Replies

Hi Mark!

This is just my opinion. There are people out there who are far better at interpretation than I am, but I'll give it a shot.

The Book of Hosea basically specifies how things are going to happen. Judah goes in to prepare the land ( Israel) and Ephraim ( the lost ten tribes) eventually gather into Israel.

I dont clearly identify any one Christian denomination as being the lost tribes of Israel. I think humans apply denominational labels, and some denominations are clearly in apostasy-big time.

I think G-d is a lot bigger than a denominational label and man-made traditions.

I do see a lot of people out there who worship G-d and identify with Israel very heavily in the gentile category, and they appear to be in every denominational category.

As for who the lost tribes are, I guess I'll just have to wait and see.

My opinion is this:

Christianity is designed to spread the word of G-d and bring it to the world ( some may disagree) and Judaism is the coporate knowledge. Although both disagree a lot, we fulfill seperate purposes. We worship the same G-d, and each side fulfills its task.

Rabbi Franz Rosenzweig probably put it best in his "Star of Redemption" manuscript.

I am dreadfully ignorant of Jewish though on these matters, other than what is shared in the Old Testament. It would be interesting to hear from a Jewish Rabbi, preferably Orthodox or at least conservative.

As to the issue of Denominations I have to disagree. I am Catholic and must you see. It is more than just an obligation per the Church but my understanding of the Bible. When it comes to who has authority from Christ that is clearly spelled out in the Bible when Christ renamed Simon to Peter. Christ said he would build his Church on the rock and Peter means rock. He did not say he would build his church on the sons of Core (Korah). The rebellion of Core is more than a story of the Hebrews in the Wilderness, large numbers of the Psalms are dedicated to the sons of Core. The Psalms as you know were written long after Moses, Aaron and company. I think there must be some reason. Christ also warned what would happen if any teach a different doctrine, they would be given the lowest place in heaven.

People can differ about which faith is THE correct one but the notion that all are relative equal just does not stand up to Scripture. There are many Churches in apostasy, my old faith, Episcopal for one. The Catholic Church has more than it should in this regard as well. I do believe that was predicted in Scripture as well.

I doubt I will convince anyone here today but if you have access to a Bible search program, type in the word "rock" and see how often the passage can fit as a reference to Peter, either as a metaphor or as a prediction. My favorite is Moses striking the rock in the desert. The second time he hesitated and he was punished. The Rock has made the same mistake in our own day and will suffer as well.