 Just as we have been hearing of, and seeing the increase of earthquakes and other natural phenomena, so is there a shaking taking place within the move of the prophetic fulfillment of YHVH's destiny for the two houses/nations of Israel - Judah and Ephraim. One of the major attacks against this move is seen in the 'well-meaning' teaching called the "One New Man." The "one new man" theology that claims that the Jew and Gentile are "one in Messiah" seems to be used as a 'magic formula' that solves all issues. However, as I have written in the past, amazingly this "one new man" person seems to have two faces, or maybe even two heads: one Gentile and one Jewish, and never the twain shall meet. Thus, even though this cliché of "we are one new man" is being used to supposedly unite the body of Messiah, it is actually compromising the truth of what the Spirit is doing in uniting the two houses of Israel. Satan knows that if Yeshua, who ascended into the heavens in order to accomplish this restoration of the house of Jacob (the house of YHVH), succeeds in uniting YHVH's firstborn nation, his reign on this planet would end.
The "one new man" cliché could become nothing more than another ecumenical move of the Babylonian church to actually keep the remnant from returning, just as the Prince of Persia and the Prince of Greece did back in the days of Daniel. The other night, at a very anointed praise gathering with two musicians who have submitted their professional talents to the Spirit, uniting them in a healing ministry, one of them commented about being a 'Gentle' who is ministering together with the Jewish partner as "one new man". In truth, their ministry was very effective, with testimonies to follow, but the identities were still fixed as: "Gentile" and "Jew."
Notice what it says in Ephesians 2:11-14, the verses that precede the "one new man" statement: "11 Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh -- who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands -- 12 that at that time you were without Messiah, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without Elohim in the world." Thus, if one is still a "Gentile,", one is without Messiah, alien from the commonwealth of Israel, stranger from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without Elohim in the world. However, notice what Paul says about the "now," meaning the era that follows the death, burial and resurrection of Messiah: "But now in Messiah Yeshua you who once were far off [and how many times in the scriptures has Israel, or parts thereof have been so termed?] have been brought near by the blood of Messiah. For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation" ..."For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father. Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of Elohim" (Ephesians 2:13-14; 18-19).
"What is the name of this one new man?" When I posed this question at one of our local gatherings there was silence for a few moments, and then someone said (willy nilly), "Israel."
Those who teach against this end time move of the Spirit of Elijah, refusing to acknowledge the biblical-prophetic history of the word of Elohim in regards to the whole house of Israel, are causing, even if indirectly, many who are receiving their identity as Ephraim/Israel to stumble or be discouraged as to what the Spirit is revealing to them. Because of the negative attitude in Messianic Jewish circles toward the identity issue, often using the term "one new man" in their objections, some Ephraimites have been converting to Judaism in order to receive acceptance. At the same time, for whatever reason or reasons, in the Ephraimite 'camp' some are now compromising this teaching also.
In past letters I have warned that YHVH will send the "curse" of the hunters (the spirit of Islam) into the supposedly Judeo-Christian nations. As we all know, this is happening 'big time.' If He is judging those who are largely ignorant of this message so severely, do you think that those who have known this for many years and are now watering down YHVH's truth are going to be let go scot free? However, I do know that YHVH will have a faithful remnant that will make it through the deceptions of these latter days and will stay on the narrow path no matter how costly it may be.
Lastly, this message does not set out to counter the validity of the "one new man" scripture, but rather attempts to put it in context. As we all know, once we veer, even slightly, off the "straight and narrow" before long we end up afar off and are on a different path altogether.
Yeshua warned to be careful of the "leaven of the Pharisees." Tomorrow is the last day of Hag Hamazot. Let us remember that although Yeshua was/is the bread of life who was born in the House of Bread (Bet Lechem), on His way to the crucifixion stake He came forth from the House of Affliction (Bet Onya), as He became the "bread of affliction," the "matza." I trust that you were blessed in partaking of the "afikoman" - the broken middle matza which signifies "that which comes after" (being much more than a mere dessert after the meal; indicating that He who rose "after" death and burial will come "after" the fulfillment of "all the things that were spoken by the mouths of all the holy prophets of old," and that includes Ezekiel 37 and many more references to the restoration of Ephraim and Judah).
 Chag Same'ach and Shabbat Shalom Ephraim shevet@netvision.net.il
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