Do You Know the Difference Between The Jewish People (Jews) and Israel?

Wake Up Call Newsletter #206
Do You Know the Difference Between
The Jewish People (Jews) and Israel?
You may be wondering: what difference it could possibly make who the Jewish people are in relationship to the Israelites?
1) Did you know that a majority of the Hebrew Scriptures (Tanakh or Old Testament) is prophecy?
2) Did you know that nearly all prophecy pertains to Israel or Judah in some fashion either separately or jointly?
3) Did you know that a large amount of that prophecy is for these latter days?
4) Did you know that the first place the word "Jew 1" is used in Scripture, the Jews are at war with Israel?
5) Did you know that the other nations of the world are only mentioned in prophecy based on how they interface with either/both of the "House of Israel" and/or the "House of Judah"?
6) In addition, the "Time of Jacob's Trouble" and the "Dreadful Day of ETERNAL's Wrath" are described in detail concerning both the "House of Israel" and the "House of Judah 2"?
1 In Scripture, the physical blood lineage of a person was the determining factor of them being considered Jewish. However, in today's world the definition of a Jewish person is someone who practices the religion of Judaism and is no longer determined solely on genealogical descent.
2 The Southern Kingdom the "House of Judah" consisted of the tribes of Judah, Benjamin, and part of the tribe of Levi (2 Chronicles 11:1-23). The Hebrew tribal names would be "Yehuwdah" (yeh-hoo-daw´ Strong’s #H3063), "Binyamiyn" (bin-yaw-mene' Strong’s #H1144), and "Leviy" (lay-vee' Strong’s #H3878) respectively. In addition a smattering of the other tribes left the Ten Tribe Northern Kingdom the "House of Israel" and returned to Jerusalem (2 Chronicles 11:16; 34:9).
This intermixture of people of all of Israel is called in the Hebrew tongue "Yehuwdiy" (yeh-hoo-dee' Strong’s #H3064} or "Jews" in English. Thus the use of the word "Jew" is not an English put down but a Hebrew description of the admixture of the different people of the Land of Judah. Nevertheless, this mix of people is referred to as the "House of Judah" or "bayith Yehuwdah" throughout the Hebrew Scriptures. This does not account for the mixture of tribes of Judah, Benjamin, and Levi that remained in Babylon that did not return to the land of Judah.

In this short article we will answer those questions and show you why this knowledge will become increasingly more valuable for your understanding of world conditions as they worsen. In addition, one last question: "Did you know that all Jews who descend from Judah, Benjamin, and Levi are Israelites but not all Israelites are Jews?

If you are wondering: "How could that possibly be?" We will explain beginning with this statement: "All native Californians are Americans, but not all Americans are Californians." In like manner all native Jews are Israelites, but not all Israelites are Jewish.

To reinforce the fact they the peoples are different, note that the Jews are at war with Israel in the next Scripture:
2 Kings 16:5-6 (KJV). Then Rezin king of Syria and Pekah son of Remaliah king of Israel came up to Jerusalem to war: and they besieged Ahaz, but could not overcome him. At that time Rezin king of Syria recovered Elath to Syria, and drave [drove] the Jews from Elath: and the Syrians came to Elath, and dwelt there unto this day.

An example of why you need to understand who Israel and Judah are is to understand the Time of Jacob's Trouble. It is important to note that this troubled time is for Jacob's descendants 3. That is the reason this latter-day time is called "Jacob's Trouble." There has been a mystery concerning the identity of the "House of Israel" as the "Lost Ten Tribes" for thousands of years. To the surprise of most of you, this mystery has been solved. "The Lost Ten Tribes" as referred to in Scripture is the House of Israel.
3 The "House of Israel" consists generally of the democracies of Northwestern Europe, the British Isles, America, and most of the nations of the former British Commonwealth. The "House of Judah" consists of the Jews. Both Houses together comprise the "House of Jacob" or the "Children of Israel"

Don't you think it might be important to know what the following Scriptures about the trouble ahead are talking about? This might especially be important as we look at the world around us and see the clouds of disaster on the horizon and hear the sounds of the drums of war driving the hoof-beats of the war-horses in various parts of the world.

As background, Ezekiel chapters four through nine show the beginning of the "Time of Jacob's Trouble" and how it proceeds. We find there that Jerusalem will again be surrounded and one-third will die in war; one-third in famine, starvation, and pestilence; and one-third will be taken into captivity. That is only the beginning of the Time of Trouble as a few of the righteous are thrown into the flames of Jerusalem and from there a fire spreads throughout all of the countries of Israel. In all of Israel only a remnant is left to be taken captive.

You might want to dismiss all of this from your mind by saying to yourself: "this all happened millenniums ago to an ancient people who are no longer to be found." But in actuality that is not the case! Since the Hebrew Scriptures consist of history and prophecy it may seem to be a mystery to even know which Scriptures are prophecy.

There is a simple key that unlocks the mystery and will separate the prophecy from the history. If you are reading history in Scripture, you will see that the House of Israel was captured first and later the House of Judah went into captivity. However, in Ezekiel, a book of prophecy for the latter days, the House of Judah is captured first then later the House of Israel. Thus we see that the scenarios of Ezekiel chapters four through nine have not happened yet and the latter-day prophecies are for the days just ahead of us.

Reading these Scriptures are discomforting when we read about our people ending up in captivity. Are these harsh words to read? Yes, they are. Then, why don't I just tell you of the peaceful time of ETERNAL’s Messianic Kingdom on earth when there will be peace and happiness as described in Isaiah chapter eleven as well as other passages?

The reason is that the combined happenings of 9-11 and W.W.II with its Holocaust will pale in significance to the upcoming calamities before the time of the messianic kingdom of the Wonderful World of Tomorrow. Soon, we will see the Time of Jacob's Trouble and it won't be pretty. My heart hurts for my family, my community, our nations and our world. But, there is yet hope!

The advent of the Messiah, who will build the third Temple in Jerusalem and reunite the House of Israel with the House of Judah, is "The Hope of Israel." In fact, the advent of the Mashiach is the only hope that the people in the nations of Israel and the world have.

How Did We Get in This Situation?
The story begins with Abraham and his obedience to the Great SOVEREIGN CREATOR who gave Abraham many promises. One of the promises 4 was that his descendants would make up many nations.
Genesis 17:3-5. 5 Then Abram fell on his face, and the SOVEREIGN talked with him, saying: "As for Me, behold, My Covenant is with you, and you shall be a father of many nations. No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you a father of many nations."
4 See our booklet "The Twofold Promises to Abraham; the U.S.A., Britain, and the Jewish People in Prophesy."
5 Unless noted all Scriptures are from the New Kings James Version and all emphases are ours. We will use ETERNAL in place of "the Lord" and CREATOR or SOVEREIGN in place of "God."

Another of these promises was that these descendants of Abraham would be called the sons of Isaac.
Genesis 27:12. And the SOVEREIGN said unto Abraham, "Let it not be grievous in thy sight because of the lad, and because of thy bondwoman; in all that Sarah hath said unto thee, hearken unto her voice; for in Isaac shall thy seed be called."

Even though Sarah was barren and was in her old age, the Great SOVEREIGN CREATOR intervened and she gave birth to a son and named him Isaac, (Genesis 21:2-3). Isaac had two sons Esau and Jacob. The birthright of Isaac was passed to Jacob (Genesis 25:24-33). Jacob's name was changed to Israel, (Genesis 35:10). Thus all the sons that Israel (Jacob) had became known as the "sons of Israel," and the resulting nation became the nation of Israel. Yet, the overriding name would still be the "sons of Isaac. 6"
6 The Hebrew word "ben" (bane Strong’s 1121) means "son" not "children," whereas "yeled" (yeh'-led Strong’s 3206) means offspring or children. Thus the term the "Children of Israel" is literally the "Sons of Israel" and all of them would be the "Sons of Isaac."

The twelve sons of Israel (Jacob) were Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, Joseph, Benjamin, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, and Asher (Genesis 35:23-26). The families of each of these sons became large and were known as the twelve tribes of Israel. Moses later brought these Israelite tribes out of slavery in Egypt.

However, Joseph had two sons named Ephraim and Manasseh that took his place and became two tribes, the Tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh in place of the Tribe of Joseph (Genesis 48:9-16). Joseph then was accounted for two tribes, thus there were thirteen tribes of Israel.

The tribe of Judah sprang from one man--Judah who was only one of Israel's (Jacob's) children. Judah's descendants were later called the Jews and they are only one-thirteenth of the tribes of Israel. This is a bit confusing because most Jews live in the country of Israel and in New York State. Therefore, we can see that all Jews are Israelites but not all Israelites are Jews.

The tribe of Levi became the Levitical priesthood and was scattered among all the tribes and was not counted as a tribal nation (Leviticus 1:47-50). Although there were actually thirteen tribes, they were counted only as twelve tribal nations.

Who Are the People of Israel in Today's World?
Abraham was promised that his descendants would become as numerous as the stars in the heavens (Genesis 17:5-7). Notice the longevity to the nations of Israel of a thousand generations that our CREATOR has promised.
Deuteronomy 7:6-9. For you are a holy people to ETERNAL CREATOR; ETERNAL CREATOR has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth. ETERNAL did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any other people, for you were the least of all peoples. But because ETERNAL loves you, and because He would keep the oath which He swore to your fathers, ETERNAL’ has brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you from the house of bondage, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. Therefore know that ETERNAL CREATOR He is CREATOR the faithful SOVEREIGN who keeps Covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His Commandments.

Beginning with the Golden calf the descendants of Abraham, now known as the Children (sons) of Israel, began to sin greatly by worshiping the Queen of Heaven.

Next the ETERNAL SOVEREIGN said that the House of Israel would be taken captive. Take note that the House of Judah (Jews) is mentioned by itself, and that both nations are mentioned together as the House of Isaac. Therefore, it requires both Israel and Judah together to make up the House of Isaac.
Amos 7:9-16. 7 The high places of Isaac shall be desolate, and the sanctuaries of Israel shall be laid waste. I will rise with the sword against the house of Jeroboam." Then Amaziah the priest of Bethel sent to Jeroboam king of Israel, saying, "Amos has conspired against you in the midst of the House of Israel. The land is not able to bear all his words." For thus Amos has said: "Jeroboam shall die by the sword, and Israel shall surely be led away captive from their own land." Then Amaziah said to Amos: "Go, you seer! Flee to the land of Judah. There eat bread, and there prophesy. But never again prophesy at Bethel, for it is the king's sanctuary, and it is the royal residence." Then Amos answered, and said to Amaziah: "I was no prophet; or was I a son of a prophet, but I was a sheepherder and a tender of sycamore fruit. Then ETERNAL took me as I followed the flock, and ETERNAL said to me, "Go, prophesy to My people Israel. Now therefore, hear the word of ETERNAL you say, "Do not prophesy against Israel, and do not spout against the House of Isaac."
7 As a side point, you can know that this is history because the House of Israel was taken captive first.

After King Solomon's death, the Commonwealth of Israel split into two nations. The Northern Kingdom consisting of ten tribes became the nation of Israel with Sheeted as the first capital. Samaria eventually became the permanent political capital of the Northern Kingdom. Israel consisted of the tribes of Reuben, Simeon, Issachar, Zebulun, Ephraim, Manasseh, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, and Asher. Jeroboam (their king) set up a golden calf in Dan and one in Betel and turned their religion to pagan mythology causing them to be later taken into captivity resulting in them losing their identity.

The Southern Kingdom consisted of the tribes of Judah, Benjamin, and part of Levi, and became the nation of Judah with its capital remaining in Jerusalem. Judah was later taken into Babylonian captivity but retained the sign of the Sabbath and did not lose its identity as the tribe of Judah. After seventy years, some of them returned to Jerusalem to build the second Temple.

Since Israel had turned to a mythological religion, they no longer worshipped The Mighty One of Israel or kept His Sabbath. They worshipped the mythological sun god on the first day of the week instead. The CREATOR set the Sabbath for all of Israel for a "sign" between Himself and Israel for all generations (Exodus 31:13; 20:12,20). Therefore, Israel lost the "sign" of their SOVEREIGN and thus lost their identity.

As time progressed, Assyria became a powerful empire. They captured and deported the ten tribes of the Northern Kingdom of Israel in approximately 740 to 720 BCE (before Common Era). Assyria removed Israel from their homeland and replaced them with other captured peoples of the Assyrian Empire. The captured people of Israel were placed in the western part of the empire. Later Babylon became the world ruling empire ? replacing Assyria. Rather than be taken captive by the Babylonians, the Assyrians migrated westward and, in doing so, they pushed the Israelites farther westward. Since Israel had lost the "sign" of their SOVEREIGN they became the "Lost Ten Tribes."

In the late 1800’s, some clay Assyrian cuneiform tablets were discovered and they were finally translated in the 1930’s. These tablets were Assyrian records of this 700’s BCE Israelite deportation. There were records of four deportations which proved the ten tribes of the northern Nation of Israel were assembled into Assyrian culture and became identifiable as the Camerians, the Sycthians, and the Goths. Our records of ancient history show that over several hundred years, and through different paths, the Sycthian, Camerian and the Goths migrated essentially to northwest Europe and became known as the Anglo-Saxon Celtic people.

Linguistic analysis 7 of the word "Anglo-Saxon" shows the word "Saxon" means "sons of Isaac." This is exactly what was promised to Abraham and again to Jacob.
Genesis 48:16. The Angel which redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads; and let my name be named on them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth.
7 or more proof see our booklet "The Twofold Promises to Abraham."

Our SOVEREIGN's statement to Abraham, "in Isaac shall your seed be called" has now happened exactly that way. The basic message the CREATOR was relaying through Abraham is that through Isaac the Children of Israel will be able to learn their identity. This is not the total proof of the matter as it is just to show how the name was carried down to aid in our identification.

Secular history traces the Anglo-Saxon "Lost Ten Tribes" of Israel through the Caucasus Mountains where they picked up the name Caucasians. From there, they migrated into Europe and the British Isles. Portions of them migrated from Europe to America. Generally speaking, the democracies of Eastern Europe, America, and the countries of the former British Commonwealth are the "Lost Ten Tribes" of Israel. Most people in these countries have the mistaken feeling that they are gentile because most people today have no idea past two or three generations where they came from.

In the coronation of the kings of ancient Israel, Ireland, Scotland, and England, a special stone played an important part. The Coronation Chair contained the stone known as Jacob's Pillar Stone (Stone of Scone) of which it is said that Jacob had anointed with oil and declared it to be the House of The Almighty (Beth-El; Genesis 28:10-22).

The Coronation Chair of Ephraim resting upon four Lions representing Judah is symbolic of the Throne that the Messiah known as the Branch of David may rule from. The only Hope for Israel and the world is the reunification of the House of Israel and the House of Judah in the latter days at the Advent of the Messiah 8 (Mashiach). Notice concerning this hope in Scripture:
2 Chronicles 7:13-14. When I shut up heaven and there is no rain, or command the locusts to devour the land, or send pestilence among My people, if My people who are called by My Name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
8 See our article "New Proof of the Messiah."

For a long time, many people have felt there was more to the Hebrew Scriptures (OT) than they have been taught. This is true because the Hebrew Scriptures are written to all of the people of Israel. The world time clock says we are less than a minute away from midnight. The hour is late in this earth age and the time is too short just to be playing church. Educate yourself on the location of Israel, the truth of the Hebrew Scriptures, and how to seek our CREATOR's face.

We invite you to our web site to learn more on this vital subject for there is a great difference between the Jews and Israel and in addition, how to Quest for the Ancient of Days. We would like to hear your opinion of the ideas expressed there.

May our loving CREATOR grant peace and understanding.
Your Hebrew brother,
Charles J. Voss

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United Hebrew Congregations
PO Box 1058; Picayune, MS 39466-1058; USA