Birth Pangs: This Is Not Our Home - Signs of Redemption

Shalom Kol Yisrael,

I am interrupting part 3 of the series dealing with the Restoration of Yisrael. I sense that we are in the middle of birth pangs of the redemption of the sons of Yisrael to the Land. These birth pangs are just a reminder that this is not our home and the seed of Yisrael is to be planted in its own soil just as Scripture says.

This promise was given to Yaacov who was later named Yisrael.

Bereshit (Genesis) 28:13, “I am YHWH Elohim of Abraham your father and the Elohim of Yitshaq. The land on which you are lying, I give it to you and your seed. 14 “And your seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and you shall break forth to the west and to the east, to the north and the south. And all the clans of the earth shall be blessed in you and in your seed. 15 “And see, I am with you and shall guard you wherever you go, and shall bring you back to this land. For I am not going to leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you.” (emphases added)

Abba woke me up very early Shabbat morning and I was thinking about these cataclysmic events that are taking place. Here in Florida, we have had Tropical Storm Fay bombarding us with serious flooding. In the Land, we have no rain with the Kinneret (sea of Galilee) in serious danger.

I hear Abba's cry, "Do not lose heart O my people Yisrael. For a woman is in labour. She is in much pain, the contractions are growing stronger.  But, when she gives birth there will be much joy!"

Tehillim (Psalm) 87: 5 And of Tsiyon it is said, “Each one was born in her; For the Most High Himself does establish her.” 6 YHWH does write in the register of the peoples, “This one was born there.” Selah. (emphases added)

If you are living in the Land of Yisrael, do not lose heart. In Ha Eretz (the Land of Yisrael) you are experiencing these birth pangs as well. Ha Eretz is crying out for the redemption of the sons of Yisrael. The soil is reflecting back its thirst for the sons to return. If you are living in the diaspora, do not lose heart. The amniotic fluid is ready to burst (the various floods taking place both here and abroad) as a woman in child birth. Where you are living now is not your home. The birth pangs are reminding you that the redemption will not give birth on foreign soil!

I am reminded of Tehillim 137: 1 By the rivers of Babel, There we sat down and we wept as we remembered Tsiyon. 2 We hung our lyres upon the willows in the midst of it. 3 For there our captors asked us for the words of a song, and our plunderers for rejoicing, saying, “Sing to us a song of Tsiyon!” 4 How could we sing the song of YHWH on foreign soil? 5 If I forget you, O Yerushalayim, let my right hand forget. 6 Let my tongue cleave to my palate, if I do not remember you, if I do not exalt Yerushalayim above my chief joy. 7 Remember, O YHWH, against the sons of Edom, the day of Yerushalayim, who said, “Lay it bare, lay it bare, to its foundation!” 8 O daughter of Babel, who are to be destroyed, blessed is he who repays you your deed, what you did to us! 9 Blessed is he who shall take and dash your little ones against the rock. (emphases added)

This is not a time to live in dread. This is a time to live in anticipation! If you are living in dread, you will miss out! Your cloud of despair will hide all of the goodness that Abba is planning to do in the final redemption of the sons of Yisrael to the Land. This is a spirit related to what I believe is fear. We are not to live in fear. Scripture exhorts us in 2 Timothy 1: 7 For YHWH hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."

Thank You Abba for being in control of all things. We bless You and thank You for hiding us in the Shadow of Your Wings.

Shavua Tov,
--
Tzefanyah Pappas
Chazak Chazak v’nitchazek
Let us be strong, let us be strong and let us
strengthen (encourage) one another!

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Part 2: The Restoration of Yisrael: Mystery of the Ages - Yaacov: Freedom from the Pharoahs of Esau and Lavan

Shalom Kol Yisrael,

We return to Part 2 of The Restoration of Yisrael: Mystery of the Ages series.  I will have to admit that I often do not know how these letters will turn out until I obediently set the hands to the keyboard, praying all the time that He will lead me.   So I pray that you have been encouraged, enlightened, and strengthened by the Elohim of Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaacov to carry on and not lose heart as darker days approach.  We must remember that we are hidden in Him.   There may be thick clouds of darkness ahead, but Abba can use them to hide us and keep us so that we may be witnesses of Yah's final redemption into the Land of Yisrael for all of the children of Yisrael.

Part 2:  Yaacov: Freedom from the Pharoahs of Esau and Lavan

Bereshit (Genesis) 25: 20 And Yitsḥaq was forty years old when he took Riv̱qah as wife, the daughter of Bethu’ĕl the Aramean of Paddan Aram, the sister of Lav̱an the Aramean. 21 And Yitsḥaq prayed to YHWH for his wife, because she was barren. And YHWH answered his prayer, and Riv̱qah his wife conceived. 22 And within her the children struggled together, and she said, “If all is right, why am I this way?” So she went to ask  YHWH.  23 And YHWH said to her, “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples shall be separated from your body. And one people shall be stronger than the other, and the older serve the younger.” 24 And when the days were filled for her to give birth, and see, twins were in her womb! 25 And the first came out red all over, like a hairy garment, so they called his name Ěsaw. 26 And afterward his brother came out, with his hand holding on to Ěsaw’s heel, so his name was called Ya‛aqov̱. (emphases added)

Many have interpreted Yaacov's name to mean "supplanter", however, Scripture shows his name is called Yaacov because his hand was holding his brother Esau's heel.  We look at Yaacov as a conniver.  But, is this really accurate.   Perhaps, it is the following incident that leads us to think of Yaacov in this way:

Bereshit 25: 28 And Yitsḥaq loved Ěsaw because he ate of his wild game, but Riv̱qah loved Ya‛aqov. 29 And Ya‛aqov cooked a stew, and Ěsaw came in from the field, and he was weary. 30 And Ěsaw said to Ya‛aqov̱, “Please feed me with that same red stew, for I am weary.” That is why his name was called Eḏom. 31 But Ya‛aqov̱ said, “Sell me your birthright today.” 32 And Ěsaw said, “Look, I am going to die, so why should I have birthright?” 33 Then Ya‛aqov̱ said, “Swear to me today.” And he swore to him, and sold his birthright to Ya‛aqov̱. 34 Ya‛aqov̱ then gave Ěsaw bread and stew of lentils. And he ate and drank, and rose up and left. Thus Ěsaw despised his birthright. (emphases added)

Did Yaacov know of his destiny?  Did his mother Rivkah speak to him that he was selected by Yah as a child of promise?  Did Yaacov use this incident to prove to himself that, indeed, his brother despised the rights and responsibilities that go with being a first born?  By looking at the above verses, we can indeed conclude that this was a demonstration of the very nature of Esau.   His name means red, thus he was called Edom.  However, look at how the actions of this man were associated with being "weary".   This can definitely shed some light.

Galatians 6: 9 And let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not grow weary. (emphasis added)

Who devised the plan for Yaacov to receive the first born blessing?

Bereshit 27: 1  And it came to be, when Yitsḥaq was old and his eyes were too dim to see, that he called Ěsaw his elder son and said to him, “My son.” And he answered him, “Here I am.” 2 And he said, “See now, I am old, I do not know the day of my death. 3 “Now then, please take your weapons, your quiver and your bow, and go out to the field and hunt wild game for me. 4 “And make me a tasty dish, such as I love, and bring it to me to eat, in order that my being does bless you before I die.” 5 And Riv̱qah heard when Yitsḥaq spoke to Ěsaw his son. And Ěsaw went to the field to hunt wild game and to bring it. 6 And Riv̱qah spoke to Ya‛aqov̱ her son, saying, “See, I heard your father speak to Ěsaw your brother, saying, 7 ‘Bring me wild game and make me a tasty dish to eat, and bless you in the presence of YHWH before my death.’ 8 “And now my son, listen to my voice according to what I command you. 9 “Please go to the flock and bring me two choice young goats, and I make a tasty dish from them for your father, such as he loves. 10 “And you shall take it to your father, and he shall eat it, so that he might bless you before his death.” 11 And Ya‛aqov̱ said to Riv̱qah his mother, “See, Ěsaw my brother is a hairy man, and I am a smooth-skinned man. 12 “What if my father touches me? Then I shall be like a deceiver in his eyes, and shall bring a curse on myself and not a blessing.” 13 But his mother said to him, “Let your curse be on me, my son. Only obey my voice, and go, get them for me.” (emphases added)

It is interesting to see that Yaacov did not want to be known as a deceiver.   Also this detailed plan was not concocted by him, but his mother.   Men of Yisrael, this is what happens when the order of the home is not right.   Yitzchak should have led the way in giving Yaacov the first born blessing.  But, instead, he was more concerned about feeding his belly.   YHWH already declared that the older shall serve the younger.   Rivkah did what she thought was right to make sure that Yaacov received the blessing of the first born.   Later in Scripture in the book of Shemot (Exodus) YHWH declares, "Yisrael is my first born."

From the Pharaoh of Esau to the Pharoah of Lavan

How is Esau seen as a Pharaoh?  Here, I am thinking of Pharoah as one who stands against the purposes of YHWH and even despises them.   Birthright also pertained not only to rights of inheritance, but also one's spiritual destiny given to them by YHWH.   Esau despised this destiny, yet manipulated his father through his father's appetites to receive the first born blessing.  So who really was the manipulator in all of this?  Rivkah assisted Yaacov to get out of the control of Pharaoh, and, in so doing a first born of Yisrael was saved as a prophetic act.   In the future, we will see a nation of first borns saved from the clutches of an Egyptian Pharaoh.

Bereshit 27: 42 And the words of Ěsaw her older son were reported to Riv̱qah, and she sent and called Ya‛aqov̱ her younger son, and said to him, “See, your brother Ěsaw comforts himself concerning you, to kill you. 43 “And now, my son, listen to my voice, and rise, flee to my brother Lavan in Ḥaran. 44 “And stay with him a few days, until your brother’s wrath turns away, 45 until your brother’s displeasure turns away from you, and he forgets what you have done to him. And I shall send and bring you from there. Why should I be bereaved of you both in one day?”

Yaacov now flees to his uncle Lavan's home.   Lavan in Hebrew means "white".  Soon Yaacov will experience the consequences of falling under Lavan's many "white" lies.

Continued next week:  Part 3:  The "White" Lies of Lavan

Shavua Tov,

--
Tzefanyah Pappas
Chazak Chazak v’nitchazek
Let us be strong, let us be strong and let us
strengthen (encourage) one another!

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I am Yisrael: Repentance Approved from the Heavens

Shalom Kol Yisrael,

Ezekiel 37:12 “Therefore prophesy, and you shall say to them, ‘Thus said the Master YHWH, “See, O My people, I am opening your graves, and shall bring you up from your graves, and shall bring you into the land of Yisra’el. 13 “And you shall know that I am YHWH, when I open your graves, O My people, and bring you up from your graves. 14 “And I shall put My Spirit in you, and you shall live, and I shall settle you in your own land. And you shall know that I YHWH have spoken, and I have done it,” declares YHWH.’ ” 15 And the word of YHWH came to me, saying, 16 “And you, son of man, take a stick for yourself and write on it, ‘For Yehudah and for the children of Yisra’el, his companions.’ Then take another stick and write on it, ‘For Yoseph, the stick of Ephrayim, and for all the house of Yisra’el, his companions.’ 17 “Then bring them together for yourself into one stick, and they shall become one in your hand. 18 “And when the children of your people speak to you, saying, ‘Won’t you show us what you mean by these?’ 19 say to them, ‘Thus said the Master YHWH, “See, I am taking the stick of Yoseph, which is in the hand of Ephrayim, and the tribes of Yisra’el, his companions. And I shall give them unto him, with the stick of Yehudah, and make them one stick, and they shall be one in My hand.” ’ 20 “And the sticks on which you write shall be in your hand before their eyes. 21 “And speak to them, ‘Thus said the Master YHWH, “See, I am taking the children of Yisra’el from among the gentiles, wherever they have gone, and shall gather them from all around, and I shall bring them into their land. 22 “And I shall make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Yisra’el. And one sovereign shall be sovereign over them all, and let them no longer be two nations, and let them no longer be divided into two reigns. 23 “And they shall no longer defile themselves with their idols, nor with their disgusting matters, nor with any of their transgressions. And I shall save them from all their dwelling places in which they have sinned, and I shall cleanse them. And they shall be My people, and I be their Elohim, 24 while David My servant is sovereign over them. And they shall all have one shepherd and walk in My right-rulings and guard My laws, and shall do them." (emphases added)

I just returned from a conference in St. Louis, Missouri relating to the above verses. Those in attendance at the conference declared themselves as part of the family of Yisrael. We marched through the gateway arch in St. Louis known as the gateway to the West.

Hoshea 11: 10 “Let them follow YHWH. Like a lion He roars. When He roars, then sons shall tremble from the west." (emphases added)

We declared ourselves to be the scattered remnant of Yisrael and acknowledged our exile and our desire to return home. We have been a people long forgotten because of our sins and the sins of our forefathers. We walked in teshuvah (repentance) toward the arch. We have been obscure and hidden for such a time as this for all the world to know that there are Jewish and non-Jewish sides to the family. We await a second Exodus greater than the first to bring all the people of Yisrael home.

Yirmeyahu (Jeremiah) 31: 8 Behold, I will bring them from the north country, and gather them from the uttermost parts of the earth, along with the blind and the lame, the woman with child and her who travails with child together: a great company shall they return here. 9 They shall come with weeping; and with petitions will I lead them: I will cause them to walk by rivers of waters, in a straight way in which they shall not stumble; for I am a Father to Yisra'el, and Ephraim is My firstborn. 10 Hear the word of YHWH, you nations, and declare it in the islands afar off, and say, He who scattered Yisra'el will gather him, and keep him, as a shepherd does his flock. 11 For YHWH has ransomed Yaacov, and redeemed him from the hand of him who was stronger than he. (emphases added)

The impact of this event resonated strongly within the hearts of both my wife and myself. Tears streamed down our faces like a river. As we walked across the street up to the arch,  we continued to weep for the transgressions of our people that caused our banishment from the land of Yisrael. 

During the march, an incident occurred that profoundly impacted my wife and I that we are humbled to have experienced. We never know how our actions speak and minister to others.  Before crossing the street, a woman had observed the impact this was having upon our being and our serious heart-felt response.  This same lady while closely approaching the arch came over to us with a banner folded up.    She placed the folded banner in our hands and said something like this in broken English, "I don't know why. I don't know why. He told me to give this to you. I prophesy. When you prophesy say what's upon your heart." Tears were streaming down her face and ours. I noticed on her name tag that she was from Mexico City. During that space of time and tears, she was no longer Mexican; we were no longer American, but we were one people; we were Yisrael!  Still the message rang even more clear when we unfolded the banner and saw a representation of the restored and regathered nation. The banner was really a flag looking like the modern Israeli flag except in the center was a large golden seven branched menorah, a symbol of national Yisrael!

Several people came forward to make declarations. A descendant of Sitting Bull with arms open wide said something like this, "On behalf of the Lakota nation I welcome you. You are my brothers." An African American man stepped forward and declared with arms open, "On behalf of African Americans I welcome you. You are my brothers." A Messianic Jew came forward with arms open and said, "On behalf of the Jewish people, I welcome you. You are my brothers." And finally a native born Israeli woman said with arms open, "On behalf of the citizens of the modern nation of Yisrael, the land of Yisrael is your home. I welcome you."

The heavens even declared their approval of this event. Very gentle rains sprinkled down as Abba responded with tears Himself! Yes, the heavens were moved that day. We were immersed in Abba's tears.

Shavua Tov,
--
Tzefanyah Pappas
Chazak Chazak v’nitchazek
Let us be strong, let us be strong and let us
strengthen (encourage) one another!

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The Restoration of Yisrael: Mystery of the Ages - Part 1

Shalom Kol Yisrael,

Abba has directed me to begin a multi-part series entitled "The Restoration of Yisrael: Mystery of the Ages". I believe it is vitally important for you to understand why this has been held in mystery. Proverbs 25:2 says, "It is the esteem of Elohim to hide a matter, and the esteem of sovereigns to search out a matter." Since we are kings and priests of Y'shua it is critical we understand and search out the Restoration of Yisrael. This series will attempt to both further enlighten those who have an understanding of this mystery in the Scriptures and will attempt to open an exciting door of revelation to those who already have a love for Yisrael.

The powers of darkness want to keep us blind. Today we live under controlling governments and religious systems that act as our gods today. But, a government has been held in mystery by these forces to blind your eyes to the reality that YHWH intends to bring you out from under "Pharaoh" to experience a literal second Exodus that may even occur in our day. YHWH is in charge. He is not an Elohim who winds up a clock and allows human history to run its course. He knows the timing of all things.  Satanic forces are being allowed to function until prophecy is fulfilled to bring about what will be the greatest migration of people in all of history.

Abraham: One Man, One Purpose

Galatians 3:29 And if you are of Messiah, then you are seed of Abraham, and heirs according to promise.

By this verse, Shaul (Paul) has established that we are Abraham's seed. Remember, this verse was first delivered to a people two thousand years ago. Today, we compartmentalize everything. But, ancient peoples saw the physical and spiritual as being one. So they knew this reference was to literal seed who have a physical inheritance of that promise. Since the promise was given by YHWH it was spiritual.

What was the inheritance and what was the promise? Bereshit (Genesis) 12: 1 And YHWH said to Abram, “Go yourself out of your land, from your relatives and from your father’s house, to a land which I show you. And I shall make you a great nation, and bless you and make your name great, and you shall be a blessing! And I shall bless those who bless you, and curse him who curses you. And in you all the clans of the earth shall be blessed.”

Where did Abram (later Abraham) live and why did he need to leave where he lived? Bereshit 11 says that Abram lived in Ur of Chaldea. This region was also known as Babylon. Earlier in Bereshit Chapter 10 we see that this was the territory ruled by Nimrod. In a previous letter, here is what we found out about Nimrod (June 9):

He was the son of Cush, grandson of Ham, great-grandson of Noah, a Mesopotamian monarch, a mighty hunter before YHWH. He founded cities and was the ruler of the land of Shinar where the tower of Babel was built. This tower was an attempt to reach up into the heavens - YHWH's dwelling place. The people exalted themselves in their building by declaring, "Let us make a name for ourselves." (see Bereshit/Genesis Ch. 10 & 11)

What does his name mean? Dr. David Livingston on his ancientdays.net website says this, "It comes from the Hebrew verb marad, meaning "rebel." Adding an "n" before the "m" it becomes an infinitive construct, "Nimrod." (see Kautzsch 1910: 137 2b; also BDB 1962: 597). The meaning then is "The Rebel." Thus "Nimrod" may not be the character's name at all. It is more likely a derisive term of a type, a representative, of a system that is epitomized in rebellion against the Creator, the one true God." (emphases added)

Nimrod was a type of Pharaoh for Abraham. It was necessary for Abraham to get out from Nimrod's control and influence. So YHWH gave Abraham a glimpse into the future of a nation that would be built upon justice and righteousness, free of man's control and manipulations that would be a light to the nations of the world.

Abraham's Promise: They Called Him Laughter

Bereshit 15:1 After these events the word of YHWH came to Abram in a vision, saying, “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your reward is exceedingly great.” 2 And Abram said, “Master YHWH, what would You give me, seeing I go childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” 3 And Abram said, “See, You have given me no seed, and see, one born in my house is my heir!” 4 And see, the word of YHWH came to him, saying, “This one is not your heir, but he who comes from your own body is your heir.” 5 And He brought him outside and said, “Look now toward the heavens, and count the stars if you are able to count them.” And He said to him, “So are your seed.” 6 And he believed in YHWH, and He reckoned it to him for righteousness.

What did Abraham believe and why was it credited to him for righteousness? Eventhough his body was as good as dead, he believed that literal seed would come from his members. In addition, he believed that they would be as numerous as the stars of the heavens which cannot be measured or counted. Now that is faith and that is righteousness! It would have been much easier for Abraham to believe he was going to have spiritual children.

His son was called Yitzchak which means laughter. Bereshit 17: 18 And Abraham said to Elohim, “Oh, let Yishmael live before You!” 19 And Elohim said, “No, Sarah your wife is truly bearing a son to you, and you shall call his name Yitshaq. And I shall establish My covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him. From Scripture we learn that Hagar /Yishmael represent slavery and Sarah/Yitzchak represent freedom (Bereshit 21 and Galatians 4:30-31). Abraham and Sarah laughed when told they would have a son in their old age (Bereshit 17 & 18). Also when you think of his name meaning laughter you think of the joy of freedom and liberty, thus the name of the freeman Yitzchak. We are not talking about a freedom to sin, but a freedom to live righteously. The wickedness of this world seeks to destroy our liberty to live righteously. The freeman desires to be a moral agent through the Spirit of Holiness to live in a nation that affords that liberty. This freedom would make that nation a light to the world! So when Yishmael was cast out of the house of Abraham, Yitzchak was unshackled to carry out his destiny to bring forth righteous seed just as his father Abraham. Thus, the passing of the torch to bring forth the promise and the inheritance.

Messiah: The Ultimate Carrier of the Promise

Bereshit 22:2 And He said, “Take your son, now, your only son Yitshaq, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriyah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains which I command you.”

Yochanon (John) 8: 56 “Your father Abraham was glad that he should see My day, and he saw it and did rejoice.”

The verse above and following demonstrates the prophetic declaration of Messiah. Here we see Abraham's complete trust in Abba's promises to keep the promised seed alive and Abraham's glimpse into the future of the seed of Messiah who would lead Abraham's seed home to Yisrael in the latter days.

Part 2 - Next week: Yaacov: Freedom from the Pharaohs of Lavan and Esau

And report from a historic event taking place in St. Louis, Mo. from August 8 to August 11 that relates to end time prophecies of the seed of Yisrael returning once again to their homeland. Note: This historic event relates to this series which will show you that not all of Yisrael is Jewish, but a non-Jewish remnant with Judah, indeed, shall become one stick in YHWH's hand (see Ezekiel 37).

Shavua Tov,

--

Tzefanyah Pappas
Chazak Chazak v’nitchazek
Let us be strong, let us be strong and let us strengthen (encourage) one another!

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