02-12-2004, 04:11 AM
Rob Wrote:Interesting topic reguarding the 2 houses of Israel has been brought up before, but not in a topic where an appropiate place for dialogue.
I do reject this doctrine because it is not clearly spelled out in scripture. The majority of the NT's rhetoric surrounding this topic is on Gentiles not having the same standard for obedience. I am not saying that it will not change eschatologically; but by human effort I believe nothing should be done to discern whether or not Gentiles might actually be long lost Jews.
Actually, check the Scriptures given by James in Acts 15 (quoting Amos) and by Peter in 1 Pet 2 (quoting Hosea) for their explanation of why the nations are coming to faith in Messiah. Then, go back and check out the context of those quotations. It is all about the northern kingdom of Israel, aka Joseph, aka Ephraim. The New Testament is applying Scriptures specifically talking about Israel to new believers from the nations coming to faith in Messiah.
Don't get confused. Two Houses of Israel is really about Two Houses. The northern house, Israel, and the southern house, Judah becoming one. It is not about people scattered in the nations being long lost Jews. Jews, southern kingdom, Judah. It is about many people coming to faith in Messiah being long lost Israelites. Yet, bloodlines are not important. Why not? Well, a key Scriptural basis for a two house understanding of Scripture is from Ezekiel 37. I commend you to read the whole thing. The valley of the dry bones is about the whole house of Israel being brought back to life. The two sticks, one the house of Judah and his companions and the other the house of Joseph and his companions, become one in YHWH's hand. Read the prophecy. Has it already been fulfilled, and if so, when?
This is part of the restoration of all things. The disciples asked Messiah when He would restore the kingdom to Israel. His answer was not a rebuke, but rather a command to go make disciples.
Ephraim was prophecied to become melo ha goyim (Gen 48: 19), fullness of the nations. Now read Romans 10: 25 - 26..."until the fullness of the gentiles have come in."
Zechariah14