Israel or The Church A study by

Israel or “The Church”?

A study by John Krneta (latest version of November 2015) Contact information for questions or comments: jkrneta@hotmail. com

Please Note: Scripture text taken from the New King James Version Some text has been underlined or highlighted for emphasis. Some comments have been added (in bold print and in brackets) for clarification and teaching purposes. The word Church has sometimes been replaced with Assembly in order to give a more accurate sense of the Greek word Ekklesia.

Cornelius – The First Gentile Convert Acts 10: 1 -48; 11: 1 -18 Cornelius was: - A “God Fearer” (Acts 10: 2, 22) Devout A giver of alms to the Jewish people A person who prayed to God always Had a good reputation among all the nation of the Jews Had an angelic visitation Fasted for 4 days until Peter came to him

Peter, his companions and all the apostles were shocked ! Acts 10: 44 -45 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. Acts 11: 1, 18 Now the apostles and brethren who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God…. When they heard these things they became silent; and they glorified God, saying, "Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life. "

Please note: - Peter’s experience with Cornelius occurred about 10 years after the sacrifice and resurrection of Jesus. All those years Peter and all the disciples considered it unthinkable that a Gentile could be saved. Therefore they did not preach to Gentiles before Cornelius! - Please keep this in mind as you read the following scriptures!

Jesus came to save His people Israel Matthew 1: 21 – (to Joseph) “And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus (“Yeshua”), for He will save His people from their sins. ” Psalm 130: 8 And He shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities. Luke 1: 46, 54 -55 And Mary said: "My soul magnifies the Lord, … He has helped His servant Israel, In remembrance of His mercy, As He spoke to our fathers, To Abraham and to his seed forever. "

Luke 1: 67 -80 Now his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying: "Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, For He has visited and redeemed His people, And has raised up a horn of salvation for us In the house of His servant David, As He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets, Who have been since the world began, That we should be saved from our enemies And from the hand of all who hate us, To perform the mercy promised to our fathers And to remember His holy covenant, The oath which He swore to our father Abraham: To grant us that we, Being delivered from the hand of our enemies, Might serve Him without fear, In holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our life. And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Highest; For you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways, To give knowledge of salvation to His people By the remission of their sins, Through the tender mercy of our God, With which the Dayspring from on high has visited us; To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, To guide our feet into the way of peace. " So the child grew and became strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his manifestation to Israel.

John 1: 31 I did not know Him; but that He should be revealed to Israel, therefore I came baptizing with water. “ For what purpose was He to be revealed ?

Restoring the Kingdom of Israel Luke 1: 30 -33 - (to Mary) And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end. " John 1: 49 Nathanael answered and said to Him, "Rabbi, You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!"

John 12: 12 -13 The next day a great multitude that had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, took branches of palm trees and went out to meet Him, and cried out: “Hosanna! 'Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!' The King of Israel!” Luke 24: 21 – (the 2 disciples on the road to Emmaus) “But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel. Indeed, besides all this, today is the third day since these things happened. ”

Matthew 19: 27 -28 Then Peter answered and said to Him, "See, we have left all and followed You. Therefore what shall we have? " So Jesus said to them, "Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Israel is “The Elect” Mark 13: 19 -20 For in those days there will be tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the creation which God created until this time, nor ever shall be. And unless the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect's sake, whom He chose, He shortened the days. Isaiah 45: 4 For Jacob My servant's sake, And Israel My elect, I have even called you by your name; I have named you, though you have not known Me.

The Great Tribulation will be Israel’s Time of Trouble Jeremiah 30: 4 -7 Now these are the words that the LORD spoke concerning Israel and Judah. “For thus says the LORD: ‘We have heard a voice of trembling, of fear, and not of peace. Ask now, and see, whether a man is ever in labor with child? So why do I see every man with his hands on his loins like a woman in labor, and all faces turned pale? Alas! For that day is great, So that none is like it; and it is the time of Jacob’s trouble, but he shall be saved out of it.

Matthew 24: 29 -31 “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. ”

Whereand to whom Jesus Preach ? did Luke 4: 13 -16 Now when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from Him until an opportune time. Then Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and news of Him went out through all the surrounding region. And He taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all. So He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read. Luke 4: 31 Then He went down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and was teaching them on the Sabbaths.

Luke 4: 42 -44 Now when it was day, He departed and went into a deserted place. And the crowd sought Him and came to Him, and tried to keep Him from leaving them; but He said to them, "I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, because for this purpose I have been sent. " And He was preaching in the synagogues of Galilee. Luke 8: 1 Now it came to pass, afterward, that He went through every city and village, preaching and bringing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with Him, Luke 10: 1, 13, 15 (shows that He was about to go to Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum – cities of the Jews)

Luke 13: 22 And He went through the cities and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem. Luke 17: 11 Now it happened as He went to Jerusalem that He passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. Luke 19: 1, 28, 47 -48; 20: 1 Then Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. He went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. And He was teaching daily in the temple. But the chief priests, the scribes, and the leaders of the people sought to destroy Him, and were unable to do anything; for all the people were very attentive to hear Him. Now it happened on one of those days, as He taught the people in the temple and preached the gospel, that the chief priests and the scribes, together with the elders, confronted Him

Did Jesus Preach to the Gentiles? Matthew 15: 21 -28 Then Jesus went out from there and departed to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a woman of Canaan came from that region and cried out to Him, saying, "Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon-possessed. " But He answered her not a word. And His disciples came and urged Him, saying, "Send her away, for she cries out after us. " But He answered and said, "I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. " Then she came and worshiped Him, saying, “Lord, help me!" But He answered and said, "It is not good to take the children's bread and throw it to the little dogs. " And she said, "Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their Lord’s table. " Then Jesus answered and said to her, "O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire. " And her daughter was healed from that very hour. This is typical of the other accounts – the answer: No ! See also: Mark 7: 24 -30; Luke 7: 1 -10 and Luke 17: 11 -19

The Samaritans – a special case Jeremiah 7: 15 And I will cast you out of My sight, as I have cast out all your brethren—the whole posterity of Ephraim. - There were no Israelites left for the Samaritans to mix with. 2 Kings 17: 22 -34, 41 shows that the Samaritans are gentile peoples who blended the fear of the Lord with the worship of their gods. v. 27 – one single priest of Jeroboam’s religion taught them - There is no record of him having any offspring with them. v. 34 – “To this day they continue practicing the former rituals; they do not fear the Lord, nor do they follow their (Israel’s) statutes or their (Israel’s) ordinances, or the law and commandment which the Lord had commanded the children of Jacob, whom He named Israel, ” John 4: 22 – (Jesus to the Samaritan woman at the well) “You (Samaritans) worship what you do not know; we (Jews) know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews. ” Luke 9: 51 -56 – The Samaritans later refused a second visit from Jesus because He was going to go to Jerusalem and they did not like that!

The Disciples sent to the lost sheep of the House of Israel Matthew 10: 5 -6 These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them, saying: "Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans. But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Jeremiah 50: 6 a, 17 – “My people have been lost sheep… Israel is like scattered sheep; The lions have driven him away. First the king of Assyria devoured him; Now at last this Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon has broken his bones. ” Ezekiel 34: 11 For thus says the Lord God: "Indeed I Myself will search for My sheep and seek them out.

The 12 and the 70 sent out to only Israelite towns Luke 9: 1 -6 – Jesus sent His 12 disciples “to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick”… “through the towns”. - These were not gentile towns as we see below. Luke 10: 1, 9 After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go. And heal the sick there, and say to them, 'The kingdom of God has come near to you. ' v. 13 -15 show that these were Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum, all Israelite towns. v. 16 – “He who hears you hears Me, he who rejects you rejects Me, and he who rejects Me rejects Him who sent Me. "

The Great Commission – to all the peoples ? Matthew 28: 18 -20 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. " Amen. Mark 16: 15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. ” Who are these “creatures” in “all the nations” ?

“Nations” = “Ethnos” (Strong’s Gk. #1484) 1) a multitude (whether of men or of beasts) associated or living together a) a company, troop, swarm 2) a multitude of individuals of the same nature or genus a) the human family 3) a tribe, nation, people group 4) in the OT, foreign nations not worshipping the true God, pagans, Gentiles 5) Paul uses the term for Gentile Christians

The Disciples understood “nations” to mean onlytheir own people group – the Israelites Matthew 10: 23 When they persecute you in this city, flee to another. For assuredly, I say to you, you will not have gone through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes. Acts 1: 6 -8 Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, "the Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel? " And He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. "

Luke 24: 46 -47 Then He said to them, "Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Messiah to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. - Remember, they understood this as to the tribes of Israel only! Ac and the context of Acts 1 to 9 prove that. Mark 16: 19 -20 So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen. - “Everywhere” to Israelites only

Who are the Greeks the Hellenists and ? John 7: 32 -35 The Pharisees heard the crowd murmuring these things concerning Him, and the Pharisees and the chief priests sent officers to take Him. Then Jesus said to them, "I shall be with you a little while longer, and then I go to Him who sent Me. You will seek Me and not find Me, and where I am you cannot come. " Then the Jews said among themselves, "Where does He intend to go that we shall not find Him? Does He intend to go to the Dispersion among the Greeks and teach the Greeks? Matthew 23: 15 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel land sea to win one proselyte, and when he is won, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves.

In John 7: 35 the English word “Dispersion” is “Diaspora” in Greek (Strong’s Greek # 1290) Strong’s definition of “Diaspora”: “Israelites resident in Gentile countries” - Though there are historical instances of Pharisees proselytizing Gentiles towards Judaism, this was a relatively a rare occurrence. This verse is rather speaking of Pharisees considering that Jesus might go to dispersed Israelites among the Gentiles and preach to those Israelites. Those Israelites are in turn referred to as “Greeks” by the Pharisees. - Here we see an instance where Hellenized Israelites are called “Greeks” in the Bible. They are dispersed Israelites who live among the Greeks and are called “Greeks” by other Jews.

John 12: 20 Now there were certain Greeks among those who came up to worship at the feast. John 11: 47 -54 Then the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered a council and said, "What shall we do? For this Man works many signs. If we let Him alone like this, everyone will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and nation. " And one of them, Caiaphas, being high priest that year, said to them, "You know nothing at all, nor do you consider that it is expedient for us that one man should die for the people, and not that the whole nation should perish. " Now this he did not say on his own authority; but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, and not for that nation only, but also that He would gather together in one the children of God who were scattered abroad. Then, from that day on, they plotted to put Him to death. Therefore Jesus no longer walked openly among the Jews, but went from there into the country near the wilderness, to a city called Ephraim, and there remained with His disciples.

Please note what Caiaphas prophesied by the Holy Spirit: - That Jesus would die for the nation, and not for that nation (Judah) only, but also that He would gather together in one the children of God who were scattered abroad (the dispersed Israelites of all 12 tribes). - This shows that the purpose of Jesus`s death was to gather together all the dispersed tribes of Israel with Judah in one.

Acts 6: 1 Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. “Hellenist” = “Hellenistes” (Strong’s Gk. # 1675) 1) a Hellenist a) one who imitates the manners and customs or the worship of the Greeks, and use the Greek tongue b) used in the NT of Jews born in foreign lands and speaking Greek

Acts 2 – The Key to your Identity! (understanding who you are not ) Acts 2: 1 -21 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, "Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born? Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs--we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God. " So they were all amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, "Whatever could this mean? " Others mocking said, "They are full of new wine. "

Please note: - Just like today, anyone who followed the religion of Judaism at that time was referred to as a Jew, even though he may have been a proselyte from one of the other tribes of Israel (there are 12 other tribes of Israel besides Judah), or a non. Israelite who has converted to Judaism. (see Galatians 1: 14 as a reference to Judaism) - Most of the areas mentioned that these people came from areas that the 10 tribe Northern Kingdom of Israel was dispersed to after their deportation by the Assyrian Empire. (see the well-researched works of Steven Collins, Yair Davidy, Raymond Capt, and others)

The Kingdoms of Israel and Judah

Peter’s address to: the House of Judah in Jerusalem & Judea Acts 2: 14 -21 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice and said to them, "Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem , let this be known to you, and heed my words. For these are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: 'And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dreams. And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; And they shall prophesy. I will show wonders in heaven above And signs in the earth beneath: Blood and fire and vapor of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood, Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord. And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the Lord Shall be saved. '

Peter’s address to: The House of Israel in their dispersion Acts 2: 22 -35 "Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as yourselves also know-- Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death; whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it. For David says concerning Him: 'I foresaw the Lord always before my face, For He is at my right hand, that I may not be shaken. Therefore my heart rejoiced, and my tongue was glad; Moreover my flesh also will rest in hope. For You will not leave my soul in Hades, Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption…

…You have made known to me the ways of life; You will make me full of joy in Your presence. ' "Men and brethren, let me speak freely to you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. Therefore, being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of his body, according to the flesh, He would raise up the Messiah to sit on his throne, he, foreseeing this, spoke concerning the resurrection of the Messiah, that His soul was not left in Hades, nor did His flesh see corruption. This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses. Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear. For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he says himself: 'the Lord said to my the Lord, "Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool. " '

Peter concludes with a message to both Houses Acts 2: 36 -41 "Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah. " Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Men and brethren, what shall we do? " Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus the Messiah for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call. " And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, "Be saved from this perverse generation. " Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.

Acts 2 is a Two-Houses of Israel Message! The rest of the chapter describes events that happen after that day. Did we see the word “Church” anywhere at all ? There is absolutely no basis at all for the belief that this event is the “birth of the Church”.

Dealing with objections: Objection #1 “But, we see the word “Church” in verse 47 and throughout the Bible!” “So, it must mean what my pastors at my church tell me it means!”

“Church” is a substitution, andnot a translation “Ekklesia” of (Strong’s Gk. # 1577) 1) a gathering of citizens called out from their homes into some public place, an assembly a) an assembly of the people convened at the public place of the council for the purpose of deliberating b) the assembly of the Israelites c) any gathering or throng of men assembled by chance, tumultuously d) in a Christian sense 1) an assembly of Christians gathered for worship in a religious meeting 2) a company of Christian, or of those who, hoping for eternal salvation through Jesus Christ, observe their own religious rites, hold their own religious meetings, and manage their own affairs, according to regulations prescribed for the body for order's sake 3) those who anywhere, in a city, village, constitute such a company and are united into one body 4) the whole body of Christians scattered throughout the earth 5) the assembly of faithful Christians already dead and received into heaven

ekklesiais a conjunction of ek + kaleo ἐκ (Strong’s Gk. # 1537) “ek” 1) out of, from, by, away from καλέω (Strong’s Gk. # 2564) “kaleo” 1) to call aloud, utter in a loud voice b) to invite 2) to call i. e. to name, by name a) to give a name to 1) to receive the name of, receive as a name 2) to give some name to one, call his name b) to be called i. e. to bear a name or title (among men) c) to salute one by name

Whowas called out from somewhere? Hosea 11: 1 “When Israel was a child, I loved him, And out of Egypt I called My son. ” In the Septuagint, which is the Greek translation of the Tanakh (commonly referred to as the Old Testament), the word ekklesia is employed 96 times to denote the congregation convoked by the Lord, the Children of Israel. (1 Chronicles 28: 8; Psalms 22: 22; Isaiah 41: 8 -9 etc. ). In the Tanakh, ekklesia always refers to Israel.

Objection #2 – Wasn’t the Church build on Peter ? Matthew 16: 18 -19 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. “ Peter = “Petros” - Strong’s Gk. # 4074 “a rock or a stone” this rock = “Petra” – Strong’s Gk. # 4073 “a large rock or stone” Jesus will build His called out ones (Israel) upon Himself, the large rock, and not on Peter, the rock or stone.

Whowill Jesus build up ? Psalm 102: 16 For the Lord shall build up Zion; He shall appear in His glory. 2 Chron. 9: 8 “Blessed be the Lord your God, who delighted in you, setting you on His throne to be king for the Lord your God! Because your God has loved Israel, to establish them forever, therefore He made you king over them, to do justice and righteousness. ” Ezekiel 37: 26 Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them, and it shall be an everlasting covenant with them; I will establish them and multiply them, and I will set My sanctuary in their midst forevermore.

A problem - Tell it to the “church” ? Matthew 18: 15 -17 “Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that 'by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. ' And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector. How could they tell it to something that supposedly did not exist yet because it was not born yet? The truth of the matter: Israel is the ekklesia and the people had elders that one could go to.

Didn’t Jesus purchase “the Church” with His own blood? Acts 20: 28 "Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. ” Psalm 80: 1 Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, You who lead Joseph like a flock; You who dwell between the cherubim, shine forth! Psalm 74: 2 Remember Your congregation, which You have purchased of old, The tribe of Your inheritance, which You have redeemed— This Mount Zion where You have dwelt.

Inconsistent “Translating” Why was ekklesia not substituted as “Church” in Acts 19: 29 -32, 39, 35 -41? - Because it refers to an assembly of angry pagans who are in an uproar and in confusion! Why was ekklesia not substituted as “Church” in Acts 7: 38? “This is he who was in the congregation in the wilderness with the Angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our fathers, the one who received the living oracles to give to us, ” - Because this verse speaks of the assembly of Israel!

Whoare “the saints” ? Ephesians 2: 19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, Psalm 148: 14 And He has exalted the horn of His people, The praise of all His saints— Of the children of Israel, A people near to Him. Praise the Lord!

Whoare the people mentioned below ? 1 Pet. 2: 9 -14 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, Deut. 7: 6 “For you are a holy people to the Lord your God; the Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth. ” Exodus 19: 5 -6 Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth mine: 'And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. ' These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel. "

Whois the “new covenant” given to ? Hebrews 8: 8 -10 Because finding fault with them, He says: "Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah--not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they did not continue in My covenant, and I disregarded them, says the Lord. For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.

Whois the woman of Revelation 12 ? Revelation 12: 1 -2, 5 Now a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a garland of twelve stars. Then being with child, she cried out in labor and in pain to give birth… She bore a male Child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron. And her Child was caught up to God and His throne. Did “the Church” give birth to Jesus? No ! He is a son of Israel. This is not “the church in the wilderness”. It is Israel in the wilderness. The 12 stars are the 12 sons of Israel. (see Gen. 37: 9)

Whois the Bride of Messiah? Revelation 21: 9 -10 Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls filled with the seven last plagues came to me and talked with me, saying, "Come, I will show you the bride, the Lamb's wife. " And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, Revelation 21: 2 Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

Revelation 19: 7 -9 Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready. " And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. Then he said to me, "Write: 'Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!' " And he said to me, "These are the true sayings of God. " Jeremiah 3: 14 "Return, O backsliding children, " says the Lord; "for I am married to you. I will take you, one from a city and two from a family, and I will bring you to Zion.

Hosea 2: 19 -21 "I will betroth you to Me forever; Yes, I will betroth you to Me In righteousness and justice, In lovingkindness and mercy; I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness, And you shall know the Lord. "It shall come to pass in that day That I will answer, " says the Lord; "I will answer the heavens, And they shall answer the earth.

But, wasn’t the Holy Spirit First Given on the Day of Pentecost, thereby creating “the Church”? John 7: 38 -39 He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water. ” But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. Notice that given is in italics, which means that the word doesn’t even exist in the Greek text. There were always periods of greater or lesser activity of the Holy Spirit according to God’s purposes.

The Disciples Preached to Israel Acts 4: 8 -10 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers of the people and elders of Israel: If we this day are judged for a good deed done to a helpless man, by what means he has been made well, let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Messiah of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole. Acts 5: 30 -31 (Peter to the Council and High Priest) The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree. Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.

Acts 11: 19 -21 Now those who were scattered after the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to no one but the Jews only. But some of them were men from Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they had come to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists, preaching Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord. They also went to all the cities of the Samaritans: Acts 8: 25 So when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.

The Samaritans – a special case Jesus stayed with the Samaritans for 3 days because they kept the torah to a certain degree. They had many things wrong, but we see the mercy of the Father here. The disciples were instructed to go to the Samaritans to preach to them and they did. But they did not yet go to any other non. Israelites.

All foreign residents in Israel could always be grafted into Israel - If they kept the torah (instructions of the Lord) Exodus 12: 48 -49 And when a stranger dwells with you and wants to keep the Passover to the Lord, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and keep it; and he shall be as a native of the land. For no uncircumcised person shall eat it. One law shall be for the native-born and for the stranger who dwells among you. " Numbers 15: 14 -16 And if a stranger dwells with you, or whoever is among you throughout your generations, and would present an offering made by fire, a sweet aroma to the Lord, just as you do, so shall he do. One ordinance shall be for you of the assembly and for the stranger who dwells with you, an ordinance forever throughout your generations; as you are, so shall the stranger be before the Lord. One law and one custom shall be for you and for the stranger who dwells with you. ' "

Lev. 19: 33 -34 “And if a stranger dwells with you in your land, you shall not mistreat him. The stranger who dwells among you shall be to you as one born among you, and you shall love him as yourself; for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God. ” Psalm 146: 9 the Lord watches over the strangers; He relieves the fatherless and widow; But the way of the wicked He turns upside down. Isaiah 14: 1 For the Lord will have mercy on Jacob, and will still choose Israel, and settle them in their own land. The strangers will be joined with them, and they will cling to the house of Jacob.

Grafted into Israel – This where you find your identity as a believer Rom. 11: 24 For if you were cut of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and were grafted contrary to nature into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, who are natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree?

How many Israelite believers before Cornelius? “He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. ” John 1: 11 n n n Acts 1: 15 - And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples (altogether the number of names was about a hundred and twenty) Acts 2: 41 - Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. Acts 2: 47 - praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the assembly daily those who were being saved. 120 + 3000 3120 > 3120

n n Acts 4: 4 - However, many of those who heard the word believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand. Acts 4: 32 a - Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; Acts 5: 14 - And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, Acts 5: 15 -16 - so that they brought the sick out into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them. Also a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed. Men 5000 + Women 5000 10, 000 is a “multitude” 20, 000 are “multitudes” + 20, 000 30, 000

n n n Acts 6: 1 - Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, Acts 6: 7 a - Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith. Acts 8: 1 - Now Saul was consenting to his (Stephen’s) death. At that time a great persecution arose against the assembly which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. 30, 000 x 2 = 60, 000 x 3 = 180, 000

n n n Acts 8: 4 - Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word. Acts 8: 5 -8 - Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Messiah to them. And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. And there was great joy in that city. Acts 8: 25 - So when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans. 180, 000 “multitudes” + 20, 000 200, 000

n n n Acts 8: 40 - But Philip was found at Azotus. And passing through, he preached in all the cities till he came to Caesarea. Acts 9: 31 - Then the assemblies throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied. Acts 12: 24 -25 - But the word of God grew and multiplied. And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem when they had fulfilled their ministry, and they also took with them John whose surname was Mark. 200, 000 x 2 400, 000

n Acts 21: 18 -21 - On the following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present. When he had greeted them, he told in detail those things which God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord. And they said to him, "You see, brother, how many myriads of Jews there are who have believed, and they are all zealous for the law; A “myriad” is 10, 000 400, 000 is “many myriads” of Jews

And now for a shocking Statement: Not a single book of scripture is written specifically to the Gentiles (non. Israelites) All books of scripture are written specifically to Israel, especially to the descendants of the Northern Kingdom

James 1: 1 James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Messiah, To the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad: Greetings. 1 Peter 1: 1 -2 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Messiah, To the pilgrims of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Messiah: Grace to you and peace be multiplied.

1 Pet. 2: 9 -14 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy. Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation. Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. (see Hosea 1: 6 -10) 1 Peter 5: 13 She who is in Babylon, elect together with you, greets you; and so does Mark my son. Most Jews were still in Babylon and did not return with Ezra and Nehemiah. Judah is greeting Israel, her sister.

2 Peter 3: 1 Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle (in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder), that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior, - This second epistle is written to the same people the first one was: pilgrims of Israel in dispersion. 2 John 1: 1, 13 The Elder, To the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all those who have known the truth, …The children of your elect sister greet you. Amen.

Eph. 2: 1 -22 And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others. But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Messiah (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Messiah Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Messiah Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Messiah Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. 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-- 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 God in the world…

…But now in Messiah Jesus you who once were far off 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, having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off (Israel) and to those who were near (Judah). 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 God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Messiah Himself being the chief corner stone, in whom the whole building, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

Rom. 7: 1 Or do you not know, brethren (for I speak to those who know the law), that the law has dominion over a man as long as he lives? Did non-Israelites ever know the torah?

Rom. 9: 24 -29 even us whom He called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles? As He says also in Hosea: “ I will call them My people, who were not My people, And her beloved, who was not beloved. ” “ And it shall come to pass in the place where it was said to them, ‘ You are not My people, ’ There they shall be called sons of the living God. ” Isaiah also cries out concerning Israel: “ Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, The remnant will be saved. For He will finish the work and cut it short in righteousness, Because the Lord will make a short work upon the earth. ” And as Isaiah said before: “ Unless the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, We would have become like Sodom, And we would have been made like Gomorrah. ”

The Natural Branches Romans 11: 2, 23 God has not cast away His people whom He foreknew…. And they also, if they do not continue in unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. “In again”? That means they were previously part of the natural olive tree – this is speaking of Israel in dispersion. How could Gentiles ever be grafted in “again”?

Don’t Boast against Israel, Gentiles ! Romans 11: 18 -20 do not boast against the branches. But if you do boast, remember that you do not support the root, but the root supports you. You will say then, "Branches were broken off that I might be grafted in. " Well said. Because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith. Do not be haughty, but fear. For if God did not spare the natural branches, He may not spare you either. Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off… For if you were cut of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and were grafted contrary to nature into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, who are natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree?

1 Cor. 10: 1 -2 Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea, all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, - It was not Gentiles, but rather Israelites that passed through the Red Sea. 1 Cor. 5: 7 -8 Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Messiah, our Passover, was sacrificed for us. Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

What became of the House of Israel in their dispersion? Anne Kristensen, a respected Danish linguistic scholar recently reached the conclusion that the Cimmerians (who later became known as the Celts) can positively be identified as the deported Israelites. As she dug more and more into the Assyrian sources, she found the Cimmerians first appeared in history in 714 B. C. in the region of Iran south of Armenia where the kings of Assyria had settled many of the deported Israelites. She came to the conclusion that the Gimira, or Cimmerians, represented at least a part of the lost 10 tribes of Israel. See: Who Were the Cimmerians and Rusa? , translated from the Danish by Jorgen Laessoe, The Royal Danish Academy of Sciences and Letters, No. 57, 1988, pp. 126 -127

The Cimmerians n -“The first historical record of the Cimmerians appears in Assyrian annals in the year 714 BC. These describe how a people termed the Gimirri helped the forces of Sargon II to defeat the kingdom of Urartu. ” n -“The migrations of the Cimmerians were recorded by the Assyrians, whose king, Sargon II, died in battle against them in 705 BC. They are subsequently recorded as having conquered Phrygia in 696 -695 BC, ” n -“In 654 BC or 652 BC – the exact date is unclear – the Cimmerians attacked the kingdom of Lydia, killing the Lydian king Gyges and causing great destruction to the Lydian capital, Sardis. They returned ten years later during the reign of Gyges' son Ardys II and this time captured the city, with the exception of the citadel. The fall of Sardis was a major shock to the powers of the region; ” n -“Premodern historians asserted Cimmerian descent for the Celts or the Germans, arguing from the similarity of Cimmerii to Cimbri or Cymry. ” n -“Later Cimmerian remnant groups may have spread as far as to the Nordic Countries. ” -Wikipedia, article on “Cimmerians”

Lydia - an area conquered by Cimmerian Israelites ( part of present day Turkey)

- Notice where the 7 assemblies of Revelation are: the area of Lydia - Revelation 1: 4 shows that the entire book of Revelation was written to the 7 assemblies, not just the 2 nd and 3 rd chapters. - Israelites were still there at that time, they were descendants of the Cimmerians.

Galatians 6: 16 And as many as walk according to this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God. - The Hebrew word “Galut” means “exile”. The Galatians were the exiles of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. They became the Gauls and the Celts, which is also derived from the word “Galut”. Hebrews. 1: 1, 2 a God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, - This letter is written to “The Hebrews” Revelation 1: 4 a John, to the seven assemblies which are in Asia: - Assemblies consisting largely of descendants of Israel. - The book of Revelation was written to Israelites.

Now, let’s take a look at where the word “church” came from.

Etymology of the word “church” Church [Old English cirice, circe; Middle English chereche, chiriche, chirche; whence churche, cherche, etc. : -Greek Kuriakon. . . ] Kirk The Northern English and Scottish form of CHURCH, in all its senses. Oxford Universal English Dictionary

Let’s get a second opinion… "Church, " n. [Sax. Circe, circ or cyric; Scots, kirk, which retains the Saxon pronunciation; D. Kerk; G. Kirche; Se. Kyrchia; Dan. Kirke; Gr. Kuriokon, a temple of God, from kuriakos, pertaining to a lord, or to our Lord Jesus Christ, from kurios, a lord; Webster’s Dictionary, 1828

Church The etymology of this word is generally assumed to be from the Greek, Kuriou oikos (house of the Lord); but this is most improbable, as the word existed in all the Celtic dialects long before the introduction of Greek. No doubt the word means “a circle. ” The places of worship among the German and Celtic nations were always circular. (Welsh, cyrch, French, cirque; Scotch, kirk; Greek, kirk-os, etc. ) Compare Anglo-Saxon circe, a church, with circol, a circle. -Brewer, Dictionary of Phrase and Fable http: //www. factmonster. com/dictionary/brewers/church. html

Who is this “Circe” that we keep seeing? - “Kirke, daughter of Perse and Helios. ” Apollonius Rhodius, Argonautica 4. 584 ff (trans. Rieu) (Greek epic C 3 rd B. C. )

Circe was a Greek goddess of enchantments Circe (sûr'sē) , in Greek mythology, enchantress; daughter of Helios. She lived on an island, where she decoyed sailors and treacherously changed them into beasts. According to the Odyssey, she changed the companions of Odysseus into swine, but with the aid of Hermes, Odysseus forced her to break the spell. http: //www. factmonster. com/ce 6/ent/A 0812290. html

Circe tries casting a spell on Odysseus Circe… set me on a richly decorated seat inlaid with silver, there was a footstool also under my feet, and she mixed a mess in a golden goblet for me to drink; but she drugged it, for she meant me mischief. When she had given it me, and I had drunk it without its charming me, she struck me with her wand. 'There now, ' she cried, 'be off to the pigsty, and make your lair with the rest of them'" (The Odyssey, Book 10, 210).

Circe was very… Circean: “Pertaining to Circe; magic, noxious. ” Universal Dictionary of the English language Edited by Robert Hunter, A. M. , F. G. S. , and Prof. Charles Morris Peter Fenelon Collier & Son, New York c. 1897

Circe

Where did this sorceress live? - “Kirke also, it is said devoted herself to the devising of all kinds of drugs. . . She was given in marriage to the king of the Sarmatians, whom some call Skythians, and first she poisoned her husband after that, succeeding to the throne, she committed many cruel and violent acts against her subjects. For this reason she was deposed from her throne and… and settled in Italia on a promontory which to this day bears after her the name Kirkaion. “ Diodorus Siculus, Library of History 4. 45. 1 (trans. Oldfather) (Greek historian C 1 st B. C. ) - “the Italian Sea, where they would find Kirke, daughter of Perse and Helios. ” Apollonius Rhodius, Argonautica 4. 584 ff (trans. Rieu) (Greek epic C 3 rd B. C. ) - “From Circe and Telemachus, Latinus was born, who gave his name to the Latin language. ” Pseudo-Hyginus, Fabulae 127

“Mother” Church Dionysius of Halicarnassus (1. 72. 5) cites Xenagoras the historian as claiming that Odysseus and Circe had three sons: Romus, Anteias, and Ardeias who respectively founded three cities called by their names: Rome, Antium, and Ardea. http: //en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Circe

Cicero, De Natura Deorum 3. 19 (trans. Rackham) (Roman rhetorician C 1 st B. C. ) : “are Circe and Pasiphae and Aeetes, the children of Perseis the daughter of Oceanus by Sol [Helios the Sun], to be not counted in the list of gods? In spite of the fact that Circe too is devoutly worshipped at the Roman colony of Circei. . . ”

n www. parcocirceo. it

Mount Circe

An ancient settlement

The City Walls were built in the 2 nd – 3 rd Century B. C.

Buildings from Ancient Roman times Are these the first churches ?

Time Period of the Buildings “The archaeological finds mainly date back to the Roman age, both Imperial and Republican, when the considerable technical skills of the period led to the creation of refined residential and hydraulic works of engineering, like the port-channel of Torre Paola or thermal-residential structure of Domitian's Villa, preserved until present times. ” www. parcocirceo. it

An Ancient Tower

Circe – a Babylonian connection “In folk tales told from western Europe to Mongolia, Circe’s story has many counterparts. It has been suggested that such folk tales spread from the Near East and originated in the Babylonian myth of Ishtar, who killed her lovers when she became tired of them. ” Man, Myth and Magic The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Mythology, Religion and the Unknown Marshall Cavendish

The birth of anti-Semitism in “the Church” of Rome Acts 18: 1 -2 After these things Paul departed from Athens and went to Corinth. And he found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla (because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to depart from Rome); and he came to them.

How we got to where we are today… The Roman Congregation considered herself as “first among equals”. After becoming the official religion of the Roman Empire she wielded her influence that she gained by being in union with kings (emperors), to subjugate all other congregations to her blend of truth with already existing pagan practices and concepts. Her enchantments have passed on through her protesting daughters. The “Church” says she is a queen, but it is a lie. Israel is the Lord’s wife.

How did Circean Groups become ‘The Church”? “It is believed that the word kuriake originally passed over from the Greeks to the Goths, the first Teutonic tribe converted to Christianity. From the Goths it diffused itself over the other Teutonic tribes, ultimately reaching the Saxons, and through them becoming introduced into the English tongue. Walafrid Strabo, who wrote about A. D. 840, gave this explanation of the origin of the word “kyrch”. (Trench: On the Study of Words, pp. 67, 68) Universal Dictionary of the English language Edited by Robert Hunter, A. M. , F. G. S. , and Prof. Charles Morris Peter Fenelon Collier & Son, New York c. 1897

Circe (according to history) - Has a golden cup in her hand - Enchants people with her drink - Casts spells on people - Sexually immoral / many lovers - Fornicated with king Odysseus - Her lovers turned on her - Mother of unruly “demi-gods” - Warred against and killed the saints (Israelite Scythians) - Her offspring founded Rome and she was worshipped there - Summons demons The Woman of Rev. 17 & 18 - Has a golden cup in her hand - Makes people drunk with wine - Deludes the people - Sexually immoral / many lovers - Fornicated with kings - Her lovers will turn on her - Mother of harlots - Warred against and killed the saints - Sits on a city that has 7 hills (Rome has 7 hills) - Becomes a habitation of foul and unclean spirit beings

Do you love Circe?

No thanks, I’m not thirsty !

Israel – the Lord’s Wife For I am jealous for you with the jealousy of God. For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Messiah. 2 Corinthians 11: 2

“Come out of her, my people” Revelation 18: 4 Don’t believe the enchantments that Circe teaches, and that she is your mother. Your mother is Israel. Get to know her better.