I won't join and argument, but I though I would share what I've found, again. The Lost tribes of Israel were never called Jews. They were Israelites from the northern territory after Israel split into two nations with seperate kings. The Romans were the first to use the term "Jews", as it was only the house of Judah that returned from captivity to rebuild the wall and temple, as the house of Israel never repented and tacked on a seventimes 390 to their exile (Lev. 26:18; Ez.4:4-6). Most people in the church today still do not understand this - house of Israel + house of Israel = ALL Israel (Rom. 11:25,26)

house of Israel + house of Judah + grafted in branches (companions) = Church or Ekklessia. (Ez. 37:16,17)

Notice, even the New Testament confirms who the New covenant is to:

Hebrews 8:6 But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises. 7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second. 8 For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:
10  For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:

People, we don't know who our anscestors are, just as God planned when the 10 tribes of the house of Israel were lost so long ago, never returning from captivity, but look at what blessing was given them by Jacob (Gen. 48:18-20). They were given the "firstborn" rights to the covenant of Abraham and God, and Judah was given the sceptre of leadership which is why they split and fought one another in the first place (Gen. 49:10). This is how the seed of Abraham became "hamon goyim", father of many nations and spead to "multitudes of Gentiles" which is what "hamon goyim" means in the Hebrew (Gen. 17:4).
Who is know by being firstborn today?
First I will give a scripture confirming Ephraim, Joesph's yougest son, as the head of the house of Israel and receiver of the firstborn double portion rights and then see who else is firstborn in scripture.

Jeremiah 31:9  They shall come with weeping, and with supplications will I lead them: I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters in a straight way, wherein they shall not stumble: for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn.

Hebrews 12:23  To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,

Romans 8:29  For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Notice who Jesus said He came after, and that they would answer and know HIs voice:

Matthew 15:24  But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

John 10:16  And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

This should help identify 10 of those 12 tribes represented by the 144,000. Also, when you think of two witnesses. Who are the only two that recognize the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob? .....it is the Christians and the Jews - the house of Israel, and the house of Judah. So, some may disagree, but identifying the 144000 as just from the house of Judah which comprised of only two of the tribes - Benjamin and Judah - then they are in error. Jesus found the house of Israel and called them to follow Him, being born again and becoming partakers of the double portion given to the "firstborn" of God - the Christians, believing in Messiah, Jesus, and receiving the Holy Ghost as seal. The Christians answers Christ's call and are the "house" of Israel, and the remnant that will be saved from the house of Judah will be those Messianic Jews who accept Christ whether now or during the tribulation.
What is funny is that all records of lineage was destroyed by the Romans, and only One knows who we are.......

Amos 9:9  "For surely I will command, And will sift the house of Israel among all nations, As grain is sifted in a sieve; Yet not the smallest grain shall fall to the ground.

Hosea 5:3  I know Ephraim, and Israel is not hid from me: for now, O Ephraim, thou committest whoredom, and Israel is defiled.

Jer 31:20  Is Ephraim my dear son? is he a pleasant child? for since I spake against him, I do earnestly remember him still: therefore my bowels are troubled for him; I will surely have mercy upon him, saith the LORD.

Thanks a lot for this thread. I appreciate it. I too follow what is going on in the Middle East with great interest.
I thought to add that the Hebrew calender says something about March 2006 being the eighth week of years after Jubilee. Remember Jerusalem was to be restored in one week of years which is 49years, as per Daniel 9:

24  Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.
25  Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.
26  And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.
27  And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.

Jesus born 62 + 3 1/2 Jesus ministry cut off  + seven to restore Jerusalem + last half of Jesus' 3 1/2 years of minstry, but through the Church that has come through the fire refined and full of the Holy Ghost. Possibly the 144,000, as they represent 12,000 from each tribe including the 10 lost tribes that God has never lost track of as the house of Israel.

 Amos 9:9  "For surely I will command, And will sift the house of Israel among all nations, As grain is sifted in a sieve; Yet not the smallest grain shall fall to the ground.

Hosea 5:3  I know Ephraim, and Israel is not hid from me: for now, O Ephraim, thou committest whoredom, and Israel is defiled.

I notice that it does not say the temple will be rebuilt in verse 25 even though the verse in 2Thess. speaks of the antichrist in the temple. I have heard that nothing prevents the Jewish oblation even without the temple being built ?? Also the Cohanim. There are no records left for these priests to go before God in the Holy of Holies. There are problems to the Jews ever carrying out the sacrifices again..??

http://www.beingjewish.com/unchanged/rebuild.html

Another thing I have heard is that President Bush is symbolically now the king of Babylon by controling the Euphrates river. This war in Iraq is more than likely the beginning of Armageddon and we are just beginning to realize it as Christians. Babylon will be destroyed and all the merchants of the world will morn seeing their economy and best consumer gone up in smoke. Of course this is America after terrorists stategically attack communications and military. This would be the perfect time for Russia to make her move, as I hear more and more of how Putin is putting on the brakes with democracy. America's defences are scattered throughout the world, and chaos in the U/S. would give the perfect window of opportunity for the antichrist to come in with New World Order from the EU, by miraculously defeating Russia in a quick but devastating battle that Israel will join into also, being attacked by the Muslim nations and using their neutron bomb, leaving weapons to burn for seven years. Of course they could make a move on the Dome of the Rock after this victory, but the antichrist will come against them in this.
The comet that comes through the Pleiades this month and comes closest to eath January 5/6 and could be a harbinger of things to come.

Orthodox Jews have long taught that the world would last
for 6,000 years before the Messiah would come and usher in a 1,000-year period of restful human history. Since God created the world in six days, according to Genesis 1:31, and rested on the seventh day, according to Genesis 2:1, they reasoned the world's history would climax the same way. They cite Psalms 90:4, which says: "For a thousand years
in Thy sight are like yesterday when it passes by."  
Likewise, Christians have looked to II Peter 3:8: "But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day."
The early church understood this "six-day theory" of world history. It was widely accepted teaching for the first three centuries of the church. From the time of Adam, we've got genealogical records to show that 4,000 years passed until the time of Christ. From Jesus' time until the present age represents another 2,000 years for a total of 6,000 years or six days.
There's also a three-day theory: Jesus rose on the third day. Would the beginning of the third millennium - or thousand-year period - not be the likely time for His return to Earth? There is even strong scriptural evidence for such a theory provided in Hosea 6:2: "After two days will he revive us: in the third day He will raise us up, and we shall live in His sight." Note that this prophecy is not about the Resurrection of Jesus - it's either about the resurrection of Israel after 2,000 years of dispersal or the physical return of the Lord.
Just thought I'd share some of what I have picked up along the way on other forums and in my studies, reading books on prophecy.
God bless and Maranatha...  
 

That's an interesting story you tell. I can not add much to what you say of the lving waters except that they can flow out of our lives and be waters of life to others if we submit ourselves to God and His Spirit. He and His Word are what gives life, and if we have His abiding Spirit, then we have available to us the living waters of truth.
The New Rest we have is Jesus. We rest from our own works of righteousness and rely upon what He did for us at the cross. He is our righteousness.
We rest upon the fact that He conquered sin and death for us. Death now has no sting. He is our eternal life.
Jesus gives us rest fromour heavey burden of sin and guilt and gives us the light burden of love, helping us to perform His will in life.
Jesus is our rest and our God. He is all in all to us and our sufficiency.
God bless...

I like this verse too, and have to remind myself to act and do less lip service. God bless...

I JOHN 3:16-19 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with ACTIONS and TRUTH. This then is how we KNOW that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence whenever our hearts condemn us.

LUKE 6:31 If you love those who love you, what thanks can you expect? For even sinners do that Much. And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what thanks can you expect? Even sinners lend to sinners to get back the same amount. INSTEAD ... love your enemies & do good, & lend without any hope of return

[all]

Yes there is no replacement. The Bible tells us that the Jews have been blinded for a time for the benefit of all mankind - so that the gospel could be offered to all men, but after the fulness of the Gentils has come in, God will once again return to bringing about the salvation of His remnant of the house of Judah so that ALL of Israel will be saved.

Romans 11:25-26 For I do not want you, brethren, to be uninformed of this mystery - so that you will not be wise in your own estimation - a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in: and thus all Israel will be saved....

Romans 11:11  Did God’s people stumble and fall beyond recovery? Of course not! His purpose was to make his salvation available to the Gentiles, and then the Jews would be jealous and want it for themselves.
12  Now if the Gentiles were enriched because the Jews turned down God’s offer of salvation, think how much greater a blessing the world will share when the Jews finally accept it.

All Israel is both houses of Israel and the wild branches grafed in that Paul trys so hard to explain, using chapter 9, 10, and 11 of Romans.

Rom 11:18  stop being arrogant towards the branches. But if you are arrogant, [remember] _you_ do not sustain the root, _but_ the root [sustains] you!
19  You will say then, "Branches were broken off, so that _I_ should be grafted in."
20  Rightly [said]! They were broken off by unbelief, but _you_ have stood by your faith. Stop being conceited, _but_ be fearing.
21  For if God did not spare the natural branches, perhaps neither will He spare you.
22  Therefore, look at [or, consider] [the] goodness and severity of God: on the one hand upon the ones having fallen, severity; on the other hand upon you, kindness, if you remain in the goodness; otherwise, _you_ also will be cut off.
23  But also those, if they do not remain in unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to again graft them in.
4  For if _you_, the [one] by nature of the wild olive tree, were cut out, and contrary to nature, were grafted into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, the natural ones, be grafted into their own olive tree?
25  For I do not desire [for] you* to be unaware, brothers [and sisters], of this secret [or, mystery], so that you* shall not be wise in your* own conceits, that hardness in part [fig., partial stubbornness] has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles comes in.
26  And so all Israel will be saved, just as it has been written, "The One delivering will come out of Zion, and He will turn away impiety [or, ungodliness] from Jacob;

Gen 22:18  And in your Seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.

I believe that the house of Israel, headed by Ephraim, the "firstborn" of God, is the "Church of the firstborn" or the Christians - the "born again" Saints. These are those Jesus said that He came for. The house of Judah is the Jews of whom God will once again show Himself to a remnant and they will morn for Him as a lost Sons and realize who He is during the tribulation of days.

Jeremiah 31:9  They shall come with weeping, and with supplications will I lead them: I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters in a straight way, wherein they shall not stumble: for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn.

Romans 8:29  For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Hebrews 12:23  To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,

Matthew 15:24  But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

Zechariah 12:10  And I will pour out a spirit of compassion and supplication on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that, when they look on the one whom they have pierced, they shall mourn for him, as one mourns for an only child, and weep bitterly over him, as one weeps over a firstborn.
11  On that day the mourning in Jerusalem will be as great as the mourning for Hadad-rimmon in the plain of Megiddo.
12  The land shall mourn, each family by itself; the family of the house of David by itself, and their wives by themselves; the family of the house of Nathan by itself, and their wives by themselves;
13  the family of the house of Levi by itself, and their wives by themselves; the family of the Shimeites by itself, and their wives by themselves;
14  and all the families that are left, each by itself, and their wives by themselves.
13:1 ¶  On that day a fountain shall be opened for the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, to cleanse them from sin and impurity.
2  On that day, says the LORD of hosts, I will cut off the names of the idols from the land, so that they shall be remembered no more; and also I will remove from the land the prophets and the unclean spirit.

I love it when the dancing bear is brought in!! Yea!



 

They ate the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil after being decived by the serpent that was the physical maifestation of satan in the garden of Eden. You will find that this event in the garden of Eden is a very important one where man fell into sin and death.
Because God stood outside of time and forsaw this happening, He had already prepared with the Lamb slain before the foundations of the world - Jesus.
Many ask why did God give this temptation to man, but it is all about how He was able to create a choice that would bring about the love and character He desired in His creation as His eternal family. As a master artist cannot paint all things with just white, God created the colors and the very antithesis to the light in darkness so that He could reveal Himself in creater detail and focus to His creation.
With God, even evil turns out for good, as the scriptures say:

 Ro 8:28  And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Ro 9:22  What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:

HolY Spirit is the author, IMHO.  

lol.....Perhaps the computer expired in mid-compute.

Sometimes it take time to come to a place where you have a sense of what sin has done to the world and to yourself. Death is a terrible thing, and sin has caused death to be, as it is the result of sin.
Take a look at the works of the flesh and see if they have ever ruled your life. Envy! What a simple yet profound thing that is in all people that are sons of Adam. Selfishness and the ability to murder by ignoring a brother and not displaying true love. The world bleeds to death overnight because men do not feed and clothe those less fortunate. We live in relative opulance here in the U.S. while the devils deception has kept men turning a blind eye to the horror and suffering that goes on throughout the world. We are our brother's keeper, and have we done the things that Jesus has asked us about when He returns???
Have we fed Him and given Him clothing when He was hungry and naked? Have we visited Him while He was sick or given Him shelter when He was even a stranger? He says that if we have not done it to the least person, then we have not done it for Him. Imagine that, we have the opportunity, always to minister to the Lord through the poor and less fortunate of the world.
Learning to die to self daily and picking up our cross is not an easy thing to do, and is impossible for a man without the spirit of God. Learning to give without expecting anything in return is a character of Agape love, and the whole point of man's experience on earth is to know God's love and then learn how to reflect that love of His as His vessel on earth to others, full of good deeds. This is a great priviledge and honor to have the power to be Sons of God. It is not just another possession to be bought or sought after like the rich young ruler did in the scripture. Jesus told him to sell all he had and give it to the poor, and then to follow after Him. Jesus saw the heart of the rich young ruler and knew that eternal life was just another possession to him and that he did not understand what he was asking for. We have much to learn about what true love is, and in realizing how far off the mark we are. We need to come to the place where we hunger for righteousness and go to God for the covering of Jesus righteousness bought for us in His shedding His own precious blood for our sins so that we can be satisfied and have peace with God.
When you pray and take the cup of the Lord, ask to to be shown and then to participate in the brokenenss of the Savior. We all have to be broken of sin too, and learn that its ways are death to ourselves and to so many deceived in the world. After a time, you will hate the simple sins too - of envy that when it bears fruit with power and brings about wars, starvation, and the like. It also bears fruit in our own lives, and when you get older, you can look back over a life devastated by sin or one blessed with a vineyard of roses and fruit bearing trees that you planted with the seed of God's word in your life with love and service of kindness and blessing to others yu have touched and ministered to in your life.
Ask God to show you, and then trust that the Holy Spirit will take you deeper in that knowledge at a pace that will not discourage you, but keep you encouraged to find more obedience in life to His will. He is able to keep you and show you these things if you ask.
God bless...

Lu 9:23  And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

Lu 6:46  And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?

Jeremiah 22:16 He defended the cause of the POOR & NEEDY, and so all went well. Is that not what it means to KNOW me! declares the Lord.

I JOHN 4:7-13 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and KNOWS God. Whoever does not love does not KNOW God, because God is love.

I JOHN 3:16-19 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with ACTIONS and TRUTH. This then is how we KNOW that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence whenever our hearts condemn us.

One would expect the Jewish people to maintain the tradition they were brought up with, just as the trdition to hoinor God for those of the Gentile branch or even Ephraim who was absorbed by the Gentile nations would follow after their tradition to meet on the Lord's day. Either way, the Bible tells us to not judge the other for the day they keep unto the Lord.

Romans 14:4  Who are you to condemn God’s servants? They are responsible to the Lord, so let him tell them whether they are right or wrong. The Lord’s power will help them do as they should.
5  In the same way, some think one day is more holy than another day, while others think every day is alike. Each person should have a personal conviction about this matter.
6  Those who have a special day for worshiping the Lord are trying to honor him. Those who eat all kinds of food do so to honor the Lord, since they give thanks to God before eating. And those who won’t eat everything also want to please the Lord and give thanks to God.
7  For we are not our own masters when we live or when we die.
8  While we live, we live to please the Lord. And when we die, we go to be with the Lord. So in life and in death, we belong to the Lord.
9  Christ died and rose again for this very purpose, so that he might be Lord of those who are alive and of those who have died.
10  So why do you condemn another Christian? Why do you look down on another Christian? Remember, each of us will stand personally before the judgment seat of God.

Thank you very much. I kind of felt like I had fell into the trap of a judge of some sort ready to judge for God. Following the law written on the heart is much better than that written on stone. Resting in Jesus from my own filthy works of righteousness is a much better rest than any day. In eternity, days are not counted, but during the "reign of iron", where Jesus rules over His earthly kingdom, I have read that those nations left that have not submitted themselves to the Lord will have to observe the feast of tabernacles and parts of the old law, but the saints that reign with Him will all have been saved by grace, through the blood and work that Christ alone did for them on the cross. They will obey the law written on their hearts out of love and adoration for having their sins covered and forgotten. Meeting on any day is fine with me, but it will not be something that God will condemn me for. There is no condemnation to those who are in Christ, resting within His work of salvtion, but being condemned is nothing new to Jesus - nor should it be unusual that His followers would be condemned unrightiously.
I'm done and God bless...

The law of love. Does that suit you or is my agreeing with everone or the scriptures given not enough? If you want to teach something, please go ahead and do so. I'm all ears.

There has to be a balance of preaching law to the sinner and grace to the repentant.
The most effective preachers of the past, like Finney, didn't pull punches and preached hell fire to the sinner. Today, there is a tendancy to preach God's gift of eternal life as just another possession, such as that the rich young ruler sought.
There really is no such thing as "easy believeism", to coin an old Arthur Pink phrase, and the way of the cross is to follow after Jesus and share the brokenness that has to come into our lives as we share with the Lord in full communion.

Amen, the law is not done away with, but is eternally written upon the hearts of those that love Him.

Ro 7:14  For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.

Hebrews 8:6 But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises. 7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second. 8 For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:
10  For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:


Jer 31:31 "Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah-- 32 not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, though I was a husband to them, says the LORD. 33 But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.