two houses in the latter days

Before getting into the subject matter of this week’s letter, we must understand that there are two separate and distinct scriptural entities, namely the house of Israel and the house of Judah, and that each of them has its own specific prophetic destiny. But even though two, they are still bound to the calling which they have inherited from their forefather Jacob, that is to be one chosen nation of kings and priests. However, in the course of their history YHVH divided the nation into two kingdoms, for His purposes and plans that are directly related to the covenant that He swore to Abraham. It is also important to understand the first-born concept and its centrality in YHVH’s plan of redemption, and its connection to the two houses of Israel. Grasping the firstborn principle is paramount to the understanding of the latter day events, according to the Tanach (refer to letters 161, 162 on that subject).

Isaiah 8:14 presents the ‘two house’ truth: “He will be as a sanctuary, but a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense to BOTH the houses of Israel”. As long as these two continue to stumble and take offense over the One who is their Rock, they will remain two distinct entities.

Many like to define the two groups as ‘Christians’ (Israel/Ephraim), and ‘Jews’ (Judah), as if they are made up of two religious groups, but we must realize that all tribes are represented in both houses, and that together they constitute multitudes of peoples which make up many ethnic groups. But for the purpose of this article, let us view them as nations. We have, then, the nation of Judah/Israel today, being made up mostly of Jews from Judah, and on the other hand, because YHVH is true to His word, there is also the other house (Joseph/Ephraim), which is made up of many nations (“the fullness of the nations” Gen. 48:19), even though most of them are unaware of their identity. These nations have been blessed by multiplicity, military power, and economic wealth (see Gen. 49:22-26). In the blessing to Joseph, through his son Menasseh, Jacob pronounced that he was to be a great people. However, as a great people the descendants of Manasseh would not be able to connect their greatness to the fulfillment of the prophecies about the people of Israel, as God had blinded them and caused them to forget (being the meaning of the name “Menasseh”) their identity.

In the midst of these two ‘houses’, there is yet one more that must be recognized, in order to understand these latter day happenings. The House of David plays perhaps the most important role in YHVH’s plans of restoration, as it is the seat of government for the other two houses. The House of David cannot be separated from the House of Judah, as the root of Jesse is an offshoot of that forefather. Yeshua the Messiah of Israel came to set up His Father’s kingdom in a restored house of Jacob (Luke 1:31-33). After atoning for sin, He began to call out from the multitudes of His people (both houses) a first fruit remnant, in order to “restore the fallen succah of David” (Amos 9:11; Acts, 15:16). There is, therefore, now a remnant that is filled with the Spirit of Holiness, His new creation life, and kingdom government (ref. Rom. 14:17) which constitutes the House of David. The expression of Yeshua’s life in the believer (now part of David’s succah) is not a religious expression, but the evidence or witness of His life and dominion.

We must not expect the multitudes of our brothers (from both houses), who have yet to experience salvation, to be like the remnant that had that experience, although they are still fulfilling (unawares) the prophecies that have been written concerning them. This is taking place not because they set out to do so, but because they are under the anointing of the Holy One of Israel, as He brings to pass His word regarding the latter day prophetic scenario.

One of the keys to understanding the end time scriptures is to watch for Judah’s lead. The Jews have never lost their identity, but have been preserved by the Almighty: “Yet I will have mercy on the house of Judah, I will save them by YHVH their God, and will not save them by bow, nor by sword or battle, by horses or horsemen" (Hos. 1:7). And: “He will set up a banner for the nations, and will assemble the outcasts [or rejected ones] of Israel [Joseph/Ephraim], and gather together the dispersed [or preserved] of Judah from the four corners of the earth” (Is. 11:12).

In Ezekiel 37 we see that Judah’s stick (nation) is gathered first and is ‘written upon’ (v. 16). Then, during the latter rains, Judah is called upon as a nation to be “a mighty war horse in battle” (Zech. 10:1,3). During those days Jerusalem is restored to Judah, and is called to prepare for war against her surrounding nations (Joel 3:1-2,11). In these self-same days the Joseph/Ephraim stick is also to be gathered and is being ‘written upon’ (Ez. 37:16). And then the two are to join together in the war with the surrounding nations (Is. 11:13-15, Zech 9:13). These are a few of the scriptural descriptions and references that are to be fulfilled in what are called the ‘latter days’.

As we see, the nation of Judah today is back in her land; Jerusalem is again under Judah’s control, and the nations around her are hostile towards her. This hostility extends not only toward Judah, but also toward some of the Ephraimite nations of the West. Additionally, we see these nations, like the United States of America, in economic and military partnerships with Judah. These nations at this point in time are preparing for war with Judah’s surrounding nations. With impending war and other potentially catastrophic world events, it is necessary to gain an understanding of the prophetic perspective. When we know that all of this has already been predicted, and that in YHVH’s strategy it is as good as having already taken place, we can rejoice, for our full redemption is drawing closer.

17/01/03