January 28, 2009

• Messianic Rabbi Unknowingly Gives Tacit Evidence for Location of Modern-Day Ephraimite Stronghold (Revised 2012)

  

  Messianic Rabbi Unknowingly Gives Tacit Evidence for the Location of the Modern-Day Ephraimite Stronghold

  by Aviel E. Rodriguez

   

    

  Rabbi Jonathan Cahn’s ‘N.Y. Times Bestseller’ book, The Harbinger, reminds me of an old adage which says that “the fruit does not fall far from the tree”.  In other words, there’s a great likeness to be found between the child and the parent.  In relation to this statement, however, one would have to say that the Messianic Jewish movement (to which the Rabbi belongs) adamantly denies any sort of connection, whatsoever, between the “Lost Ten Tribes of Israel” (collectively known as ‘Ephraim/Israel’) and the Ephraimite or Christian Zionist movements of today. Therefore, unfortunately, within Rabbi Jonathan Cahn’s excellent book, there is to be found, as well, this shortsighted and possibly biased prophetic “disconnect”.

  Nevertheless, in studying this article and its connecting ‘links’, the objective reader will- I believe- discover that the Scriptures draw for us a compelling case by which to understand that the modern-day Ephraimite, Hebraic Roots, and Christian Zionist movements are but separate embers contributing to the same flame of latter-day revival within the House of Joseph… the father of ‘Ephraim’. This is alluded to by the prophets. (Obad. 1:18; Hos. 6:1-3; Zech. 8:22-23; Isa. 11:12-13; Jer. 31:4-7) In fact, I believe that Rabbi Cahn has in his book contributed greatly to this picture; although in his mind, it appears to be purely a matter of archetypes… i.e., the symbolic likeness between ancient Ephraim/Israel and ’post-911′ America. Nonetheless, by his drawing out this significant connection between the ancient Ephraimites and modern-day USA, I believe you will see that the Scriptures bare significant revelation to back the assertion that indeed America is the preeminent (chief) land of governance inhabited in its plenitude by the modern-day descendants of Ephraim/Israel. America is Ephraim’s modern-day stronghold! From its inception, America- as the Mount of ‘Ephraim’- has been in the vangaurd for the proclamation of the Gospel. It has led the world in the exporting of the ‘Good News’ to the nations (Matt. 21:42-43; John 11:53-54); but now, it has turned its back on its Maker and become as Babylon of old… purveying every sort of lust for mammon, flesh and power. Thus, bringing us to the full prophetic implication of ‘The Harbinger’. (Ps. 83:3b; Isa. 17:1, 3a; Jer. 50:12-13; 51:9-11)    

  Most who’ve heard Rabbi Cahn’s truly important and riveting message of ‘The Harbinger‘ are unaware that the consistent reference to ’Israel’ is, in context, alluding to the ancient people of Ephraim/Israel. They were, alternately, referred to as the ‘Northern Kingdom of Israel’ as opposed to their brethren, the ’Southern Kingdom of Judah’. The ‘Southern Kingdom of Judah’ is represented today by the Jewish people and the State of Israel. However, the Southern Kingdom (Jewish people) were not conquered by the Assyrians; nor are they the ones alluded to in the book.

  The book is alluding to those of the Northern Kingdom of Israel… a.k.a. ‘Ephraim’. This Kingdom- upon whom God pronounced judgment due to their persistent spiritual adultery- was conquered by the Assyrians and eventually became the “Ten Lost Tribes of Israel”. Moreover, this has been the hallmark of their judgment… i.e., that they would return to Egypt (i.e., figuratively… speaking of the nations… ”the world’s system”); and there, they would become scattered, mingled and ultimately absorbed into all the nations. They would entirely lose their Israelite identity. In other words, because they had so wanted to be like their foreign neighbors, it was decreed that they would become as the nations. No longer “Israel”, these people of YHWH, now, would be ‘outcast’… cast far off and become indistinguishible from the nations. They would become ’Gentiles’ (Hos. 1:9-10; Hos. 8:8-13; Amos 7:10-13; Amos 9:8-10; Jer. 31:2-6; Jer. 31:18-19, 21; Isa. 10:20-22; Mic. 5:2, 3, 7, 8); and would remain blind to their true identity for a determinant period of time. (Hos. 6:1-2); (Mic. 4:7-10)      

   

  Nevertheless, they were the sons of the beloved patriarch Joseph. As such, because of Joseph, they were promised fruitfulness, prosperity, and the gates of their enemies. (Gen. 22:17; 49:22-26). The early Pilgrim settlers of America saw themselves as ‘Israel’; and just as Ephraim is considered by many to be the 13th Tribe, curiously, the Pilgrim’s descendants went on to become part of 13 colonies that, ultimately, became the United States of America.

  I believe that Messianic Rabbi Jonathan Cahn has in his excellent book inadvertently given us tacit, but yet, compelling evidence for the location of the modern-day Ephraimite “stronghold”.  This evidence is further contained in the two videos clips situated at the bottom.  However, before proceeding to that, I would like the reader to please consider two very pertinent understandings that I’ve derived from the Scriptures that follow.  They shall, I believe, help to further highlight the Rabbi’s unwitting, yet amazing, revelation concerning the chief, modern-day stronghold of a people known as Ephraim/Israel:  

   

  The first consideration…. “And there shall be upon every high mountain, and upon every high hill, rivers [and] streams of waters [yivley mayim… from Strong’s #2988 ‘yabal’ meaning stream, watercourse; but also- it stems from Strong’s #2986 ‘yabal’- inferring the following: to bring, lead, carry, conduct, bring along] in the day of the great slaughter, when the towers fall.” (Isaiah 30:25)

    

  THE ONLY OTHER TIME IN ALL OF SCRIPTURE where this particular grammatical form of ‘yabal’ appears again… i.e. as ‘yivley/streams’, is in the midst of the following passage from Isaiah…

  “For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring:

    

  And they shall spring up [as] among the grass, as willows by the water courses [yivley mayim… i.e., from Strong’s #2988 ‘yabal’].

    

  One shall say, I [am] YHWH’s and another shall call [himself] by the name of Jacob; and another shall subscribe [with] his hand unto YHWH,  and surname [himself] by the name of Israel.”  (Isaiah 44:3-5)

  It would seem to me- due to their eschatological nature and their unique grammatical association in Scripture- that the two passages above are attesting to two uniquely singular and prophetic events that are tied together.  It, therefore, appears that in the prophesied “day of the great slaughter, when the towers fall“ there would be an outpouring of the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit) that would then begin to ‘bring’ [i.e., yabal/yivley] us along into a latter-day process of- as it were- reorientation, or better said, “re-identification”.  For the Scriptures, again, would appear to indicate that at that time there will arise in awareness three distinct groups of “blood-washesd/Spirit-filled believers”- which relates, I believe, to the following: i.e., those who say ”I am YHWH’S” (blood-washed/Spirit-filled Christians)… those who say “I am Jacob” (blood-washed/Spirit-filled Messianic Jews)… and last but not least, those who say of themselves “I am YHWH’s; and will ascribe to themselves the surname of ‘Israel’” (blood-washed/Spirit-filled Messianic Israelites…aka Ephraimites).

  The second consideration that I will offer is related to what the Prophet Isaiah tells us concerning another certain ‘last days’ scenario.  He tells us that YHWH will in the latter-days place “watchmen” [Strong's #8104... literally, 'shomrim'/guardians, protectors] upon Jerusalem’s walls as guardians and ‘intercessors’ for Jerusalem and for Zion’s sakes. (Isaiah 62:1; 6-7).  It is this very prophecy which I believe we’re seeing fulfilled before our very eyes, as we see multi-denominational Christian Churches and Messianic congregations of all sorts- all over the world- enthusiastically responding to the call of becoming “watchmen” (i.e., guardians/protectors/intercessors) for the established State of Israel; and for the Jewish people worldwide.  Nevertheless, of still further interest to me is the very strong clue- as I believe it to be- that is put forth by the Prophet Jeremiah as to just who these ”watchers” or “watchmen” may specifically be.

  In both ‘Jeremiah 4:16‘ and ‘Jeremiah 31:6‘ the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit) inspired Jeremiah to use an interestingly distinct hebrew word that we’ve also translated as the ”watchers” and “watchmen”- of the latter days.  I say this even though I believe that Isaiah’s watchmen and Jeremiah’s watchmen are one and the same.  What’s utterly fascinating to me, however, is that Jeremiah’s “watchers” and ”watchmen“ are both translated from the hebrew word ”notzrim” [Strong's #5341... "notzrim” in the Masoretic text] which, interestingly, is the same modern-day hebrew word for ‘christians‘.  That’s right!..Jeremiah’s word for the latter-day ‘watchmen’ is the same word that’s used by Israelis, today, when referring to Christians!  But also, by the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit), Jeremiah tells us that these same “watchmen” [Strong’s #5341, “notzrim”] are to be found- most curiously- ”upon the mount Ephraim“… which signifies their stronghold; the place of their principle governance from upon which they intercede on behalf of all Israel: 

   For there shall be a day, that the watchmen [notzrim/christians] upon the mount Ephraim shall cry, Arise ye, and let us go up to Zion unto YHWH our Elohim.

    For thus saith YHWH [relating to these 'watchmen/notzrim']; Sing with gladness for Jacob, and shoutamong the chief [just as one refers to Genesis as B'reishiyt / in the beginning; so too, b’rosh (among the chief) should, I believe, be more accurately translated as in the chief]of the nations: publish ye, praise ye, and say, O YHWH, save thy people, the remnant of Israel. (Jer. 31:6-7)

   The modern-day ‘Ephraimite movement’, and ‘Christian Zionist movement’ have their moorings in the United States.  Despite the fact that the Ephraimites and the Christian Zionists exist worldwide [as prophetically indicated in Amos 9:9 and Isaiah 11:12-13], they are, nevertheless, most prominent here within the ‘CHIEF’ of the nations, known as America!

   

  In light of all the above, I believe that “Dormant Ephraimites” abound in America.  Why do I say that?  Well, especially, because of what the Prophet Isaiah declares:

   

  I have spread out my hands all the day unto a rebellious people, which walketh in a way [that was] not good, after their own thoughts;

   

  A people that provoketh me to anger continually to my face; that sacrificeth in gardens, and burneth incense upon altars of brick; [cf. Hosea 8:11-12] 

   

  Which remain among the graves [of the Assyrian-Babylonian system], and lodge in the monuments [Strong’s #5341, notzrim], which eat swine’s flesh, and broth of abominable [things is in] their vessels;

   

  Which say, Stand by thyself, come not near to me; for I am holier than thou. These [are] a smoke in my nose, a fire that burneth all the day.  (Isaiah 65:2-5)

   

  In conclusion…. please consider again, if you will, that “notzrim” (watchmen) is the Hebrew word used in modern-day Israel to refer to Christians!  America has had the exalted position and destiny of being in the vanguard [the chief of the nations] in order to bring the gospel to the nations… to bring forth fruit for the ‘Kingdom’.  But, like our ancient Israelite forefathers, we’ve turned our backs on YHWH, our Maker, our King.  Yes, “Dorment Ephraimites” abound in America; and so, as it is written, “many are called, but few are chosen”.  Nonetheless, the call continues to go out to Ephraim to awaken from his slumber and to shake off his Assyrian-Babylonian grave cloths.  This harbinger’s call is coming even from the most unexpected sources.  As in the case of the unwitting Messianic Rabbi (recorded below) who tacitly provides clear and astounding evidence for recognizing the direct prophetic connection between the USA and “the mount” [or stronghold] of Ephraim as described in Jeremiah 31:6.  In so doing, he reveals the true identity of the many Christian ‘lovers of Israel’ that fill most Messianic Jewish congregations here in America and worldwide as well.

   

  I would hasten to add and emphasize that I am not advocating Anglo-Israelism, for I believe that the collective Lost Ten Tribes of Israel are scattered worldwide.  However, I do believe, as stated above, that the USA is at present the prophetic “stronghold of Ephraim”.

   

  In light of all the above, please listen to Messianic Rabbi Jonathan Cahn’s amazing prophetic declarations which demonstrate that for America and its abounding “Dormant Ephraimites”, indeed, “the fruit has not fallen far from the tree”.  His message is presented in the following two videos:   

   ‘It’s Supernatural’_Sid Roth & Guest/Rabbi Jonathan Cahn (speaking on ‘The Harbinger’_Pt. 1)

   

  Rabbi Jonathan Cahn with Sid Roth_Pt. 2… ‘Harbinger: The Shaking’

   

  See a curious ‘Ezekiel Sticks’ mission to NYC just after ’911′.  

  Also, watch as an Orthodox Jew reveals a hidden mystery to a Christian in the last moments of this linked video… i.e., concerning the return of ‘Ephraim’.

  Finally, learn more about “Ezekiel’s Two Sticks”; and how they, actually, represent the Two Houses of Israel!

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