By Liaf
This is the longest title for a message that I remember having. However, I assume that you are reading the messages on this site because 1) what we teach is enough to hold some sort of interest for you, or 2) you really believe what we teach here, and perhaps you are here for support related to the need to learn the things we teach here.
Reason #1 encompasses a vast array of
people. Some may be critical, some may not be, but merely
interested. This message is NOT for this category of people
(although if you fall under this category, you may still read
on). This message is for the people who fall under category #2.
IF you really believe what we teach here, and if you are
searching or at least in need of support so that you have a solid
Biblical backing for what we teach here, then I want you to know
three things. (This will be a relatively short, but insightful
message this week).
1) Do not expect clergy or anybody else in the mainline religious
world to be a help to you. At best, you may get a sympathetic
ear. They will attempt to answer your questions about the
subjects we teach here (especially the Lost Tribes) by leafing
through their Bible footnotes hoping to find an answer. They mean
well, but the answers are from a source that basically does not
believe (or see) the truth we teach here. At worst, you may find
a swarm of “altar-caller” stewards trying to escort you
to an altar to quickly “accept Christ” hoping that you
forget what we teach here. Just be happy that even in your
feeling of “lostness”, you have a better handle on
things than they do. What’s even sadder (or ironically
amusing) about the whole situation is that those who would
“help” you are not aware they are more lost than you
are. As you probably found out, you will need to hear people
like us from one source, or another from another source, or seek
out some books to help you. Thus, YOU must do the searching to
find out the answers for yourself. I wish I could meet all of
you personally, but I realize I cannot establish a personal
rapport with a person who is logged on to this site from New York
or California or where ever. You will just have to get used to
that idea--- and maybe seek out those who believe likewise and
start your own Bible study.
2) Don’t expect to be perfect. Since you do not have
personal help and must “piece together” all your
information, you WILL MAKE MISTAKES. As Paul said, we all
prophesy in part. No person has all of the answers, but only what
God reveals to them. So do not be hard on yourselves.
Understanding will come with learning. For example, when dealing
with the subject of the Lost Tribes, the main idea is that the
Jews are not ALL of Israel. The house of Israel to the North was
exiled and “lost” to history. The purpose was so that
they would have a new name, become re-covenanted in Christ and
become a light to the world to show God’s Glory. Most Lost
Tribe ministries teach that Britain is Ephraim and the United
State is Manasseh. However, the details are not agreed on.
For example, various Northwestern European nations are said to be
various other tribes of Israel, but this is not uniformly
agreed upon which tribe is which nation because the migration
history becomes complicated. That’s why I do not say much
about the other European nations other than the fact that they
too are the Lost Tribes (without dogmatically saying which tribe
became which nation). The main importance is the birthright
tribe of Joseph, the dominant tribe, is recognizable and the
others associate with them according to the Bible. I will not
debate with you if one person says Switzerland is the tribe of
Gad and another says that Sweden is that tribe. You can look at
the heraldry to answer the question in mind. In a similar
manner, the whole idea of the Davidic Throne is that God
preserves it according to His promise. Again, most say this was
accomplished through Zedekiah’s daughters. I will not debate
or chastise you if for example we disagree the routes of
Jeremiah’s remnant or for that matter the number of people
in his exiled party. These are debatable details. The main
idea is that David’s Throne is preserved. That’s
what’s important. You get the picture I think. Details are
only important if in fact it establishes a BIG PICTURE, so many
details are important, but some details do not affect the big
picture.
3) Since you know that you will not have support (but must study
these things for yourselves) and you know you are not perfect, YET
YOU MUST REALIZE YOU WERE CALLED TO KNOW THIS TRUTH FOR A REASON.
So the third point I want to make is a question that asks, what
do you feel your calling is in all of this? I feel at this
stage in my life that a formal education in ministry or theology
would be pointless other than to show everyone “I can do
it” so that I have a more justifiable reason to
“rebel” as some would say. I wanted a wife and family.
I have a full time job. My primary responsibility is to see the
needs of my family. Why bother learning something that I do not
agree with? (I am NOT mocking education by the way). You see,
some people think that if you have that piece of paper that you
have a more legitimate right to mouth off even if you disagree
with what you learned. Well, so be it if that’s how some
feel. I AM NOT RULING OUT FUTURE EDUCATION. In the meantime, my
background is of a technical/mathematical nature yet I have this
strange pulling for the spiritual things. What a dilemma! So I
did what I could--- I started a web site with my brother who
converses regularly with me. A web site is what I call a
“poor man’s communication medium”. We are ALL OVER
THE WORLD at ALL times---- the only limit is people’s lack
of awareness that we are here. But at least we are doing
something with the knowledge God gave to us even if we do not
have the time for committing to a formal ministry right now. In
other words, considering what we have (and some of you may not
think it’s much), at least you must admit we’re doing
what we know best to its fullest with what we have to work with.
There are many formally educated ministers out there with mega
churches that do not have as much teaching on their sites (or
even on their radio programs) than two measly men have here.
Considering we are only TWO people (and not a congregation)
WITHOUT formal knowledge, my opinion is that we are doing pretty
good here--- but let the Lord judge us. We are not here for a
popularity contest, but we hope we are using what the Lord gave
us to the fullest extent possible. So what can you do? Maybe
start your own Bible study group--- learn more and share it. Seek
out others who believe as you. They may be HURTING INSIDE because
they think nobody believes the same thing that they do (and hence
they feel lonely). This is the condition of the true church of
God. There is an irony here. There is hope, and yet lots of hurt
because of lack of true fellowship. You get the idea.
In line with the
third item that I wanted you to know about, you must realize that
besides your calling in this type of ministry, people’s
response will not generally be favorable. Keep this in mind when
you get discouraged (and you will at times). I used to believe
that most people, especially the pastors and theological
authorities, would react negatively and try to convert me back to
their beliefs by convincing me to abandon what we teach here.
Thus, I often joke about “grave evangelists” and the
like. In reality, I bet this does not even encompass 1% of the
opposition (albeit they can be a strong and vociferous
opposition). Do you know what you will encounter the most?
Apathy. Most people will be polite enough to hear you out and
then say, “That’s nice” while not putting two and
two together. They will forget what you said five minutes ago and
go their own merry way. They have NO CLUE or any spiritual
insight (as if they are dead) as to its significance. It’s
the same as telling people about the need for salvation in
Christ, and while they do not openly reject Him, they walk off
thinking they are “OK” and so often do not see their
need of salvation because they were “raised a
Christian”.
So these are the
three things I want you to know--- now go out and seek others
like yourselves and strengthen each other in the Lord with
knowledge and love. And lastly, rejoice that you were called to
know the truth.