) sects or groups which do place a great emphasis on the mitzwot of the Torah, the truth is that even these groups fall short on the question of obedience (as will be established and proven in later chapters herein).  Yes, even the most serious Jews somehow end up in some form of disobedience. 

 

 

The Christian or Messianic Sabbathkeepers 

 

There is a Christian presumption that Christian and/or Messianic Sabbathkeepers do keep or attempt to keep the 613 mitzwot of the Torah (as mentioned in prior chapters herein).  But this presumption is simply not true in the real world. 

 

The problem with all of the contemporary Sabbathkeeping groups (presently in 2003) is that they all (and this includes most of the Messianic Jewish groups) are too contaminated with Christian theories and thinking.   Manifestly, the ideas of humanism and the brotherhood of man completely dominate the Christian mind.  Therefore, the same theology transitions to the Sabbathkeeping peoples.  

 

Admittedly, many Sabbathkeeping groups and peoples talk a good tune about obedience (like with other Christians).  It’s just that their hearts and minds are far removed from the righteousness of the Torah (though they do pretend to obey the Seventh day Sabbath commandment and perhaps a few others). 

 

Take the case of the Seventh Day Baptists (as discussed in previous chapters).  They are virtually the same as Sunday keeping Baptists (except for the Sabbath).  It’s useless to try to talk about them in any respect since they are 100% the same as other Baptist Christians for all purposes.  The Seventh-day Adventists (also discussed earlier) are not much better (although they do keep some of the food laws from the Torah).  About the only discussion an Adventist can have is on the words of Ellen G. White.  Many or most of them have spent lifetimes studying Ellen White. 

 

Sabbathkeeping Mormons have the same obsession over the writings of the con-man Joseph Smith.  Otherwise, they are blank.  The Sardis Churches of God (7th Day) and Sacred Name groups are a little better on openness--not much better, but a little better than the rest of Christendom.  The Messianic Jewish and Christian Identity groups and others now present in 2003 all seem to fit into the same category.  Many of them keep the weekly Sabbaths, much humanism and several of the other mitzwot from the Torah (but not all of the Torah). 

 

And among the Sardis groups, the worst people of all to try to talk to are the Pentecostals and Charismatics.  They are locked in a profound state of self righteousness and cannot be told anything beyond the messages implanted into their hearts and minds by demonic powers.  This Holy Roller problem will be addressed in some detail in subsequent chapters herein. 

 

Though the Sabbathkeeping groups are certainly a little better than the rest of Christendom, they, too, are far short of really making any effort to obey.  Thus, for all of Christianity, it seems to be a game of pick and choose which commandments one must obey. 

 

 

Some Specifics 

 

Over the past thirty years or so, this writer has had much contact with particularly the Sardis groups and some of their allies and colleagues.  It has always amazed me that many of these people talk a good tune about obeying.  It’s just that they won’t obey when the chips are down.  This is true with all of them known to me in early 2003.  Apparently, the coming Philadelphia will be different on this issue. 

 

In numerous discussions with many of the various Sardis people, this writer has tried to broach some of the mitzwot with them.  Inevitably, they look blank and go on about their business.  They can be told very plain, black and white Scriptures that cannot be confused.  Yet, most of them will not obey. 

 

Throughout this publication at hand, mention is made from time to time of how certain commandments are outlined to people and the recipients refuse to be corrected. 

 

One of the most abused mitzwot among men is the need to not shave or destroy one’s beard (Lev 19:27).  It’s possible to read this mitzwah to even Sabbathkeepers and they completely ignore its words (like in the case of the old gent, cited in previous chapters). 

 

A later chapter will tell about a person known to this writer who has a Christian work involving Christian meetings and conferences in which he allows women to assume leadership roles over the men in his group.  Of course, this is totally contrary to the Word (Gen 3:16; Isa 3:12; I Cor 11:1-15; 14:34-35; Eph 5:22-24; I Tim 2:9-15).  This restriction applies to the entire culture--both religious and secular. 

 

This writer wrote the man a letter about this subject and spelled out the Scriptures.  Of course, he was blank (or perhaps, he just never bothered to even read the Scriptures on the question) and continued on with the status quo of how he did things.  The amazing thing is that this person is an older man with serious health problems (he has had several major strokes).  Yet, he is unconcerned about obedience of the Book.  He seems to be a religious hobbyist who likes to read/study religious issues.  His problem is that he is in no mood to obey when mitzwot are pointed out to him (like over women and the beard issue). 

 

The tragedy about this man is that he has had much exposure to the Torah and its requirements--on issues like pork and Sabbathkeeping.  Yet, the man remains in late 2002 a pig-eater and evidently a Sunday keeping Christian (he even attended one of the Sardis Sabbathkeeping groups for some time and received some of the Sardis periodicals--like the “Sacred Name Broadcaster,” published in Bethel, PA). 

 

Many years ago, some of the features and requirements of the Word respecting the Scriptural festivals were pointed out to another friend of mine.  He seemed interested and jumped in to obey one of the points made.  Later, he forgot about the issue and changed back to his old self.  It just seems that YHWH’s mitzwot go in one ear and out the other in many of these rebellious people.  

 

Please understand here, the discussion is focusing upon Sabbathkeepers who do advertise and tell others about their obedience.   As noted above, it is essentially useless and a waste of time to even discuss obedience with the typical Sunday keeping Christian.  The only ideas he has on obedience centers on humanism and the brotherhood of man.  Anything more for him is a lost motion. 

 

In the various descriptions of the cited Sabbathkeeping groups, it is clear that all of those present contemporarily in the world today (in early 2003) are filled with gross shortcomings which generally devolve to disobedience. 

 

In terms of the future, it is clear from the Book that some people out in the world will take serious the need to start obeying.  It can be anticipated that when the mitzwot are brought to the attention of these people and Scriptural texts are cited to prove the plain and unmistakable words of truth that they will begin to obey and not continue on in their state of self righteousness and sin. 

 

 

Where We Are 

 

So far, perhaps some six or seven Sabbathkeeping groups (from Rev 1-3) have surfaced.  While the ultimate Philadelphia does not seem to be now present, all of the other six have clear manifestations right now (and the case can be made that Philadelphia, or at least, the spirit of Philadelphia/Philadelphia theology also has had a historical basis).  In saying that the ultimate and eventual Philadelphia appears to be essentially future, this writer does not intend to suggest that elements of it are not present on planet earth in some identifying forms right now. 

 

When examining these seven groups, it seems evident that five of them have major problems (Ephesus, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis and Laodicea).  Smyrna seems to be faithful and fairly obedient.  But her faith still was not sufficient to offer her people deliverance from the great tribulation.  Only Philadelphia will be sufficiently obedient to escape the great tribulation. 

 

Also, in looking at the predecessor Sabbathkeeping groups, which vanished from history before the Waldensians came along, another interesting fact seems to emerge.  Though some of their theology and thinking is not apparent, it does seem clear that they were fairly faithful and obedient people to stand up to the age-long persecution emanating from the Roman Catholic Church. 

 

Therefore, it might be said that since the removal of the Apostolic Assembly, in about 70 CE, there have been ten different Sabbathkeeping, Messianic groups.  Five of them seem to be fairly decent and five are filled with very obvious shortcomings.  This then takes the student of truth to YESHUA’s parable about the ten virgins (Matt 25:1-13). 

 

It is the job of the bridesmaids to prepare the bride (the collective congregation of believers in the overall definition of Israel) for the coming marriage with YESHUA--when He returns (Ps 45:14).  Hence, it would seem that the ten women in YESHUA’s parable are the bridesmaids.  Five have some wisdom and oil while five do not. 

 

As mentioned in a prior chapter, writer Harold Hemenway suggests that the ten virgins waiting for The Bridegroom (Matt 25) link to the ten lost tribes of Israel.  This view could have some merit because the evidence is massive that at least nine of these Sabbathkeeping groups (as described herein) involved or will involve essentially or perhaps completely House of Yisrael people. 

 

If this connection is valid, it then raises one more question about the prospects of the Messianic Jewish entity, per se, of being one of the ten assemblies (like maybe Laodicea).  However, this is not much of a problem because much of the present Messianic Jewish motion consists of goyim participants (as cited earlier).  So even Laodicea will involve House of Yisrael Israelites. 

 

 

A Final Word

 

While the eyes of the very elect must surely be on the coming of the Philadelphia congregation, that time and event may be close at hand. 

 

As noted in previous commentary, there is an interesting correlation between the Sabbath keeping groups and their predecessor Sunday keeping relatives.  This correlation has held for all the relevant groups since 70 CE.  Interestingly too, it appears that the seven identified entities of Revelation 2-3 may have been generally produced by Israelite peoples of Ephraim. 

 

This fact suggests that the ultimate Philadelphia may start in the land of Ephraim.  In this regard, it is utterly fascinating that the headquarters or leading portions of the Sunday keeping cousins of the seven assemblies have been establishing themselves in the Old/Deep South of the US.

 

The Waldenians are at Valdese, NC.  One large Hussite remnant is at Winston-Salem, NC.  The largest Baptist group, the Southern Baptists, are at Charlotte, NC.  The Advent Christian Church is at Charlotte as well.  The Church of God Abrahamic Faith located to Atlanta, GA in the 1980s.  Aryan Nations/Church of Jesus Christ Christian moved to the South in the early 21st century. 

 

Next, we may look for one of the leading elements of the Jesus People motion (like possibly Calvary Chapel or one of its cousins) may soon move to the South.  If there is to be a revived Philadelphia, we might ultimately see it surface in the Old/Deep South. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 198--Fellowship

 

 

The Modern Role of Christians Attending Church  

 

While it would be easy enough to completely blame Christian preachers for what has happened to Christian Churches, in terms of the bad so prevalent, one must, in fairness, take a look at the typical people in the Christian congregations.  In other words, the collective Christian people themselves are the essence of the problem and not just singularly the evil, lying preachers (who are admittedly awful bad). 

 

Yes, it’s a hard pill for many to swallow, but vast numbers of modern American Christian people are basically evil and are, accordingly, ripe for YHWH’s judgment (which will be covered in subsequent chapters herein). 

 

In the Jan 2002 “Yavoh” newsletter (p. 1-5), writer Monte Judah struck a home run when he discussed the reasons why Christian people go to their Christian Churches.  At the outset in his presentation, Judah broached the so-called obvious and/or righteous reasons on why for Christian Church attendance. 

 

Judah noted these alleged obvious reasons as being to worship “Jesus Christ” and/or to receive spiritual instruction in righteousness (sometimes, in the form of so-called “Bible Studies”).  But as Monte correctly noted-- “We all know that they (the Christians) don’t go for those reasons.” 

 

 

Yes, Other Reasons 

 

The writer of this study agrees with Judah.  People may holler and scream about these so-called good reasons, but their talk and carrying-on is all hype because Christians generally don’t attend Christian services for those reasons at all.  They attend for other, more powerful reasons.  Judah then listed his view of the top ten reasons for Christian Church attendance--viz:

 

 (1).  Habit (they simply don’t want to change anything). 

 

 (2).  Friendship, Companionship, or Networking (looking for their next spouse or customer). 

 

 (3).  Program involvement (member of the choir or of a particular class). 

 

 (4).  The Children’s Program (just like school). 

 

 (5).  The Dynamic Preacher (handsome and dignified--and by all means, with a lot of charisma, ed). 

 

 (6).  The Youth Program (teen religious activities, along with sports and video games). 

 

 (7).  The Music Program (Sunday morning choir and special performances). 

 

 (8).  Counseling (emotional support for pending/past divorce). 

 

 (9).  Group Activities (the ski trip, youth camping, couples retreat, etc). 

 

(10).  Holidays (the Christmas music and the Easter Pageant). 

 

Monte Judah’s above remarks are excellent.  Actually, this writer has also been aware of much of the same reality (as elsewhere covered herein).  About the most important reason that this writer would like to add to Judah’s list is the issue of pride and vanity (self righteousness).  As discussed in former chapters on pride, Christians become self righteous over membership in a Christian denomination. 

 

Frankly, the better guess would be that this is the number one reason for Christian Church attendance.  Likely, the other reasons mentioned by Monte take a back seat to the pride question.  Christian pride and apathy are great out in the Christian world. 

 

Despite all of the evil reasons for Christian Church attendance, and virtually the total failure of the churches to teach righteousness and good (the Torah), there is a Scriptural basis for proper fellowship which is the focus of this chapter.  Scriptural fellowship is a good thing and is needed by the people of YHWH.  But what one sees in the usual Christian Church is not good (as will be proven hereafter). 

 

Incidentally, there is much more that can be said on Christian Church attendance.  Other commentary herein has or will cite this writer’s great-great-grandfather on the matter of church attendance.  Truly, this subject is vast and Christianity simply never discusses it from the standpoint of truth or the real world out there. 

 

 

Hebrews 10:24-25 

 

At Hebrews 10:24-25, the King James Version gives a NT command (out of the 1,000 plus NT mitzwot, as described in a former chapter) as “let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:  Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another; and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” 

 

A number of other Scriptures have similar instructions (Isa 45:20; Zeph 2:1-3; Acts 2:1; 4:32; II Thes 2:1-2).  Obviously, YHWH has intended that His followers get-together often and participate in common fellowship.  Clearly, this is a mitzwah. 

 

Tragically, this is an interesting age ending mitzwah which many Christians use to justify and support their persistence in worshipping in pagan Christian Churches.  Many so-called believers use this text as a basis to attend worship services with some local, false worshipping Christian Church, without giving the text involved any due study and consideration. 

 

Upon examining that message further, several profoundly important issues develop which must be addressed in all fairness.  As commented upon in former remarks, the truth is that the words “assembling together” come from the Greek “episunagoge” which actually means “going to synagogue.” 

 

Consequently, Shaul in Hebrews 10:24-25 was correctly telling the Messianic believers to go to synagogue as the age ending day approaches.  In outlining this need, he assuredly was not talking about attending worship services with any false worshipping group--Christian or otherwise.  For sure, none of YHWH’s people attended any Christian Churches in either the OT or the NT. 

 

One must understand that this was not an unusual dictation at all.  On the contrary, the people of the Messianic Apostolic Assembly routinely worshipped in Jewish synagogues on Sabbath days with the other Jews, as their custom and manners were, per previous comments (Lu 4:16-21; Acts 9:20; 13:5, 14; 17:17; 18:4, 11, 19, 26; and 19:8). 

 

While these believers may have had studies of the Scriptures in the homes of other believers during the week (Rom 16:3-5, etc), they certainly came to the synagogue for worship on the Sabbaths. 

 

Besides this reference to synagogue worship in Hebrews, Shaul offered a similar expression at II Thessalonians 2:1 (where episunagoge is translated as “gathering together”).  As outlined earlier, James 2:2-9 also refers to synagogue attendance in the context of showing favoritism to rich people in your “assembly” (Greek “sunagoge”). 

 

 

The First Century CE Environment 

 

Of course, Shaul’s words were being directed to Messianic believers in the then Roman Empire.  The NT writings (and especially the works of Shaul, himself) are quite clear of exactly where this focus was being directed.  The NT record leaves no doubt that many of these Messianic Jewish believers were in Asia Minor, Greece, Macedonia and Italy. 

 

Previous chapters herein discussed the situation in the Diaspora where there were great numbers of Israelites from both the lost House of Yisrael and from the Jewish entity, throughout the Roman Empire.  As pointed out, the Messianic Jewish congregations mentioned by Yohanan and Shaul in Asia Minor, Grecian lands and so forth were founded upon local Jewish synagogues. 

 

“Encyclopaedia Judaica” (v. 8, p. 643) has a map in support of its discussion on the Jewish dispersals in the first century CE--which shows the known large and small Jewish congregations in the Roman Empire.  Manifestly, they were significant in Asia Minor, Greece and Macedonia.  Elsewhere, there were some scattered congregations in Cyprus, Egypt, Spain, France, Italy and Germany. 

 

Judaica (p. 642) makes the point that “Jewish settlements were thick in Asia Minor” and that there had been a Jewish settlement in Egypt since the days of the last pharaohs.  Going on, Judaica adds that inscriptions found show that there was a Hebrew settlement in Greece, as early as the second century BCE.  There was a similar Israelite presence in Rome, also as early as the second century BCE.

 

Almost in all cases, each of the Jewish congregations had synagogues.  In fact, the Jewish practice was to build a synagogue first of all as a community center and for fellowship and worship.  Obviously, when Shaul commenced his work (in fulfillment of his commission), he went to these Jewish synagogues in the Roman Empire (primarily in Asia Minor, Greece and Macedonia). 

 

He raised up groups of Messianic Jewish believers who continued to worship at the local Jewish synagogues.  This was always the NT example--which assuredly was the case with YESHUA and all of His immediate disciples and followers in Palestine.  Clearly, that was the situation with Kefa when he went to Babylonian Jewry to initiate Messianic congregations. 

 

There can be no question about it whatsoever.  The NT example and instruction was always for Messianic believers to fellowship with the Jews in the Jewish synagogues.  After all, they were fully Jews and only differing from the other Jews in the sense that their faith was complete with the revelation of YESHUA.  

 

 

John 4:24 

 

Albeit, this role of synagogue worship is not the only question that can be laid to Messianic believers who want to insist on attending worship services with pagan, false worshipping Christians.  The reasons precluding false worship seem to be extremely profound and far reaching. 

 

As pointed out several times in other remarks herein, there is a NT mitzwah which says that the people who worship The ELOHIM must worship Him in spirit and in truth (Jo 4:24).  This is an extraordinary commandment which affects every practice of every individual who pretends or undertakes the worship of The MOST HIGH. 

 

Worship in the spirit means worship using the mind and mental powers in an intellectual, rational pursuit.  Worship in truth means exactly that.  There is no allowance to worship The SOVEREIGN in a false or unacceptable manner (as is done in pagan Christian Churches). 

 

This writer must confess many past sins in my life of attending worship services in heathen Christian Churches (yes, i usually went for reasons other than worship--like networking, fellowship or something else).  These exercises meant nothing to me intellectually and by my mind and spirit (they were not spiritually edifying, based upon the intellectual processes of my mind).  And they certainly were not conducted in truth. 

 

Consequently, this writer was in sin to even show up at these evil facilities and go through the motion of supposed worship.  Of course, many Christians (including me in those early days) might read Hebrews 10:24-25 and start making excuses for the pagan worship and rationalize that Shaul’s words in the mitzwah were being obeyed. 

 

Manifestly, we need fellowship and support.  But we need it with fellow believers in truth and not with a bunch of pagan, false worshipping Christians who are far removed from righteousness and truth.  In Shaul’s day, it would have been unthinkable that a true believer would have worshipped with the people following Mithra, Serapis, Zeus, Chrishna and so forth. 

 

Nothing has changed over the years.  It is still unthinkable for people of truth to be joining together with the modern Christian worshippers who are the spiritual descendants of the pagan worshippers in the first century CE sun cults. 

 

Beyond Yohanan’s words, Shaul had some similar ideas in mind when he said that believers should not be yoked together with unbelievers because what fellowship is there between righteousness and unrighteousness and what communion is there between light and dark (II Cor 6:14-17). 

 

Shaul’s conclusion is for the believer to come out from among such people and be separate.  There is just no way that a person in truth can find any fellowship or rapport with pagan, false worshipping Christians.  Like Shaul wrote, the believer must separate from false workers/worshippers (both in race and in morality). 

 

 

Transference of Demons

 

There is still one more feature of this need to worship in spirit and in truth.  Later chapters will broach the reality of the transference of demons from one person to another.  This can happen in several ways once a person is involved in sin (as discussed earlier) or physically in the proximity of pagan worshippers. 

 

For example, if a pagan Christian preacher or person puts his or her hands on another individual, there is a danger of a transference of demons (to be described later).  No person of faith should ever allow someone else to put his hands on him or her (unless the person is a proven, true apostle of YHWH). 

 

Another possibility, which can surface in an apparent easy way, is when a believer is in attendance at a false worship facility.  Frequently, false worship groups like to join together in circles and hold hands under some pretext of worship.  This writer must confess this sin in my life.  There is now shame on my part to have to admit that i have participated in such evil practices in pagan churches. 

 

As will be discussed in a later chapter herein on culture, there can be a transference of demons when people are engaged in the practice of holding hands in a circle and especially as this is done in prayer and worship.  The person of truth must flee such nonsense and evil--just as he must flee fornication. 

 

In mentioning the issue of fleeing fornication, evil and false worship procedures, the idea is one of not even allowing the opportunity for sin to surface.  And how can one prevent the possibility of such evil coming about?  The answer is simple.  The believer has no business being in a compromising position which could open the door to fornication or to sin in false worship. 

 

The issue here is not complicated at all.  For instance, there is no reason for a man to allow himself to be alone or in a position of evil with a married woman (not his wife).  Likewise, there is no reason to have to face the question of the transference of demons by even attending a false Christian Church and services.  No opportunity for sin will arise, if one simply stays away from such evil. 

 

The essence of the above presentation is that Shaul’s words in Hebrews 10:24-25 are no justification for a person of faith to compromise and be in attendance at pagan worship ceremonies--like in Christian Churches. 

 

 

More on the Christian Reality 

 

Beyond the several points already covered, there is still more to the issue of “Christian fellowship.”  This writer admits my sins of attending these false churches--many times in gross ignorance in past years (however, i would not do it today). 

 

In my several years of attending false Christian Churches, one of the features of those meetings seems to stand out as much as anything else in the vein of shortcomings.  This issue concerns the lack and often total absence of any evidence of brotherly love, concern, affection and care of the Christian Church members--one to another. 

 

In many churches, the members and/or attendees seem to want to have little or nothing to do with other members and attendees (most are very cold, icy and inconsiderate of their fellow believers).  Now, this is a general observation and one which typically applies to the older, mainline, Christian Churches (like the Catholic, Methodist, Episcopalian, Presbyterian and so forth). 

 

There is a little more (not much, but a little more) warmth, care, concern and comradeship in a few of the smaller Christian cults (like some of the Holy Roller and Mormon groups).  In some of these groups, one might see members smile and shake hands and act like they really are glad to see their religious colleagues. 

 

Likewise, there seems to be a little more fellowship and comradeship in some of the Seventh day Sabbath groups.  Some of the Sacred Name groups are especially noted for trying to create conditions where members can get together and have common fellowship. 

 

However, there is one serious drawback to many of these Sacred Name meetings (the same is true for persons active in the Christian Identity movement where most of their people meet on Sundays).  Often, some of these entities are filled with division and hate among themselves (as elsewhere discussed herein). 

 

Tragically, these better groups (and indeed most or all of Christendom at large) are sometimes extremely divided.  The members and participants are just not very cognizant of the need for unity (Ps 133:1-3; I Cor 1:10; Eph 4:1-3).  Of course, the need for unity must be placed in the context of worshipping in truth first--as noted above. 

 

In fact, in some few Christian Churches, the members will even hug each other briefly.  However, one can be sure that it would be virtually out of the question to see Christian Church people kiss each other (one of the NT mitzwah), as is covered elsewhere herein (Rom 16:16; I Cor 16:20; II Cor 13:12; I Thes 5:26; I Pet 5:14).  Christian aloofness and arrogance take over to make most Christians very cold and icy. 

 

 

The Slick Example 

 

Of course, there are some pretending Christians who do make an exhibition of their church attendance for some reason, other than worship--like getting votes and support in the case of politicians.  A man like former President Slick Clinton regularly attends Christian, false worship services.  Slick delights in having his picture made while holding his “Christian Bible” and shaking hands with the preacher. 

 

Presumably, Slick also shakes hands and smiles at his Christian brethren in attendance at the same worship services.  However, one must use his head on this matter.  Slick has no brotherly love, care, concern or affection for his fellow church members.  He doesn’t even have those emotions for his rea (racial kinsmen) in the United States (though he was and is a national leader and supposed moral example). 

 

Slick has only one motivation in his life, as is presently known and manifested.  All of his moves seem to be predicated upon self preservation and self advancement (at the expense of others).  If he smiles and shakes hands, it is not because of Christian love.  Instead, it is his efforts to get votes or support in some way.  Again, there simply is no warmth, care, concern or affection in most Christian Churches. 

 

This discussion on the alleged religion of Slick Clinton (alleged only because the evidence is massive that Slick has no religion beyond self worship and self service) necessitates a need to digress briefly to the former President Lyndon Baines Johnson.  Johnson’s many evils and depravity will be examined in later chapters.  But for the present, his religious manifestations need mention. 

 

The foxy Lyndon used to make a point of going to as many Christian Church services as was possible.  He revealed the importance of his attendance at Christian Church services when he said that that was where the voters were to be found.  And he was correct.  The Christians vote and many of them were and are just gullible enough to vote for the likes of Lyndon Johnson and Bill “Slick” Clinton. 

 

 

The Christian Mentality 

 

Part of the Christian problem is that Christianity is a religion which tends to separate its members/faith from worship services on Sundays from the rest of the week and the secular lives of the members (as described in a former chapter).  Usually, the Christian Church building is only a place for a get-together once a week for worship services. 

 

Most Christians generally have no fellowship or get-togethers, except for their weekly services (usually on Sundays or at a weekly prayer meeting)--which are very cold, icy and aloof.  For the rest of the week, the generic church members are essentially in the secular world, pursuing secular interests (fulfilling their pride, vanity, greed, get, acquire, competition and so forth). 

 

And in some instances, this Christian Church attendance is very limited (like to maybe Easter and Christmas annually on the part of some of the believers).  Obviously, these persons have other places to spend their time, money, resources and efforts. 

 

Despite this prevalent condition in most Christian Churches, it must be admitted that some few do have a lunch room or place to have a get-together.  Sometimes, a few of these churches have a common meal on Sundays or on some other appropriate occasion. 

 

But these common meals are rare and not the standard for most Christian Churches (unless there is an effort underway to proselytize and get new members--to be later addressed in connection with Christian evangelism and outreach).  It is also true that some Christian marriages, baptisms and funerals take place at the Christian Churches.  But even here, not all of them occur at church. 

 

It is also true that some churches have a day care operation for women members who work.  And of course, many Christian Churches conduct a summer vacation “Bible School” or “Church School” for children.  A very few have even attempted to have a Christian school for children to offset the horrors of public education (to be described in some detail in later chapters). 

 

Despite these few and widely separated instances of common fellowship, false Christian Churches do about the same thing that the old sun cults did--which is very little in the way of common fellowship.  Christians by and large have no personal concern, care or affection for other Christians.  Consequently, Christian fellowship is rare and almost non-existent in most Christian Churches. 

 

 

More on Synagogues 

 

In terms of Jewish worship, it is clear that this coldness and ice is simply not the world of most synagogues and particularly those of Second Temple Judaism and the Orthodox successors to the Pharisees.  Maybe, some Reform synagogues are like Christian Churches.  But this is not the reality in Orthodox/Ultra Orthodox synagogues. 

 

Based upon previous remarks on the situation of Jewish synagogues, the truth is that the local synagogue is the community center for all fellowship possible.  Children go to school at the synagogue.  All non-Hebrew speaking people attend Hebrew classes (this is wonderful beyond description).  Marriages, funerals, baptisms and community get-togethers take place at the synagogue (more so than at Christian Churches). 

 

Sincere Jewish people schedule events at their synagogues.  Not only do the members attend weekly Sabbath services, but extraordinary events and get-togethers occur during the Scriptural festivals (as noted in former chapters and to be detailed later herein).  In fact, religious Jews schedule all kinds of things for their synagogues (which just doesn’t happen in Christian Churches). 

 

The synagogue pattern is based upon the Temple where the Temple was not only a place to worship, but it was the culture and social center of the people.  As will be outlined in later chapters, it was the place for community get-togethers and for festival activities during the Scriptural feast days (complete with music, singing, dancing, etc). 

 

In Temple days, the Israelite people simply did not have readily available, nor did they go to commercial businesses for social entertainment and pleasure (this was particularly true in First Temple days, though changes were underway in Second Temple days because of the work of the Greeks, and the Amalekite King Herod who is described at length elsewhere herein). 

 

Hence, in Temple days, the times of social and cultural joy and happiness among the people were times when they could get-together at the Temple.  People simply did not congregate for social intercourse and fellowship at local bars, restaurants, dance halls and so forth.  They came together at the Temple.  

 

Truly, the synagogue, as well, is the community, cultural, social and worship center of fellowship.  When members conscientiously attend many or most of these functions (in contrast to the secular places where Christians go--like to restaurants, bars and so forth), members not only fulfill Hebrews 10:24-25, but they increase the likelihood of the manifestation of brotherly love in the group. 

 

Quite naturally, the synagogue doesn’t belong to one or two members, it belongs to all the membership.  It is available for all to enjoy and benefit from.  In many Christian groups, this is simply not the real world. 

 

This writer once lived near a Holy Roller Identity group where the captain of the ship (cited earlier and to be discussed later) built a worship building on his property (called the Ark).  He built it and it belonged to him.  He elected and chose himself to be the man in charge/the captain of the ship.  People worshipping in this building worshipped in his building.  Accordingly, they had to worship on his terms--as opposed to truth. 

 

 

The Community Arrangement 

 

In past ages, a few Christian Churches have experimented with community arrangements.  Here, one might mention the early Mennonites and an isolated few others (like the Branch Davidians of Waco, Texas). 

 

While the fellowship and deportment in some of these groups must have been substantially better and closer to Scriptural demands, the evidence is that over the ages, these Christian communities have simply not worked out at all.  Perhaps one of the problems is that big shot leaders tend to take over and lord over the body--which is simply not YHWH’s way. 

 

But the need for and indeed benefits of a community arrangement is very much Scriptural--at least, in certain situations.  To appreciate this condition, it will be prudent to review a little history. 

 

Manifestly, in the Tanakh, the patriarchs and later peoples of Yisrael were very much in attune with private ownership of property.  Despite this reality, the collective nation of Yisrael in the theocracy was effectively to be one giant community.  Previous discussions on the Torah and mitzwot dealing with charity and fair play among Israelites clearly communicate the idea of one big community. 

 

Nevertheless, a perusal of the OT prophets plainly reveals that the Israelite people moved away from the community idea into a profile of greed, get, acquire, selfishness and exploitation of their hurting brethren.  Tragically, the OT Israelites were much like the modern Christian Israelites.  They lived in a capitalistic world of pride and greed rather than a world of love and concern for their rea brethren.  This is not YHWH’s way. 

 

In any case, there was no provision in the NT for the establishment of a real community of believers until conditions moved to demand it.  It happened that with the death of YESHUA, an intense persecution of the Nazarene believers erupted in Palestine.  Everybody’s life was on the line.  Individually and scatted as they were, they simply had no opportunity for survival in that environment. 

 

 

The Apostolic Assembly 

 

Accordingly, as noted earlier, the book of Acts lays out how the Apostolic Assembly created for themselves a community of believers where they shared in all possessions, goods and needs (Acts 2:44; 4:32).  Please understand that this arrangement was not necessarily the norm among the membership scattered in the Roman Empire. 

 

But it was the approved organizational arrangement in Palestine.  Again, the demand for this situation in Palestine was necessitated simply because of the intense persecution and trouble that they collectively faced.  There is no way that they could have survived as a group in this hostile environment without being in the community. 

 

With trouble on them, the members quit worrying about building up riches, property and assets for themselves (idols in the generic sense).  Instead, their focus was directed at group survival.  This survival required a group effort of all of them pulling together as one finds in a closely knit family (where the father, mother and siblings all support and provide for the common good). 

 

The attitude of the Jerusalem Apostolic Assembly quickly became one of-- “united we stand and divided, we fall” and “one for all and all for one.”  A cohesive effort was required for all of them to stand together--if there was to be any hope of surviving the persecution and tribulation. 

 

In mentioning this first century CE arrangement among the believers in Palestine (and perhaps likewise later on in some other areas), the point must be made that the same situation will surely surface here in the age end.  As outlined in former comments, there is a building up of a great tribulation coming on believers (one much like the one faced by the Apostolic Assembly). 

 

Surely, the age ending Philadelphia congregation will ultimately organize and function on a community arrangement.  This condition will manifestly have to exist in the ultimate place of safety (previously discussed). 

 

 

Disfellowshipment

 

In outlining the Scriptural need for fellowship and the conditions which must be associated with it, it goes without saying that there is a related need for a true congregation of people to have the ability to disfellowship persons in the group (some of the reasons for this action has been or will be addressed elsewhere herein). 

 

Like the Apostle Shaul wrote--a little leaven leavens the whole lump (I Cor 5:6; Gal 5:9).  This is one of the reasons why the synagogue arrangement provided for a board of 12 elders to oversee the synagogue and why there was likely one “beit din” or house of judgment in each synagogue (of three or more elders).  These groups surely had a key role to play in adjudicating conflicts or problems in the fellowship. 

 

For conflicts between the brethren, YESHUA laid out the judgment process in Matthew 18:15-18 and Luke 17:3-4.  When a conflict arises, the offended brother should go to the trespasser and attempt a resolution of the problem.  If this doesn’t work, then the offended brother should get one or two witnesses to go with him to again attempt a resolution. 

 

Perhaps one of the witnesses might be a member of the congregational beit din who may try to resolve the issue without having to go further.  If this fails, then the witnesses should bring the matter to the collective assembly (male members over age 30) for resolution.  Thus, the congregation becomes the final judge (correctly the jury, with likely the beit din as judges) of conflicts between brethren. 

 

It would seem that this congregational judgment is one of those discretionary things which the assembly has power to decide--of things which will be honored in heaven.  Shaul put it well when he said that people in the true congregation of believers must judge fellow believers--but not outsiders (I Cor 5:9-13; as noted to me once by O. J. Smith of Milan, TN).  The point is that believers in the present arrangement are not to be attempting to judge sinners out in the world. 

 

Conversely, , believers are commanded to judge fellow believers--but in the right way (Acts 17:31; Rom 2:16; 3:6; II Tim 4:1; Heb 13:4).  As elsewhere cited herein, there is a right way for believers to judge brethren and fellow believers (Lev 19:15-17; Ps 141:5; Matt 18:15-17; Lu 6:41-42; 17:3-4; I Cor 5:9-13; 6:1-5; Gal 6:1-2; II Thes 3:14-15; Titus 3:10-11; Heb 6:4-8; 10:26-27; Jas 5:16, 19). 

 

A Scriptural group has a moral obligation to conduct its affairs in accordance with the Word.  In the conduct of its work, the group must be prepared to disfellowship any person of leaven who is causing trouble in the entity.  The Scriptural need for such action is well stated (Lev 19:15; I Cor 5:7-11; 6:1-6; II Thes 3:6, 14-15; Titus 3:10). 

 

Assuredly, there is ample Scriptural authority and demand that the group of believers and the leadership of the group take action in appropriate situations to protect the integrity of the group at large.  After complying with the requirements in the Word for reconciliation and repentance of a wayward brother, the group must expel him from the group if he fails to repent. 

 

In modern times, several Christian cults have actively utilized this authority to put people out of their groups.  The Jehovah’s Witnesses have been the most notable Christians on this line.  They have disfellowshipped many, many members over the years.  The old Worldwide Church of God was another organization which likewise disfellowshipped people and actually shunned them. 

 

The case has been made by a number of people who were disfellowshipped from Christian entities that action taken against them was unfair.  Maybe, this is true in some instances.  Also, it is probable that there was serious sin present in some of the persons disfellowshipped.  This writer would not argue the point either way. 

 

Alternatively, the reality of the real world must be stated and noted.  All of these Christian groups (the Jehovah’s Witnesses, the Worldwide Church of God, the Seventh day Adventists, etc) are all false and filled with shortcomings themselves.  If people in these Christian groups were to be disfellowshipped based on sin, then all the church members would be disfellowshipped since all members are in sin. 

 

All of these Christian groups are false.  They are filled with sin and rebellion toward the Torah.  They are so far removed from truth and righteousness that it is a waste of time to even try to contemplate the propriety of their disfellowshipping actions. 

 

Of course, the leadership in these groups is false just like the other members are false.  Since they are all false, it is natural that they would exhibit injustice and unrighteousness in their disfellowshipping functions.  If they were in truth and in righteousness, in accordance with the Torah, they would take to heart the Scriptural demands on this question and would act accordingly. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 199--Racial Pride

 

 

Yisrael Revisited

 

Former chapters heretofore have discussed the identity problem over Yisrael.  Thus, the question of “who” is the House of Yisrael has plagued numbers of people for vast ages.  Of course, many Jews also claim to be Yisrael.  And in modern times the Christian Identity movement has made great efforts at being Yisrael. 

 

But in both the cases, with the Jews and the White Christian Identity people, there is something which eventually surfaces to cause a loss of respect for the arguments of the proponents.  This tragedy is the inevitable surfacing of racial pride.  Yes, it surfaces among both Christian Identity Israelites and so-called Jews (who are present in the Messianic Jewish movement as well as those in the generic Jewish community). 

 

 

Racial Pride and Vanity 

 

In terms of the dilemma which Adam and Yisrael have faced, the prophet Yirmeyahu saw a time of great sadness and despair upon earth when the seedlines of Adam and Yisrael would become blemished and adulterated with being mixed with the seeds of the beasts of the field (Jer 2:21; 31:27; Dan 2:43), as discussed earlier. 

 

And clearly, those days are upon us here in the early 21st century.  About wherever one may go on this globe, he or she will find that the local population is largely a mongrelized product of racial mixing, miscegenation, and amalgamation.  And there are few, if any, exceptions to this charge. 

 

As outlined in a previous chapter, one might "suppose" that there conceivably could be a "few" true Whites as 100%, pure white-heads in Iceland and perhaps some scattered elsewhere in Scandinavia, Finland or the Baltic states. 

 

But friend, there won't be any large numbers which have not yet succumbed to the evil temptations of miscegenation.  And probably, the same thing can be said of Mongoloids in Asia and Blacks in the continent of Africa.  There aren’t many true Mongoloids or Blacks around either. 

 

But excepting for these three possible situations, which are becoming increasingly more rare with the passing days, it is proving to be a very hard thing to find any pure races on this globe in modern times.  Truly, most of the peoples of this world are miscegenated and their seedlines are mixed, as the prophets declared. 

 

The reality of miscegenation is so subtle that it can fool almost everyone.  For example, in this regard, this writer has known a man from Trinidad who was as black as the ace of spades.  He was so black that it was quite a surprise to me to learn that he had some Caucasian ancestry. 

 

This situation is probably very common throughout much of the Western hemisphere where one finds Negroes in the US, Canada, Cuba, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, South and Central America and on and on.  Most of these Black persons have White genes and are not 100%, pure, Negro people.

 

 

A Northern Italian 

 

Having mentioned this reality among Blacks, it would be well to also acknowledge the same phenomenon among “so-called” Whites (besides the Christian Identity leader in Idaho and other well known personalities, as discussed in former chapters).  For example, this writer has known a supposed "White" man, who appeared to be a Nordic with blond hair, blue--green eyes and a very fair complexion.

 

He was from Milan in Northern Italy.  In a conversation with me one day, he indicated that while he evidently looked somewhat like his father, his mother was a very dark, swarthy woman from Tunisia, North Africa.  Obviously, she had many Black genes from his description.  Nevertheless, he physically had many of the genes of his White father. 

 

In another case, this writer knew of a man who had a mongrel Mexican father (with Black and Hamite genes) and a Danish mother (as discussed in previous comments).  He was very tall and fair with the Nordic genes.  No one could have ever guessed that he was part Mexican and carried Mexican blood from his Mexican father. 

 

In terms of the ancient civilizations of Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, Rome, etc, all of them once consisted of fair, White, Nordic peoples with blond hair and blue eyes.  In time, all of these once great civilizations and cultures allowed in large numbers of Colored peoples as slaves and immigrants.  In still more time, the populations miscegenated and the result has been modern Iraq, Egypt, Greece, Italy, etc. 

 

Spain, Portugal, France and the rest of Southern Europe were once populated with fair, White peoples.  But also, in time, Coloreds from the South came in as slaves or as immigrants all over Southern Europe. 

 

Of course, over the years, the coloring there has become darker and darker, just as the dark gene power is now also spreading all over Northern Europe--except for possibly Iceland, which has had some very restrictive immigration policies. 

 

In this context of miscegenation in North America, it is interesting that the Revolutionary War patriot Patrick Henry even proposed in his lifetime the miscegenation and assimilation of the Indians with the Whites, as his "supposed" solution for the problems on the frontier.  Actually, Henry did not need to suggest it   (because this has been the story of America ever since Jamestown). 

 

 

Yes, Christian Identity People Are Mongrels as Well 

 

For many years, this writer has dabbled in genealogy and the evidence is available to indicate that it is an unusual American who does not have some Indian somewhere in his/her background.  Consequently, vast numbers of so called "White" people in America have Indian ancestry and Mongoloid genes. 

 

It started with Pocahontas and hasn't let up since then.  And the interesting thing here is that most of these so called Whites have no idea at all about their Indian ancestry.  This phenomenon is especially true of persons with their roots in America in the mid 19th century or earlier. 

 

Additionally, here, mention should be made of the fact that from the early days of Black slavery in America on forward, both White men and women have had a propensity of miscegenating with the Blacks.  In the case of White women becoming pregnant with a Black slave, the resulting mongrel child was born a free Colored. 

 

That, by the way, was the source of many of the free Coloreds in North America.  Also, as these Mulattos themselves crossed back with Whites, some of the succeeding generations had some White genes, so much so, that they appeared, in time, physically to be White.  Moreover, in time, many crossed the color line and became White for all purposes (like with J. Edgar Hoover, as previously discussed). 

 

As outlined in the former chapters, this writer has known persons in the category of J. Edgar Hoover--who appeared to be White and who were thought to be White and so accepted in the White community--with no thought or realization at all that the persons involved carried Black genes. 

 

Even one well known Christian Identity leader in Idaho shows strong physical, mental and spiritual evidence of behemah genes (as noted above and as discussed in a prior chapter). 

 

Of course, too, many of these people with Black genes probably have no idea at all about their own ancestry.  Things like this get hushed up and forgotten fast in most families.  The same is true with persons who are born out of wedlock (illegitimately).  They generally choose to not talk about it, discuss it or even think about it.  Obviously, these adverse birth features quickly become lost in terms of knowledge. 

 

 

The Modern Problem 

 

And beyond the direct Indian and Negro connections, which are vast and extensive, one cannot ignore the prevalence of White Americans in the 20th century to intermarry and cross with many peoples already mixed with Colored genes--like the Italians, Spanish, Portuguese, Greeks, Arabs, Turks, etc. 

 

Also, of course, one should not lose sight of the fact that Anglo-Saxon-Celtic peoples are additionally intermarrying with Slavics, Poles, etc (with Mongoloid genes) out of Eastern Europe and Orientals out of Asia.  All of this racial amalgamation is growing by leaps and bounds all over the land. 

 

Now, while it is probably true that miscegenation is far worse today than it has been in historic times, one must not lose sight of the fact that it is a very old and common thing to occur among Adamites, despite the fact that The MOST HIGH condemned the practice in the population in Noah's day, which was destroyed for this precise sin. 

 

Of course, too, Israelites, from the time of Yakov on have followed the paths of racial amalgamation.  For example, Yehudah married a Canaanite woman (Gen 38:2) and Yosef married the daughter of an Egyptian sun worshipper (Gen 41:50).  On entering the land of Canaan, the Israelites disobeyed The EVERLIVING and chose not to exterminate the Canaanites, as they were commanded to do (Josh 9:15). 

 

 

Yes, Both Houses Miscegenated 

 

Naturally, in time, both of the divided Houses of Yisrael and Yehudah continued to miscegenate with the local Colored populations--until finally, YHWH cast both nations out of the land (just as He had done before with the earlier peoples and for the exact same reason, the sins of miscegenation--Lev 18:23-24). 

 

The point of this whole discussion is that it is a very difficult, if not impossible, task to find in the world today any 100%, racially pure Israelites or racially pure people of any kind.  Truly, the world has miscegenated, as the prophets proclaimed. 

 

Incidentally, in making this issue, it should be pointed out that YESHUA The MESSIAH had black hair, as discussed in a prior chapter (SofS 5:11).  So it is probable that He, too, had some non-Adamite genes. 

 

One should not get upset over these observations, because based upon YHWH's laws of allowing mixed peoples into His congregation in the 10th generation (3rd generation, possibly in White-Mongoloid or Shemite-Hamite mixes), one must acknowledge that it is possible to "breed" out the contamination over time. 

 

People with Colored genes can eventually be accepted as pure Whites for all purposes, as YHWH's law expressly allows and states (Deut 23:2-8), per an earlier discussion. 

 

The place the student of truth must come to here is that it is virtually out of the question to find any pure, 100% Whites, Negroes or Mongoloids in existence on planet earth.  If such are present, then they are present in very limited numbers and in very isolated places.  Most of the human/humanoid types have been quite busy miscegenating and crossing regularly for the bulk of the last 6,000 years. 

 

 

Christian Identity and Messianic Jew Hypocrites 

 

Consequently, in regards to 100%, pure, Israelite stock, such may be largely non existent; or at best, it is rarely found in the between of the far and wide.  This fact, alone, would not be particularly significant were it not for the incredibly hypocritical attitude and belief of a vast number of Christian Identity and Messianic Jewish proponents. 

 

This is one of the big problems with the Christian Identity people in the context of some of them becoming Philadelphians.  They have such a huge dose of racial pride that it interferes in them achieving a sense of humility.  Certainly, this same indictment also applies to so-called Jews in the Messianic Jewish definition who are so obsessed over their greatness because of being alleged racial or ethnic Jews. 

 

In the last 20 years or so that this writer has had contact with Christian Identity people, it has continually fascinated me that the very people who themselves are a product of racial miscegenation (in the collective sense) are some of the most racially proud and vain people in the world (like the Christian Identity preacher in Idaho with evidence of behemah genes, both physically and mentally, as he is a real buffoon--as cited above and in a previous chapter). 

 

And friend, if you have any perception at all about modern, Christian Israelites, you know that this charge is true.  Yes, it is true of both the descendants of the House of Yisrael, as well as those of the House of Yehudah.  As many persons are well aware, the Jews, historically, have always leaned in the direction of miscegenation, starting with Yehudah, himself, as pointed out in preceding chapters. 

 

And likewise, of course, these same Jews have been some of the most racially proud and vain people on the face of the earth.  But additionally, the same thing can be said of the descendants of Yosef and indeed of the other tribes as well.  They all quickly began to miscegenate--despite YHWH's laws against it.  And their modern Christian Identity descendants are about as arrogant, proud and vain as one can imagine. 

 

It is a paradox of sorts; but typically, today, a person in the presence of most Christian Identity people will hear all kinds of criticism and condemnation leveled against the Jews for their many years of miscegenation while praise is heaped on the supposedly White Israelites for their hoped for racial purity.  And among Jews (to include Messianic Jews), the focus is on the greatness of the Jews. 

 

But these same ignorant, uninformed, hypocritical Israelites and Israelite pretenders can never begin to understand that the same problem has existed with their own peoples for the last 3,800 years or so.  Actually, the problem with most Christian Identity and Jewish people is precisely the same as with everybody else, although the manifestations may be slightly different. 

 

The problem is, of course, that vast numbers people are extremely ignorant, uninformed, prejudiced and filled with intellectual pride and vanity over things which they "think, assume, and presume" they know.  And when one realizes how fantastically hypocritical they are over the race issue, then it balloons their ignorance and pride all out of proportion. 

 

 

One More Unique Example 

 

In this regard, this writer is acquainted with an Israel Identity man who has an Indian in his ancestry.  Evidently, to justify his mongrel genes, he has stupidly dreamed up the idea that "some" of the American Indian tribes were largely "White" people.  Of course, this is about as ridiculous as the theories of Mormon "prophet" Joseph Smith about Indians being “Israelites.” 

 

While it is true that some White hunters and trappers did copulate with Indian squaws to bring forth half breed children and while it also may be true that some tribes may have absorbed some White genes from the lost Roanoke Colony or early Viking settlements, this infusion of Caucasian blood made no appreciable mark on any of the American Indian tribes, collectively. 

 

Like Lewis and Clark wrote of the Mandans of the Dakotas, they remained Indians (essentially Mongoloids out of Asia). 

 

For some proud, ignorant, White person to come along and try to justify his mongrel ancestry with stupid charges about some Indian tribes really being "White" has to be the epitome of ignorance.  Clearly, this ridiculous argument was perpetuated by the advocate's racial genes and his desire to make them more acceptable among Christian Identity types.  And why for this hypocrisy?  Why pride and vanity--of course. 

 

 

The Same 2,000 Years Ago 

 

Well, of course, this whole discussion is nothing new for people familiar with the Book because The MESSIAH found almost the precise same problem in abundance some 2,000 years ago when He was on earth. 

 

You may recall His several encounters with certain Judeans (actually Amalekites) of His day and their racial pride and vanity over being descended from Avraham (Matt 3:9; Lu 3:8; Jo 8:33,53), as discussed previously.  And as YESHUA correctly noted in His contacts with them, they were truly descendants of Avraham (Jo 8:37-39). 

 

But the point that The MESSIAH was making to them is the same that can be made to the modern Israelites (both the White Christian Identity Israelites and the so-called Jewish Israelites, as well as the false Khazar pretenders). 

 

Both peoples were and are very proud and vain over their genes.  This makes both believe that they are special, elite, elevated and lifted up individuals.  Thus, both peoples have been and are filled with blatant pride and vanity. 

 

 

Modern Braggarts 

 

In terms of modern Anglo-Saxon-Celtic persons with Christian Identity beliefs, the charge becomes more serious because they are such fake hypocrites, bragging all the time about their racial purity; when, in fact, probably all or most all of them are products of miscegenation themselves (like the Christian Identity leader in Idaho, as mentioned previously).  They, themselves, are not racially pure. 

 

This situation is about like the hypocrisy of the mongrel Adolf Schicklgruber hollering about racial purity.  Of all people, the Amalekite Adolf had to be one of the most likely persons to know to keep his mouth shut.  Yet, he babbled on about racial purity. 

 

It would be a rare event, if not absolutely impossible, to find a 100%, racially pure Israelite today, although many hypocritically and ignorantly claim such a distinction.  Most clearly have some Indian, Black, Asian, Hamitic or Satanic genes of some sort, despite all of the vanity in their beliefs.  Too, the Amalekites are about the most pathetic of all when they claim to be of Yisrael when they are not of Yisrael (Rev 3:9). 

 

This whole discussion on ethnic origins, in terms of racially proud, Identity types, brings to mind an old saying to the effect that persons living in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.  Put another way, the pot is in no position to call the kettle black. 

 

Mongrelized White Christian Israelites and mongrelized Khazar Jewish Amalekites need to consider their own racial status before they start bragging and boasting about their genes and skin coloring. 

 

 

Another Word

 

One more remark on this theme surfaces when one realizes that these same vain, proud, hypocritical, Christian Israelites have got it in their limited minds that they are going to be delivered, rescued and saved when a great time of trouble comes on this earth.  This prevailing Christian Identity belief has been or will be further assessed in detail in other chapters herein. 

 

The interesting thing about this prevalent belief is that it is predicated upon the racial pride and vanity of the Christian Identity proponents.  Thus, they stupidly believe that just because they are supposedly “lily-white,” they will be safeguarded and protected from the Adversary power on the basis of their race, never understanding the importance of the Torah, in the context of righteousness. 

 

These same vain ignorant fools evidently know little or nothing about YHWH's Word.  Because, in fact, the prophet Yechezkel wrote that when this coming time of trouble will come, factors of racial descent and ancestry will mean absolutely nothing in terms of being delivered and safeguarded (Ezek 14:14-20). 

 

For sure, it’s going to take something far more important and profound than race for a person to find acceptance and safety.  It's going to take repentance, true conversion and grace, as strange as that may sound to Christian Identity people.  Truly, racial pride and vanity have no place in YHWH's system.  Pride and vanity are wrong in all of their forms. 

 

 

The Paradox 

 

Now, while the Christian Identity people described above have an utter fascination on the value and importance of being lily-white (though all of them are just like everyone else in the sense of being mongrel, mixed peoples), it is absolutely astounding how much the typical White Christian hates his own race and people.  This contrast is an absolute paradox. 

 

The situation with the modern media advertisements in using Blacks, Hispanics and Asians in preference to Whites completely boggles the mind.  This problem is discussed elsewhere herein (by noting that in the Israeli media, the exact opposite applies).  The modern Israelis love the racial color of white.  It seems that it is only the White Christians of Europe and North America who hate their own race. 

 

These White Christians hate their own race so pathetically much that huge numbers of them are rushing over the cliff just as quickly as possible to miscegenate and cross with the darker races of the world--all in a mode totally contrary to the Scriptures which they carry around for show off purposes. 

 

Along with the Jews, who seem to love and cherish the idea of being White, it is fascinating that the very Colored Muslims (especially the dark Arabs with their strong presence of Negro genes) would almost all like to be whiter in color.  In fact, this idea of being whiter in color is the cherished hope of almost all Colored peoples all over the world. 

 

 

The Muslim After-Life

 

The Muslim desires are demonstrated in a look at their wishes for the after-life.  The Dec 2001 “End Time News” (p. 3) focused on the after-life in terms of the Koran and Moslem thought. 

 

This source cited the Koran as describing the after-life paradise as “Eat and drink with happiness because of what you used to do.  They will recline (with ease) on thrones arranged in rank.  And we shall marry them to Hur (fair females) with wide lovely eyes.  We shall provide them with fruit and meat such as they desire” (Surat At-Tur 52:17-20, 22). 

 

“Water flowing constantly and fruit in plenty whose supply is not cut off and reclining on couches raised high, verily we have created them (women) of special creation and made them virgins of equal age” (Surat Al-Waqiah 56:31-37). 

 

“Gardens and vineyards and young full-breasted virgins of equal age and a full cup of wine” (Surat-An Naba 78:32-34). 

 

Martyrs are promised an eternal life in a paradise of drinking wine and enjoying a great number of beautiful sensual virgins.  With this promise, the current Muslim leaders are promising their terrorist followers (who commit suicide) a future in this Garden of Eden paradise with at least 72 virgins each, plenty of wine and even a supply of pork. 

 

Surely, it is this Muslim promise of enjoying a future paradise with 72 beautiful virgins, much wine and yes, even some pork, which motivates the stupid Muslims to gladly become suicide bombers ready to blow themselves up, along with some of their arch enemies in the form of the Israelis or White Christian Westerners. 

 

What a sickness it is to believe this Muslim nonsense about the future. 

 

 

Even Muslims Get It 

 

The point of these remarks is that even the dark skinned Muslims have got brains enough to recognize the beauty and desirability of beautiful White women (as noted above in their wishes for fair women with wide lovely eyes). 

 

What a shame it is that White Christians themselves are ashamed of their race and are rushing to oblivion to miscegenate and destroy themselves by crossing with Colored peoples. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 200--Evil People and More Evil Leaders

 

 

The Problem 

 

There is one tremendous problem within Christianity generally which affects most of the seven assemblies of Revelation 1-3, as well as all of the other movements and groups with a linkage to the New Testament.  

 

This problem is especially pertinent to Christendom; though it probably has some presence in most of man’s false religions now in the world.  Thus, it seems to be widespread in much of the manmade religious world. 

 

This basic problem is the prevailing Christian belief that a Christian person becomes saved by Christian baptism or some Christian work or action like standing up in a meeting, going to a Christian altar, parading down a church aisle, muttering some gibberish, saying “I believe in Jesus” or some other name or statement, and so it goes. 

 

Once a person believes that his ticket is punched for salvation, it is hard to reach him with any truth which might allow that he in fact is not converted and is a lost sinner.  There is a sense of pride and self righteousness associated with having the mental attitude of being saved and not needing anything further in a spiritual sense. 

 

The “I’ve got it made” attitude is hard to break through.  Pride really surfaces when a person believes that he or she is in need of nothing further spiritually. 

 

 

YHWH’s Indictment 

 

Moshe wrote the Torah as the standard of truth and righteousness for the people of Yisrael.  But almost at once, the Israelites quickly began entering a state of sin and evil (when they erected the golden calf).  After they entered the promise land some 40 years later, the sin continued. 

 

True, The HIGHEST from time to time would raise up good judges and later kings who did do some work in restoring righteousness.  But in the main, the sin and evil continued in virtually the whole of the population with but few exceptions. 

 

Perhaps part of the problem is that the evil descendants of Cain were not exterminated as YHWH commanded.  Instead, the Israelites began a process of mixing and miscegenating with these fallen people. 

 

Over the years, this process did not work for good.  This then opened the door to YHWH’s efforts to send prophets to warn the people of their evil deeds and their need for repentance to avoid coming punishment. 

 

It is interesting that all or almost all of the prophets seem to have had this mission of warning the Israelites about their evil and wicked ways. 

 

But it furthermore appears that few of the Israelites were ever willing to heed the call and condemnations of the prophets.  Most of the people went on their merry way in sin and wickedness--which was to set up the need for punishment. 

 

 

But the Leaders 

 

It wasn’t only that the problem existed with the general population in both national Yisrael and Yehudah.  All of the tribes at almost all times seem to have been filled with more than enough wickedness in the divided kingdom days in Palestine. 

 

But often, it seems that YHWH’s witnesses and warning prophets also had perhaps the strongest indictments against the leaders in both Yisrael and Yehudah. 

 

Yes, the leaders in general were extremely evil people.  It wasn’t only the kings; but also the preachers, teachers and other leaders in general who seemed to be guilty of great depravity. 

 

The prophets sometimes wrote and prophesied long messages about the evil of the preachers and teachers--like in the prophetic writings of Yeshayahu, Yirmeyahu, Yechezkel, Hosea, etc. 

 

 

Duality

 

But what many students of the Word fail to pick upon is the fact that the works of the prophets not only indicted the people and Israelite leaders for the evil and sins of their day; but the prophetic implications of the indictments also involved condemnations of the people and the leaders of Yisrael and Yehudah in future days in terms of prophetic accomplishment. 

 

Thus, the prophets were both condemning the people in their day and the people in future ages who would also become equally as evil and depraved.  What we then have in the OT prophets are messages for the age ending House of Yisrael and House of Yehudah. 

 

The people and leaders especially of the present Yisrael nations need to wake up from the lethargic sleep that they are under and get passionate for some truth and righteousness. 

 

Yes, the words of Yeshayahu, Yirmeyahu, etc were just as pertinent to people of modern Yisrael as they were to the ancient Israelites alive when the prophets wrote and prophesied. 

 

What we have then is that the people in the old divided kingdom were grossly evil.  And now today, the Israelite people are likewise grossly evil. 

 

Actually, the Scriptures are plain enough that they are more evil in the age end than they were in the old kingdom days.  In other words, they have waxed worse and worse over the years. 

 

 

All Leaders 

 

In the days when the prophets were actually delivering their messages, the kings and preachers and teachers were extremely evil  (with few exceptions--like with Hizkiyahu, Yoshiyahu, etc).  And the evidence is that Yisrael has had similar evil leaders ever since.  In other words, the problem over evil did not get corrected in the Assyrian captivity. 

 

In a way, the same thing is somewhat true with Yehudah (although Yehudah did learn the importance of the Seventh day Sabbath in her exile to Babylon). 

 

What a tragedy it is that we simply cannot or will not learn from our experiences--at least, in this life of the flesh.  Maybe, in the millennium, we will at last recall and remember our sins and how we could have done things differently. 

 

 

Entropy 

 

Since the whole process of life on this globe is evolving into a deterioration (as explained in the entropy process), it is manifest that evil and wickedness are also evolving and actually accelerating upward in mobility.  Yes, things are getting worse and worse every day under man’s misrule of this planet. 

 

So while the people and leaders in 1776 in the American colonies were evil, they became far more evil in the succeeding years.  While they were evil in 1850, they became far more evil in 1950.  While they were evil in 1880, they have deteriorated into more and more evil with every passing day since then. 

 

 

Today

 

Today, we are reaching the bottom of the barrel in terms of depravity and gross wickedness.  It’s hard to imagine that anything could become worse than it is right now. 

 

In terms of leaders, the modern Israelite people now have the most depraved leaders of all time.  It looked like the US hit the bottom of the pile with Bill “Slick” Clinton in the 1990s with his open sodomy and vulgarity. 

 

But even many people are now concerned about George Bush Junior, who too seems to exhibit some of the same tendencies for evil and wickedness as shown by Clinton. 

 

Many would suppose that the Evangelical Bush Junior would not be involved in sodomy.  But there is evidence that he has attended some of the Bohemian Grove sodomite meetings in California (along with other national US leaders).  Rumors persist that Junior is a bi-sexual, as is true with his father.  These are serious allegations and not just passing nonsense. 

 

To add to Junior’s sex problems, allegations also persist that he is having a sexual relationship with his National Security Advisor, the Negress Condoleezza Rice.  Condi, who is not married (she is alleged to be a lesbian/bi-sexual), has publicly referred to George Junior as “my husband.”  She caught herself once and corrected her remark to refer to Junior as President Bush instead of as her husband. 

 

When Bill Clinton and the Bushes underwent their initiation into the Skull and Bones Society of Yale University, it is unclear how many and what kind of demons came to inhabit their personalities. 

 

Maybe they picked up some bad sex demons while masturbating in an open coffin (as is a procedure that Skull and Bones initiates must undergo when entering the Skull and Bones Society). 

 

 

Religious Leaders As Well

 

Religious leaders are as depraved or more depraved than secular leaders.  Yes, the Billy Graham, Oral Roberts, Robert Schuller, Jesse Jackson, etc types of people are awful bad persons. 

 

This indictment not only focuses upon the more better known Christian leaders, but it also includes even the cream of the supposed crop in the Sacred Name and Christian Identity motions. 

 

Almost without exception, all of these people are proud, arrogant and mean spirited.  They love fancy titles (like pastor, elder, etc) and the most important seats and chairs at meetings.  While they pretend to be righteous and good, their deeds are evil and wicked.  Their hearts are far removed from the righteousness found in the Word. 

 

Not only are they evil men, but they are extremely Scripturally shallow and lacking in understanding of what the Book does say.  Most of them always have to plagiarize and steal from each other and other ministries in order to ever have anything to tell their dumb sheep followers. 

 

About the only thing these workers of evil do on their own initiative is to con the money out of the suckers, usually in the form of unscriptural tithes. 

 

Yes, the Sacred Namers and Christian Identity big shots all con the money out of the suckers and elevate themselves into being super righteous saints (when they are in fact, evil workers of sin and depravity).  Even the supposed best of the Christian game has got more than a fair share of problems and shortcomings. 

 

 

The Conclusion 

 

The bottom line on this presentation is that the Israelite people and their leaders are getting more and more evil and depraved with each passing day.  It’s hard to imagine that it can get any worse.  Judgment is surely waiting on the wings.