March Through The Arch
Ephraim Frank
Israel
Shalom Fellow Israelite w
September 12, 2008
In last week's letter I mentioned that the highlight of our trip had been "the trip itself", having been perfectly orchestrated and led by our Heavenly Father! Several stations on that journey kept reminding and reaffirming to us that indeed we were in the right place at the right time; with one such event actually having had its "foreshadowing" just before we embarked on our travels. Hale Harris, of the Messianic Israel Alliance Shepherds Council sent me a prophecy that was given at "The Sudden Glory Conference" held in June 19-21 in Springfield Missouri. Reading it, one could not help but wonder if it would have any connections to the upcoming MIA Conference in St. Louis Missouri that was to commence on August 8th. Prophecies, however, are more fully appreciated when viewed retroactively.
The said prophecy was delivered by a highly respected prophetic person, Chuck Pierce of "Glory of Zion International Ministries (http://www.gloryofzion.org/ ). As far as I know Chuck Pierce does not have a "two house/one house theology" and I doubt very much that he was even aware of the MIA conference, but he does believe in the right of the Jews to all the land of Israel. The following is the message that he delivered:
"… I see that Missouri is going to welcome in Israel. And in the midst of it there's going to be a changing complexion of the Jewish root of this nation. And the Lord would say, 'I will begin to release many, for there will be a major gathering in St. Louis that begins to realign the course of the church, Jew and Gentile, and I say many will come, and the Natives will welcome in the Jewish people into this land. And when that happens, I say, it is going to create an environment where Kansas joins in with Missouri and says: "We see you now, Lord. We see you now, Lord!"
So I say to you, the Messianic church of this land, it will culminate in its progression in St. Louis, and you will see that I have chosen Missouri to display the glory of the future of this nation."
One of the planned events at the MIA conference was to announce and launch the organization of "B'nai Ephraim". The following proclamation was made on 8/8/08 in St. Louis, Missouri:
"The sons of Ephraim (B’nai Ephraim), being in exile among the nations, do hereby proclaim our desire to be recognized as members of the commonwealth of Israel. Having served our punishment, wherein we were not a people, we now humbly repent of our sins and the sins of our forefathers. Through our personal relationship with the God of Israel, we seek full restoration according to the prophecies contained in the Holy Scriptures. We choose to honor, hear, and obey the God of Israel and the principles of life that He has established. We choose to walk in righteousness and to embrace the covenants of Israel. We reach out to our brothers, the sons of Judah, and affirm our love and support for them as we seek to join together and become the fully unified House of Israel. We pray that all Israel might stand together as members of her commonwealth, and that her full restoration might come swiftly by the Hand of the Almighty.
Proclaimed and witnessed on this day of new beginnings, August 8, 2008, in St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America. We hereby affirm our resolve and affix our signatures."
On the 10th of August (which happen to be "Tisha Be'av" – the 9th of Av, overlooked by the conference organizers when the date was set), hundreds (close to a thousand) of conference attendees walked out of the hotel; some of B'ney Yehuda and most from B'ney Ephraim, into the hot and muggy downtown. But amazingly a cloud suddenly appeared over us, and shaded the area for the entire time of the march. As I looked around at this orderly crowd; some in wheel chairs and with walking canes, many holding shofars, some with Israeli flags and draped in talits, and banners, I could not help but think of Jeremiah 31, especially verses 7-9:
"For thus says YHVH: "Sing with gladness for Jacob, and shout among the chief of the nations; Proclaim, give praise, and say, 'O YHVH, save Your people, the remnant of Israel! 'Behold, I will bring them from the north country, and gather them from the ends of the earth, among them the blind and the lame, the woman with child and the one who labors with child, together; a great throng shall return there. They shall come with weeping, and with supplications I will lead them. I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters, in a straight way in which they shall not stumble; for I am a Father to Israel, and Ephraim is My firstborn."
A group of young children was leading the precession with a large long sign that read something like: "We are the seed of Abraham". Many of the participants wore T shirts with: "I am Israel". Others had plastered on their clothing the names of those who could not attend but had wanted to be there in spirit.
It was an awesome sight, as we all gathered on the west side of the arch, ready to walk together under the arch down the steps on the east, looking down at the mighty Mississippi. With the sound of tens of shofars we marched from west to east, signifying Israel's return, physically and spiritually. (You can view it on: www.messianicisrael.com)
At the culmination of this event, many had their hands raised in worship, some shofars were sounding; most had tears in their eyes. There was no planned program, but we felt that the Spirit of Holiness was in charge. Suddenly a man walked down, in front of the assembly, raised his hands and welcomed in these Sons of Israel. This man was a descendant of Chief Sitting Bull, one of the great Native American Indian chiefs. At that moment I could not help but think of Chuck Pierce's prophecy. Then a native born Israeli, from B'ney Yehuda, followed suite. An Afro-American Ephraimite pastor stood and repented for the sins of his people; a brother and sister from Mexico did likewise. They brought with them pictures of the pagan gods that their ancestors had worshiped, repented and then tore them to shreds.
The event climaxed as Hale Harris read from the prophet Hosea:
"Come, and let us return to YHVH; for He has torn, but He will heal us; He has stricken, but He will bind us up. After two days He will revive us; on the third day He will raise us up, that we may live in His sight. Let us know, let us pursue the knowledge of YHVH. His going forth is established as the morning; He will come to us like the rain, like the latter and former rain to the earth" (Hosea 6:1-3).
Suddenly large drops of rain began to splatter on the ground around us, and as I looked up at that cloud, still above the arch, the sun was beginning to appear through the misty edges…
Shabbat Shalom,
Ephraim
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