The Household of Israel Temple of Jesus Christ - Our Story

Our Story

How Our Church Began

Our church began as a mustard seed, which is one of the smallest seeds to grow. It started with my father and mother who worshiped together first at a Seventh Day Adventist church in Mississippi, then to another church called Church of God and Saints of Christ and eventually worshiping at home with their eleven children. We learned things from these two churches. From the Seventh Day Adventist church we learned that the seventh day was the true sabbath. From the Church of God and Saints of Christ we learned that black people from Africa as slaves were the true Children of Israel. Both churches believed in the ten commandments and the Seventh Day Adventist believed in the food laws however, when we left these two churches we studied at home. We learned a great deal more from the bible from our parents than these churches. As we grew up our parents learned that they had children who were musicians, writers and teachers among. The bible says, where two or three are gathered

As we grew up, some of my brothers and sisters went to school, married and left home, yet they continued to worship in our home and brought their children. However, my parents’ home was too small therefore we did worship at two of my brothers’ homes.

In 1971 my sister met some people at school who told her they were the true Jews that came here from Africa as slaves. She told them that her family already knew this and introduced them to our family. They were surprised at our knowledge about God and would come over to discuss the bible.

Unfortunately, our home too small to accommodate many people so my mother decided to rent a pavilion each Sabbath to have worship with them and teaching the laws of God and the testimonies of Jesus Christ so they would understand what they must do to be saved.

Eventually we separated and became two different churches. We worshiped at my oldest brother’s home until we needed more space. In 1992 we found a small church to rebuild and was able to worship there. We call it Household of Israel Temple of Jesus Christ in Gary Indiana. We wrote a covenant book. We elected elders and we began paying tithes. We followed the state laws for churches and was able to get tax exempt status. Eventually we lost the founder of the church, but we pressed on as our church continued to grow.

As time went on, we added a sanctuary which could hold about a hundred people, we added a larger bathroom and kitchen and a multipurpose room for children’s classes where we reside today. As our church grew and the young adults went to schools, some married, and moved to other cities, our church began to shrink of people. Yet our church continued to grow spiritually as others joined or returned. We created our church website and we added podcast, classes and sermons. We celebrated our all-church birthday commemorating our beginning and start.

We learned and kept all of the feast days that God commanded us in Leviticus 23 and added the Feast of Dedication and Purim. We created Asaph Ministries and have a Music Director and Chief Musician of songs, music, and praise written by members of the church and they created 5 albums. We acknowledge the full throne of God. Some people joined us and some people left us as we are being led by the Holy Spirit.

By: G. Colleen Henry, Elder

Painting of the Booth Church by Evelyn C. Pointer, Elder

Booth Church in 1992

The front view of the booth church in 1992.

The rear view of the booth church in 1992.

the foundation for the temple under the rule of King Cyrus. We know this was a sign that God was with us.

Inside view of the sanctuary building in 2004

Rear and side view of the sanctuary building in 2004.

To the left the building of the new sanctuary in year 2004. On the right side is the booth church.

Side view of the building of the new sanctuary in 2004.

Front view of the building of the new sanctuary in 2004.

We have only come this far as a church by the grace of God and through our obedience to His law and the faith we have in His promise.

We’ve Come This Far By Faith

Chorus One:

We have come this far by faith, Leaning on the Lord, Trusting in His holy Word, He's never failed us --yet.

Singin' oh, oh, oh, can't turn a-round, We've come this far by faith.

Verse One:

Just the other day, I heard a man say He didn't believe in God's -Word, But I can truly say that I have found the way, And He's never failed me yet. Oh, oh, oh!

[Repeat Chorus]

Verse Two:

Don't be discouraged When troubles come your -way. He'll bear all your burdens, And turned all your night into say. Oh, oh, oh!

Chorus Two:

We've come this far by faith, Leaning on the Lord, Trusting in His holy Word, He's never failed us --yet.

Singin' oh, oh, oh, can't turn a-round, We've come this far by faith.

Singin' oh, oh, oh, can't turn a-round, We've come this far by faith. We've come this far by ---faith.

What We Believe

The Foundation.....Our confession of faith and belief in Jesus Christ accepted as the authority by our Church. We the Household of Israel, Temple of Jesus Christ are founded upon the belief in the full throne of God and Jesus Christ as our Savior and Redeemer. We adhere to all of the written Word of God as founded in the King James Version of the bible, including the Apocrypha, the Oxford University Press.

The Law.....The Law is the truth – “to the law and to the testimony if they speak not according to this word it is because there is no light in them,” (Isaiah 8: 20).

We believe in the Ten Commandments written by the hand of God, and the testimonies of Jesus Christ. This includes the belief in the fourth commandment elevating the seventh day as a holy day above all, because Christ is Lord of the Sabbath.

The Sanctification....Our disassociation with traditional religions and organizations. We are not affiliated with or associated with any traditional established religious organizations. We have found evidence that the doctrine of traditional religious groups do not adhere strictly to the commandments of God and the testimonies of Jesus Christ. “I am the Lord... I change not,” (Malachi 3: 6). The laws of God are binding upon all people from the beginning unto the end.

The Sacrament....Jesus Christ set the example. We practice the following sacraments which symbolizes sanctification, perfection and being born again: Baptism; Foot washing; Hand washing; Communion; Anointing.

The Sabbath Day....We worship God on the Seventh Day Sabbath, which has been sanctified by God as a holy day of rest. The seventh day is the day that God rested from His work and sanctified after He created the earth. He set the seventh day apart from the other days of the week and ordained it most holy. God blessed the seventh day and named it the Sabbath and decreed it a law in the Ten Commandments. We are to stop work and rest as God did. We are also to cease from our common activities and pleasures. We do not celebrate weddings, family reunions or funerals on the Sabbath day.

What We Believe

The Holy Days....Holy days are special days set apart and sanctified by God for worshipping Him. The bible tells us the days that God has set apart as holy. We do not celebrate Christmas, Easter, Halloween or Valentine’s Day or any common holiday that we have found is based upon paganism. We celebrate the following days as sacred and hallow to be kept like the seventh day: Passover (Feast of Unleavened Bread), Pentecost (Feast of Harvest or Firstfruits), Trumpets, Atonement, and Tabernacles (Feast of Ingathering). We also observe Purim and the Day of Dedication.

Observance of the New Moon....Our church assembles at the beginning of each month to observe the New Moon with a worship service.

Tithes & Offerings....Our Church is established according to the bible regarding tithes and offerings. The Church as established in the bible is supported by the freewill offering of all its saints. This is based upon the good example of Abraham and Jacob, who gave a tenth of their earnings to the Lord, and the widow, who cast her mite.

The Food laws....Our Church is established according to the bible regarding the food laws. We institute the food laws according to the bible. We, as a peculiar people, who are sanctified unto the Lord, recognize that our bodies are the Temple of God. We have received instruction from God, commanding us not to destroy our bodies. We eat and drink only those foods that have been sanctified and blessed by Him. We do not partake in illicit drugs or indulge in smoking or drinking alcohol.

Our Identity....We are true Israelites, the children of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. We have found through searching the scriptures that the true Israelite is identified as a people who were taken, bound to Egypt, and later sold as slaves beyond the rivers of Ethiopia. These people became the least of all people, the tail and not the head, a proverb and byword that would not succeed in this world. The only people who fit this description are found among the slaves brought to the New World from Africa and their descendents. God has begun to call His people, Israel, back to Him. God has promised that after He had taken out of the Gentiles a people, He would return and build the House of David, which has fallen down.

What We Believe

Statement of Dress Code....All members must dress modestly in appropriate clothing. We should appear before God in our best. Women do not wear pants or split skirts (culottes) in our services. Hemlines are to be below the knees at all times. Women and girls (12 and older), cover their heads in service. Men do not wear long hair, braids, earrings or anything pertaining to women or sodomites. Shoes must be worn in our services. Shorts, sleeveless tops and dresses, clothing that expose the midriff or back, or anything of a revealing nature must not be worn.

The Components of the Law - Part 1

“To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word it is because there is no light in them.” Isaiah 8:20

“For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.” I John 5:3

God is love. The law of God is established upon love. The love of God and the love of one’s brother is the royal law, which is the basis for all law. The law of God is further defined by the Ten Commandments or the Covenant of God. The Ten Commandments was the first written law. It is distinguished from the rest of the written law in that it is the only law that was declared from heaven by the mouth of God allowing the entire nation of Israel to hear it. It is further distinguished by being the only law written by the hand of God. There is no other work or law that has been so sanctified and glorified. This clearly shows us that the Ten Commandments are binding forever. Since they were not written by man, they cannot be altered or annulled by man. The first four commandments define our duty and reverence to God. It shows divine love, how to worship and obey God.

The first commandment states “thou shalt have no other God before me.” God must be first. We must not put anything or anyone or any belief above God. There are so many different religions in the world. Even religions calling themselves Christian are really worshipping another god because they are not teaching the truth. There are people all over the world who worship Buddha, Allah, and any of the creatures on this earth that they uphold as god. Some people worship nature, animals, and trees and literally worship Satan. But whatever you put ahead of God becomes an idol god to you. Your work, your

spouse, your children, alcohol, drugs, fornication and any pleasures that you put ahead of God is breaking the first commandment. How do you put a person ahead of God? By disobeying God, or bending the law in order to maintain your relationship with that person.

The second commandment tells us not to make graven images and worship them. A graven image is something used to represent God or of any other thing or god that a person puts ahead of the true God. A graven image can differ from the false god in the first commandment because it is something made by the hand of man. The Lord told us that he did not show us a similitude of himself, and that we must not make an image of him or any other graven image to worship. Deuteronomy 4:15-24. Some people can be confused about the cross. A cross is not a graven image; it is just a reminder of our belief in Christ. It is a sign that we take up our crosses and walk like Christ. The children of Israel wore things as reminders of the law also. They put fringes on their garments to remind them of the law, and they also wore tablets containing the law literally on their foreheads. People bow down and pray to graven images. They worship before them. Many churches of the world have paintings and images of what they call God. God does not want us to do that. These images and paintings were originally images and paintings of idol gods like Zeus and Jupiter. They just put the name of God on them. Some people make patriotism into an idol god. The symbol of that god could be the American flag, the Washington Monument or any of the other things that they reverence so highly that they put it ahead of obedience to God. The Catholic Church is a false god to many who hide its wicked secrets and allow cruelty and abuse to continue in order to protect the “church”. They don’t mind lying, stealing or killing in the name of the church, but what about the law of God? Many of these graven images, like the great cathedrals, will be smashed to powder when the Lord reveals Zion.

The third commandment says “Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.” People use God’s name in common ways, but his name alone is holy. It may seem like a small sin but God said that he would not hold you

guiltless if you take his name in vain. People curse and use filthy language. They joke and jest about God. They make stupid movies and make fun of the things in the bible. But also whenever a person is lying in the name of God, or speaking false doctrine, false teachings, and false preaching they are taking the name of the Lord in vain. Even their songs have to be carefully examined for truth.

The fourth commandment is to remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy. The Sabbath law is despised and treated with contempt. It is so universally disregarded that the entire law is considered exempt from obedience because of the fourth commandment. The Sabbath day is a sign of the covenant that God has made with his children, and is hallowed today, tomorrow and forever.

Exodus 31:12-17. The Sabbath law was not first given during the time of Moses. The Sabbath law was given to Adam and Eve and to all of the generations to follow them in Genesis 2: 1-3. “Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.”

By: Evelyn C. Pointer, Elder

The Components of the Law - Part 2

“For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. Love worketh no ill to his neighbor: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.” Romans 13:9-10

The last six commandments pertain to brotherly love. The fifth commandment says to honor our father and mother. It is the first commandment with “promise”. It promises long life for those who honor their parents. Parents are the first people that a baby comes to know and love. Children are given as sacred trust to their parents. The parent is required to raise and nurture them, just as God nurtures all of his children. Children are commanded to honor their parents and obey them. Even when a child becomes an adult he is still required to honor his parent. Since the child comes from the parent, making the parent appear foolish is like spitting in the wind, because it only comes back in your face. Those who dishonor their parent must expect that the same will be given back to them in double portion from their own children.

The sixth commandment says “Thou shalt not kill.” Killing is not just the outright taking of someone’s life. It can be indirect also. Hatred is akin to murder. So also is forcing a woman. Taking away a person’s livelihood or means to make a living, or putting them out of their homes is a form of murder.

Thou shalt not commit adultery includes every form of sodomy, fornication and uncleanness. It even includes lusting in your heart over someone. If you divorce someone without a cause and marry another you are committing adultery. In this country there are very few forms of adultery or sodomy that is frowned upon. Essentially, as long as two people are consenting adults people think whatever they choose to do is ok.

Thou shalt not steal, includes overt robbery, as well as hidden theft. People who steal through deception or who commit fraud are thieves.

Merchants or businesses that charge more than what something is worth are stealing. Governmental laws that take unfairly from the people are stealing. Employers who do not pay a fair wage and people who do not pay back what they have borrowed from you are stealing. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor includes any lies or deceptions used to harm someone. Remember that lies are not white, and lying lips are an abomination unto the Lord.

Thou shalt not covet is a very interesting commandment. Did you know that covetousness is a form of idolatry? Much wickedness is committed in this world because of covetousness. Greed leads to violence. Wars are started by one country wanting to exploit the natural resources of another. Covetousness can also lead to envy and hatred. People often try to take what someone else has, or try to do harm to them if they can’t take it. “Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness which is idolatry.” Colossians 3:5.

“The Least Commandments”

The law is further divided into statutes, judgments, precepts and ordinances. These laws are called the least commandments because they break down each of the commandments into its smallest component. They are the details of the law. They give us directions and instructions in the way of God that we can apply to our everyday lives, and help us determine the exact meaning of the law. The least commandments interpret the law.

An ordinance is a commandment ordained by God for divine service and worship. God set his own guidelines and standards of worship from the beginning. These include holy days besides the Sabbath. Some of the laws of ordinances were fulfilled at Christ’s coming. These included the laws of sacrifice, and many of the laws that strictly pertained to the temple.

When Paul spoke about the law in some of his writings as being nailed to the cross, or that we were no longer under the law he was talking about the law of sacrifice, and the law of circumcision, and the law of separation of the Jew and Gentile, not the entire royal law, and not all of the law of ordinances.

A statute is a law that teaches how to keep the Ten Commandments and the testimonies of Jesus. A statute further defines each of the commandments. For example the seventh commandment is thou shalt not commit adultery. There are many statutes defining what adultery is. It includes fornication and sodomy and any form of uncleanness.

A precept is a law that rules actions and basic conduct and gives instructions in righteousness. It teaches how to behave in your everyday life. It also defines common good and how to live in this world. Many precepts are found in the book of Proverbs and Ecclesiasticus. Christ’s teachings are also full of precepts as he demonstrated to us through his teachings and his actions how to walk in the law, and he magnified the law, casting a light on it so that we could understand. For example a precept of the seventh commandment is found in I Timothy when Paul said that women should adorn themselves in modest apparel.

A judgment teaches how to make a right decision according to the scriptures. It defines the line between things that are lawful and things that are not. It instructed the judge or law giver what to do in cases where there was a conflict between people or with the law. They also show us the consequences of sin. Again with the seventh commandment, a judgment in Deuteronomy 22:28-29 says that if a man and a woman commit fornication they were required to marry. And in the gospel Christ said that if you divorce someone save for the cause of fornication it is adultery, and if you lust after someone in your heart it is adultery.

By: Evelyn C. Pointer, Elder

The Sabbath

In the beginning when God created the heaven and the earth, He gave to man a day of rest. He sanctified the seventh day and made it holy. This means that it is set apart or separated from the other days of the week, for the worship and praise of God. You must not work or do routine common activities like going to movies on the Sabbath day. You must limit yourself to doing only those things allowed in the bible. The seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord. It begins at sundown on Friday and ends at sundown on Saturday. It was God our creator, Lord and master, who determined which day that he wanted us to remember and keep holy. No man was ever given the authority to change the law of God or to make the first day of the week the Sabbath. Many of the early Christians sought to hide their beliefs by resting on the first and the seventh day because of the persecution. The Romans hated the Jews. They were sun worshippers. Christianity came from Judaism (Christ was a Jew according to the flesh). The Romans persecuted all who were Jews, or Christian or who worshipped on the Sabbath. Later, when the Romans decided to convert to Christianity, they said they would not Judaize, and continued to persecute those that kept the Sabbath. They said that the first day, or day of the Sun was the day that the true Christian was to rest on, saying that Christ rose on Sunday and therefore Sunday was the Lord’s Day. It’s not.

When God gave the Ten Commandments to Moses, he again commanded man to keep the Sabbath day. The Ten Commandments were not written by Moses through inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Neither did he dictate it from the mouth of God. The Ten Commandments were written by the hand of God alone, on two tables of stone. This means that this law, written by God, can never be changed by man. The Sabbath is a sign of the covenant between us and God. A covenant is an agreement between two parties. We agree to obey God, and he agrees to save us, and to give us eternal life at his coming. The Sabbath day was not given only to the children of Israel. Prior to the existence of Jacob or even Abraham, God commanded Adam, the father of us all, to keep the Sabbath day holy. Therefore the commandment was for all those who were born of Adam, Jew or Gentile.

Jesus Christ kept the Sabbath. He would always go into the synagogues on the Sabbath day to worship God and preach the gospel. He gave us greater light and showed us how to keep the Sabbath, teaching us that works of healing and mercy is allowed. It is lawful to do good on the Sabbath. Certain types of work therefore fall into this category, and are lawful and necessary to be done on the Sabbath day. Jesus said that “Till heaven and earth pass, one jot and one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.” Matthew 5:18. He said, I am the Lord and I change not. If Christ kept the Sabbath, we as Christians, the followers of Christ, ought to walk as he walked. The bible says that the earth is cursed because “they have transgressed the the laws, changed the ordinance, and broken the everlasting covenant”. But the bible also promises a great blessing and salvation to all those who keep the law of God, who remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy.

By: Evelyn C. Pointer, Elder

The King James Bible

What bible do I read from? This is a common question. Not all bibles are created equal. Our church reads from the King James Version Bible. Here is an excerpt from the class “The King James Bible” written by Sister Evelyn.

King James ascended the throne of England after the death of Elisabeth1. King James was a Protestant. He believed in the divine right of Kings, that the king’s right was hereditary, and that the King was responsible to God and not his subjects. He was considered the Defender of the Faith, and Head of the State Church. He was against the Catholics who believed that the Pope was head of the church. He was also against the Puritans who believed that Christ was head of the Church.

On the day King James ascended the throne the Puritans presented a list of grievances that they had against the Church of England. A conference was called to hear and determine the Puritans complaint. The Puritans failed. One thing however was accomplished. King James agreed to do a new translation of the bible because he did not like the Geneva bible of its Puritan ideas in all its annotations. The king appointed a committee of fifty-four scholars to do the translation. Specific rules were set to guide the committee. The King James version was to be translated from the original Hebrew and Greek language. The complete translation included the Apocrypha. The committee was divided into six companies; three companies translated the Old Testament; two companies translated the New Testament; and one company translated the Apocrypha. When any one person completed his portion of the translation, it would first be reviewed by the rest of his company and finally by the entire committee before accepted. They were not to place within it any notes or interpretation but was to be true translations. The King James Version was not to have in it any man’s religious beliefs or interpretation but was to be true translation. In 1611, the Authorized King James Version of the bible was printed. This bible differed from all the others proceeding it in these points:

1. It was not the work of a single individual but was done by a large committee.

2. It was translated directly from the original Hebrew and Greek languages and was not a translation of a translation.

3. It was not filled with varying interpretations of the individual but had very few reference notes.

The King James Version was revised in 1613, 1629, 1638, 1653, 1762, and final in 1769 in order to modernize spelling, punctuation and correct printing errors. It is the 1769 version that is known today.

Other Versions of the Bible

The King James Version of the bible is the bible that has stood the test of time. As God’s word stands, so has this bible for almost 400 years, far longer than any version before and after it. Some modern versions rather than modernizing spelling, have attempted to change whole words to what they assume is the modern equivalents in meaning. Some of the word changes can change the meaning of the scripture. For example, I read in the newspaper how a minister interpreted the Ten Commandments he said the modern words should read, “You will,” rather than “Thou shalt,” which he further explained it to mean that when Christ came and changed you, that at that time you will have no other God; you will not steal or commit adultery. In other words, the commandment was not a command, it only spoke of future events. Some other versions of the bible, like the Living Bible and the NIV Bible (which is rapidly gaining in popularity) paraphrases the scripture which often changes the entire meaning.

Can you imagine what these paraphrases would do to Paul’s writings? Some of the other versions, such as the New English version has explanatory notes running side by side with the scripture taking up as much space in the bible.

This is the interpretation of Mystery Babylon, not the interpretation of the Holy Spirit. These people have brought back what the King James Version removed, the religious opinion of individual men!

In Conclusion

The bible that has stood until these latter days when the Lord would reveal the truth again to his children is the bible we adhere to. We do not believe that God gave interpretation of truth to the Catholics or her Protestant daughters. We do not look to their interpretations to determine what we believe in the bible, therefore, bibles that change words, sentences or phrases we hold to be suspect and contaminated. Even their supposed biblical scholars all criticized the different versions of the bible holding up some as good as illiterate, inaccurate, and poorly translated. Though King James was not a holy man, yet it is obvious that the Spirit of God worked through him and through other men who jeopardized their lives and were even martyred to translate the bible. It would take up too much time and space to examine each new version of the bible that paraphrases it and change words and meanings. What are modern truths and beliefs are not the same as what is actual truth and belief. For example, some bibles have taken away all gender references to God. God is no longer a HE. The word HE is no longer politically correct. There is even a bible written in comic book form with pictures.

Let us continue in the way that we have been taught and directed. If we don’t understand a word, we can easily use a dictionary. If we don’t understand a scripture, we must wait upon the Holy Spirit who enlightens us and who is our teacher and our interpreter. The bible, meaning the King James Version, is such a standard that the things are clear and easily understood like the Ten Commandments need no further translation, and the things that are obscure like the prophecies, are better left to the interpretation of the Holy Spirit. We cannot read the bible like a common book. The bible was written through the spirit and it is understood through the Spirit. Amen.

By: Evelyn C. Pointer

The Resurrection

The resurrection is the power of God’s word that overcomes and subdues all things to Him. Philippians 3:20-21. It is the power of Jesus that is victorious in the face of death. John 10:17-18. The definition of resurrection is: The rising to life again of Christ and all of the human dead.

The churches of Mystery Babylon do not preach the doctrine of the resurrection. They preach that when you die your soul separates from your body and flies up to heaven. In other words, you go to heaven when you die. An often asked question of their missionaries is – “If you were to die today would you go to heaven?”

Throughout the books of the bible, both the old and the new testament and also in the Apocrypha, the Lord has taught us the same hope- the hope of the resurrection. Job 19: 25-27, Psalms 30:3, Hosea 13:14, Isaiah 25:7-8, Isaiah 26:19, II Esdras 2:16, 31 II Maccabees. 12:43-44, Baruch 2:17. There is no where in the bible that says that at death your soul floats up to heaven to rejoice with your loved ones who died before, you, or that your dead relatives are in heaven smiling down on you. In fact, the bible states that the dead cannot praise God (if they were looking down smiling or watching over us wouldn’t they have to know something?), and that even David was dead and buried and had not ascended to heaven! (If David a most righteous King who did much to serve God had not ascended to heaven what hope for us or for even our relatives who did only common good to ascend to heaven when we die?) Ecclesiasticus 9:5-6, Psalms 115:17, Psalms. 6:5, Acts 2:29, 34. Yet, the churches of Mystery Babylon call themselves “Christian” even though they teach a different gospel than Jesus Christ taught. They call themselves “holy” even though they do not keep the commandments.

The gospel of Jesus was written very plainly. The resurrection is the foundation of our hope. Those who die in Christ will rise again like Christ rose, like Christ rose! Romans 6:5. At his death Christ’s soul did not float up to heaven leaving his body to rot and be discarded as

some people maintain who doubt the gospel. It was only after the resurrection of his body, after his earthly body had changed to a celestial body and after Mary had seen him alive again that he went up to his father. St.John 20:1-10, St. John 20:11-18. And again, when he returned to walk before them during a period of forty days in his changed body, he ate with them, he let them touch him, and his body was changed, transfigured. Mortality had been clothed upon with immortality. Death had been swallowed up by life. His own body was subject to His will and the will of the father. Luke 24:36-40, Luke 24:41-43. We also, just like Christ, will be changed. For there is no other way to the Father but through Christ. And, except for a very few people who will not die, by living like Christ, and dying in righteousness we will all be resurrected like Him, and our body of flesh will not be discarded like an old cloth, but our same bones will rise from the grave and we will be changed. I Corinthians 15:51-53.

There are two deaths. The first death is common death, it is the death of the flesh. Almost every person born of Adam experiences the first death. We know of at least three people, who were signs who do not experience common death, Enoch, Elijah, and Esdras. Instead, their bodies were changed or transfigured and they were taken up to paradise. We know also that in the last days a few people will live to see God come. This includes the 144,000 and some others that escape or are protected from the beast.

Their testimony is to witness all of the things that happen in the end, including witnessing the resurrection as they watch the saints raised up from their graves. The first death is also called a sleep. I Corinthians 15:51, Mark 5:35, 39-41. It is called a sleep because just as a person who is asleep and wakens when they are called, just so this death is temporary and the dead will awakened when God calls them. The likeness or similitude of the sleeping dead is a seed. They are planted in God’s garden. Just as a seed has the shape and body of a seed before planting, but after planting when it grows it is green and has a stem and a leaf, just so the earthly body is changed into a heavenly body at the resurrection. I Corinthians 15:38, John 12:24.

When the saints of God die they go into rest and peace. We know that Steven saw a vision of God in heaven as he died. Some of the saints are called to this rest to keep and to protect them from evil, Isaiah. 26:19-20, Habakkuk 3:16, Wisdom of Solomon 3:1-8. Length of life is in the hand of God. Every man has the opportunity to come into the knowledge of God while he is alive. Most men however, are the children of the devil. This world was made for many but the world to come for few. Many are called, but few are chosen. There are very few people who would give up the things of this common life in order to obtain salvation. Our lives are in the hands of God, and the death of his saints are precious to him. Psalms. 116:15, Psalms. 68:20.

The second death is eternal death. This is death not only of the body, but also the soul, the mind and the spirit, everything that is a person. Revelations. 20:6. Christ spoke about the two deaths in John 11:25-26. In verse 25, He speaks of the first death when he says, “He that believeth in me, though, he were dead, yet shall he live.” In verse 26, he speaks of the second death when he says, “whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.” The second death follows the judgement of the wicked. The wicked are cast in the lake of fire and brimstone. Death and hell are cast last in the lake of fire and brimstone. Revelations 20:14-15. It is God the Father, who destroys all, including this earth in the second death. The last enemy to be destroyed is death!

There are two resurrections. The first resurrection is the resurrection of life, and the second resurrection is the resurrection of damnation. St. John 5:28-29, II Esdras 2:20-23. The first resurrection is the resurrection of God’s saints. There have been some instances of saints resurrected prior to the general first resurrection in the last days. One person was Moses, another was Lazarus. Any resurrection occurring before the 1st general resurrection is also a first resurrection. Christ is the resurrection and the life. He and some of his apostles had the power to raise people from the dead. These people having died once came into the judgement and would not have to die again. Just as Enoch, Elijah, and Esdras were signs of those who would live to see God, These other were signs of those who would be raised from the dead, and of God’s power over death.

The bible gives us detailed descriptions of the time and occurrence of the first (general) resurrection. It occurs in the last days, St. John 11:21-24, at the time of judgement when the Lord shall reward us. Luke 14:14. It occurs at the last trump with great signs and wonders after much of the judgement on this earth and after the last martyrs have been killed.

During the resurrection there will be a great earthquake and the graves will open. The bodies will come together, and flesh will come upon the bones. Life will come into the bodies and the saints of God will all be caught up to meet God in the clouds. Revelations. 11:10-15, Ezekiel 37:1-14, I Corinthians. 15:51-55. We will all, those who were dead, and those who are alive, at his coming rejoice with Christ at the marriage supper of the Lamb. While we are at the marriage supper the angels pour out the seven last plagues on the wicked.

The second resurrection occurs a thousand years later. Satan is loosed for a little while from the pit and gathers all of the wicked people who were resurrected to come up to fight against God and the Holy -city. When they come up to fight, fire comes down from heaven to destroy them. The dead are judged and Sa- tan, Death, and Hell are all destroyed in the lake of fire and brimstone at the second death. Revelations 20:7-15.

In conclusion let us be strong in our faith, knowing that we have a lively (meaning active functioning) hope. Our hope did not die with the fathers or with the prophets. Our hope did not die with Christ. As Christ who was raised from the dead lives, so also will we live. Though we stand today in mortal flesh calling upon God, we will also stand before him in immortal flesh praising him. Death did not win in victory over us. Our hope is in Christ who holds the keys to death and hell. Death shall be swallowed up in victory. Life shall overcome death!

By: Evelyn C. Pointer, Elder

Our Identity

We are the true Israelite, the children of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. God promised Abraham that he would leave a remnant, or portion of his children. The children of Israel suffered under many captivities. Ten tribes were taken away during the Assyrian Empire, never to be seen again. These are the so called lost tribes of Israel. The ones that remained, of the tribes of Judah, Benjamin, and Levi were occupied by foreign nations and by many captivities. They were finally taken away under the Roman Empire after Jerusalem was destroyed in AD 70. What happened to the children of the promise? They were taken captive by their enemies and sold into Egypt for the prosperous slave trade. Later they were sold as slaves into Africa, beyond the rivers of Ethiopia as the bible tells us. Eventually they reached Africa’s western coast having mingled through the centuries with these nations. They forgot their name, their nation, their language, and their history. They forgot the holy oracles and served the gods of their captivity.

They were finally brought as slaves to the new world. The so called black or African American suffered under the worse slavery in history. Why would something so terrible happen to the children of God? God punished his people because they would not obey him. Deuteronomy chapter 28 delineates line by line the curse that God put upon the children of Israel because of disobedience. There are no other people on the face of the earth that this applies to. Consider that the black man is a proverb and a byword. Consider that the iron yoke of slavery was put on them. Consider that they were scattered among the nations. Even today, after the Civil Rights movement they still remain far behind the white man and other minorities no matter how hard some may work. Racism is alive and well in this country. It is only because of the mercy of God that slavery ended and the black man was allowed to become educated, allowing us a chance to survive and grow and return to God.

The people who occupy the land of Israel now, and the so called Jews around the world do not fit the description of the children of the promise. Some of the richest people in the world are the so called Jews, and they have great influence and powerful lobbies in the United States. It was Great Britain and the United Nations that helped to establish a “Jewish” homeland in Palestine. In 1949 they declared the state of Israel. The United States sent millions and millions of dollars to help make them into a nation. The Jewish leaders had a simple way of determining who was a Jew and could live in Israel. You just had to say you were, there was no real way of knowing. The United States sends millions to Israel every year and is the true military power who protects them. God did not return these people to Israel. Righteousness and truth have not filled the land. The bible says that when God returns his people the land will be like the Garden of Eden, not an arid desert as we see today. God is calling his children to return to him. Though we went away in sorrow, we will return again with singing. In the last days the Lord will reveal to the entire world who his chosen people are. He will get them fame in all nations. Israel will be a center of truth and peace and the glorious kingdom of God, not a hot battle ground. At this time will be fulfilled the promise to Abraham, “In thee shall all the nations of the earth be blessed.”

By: Evelyn C. Pointer, Elder

The Female Side of God

The female side of God is indeed a mystery that not many are privy to. Our church has been blessed to have this information and it makes us unique. We were first introduced to the Mothers of the Universe, by our church founder and mother, Ethel V. Webb. Here is a excerpt from her class in the box below. In it, you will find key questions with supporting scriptures that provide the answers. That was her style and technique of teaching.

Who is Wisdom? Wisdom of Solomon 1:16. What are her works? Proverbs 1: 20-22. Proverbs 4:7-9. Proverbs. 8: 1-7. Proverbs 8: 11-13. Proverbs 9: 10-11. Job 28: 28. Who gives Wisdom? Proverbs 2:6. What is Wisdom to those who find her? Proverbs 3: 18. Ecclesiasticus 1: 20.

The Mothers of the Universe are one with each other. They work together for the good and deliverance of their children. However, at the same time, they are also distinct in what they do for each of us. We can look at the parable of the sower and seed to get a better understanding. This parable that Christ taught is very familiar to us (Luke 8: 5-15). To review:

• The sower is Jesus Christ.

• The seed represents the word of God

• The different types of ground, including way side, stony, thorny and good ground represent the hearts of people in different spiritual conditions.

Knowledge. When Christ plants the word of God into your heart, Knowledge works hand in hand with him. Mother Knowledge is the sum of all truth concerning God, his holiness, this earth and all common good. She is a storehouse of information that has no limits or boundaries.

The Lord put everything we need to know about Him and his truth in the bible, which is the word. This bible has been made available to everyone throughout the entire world. Remember, the sower planted seeds in not only the good ground but the way side, stony and thorny as well. It is because of his mercy, that he gives everyone an opportunity to obey. So Mother Knowledge reaches out to all people but most will reject her. When she is rejected, Knowledge will eventually leave. The truth will not take root and the person is left to their own wicked devices. Without Knowledge, one cannot move to Understanding or Wisdom.

Understanding. Once the seed is planted into your heart, the Holy Spirit and Mother Understanding work hand in hand with each other. Knowledge was referred to as a storehouse. We cannot use all of the information in this storehouse because it is too much for our minds. Instead, we use only a portion at a time. Mother Understanding is that portion of truth and information that is given to us in measure. Now, the Holy Spirit is the rain poured upon us to help the seed of truth take root and enable our growth as goodly trees. This Teacher of Righteousness gives us the ability to understand the word of God on a gradual basis. We know this for ourselves. After all, who can understand everything in the bible? No one. As we continue on our journeys both the Holy Spirit and Mother Understanding teach us the truth and help us see more clearly.

Wisdom. So the seed is now planted. It has taken root. Branches and leaves begin to grow. Now it is time to reach complete maturity and bear goodly fruit. These fruits are the works and exploits that one does on behalf of the Lord. Mother Wisdom is our principle Mother. She teaches us how to take what we know and understand and apply it to our everyday lives, both common and spiritual. You see, many people may have knowledge of God. They may even understand what the truth is but fail to apply it to their lives.

With Wisdom, what you know and understand becomes action. You will fear and keep God’s commandments. Not only that, Mother Wisdom nurtures you to grow in the person that the Father intended you to be, before sin and death ever was.

Wisdom gives us the ability to know and understand the mysteries and dark sentences in the bible. In Wisdom of Solomon of the Apocrypha 8: 8 it states, “If a man desire much experience, she knoweth things of old, and conjectureth aright what is to come: she knoweth the subtilties of speeches, and can expound dark sentences: she foreseeth signs and wonders, and the events of seasons and times.” Like the Holy Spirit, She also gives us skills and talents to help us grow in the Lord. In Ecclesiasticus of the Apocrypha 1: 19 it states, “Wisdom raineth down skill and knowledge of understanding, and exalteth them to honour that hold her fast.”

She teaches both male and female how to be virtuous in the Lord. A virtue is a behavior or characteristic showing high moral standards. Some of her virtues are prudence, temperance, judgment, meekness, humility and fortitude (APOCRYPHA Wisdom of Solomon 8: 7).

Wisdom is a comforter to her children, giving us the strength to carry on. For “wisdom delivers from pain those that attend upon her,” (Wisdom of Solomon 10: 9)

Conclusion

So you can see, we need all 3 Mothers in order to be complete as well as the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. We begin with Knowledge, then Understanding and finally Wisdom. Few people in this world, will truly attain Wisdom. We can see this happening now in this world. Not only has the truth been trodden down, but there is a falling away of common good and basic decency. People are becoming more and more foolish. This is the Lord’s will.

He is removing his goodness. But his heavenly throne will continue to rise in his children to help prepare us for the end of time. Therefore, we must believe in the entire throne of God, both male and female sides. For they are glorious, they are powerful, they are a part of the Father and they will save our souls.

Brothers and sisters, bask in the glory of this mystery. I say amen to Knowledge, Understanding and Wisdom, our Heavenly Mothers. Take hold to them. Let them nurture you, feed you, clothe you and teach you about the word of God. Without them, we are not whole. Amen.

Written By: Elisabeth C. Tunstall

Church Milestones

On JUNE 1992, we broke ground on our Booth Church, with a seating capacity of 35.

On APRIL 3, 1999, our first CHURCH COVENANT BOOK was completed and consecrated to God.

In DECEMBER 2004, the foundation of our current sanctuary was laid, the same date that Zerrubabel laid the foundation for the temple under the rule of King Cyrus.

In JUNE 2005, our current sanctuary was consecrated to God with a seating capacity of 125.

In 2005, we began keeping the Feast of Dedication, initially in June but thereafter, began keeping it during the time that Israel kept it (December).

In 2009, the Multipurpose Room was built and anointed.

On DECEMBER 2010, we began an all church bible class every other week.

On JULY 2011, we officially launched our church website @ www.householdofisrael.org.

On OCTOBER 19, 2019, a new and improved covenant book was anointed and signed by each church member older than 12 years of age.

On APRIL 2020, the elders began fasting with prayer and meetings via phone every Wednesday.

OCTOBER 2020, Asaph Ministries was established was a music group dedicated to the development and performance of the praises of God.

On MARCH 28, 2022, the loan to our church was completely paid in full. 2266 Arthur St belongs to us!

On OCTOBER 2023, we began having vesper every Friday evening via Skype and phone.

On OCTOBER 2024, the church began a fast with worship via phone one Sunday a month.

A Message from Our Pastor

Brothers and sisters at the Household of Israel Temple of Jesus Christ and to those saints who are with us in spirit, blessings to you.

Daily, I am reminded of how immensely grateful I am of our church. It is a profound privilege and honor to serve as your pastor for all these years. Watching how this congregation cares for one another and the unflinching dedication that each of you display, is an inspiration to me to stay strong.

I know that for many, life has been filled with challenges and sometimes we are not certain what life will throw our way. But this I know for certain, that God is with us all. Therefore, we must remain steadfast and unmovable, always abounding in the work that God calls us to do.

Please remember that as your minister, I am here for you. We are not meant to walk this journey alone. Let us continue to uplift each other with prayer and fix our eyes on the light of Christ, placing him always at the forefront of our lives.

I pray for myself, my family, this church and all the saints across the world. Amen.

Derrck Pointer, Church Pastor

Passoe

One of the 3 great feasts that we acknowledge each year, beginning in the Hebrew month of Abib. Passover not only commemorates the time in which ancient Israel was delivered from bondage in Egypt but it also concerns the death and resurrection of Christ who through the shedding of His blood will preserve His saints from eternal death.

Pentecost

One of the 3 great feast our church celebrates during the third month of Sivan, 50 days after the Passover. Pentecost is also referred to as the Feast of Harvest, Feast of Weeks or the Feast of the First Fruits. The Feast of Pentecost points to the following: 1) the time when Christ will pour the Holy Spirit upon his saints to prepare them for his coming during the last days; and 2) The gathering together of the 144,000, a group of saints that are deemed the “first fruit” of God’s harvest or his people.

Wisdo’s Day

Between the months of July or August we have set aside a day, as inspired by the Spirit, to acknowledge the Mothers of the Universe, Wisdom, Knowledge and Understanding. It was revealed to our Church Founder, Ethel V. Webb, that there is in fact a female side of God.

Feast of Trumpets

This sacred day is held on the 1st day of the month of Tisri. On this day the children of Israel were commanded to have a memorial of blowing of trumpets, a holy convocation and Sabbath of rest on the first day of the seventh month. The trumpet is a symbol of God. The trumpet is a symbol of the voice of God.

Day of Atoement

The Day of Atonement is held on the tenth day of the seventh month. It is our most solemn day of the year. It is a holy convocation and Sabbath of rest. We fast on the Day of Atonement and offer prayers for ourselves, our families, our church, the lost tribe of Israel and all of God’s saints throughout the world. Israel was commanded to afflict their souls, to fast, to bring an offering and to rest.

Feast of Tabenacles/Ingatheing

Tabernacles and Ingathering are celebrated simultaneously as the third of the three great feasts commanded to be kept by God. This feast is held on the fifteenth day of the seventh month to the 22nd day after all of the harvest has been gathered in. The first and the eighth days are Sabbaths and holy convocations. The children of Israel were commanded to take the boughs of “goodly trees” to make booths to dwell in and to rejoice before God for seven days. Each day a sacrifice was made to the Lord.

Tabernacles/Ingathering points to the gathering together of God’s saints. When the Lord brought the children of Israel out of Egypt to the wilderness, they dwelt in booths. Today in our time, the Lord has again caused us to dwell in a booth.

Praise Day

Each year, we set aside a day to focus on the praises of God. Why are these Praise Days so important and why must we have them on a regular basis? Because God gave us the gift of music as a powerful means to worship God, to teach and learn about the truth, to be comforted and spiritually healed, to unite the saints and to experience happiness that only God can bring. The Lord has elevated our worship service through music. Indeed, music has the power to touch all human beings, no matter their age, race, gender, language or nationality. It can evoke any emotion or cause you to break out in dance. Even little babies begin to sway back and forth at the sound of a nice melody or beat. Music can help you learn and remember and serves as an excellent teaching tool with adults and children alike.

Feast of Dedicatio

The feast of Dedication was held to commemorate the purification of the altar and the restoration of the services of the house of the Lord during the time of the Maccabees. Many generations before, when Solomon built the first temple, they also dedicated it to God with rejoicing and fanfare. The glory of the Lord appeared and consumed the offering with fire. Solomon’s temple was destroyed during the reign of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon. Seventy years later God called Cyrus king of Persia to build a temple in Jerusalem. This temple was built by Zerrubabel under the allowance of king Darius during the time of the Medes and Persians. They built the foundation on the 24th day of the 9th month Chisleu. Another thing for us as a church to remember, is that God gave us a sign. The foundation of our sanctuary was laid on the 24th day of the 9th month. This signified that the Lord was with us and that he had given us the foundation of truth though all the world is in darkness.

Feast of Puim

The feast of Purim points to our victory. Purim first started after Israel was saved from the wicked devices of Haman who sought to destroy the Jews. However, through the great courage of Queen Esther and Mordecai and most importantly, the mercy of God, Israel was able to fight against their enemies and win the victory. To show their thanks to the Lord, Esther and Mordecai established The Feast of Purim. Story of Esther points to the last days when God will give his saints honor and power to fight against the wicked to overcome sin for good.

Chuch Baptism 2020

Baptism is when one is fully submerged into water and taken back out. This is a sacrament that Christ himself participated in and commands us to do as well. It is a sign of purification and of our devotion to Christ. Baptism signifies the burial and resurrection of Christ, which is our hope. Furthermore, it represents the death and burial of our old life of sin and the rising again of our new life of obedience in Jesus.

This Is God’s Chuch (Our Anthem)

Written By: Elisabeth C. Tunstall, Music Director

Music By: Asaph Ministries

(Refrain)

This is God’s church, this is God’s house

We are one with Christ and a beacon of light

This is God’s church, this is God’s house

We are one with Christ

We are one with Christ

We’re the Household of Israel

Temple of Jesus Christ

And from the past up to the present

We have struggled in life

Many loved ones were lost

And also left behind

But the sacrifice will prove worthy

When we gain eternal life (Refrain)

Let the Spirit guide us

As we obey the law

For the hope that resides in us

Will move us closer to God

And the vow in our hearts

Must show through our works

And the faith that we have in him

Will inspire our growth (Refrain)

We are bound to the gospel

We exhort the word

For the testament that he gives

Must take root in our hearts

As we lean on his breast

We gain comfort from him

Though the battle wounds may seem deep

We’re restored by his strength (Refrain)

From one Sabbath to another

We worship our God

Finding pleasure in his truth

Sanctified by his law

For this covenant

Is both holy and true

And in keeping this perfect day

His light shines in you (Refrain)

OUR BOARD OF ELDERS

L to R: April Jackson (Elder), Gloria Henry (Trustee & Elder), Evelyn C. Pointer (Secretary of the Board of the Trustees & Elder, Derrick Pointer Sr. ( Minister, Treasurer, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Business Administrator & Elder), Marjorie Walls (Trustee & Sr. Elder) & Deborah Grigsby (Elder)

The Board of Elders is the governing body of the church. All issues pertaining to doctrine, policy and procedures, finances, construction and any other important matters regarding the church and its members, must first be brought before the Board of Elders to be voted upon and approved prior to implementation.

ASAPH MINISTRIES

We are a music group officially established in 2020 by our church organization, the Household of Israel Temple of Jesus Christ. Our fundamental goal is to write, produce and perform music that exclusively uplifts and promotes the commandments and testimonies of God. What makes our music unique from many so called spiritual songs you may hear? We do not seek to emulate the secular styles of hip hop, R &B or pop, that may on the surface sound good, but are not acceptable in the eyes of God? Why? Because the Lord knows the hearts of the people singing these songs. Often times, the messages in these songs are contrary to the laws of God. The songs we sing in our church have important messages. These songs support the word of God. Anyone that has a voice can sing unto the Lord, whether they are in tune or not. It is not only about the sound or the beat. It is the message in the song and foremost, the hearts of the people singing. Amen.

Elisabeth Tunstall, Music Director Mark Davis, Chief Musician

ASAPH MINISTRIES

Pastor Derrick Pointer, Lead Vocalist & Tambourinist

Drelen Williams, Percussionist & Mixing Engineer

Melissa Pointer, Guitarist & Vocalist

ASAPH MINISTRIES

Matthew Tunstall, Percussionist

Ariel Spain, Flutist

Carter Davis, Vocalist

Deick Ponte

Church Pastor

FAVORITE SONG

“Seal My Heart"

FAVORITE SCRIPTURE

"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.”

Proverbs 3: 5-8

Majoie Walls

Church Mother

FAVORITE SCRIPTURE

"He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust."

Psalms 91: 1

G. Coleen Henry Church

Elder

FAVORITE SONG

“Open Your Eyes & See the Sun of God“

FAVORITE SCRIPTURE

"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”

Proverbs 3: 5-6

Deboah Grigsby Church Elder

FAVORITE SONG

“In Your Arms“

FAVORITE SCRIPTURE

""O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever. To him who alone doeth great wonders: for his mercy endureth for ever. To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy endureth for ever. To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his mercy endureth for ever......".

Psalms 136

April Jackso Church

Elder

FAVORITE SONG

“I Don’t Want to Be Free From the Lord“

FAVORITE SCRIPTURE

"O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever."

I Chronicles 16: 34

Evelyn C. Ponte Church Elder

FAVORITE SONG

"Brighter Days Draweth Nigh"

FAVORITE SCRIPTURE

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.¶. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”

John 1: 1-14

Michelle Davis

Feast Day Coordinator

FAVORITE SONG

“A Friend Indeed“

FAVORITE SCRIPTURE

"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”

Philippians 4: 13

Toy Davis

Church Member

FAVORITE SONG

“Rally On”

FAVORITE SCRIPTURE

"And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.”

Revelation 21: 1-7

Andre Williams

Master of Ceremony & Lead Percussionist

FAVORITE SONG

“Brighter Days Draweth Nigh“

FAVORITE SCRIPTURE

"These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

John 16: 33

Melissa C. Ponte

Guitarist

FAVORITE SONG

“Great Lamb of God”

FAVORITE SCRIPTURE

"The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.”

Eboy Williams

Feast Day Coordinator

FAVORITE SONG

“My Prayer for Peace“

FAVORITE SCRIPTURE

"Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom……”

Psalms 51

Mak Davis

Chief Musician

FAVORITE SONG

“Help Me Overcome“

FAVORITE SCRIPTURE

"In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.”

John 14: 2

Elisabeth C. Tunstall

Music Director

FAVORITE SONG

“Glory Hallelujah“

FAVORITE SCRIPTURE

"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Romans 8: 35-38

Krystal Grigsby Church Member

FAVORITE SONG

“In the Garden”

FAVORITE SCRIPTURE

"A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.”

Psalms 9: 7

John Grigsby

Church Member

FAVORITE SONG

“I Hear the Calling from the Lord”

FAVORITE SCRIPTURE

""In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.”

John 1: 1-5

Drelen Williams

Percussionist

FAVORITE SONG

“Without Jesus”

FAVORITE SCRIPTURE

"In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears.”

Psalms 18: 6

Desiae Williams

Percussionist

FAVORITE

SONG

“Take These Spiritual Chains”

FAVORITE SCRIPTURE

"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”

Philippians 4: 13

Devin Williams

Trumpeter

FAVORITE SONG

“Comfort Me”

FAVORITE SCRIPTURE

"He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust….”

Psalms 91

Zio’s Litle All Sta s!

Carter Andrew Matthew

Ariel

Amaya

The Winter House

The bible speaks about the former house and the latter house. It says the latter house would be greater than the former. Haggai 2:9, “The glory of this latter house shall be greater than the former, saith the Lord of hosts: and in this place will I give peace, saith the Lord.” It doesn’t mention the term winter house at all except in one reference to the curses that he would send on ancient Israel in Amos 3:15. Here the curse on the winter house as well as the summer house meant God was going to punish them in every season, fully and completely. Which of course he did.

The term winter house is an apt description of the church of God in our time. The house is the house of God which is the church. And winter is the season of the earth in the latter days before the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Winter is the season before spring. With the spring comes the rains and the blossoming of the earth. It is the time of restitution and the revival of all things good and holy.

But the winter is cold and dark and dry. Spiritually for most people it is a time of great famine. The word of truth and the voice of God is not heard in the land. There are no great spiritual leaders to guide the people. No prophets to stand before them and warn them. No miracles that they can see. In fact almost all of the people are blind and deaf. It is as if heaven is silent. And for those without understanding as if God has turned away from us and left man to his own devices. Amos 8:8-13, Isaiah 59:9-15, Isaiah 6:10-12.

But we know better than that. In the dark, in the cold and in the quiet there is a small light, a candle that shines in this long and oppressive night.

The winter house is small, very very small. And it is fractured. It has been described in the scriptures as a waste place, desolate, solitary. As a barren woman, as a widow. It halts. To halt means to limp. This is the weakness and infirmities found within her. They have a little strength. Just enough to obey God’s charge, but not enough to grow and expand. The winter church is separated into small family groups and they have no power to find their brothers.

So it seems each group is entirely alone dependent only on the Spirit of God that softly and quietly guides them. They have no effect on the world around them. It is like they have no voice. It sounds kind of pitiful. How can we speak about the winter house in the same breath as the former house with it’s great men like Moses, and prophets like Elijah and Isaiah, with it’s miracles and wonders like the parting of the red sea, with it’s center of truth, King David the great warrior and psalmist and Solomon’s magnificent temple. And the Priests and Levites, and the sacrifices on the altar, and the first coming of Christ and the apostles and the preaching of the gospel. In fact all of our biblical history is the former house and the former works! And the latter house will be greater than the former. It is the church in perfection washed and clean and covered by the light of God. It is miracles and signs and wonders that were never seen on the earth. It is great men and women, mighty prophets and the second coming of Christ. It is the tabernacle and the changing of the land of Israel to a promised land like the garden of Eden. It is the resurrection of all the saints of God and the marriage supper of the Lamb. And it has a glorious name. It is called The General Assembly and Church of the Firstborn. It is called Zion and Jerusalem and Hephzibah and Beulah.

So why talk about the winter house? What’s so important about it? The winter house is a seed. And within a seed are all the necessary components to become what it was intended to be. Some seeds are so fine and small you can’t even see them with your naked eye, like the seed in man. And every great plant, no matter how big begins with a seed.

We have nothing right now. No greatness at all to boast about. We have one thing only to glory in. We have the most important and most precious thing that there is. We have the truth. God gave us a charge and a calling. The pioneers who came before us found, dug up the truth that had lain desolate. Some of us were old enough to witness and even participate in this work. But our charge was to build and order God’s house. Here God would prepare a place to receive his children. The winter house is the seed of what will become the latter house.

And so it is very, very important. It is vital to us and to those to come. We must succeed. We must stand. We must not fail. For many, many people will one day be fed at our table. And the things that we feed them is life. In Revelations chapter 12 it talks about the woman, who are the children of God running to a place that God prepared in the wilderness. The winter house is the beginning of the places that God prepares.

There are little churches, we call them booths, sowed by God all over the world and especially in this country that will bear root down, and grow up tall, and branch out and blossom and bud and fill the world with fruit. This will happen in God the Father’s good time, in the time of the spring, when the rains return to the earth and the light of God shines brighter than the sun. We are spread apart for a reason. It is so that the word of truth will be sent in all of these places, and houses of defense and help will be near many people and they will have greater access to the truth and to the law.

The latter house is the embodiment of Zion. And each individual house is a fair lady, sister to each other. And every individual member of these churches who overcome and succeed by their faith and obedience, and who obtains the first dominion, is a living and walking embodiment of Zion in all her glory. The world will grow darker, but as it says in Isaiah 60:1-3, “Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall be seen upon thee. And the gentiles shall come to thy, light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.”

By: Evelyn C. Pointer, Elder

Hope of the Ages

Hope is the catalyst that pushes us to our goal. It is the faith that we have that sustains us. Hebrews 11:1, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” What is the hope of the ages and when did it began, what meaning is it for us in the latter days? The hope of the ages began at the Garden of Eden. When God created man, he gave them a commandment in which they broke and caused the consequences of death to befall all of us. “And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil thou shalt not eat; for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die”, Genesis 2:16-17. Doomed to an eternal death and damnation for sinning against God, Adam and Eve accepted their punishment and yet….there was a Ray of Hope. The bible says, where two or three are gathered together in my name there will I be in the midst of them

The hope was in the Lamb of God who was slain from the foundation of the earth, Revelations 13:8. After man sinned he was brought up to the mercy seat of God and was given hope to escape eternal death and damnation. God made sacrifices on behalf of Adam and Eve for their sins. “And the Lord God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life: And I will put enmity between thee and the woman and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel”, Genesis 3:14-15. As we know, Adam and Eve had many children but only 2 righteous sons, and they had hope in them that the righteous seed would flourish; one lived and the other was killed by his brother.

During the time of the flood when wickedness and violence abounded, God saved only 8 souls before he destroyed everything that breathed the breath of life. Even though all of the wicked died and only 8 people survived with the animals that were selected in the ark, evil survived as well and multiplied greatly upon the face of the earth. Yet…there was a ray of hope and when God told Noah and his sons to be fruitful and multiple and replenished the earth, wickedness grew rapidly and hope came in Abraham who was looking for a city whose builder and maker was God, Hebrew 11:10.

Even thou Abraham had many sons he had only one son who would bring about the hope of the ages. “ And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac, and I will establish my covenant with him for and everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him”, Genesis 17:19. The seed went to Isaac then Jacob who had the 12 patriarchs of Israel; and they went down to Egypt and they became a great nation; they were enslaved by Pharaoh but still had that ray of hope. The Lord raised up a deliverer in Moses. “Come now, therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh that thou mayest bring forth my people the Children of Israel out of Egypt”, Exodus 3:10. Moses, Aaron and Miriam led the children of Israel out of Egypt with great signs and wonders. Just as hope rose and they were delivered from Egypt, wickedness rose as well to try and prevent the children of Israel from reaching the promise land; Moses, Aaron nor Miriam stepped foot in the promise land because of sin and Israel wondered in the wilderness for 40 years because of their wickedness; yet there was still a ray of hope and the seed of the promise was prophesied by Moses. “The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken”, Deuteronomy 18:15. Moses prophesied of the coming of Christ who was the seed of the gospel, the hope of salvation and the redemption of his children.

Throughout the years as time went on even until Israel was established as a great nation and multiplied as the sands of the sea and the stars of heaven, wickedness continued to multiply rapidly but there remained in them the seed of hope that traveled down throughout the ages.

It traveled throughout the time of the Judges, Kings, Prophets and the captives who rebuilt the great temple after it was destroyed by Babylon, waiting…waiting…and waiting for that great light, the hope of the seed of the gospel. “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder; and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even forever. The zeal of the Lord of host will perform this”, Isaiah 9:6-7.

The desire for the hope of the ages has always been with the seed of the righteous even when they didn’t always understand but his disciples asked him. “When they therefore were come together, they asked him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel”, Acts 1:6?

Even when Jerusalem fell and many Israelites were killed and scattered to all nations, kindred and tongue and their numbers decreased drastically; that ray of hope remained within them. For in their darkest hours of enslavement and being brought over again to Egypt in slave ships there was hope within them. When truth was trodden down, no shepherds were found among them and strange and Mysterious religions abounded upon the earth the ray of hope remained within him. The ray of hope was in them even though they could not read or write but their songs were of hope. “Go down Moses, way down in Egypt land, Tell O Pharaoh to, let my people go” “Swing low sweet chariot, coming for to carry me home.” “My Lord calls me, he calls me in the thunder, and I ain’t got long to stay here.”

In our day, we are enlightened not by the wisdom of the world but the Wisdom of God. We are fed pure truth and we have our great Shepherd that directs us in his word; we have seen no signs or wonders; we don’t have great judges, kings or prophets; we don’t have a beautiful temple of costly stone and beauty in Jerusalem like in the days of Solomon. Yet, the rays of hope have passed down unto us and remain strong and steadfast within us. We know that many of us are weak and we have fears not only for ourselves but our children and families because we have just a little strength, but we have struggled and prepared ourselves to fight against the dragon. We are just a handful of corn on the mountain and we must continue to bend our backs to the burden, Psalms 72:16. What would we give to have our children back and our families healed? We hope for the best for ourselves as well as our children and desire the blessings from the Lord more than anything else.

The hope of our ancestors is within our hearts, and the building up of our church and others like remain within us. It is the restoration of the children of Israel; the raising up of the truth that has been buried for over 2000 years; the release of those who are in prison and the most important is the ascending of Christ with in his children. “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion Thy God reigneth”, Isaiah 52:7

This church, this booth, these people of God stand strong as we cross into Gilgal and move forward to Bethel which is the house of God; Order Our House Hot, Hot of God!!! Amen!!

By: G. Colleen Henry, Elder

At the end of each Sabbath, our church sings this song in remembrance of the hope that lies before us. We will always rejoice in the Lord in this earth and the new earth to come. Amen.

Sing & Rejoce

Written By: Allena “Babee” Webb

Music

By: Asaph Ministries

Sing and rejoice, O daughters of Zion Jesus has given thee life

Lift up your voice, rejoice, rejoice, rejoice For Jesus has ransomed me

Sing and rejoice our Father most holy Leads us and surely we come

As we bring thee glory, glory to the Lord

Our most precious Father Praise His name

Sing and rejoice ye angels of power

Sing holiness to the King Reecho holy, holy to the Lamb Eternal praises bless His name

Sing and rejoice O Spirit of Wisdom

Silence no longer must reign Enlighten me, invite me to the throne Point out the path that leads me home

Sing and rejoice ye children of Israel Throw off your burdens and fly

For we’re bearing victory, victory to the land Exaltations lift your voices high

Sing and rejoice ye afflicted and wounded Prison doors open for thee

Repeal it worthy, worthy is my Lord Who has set the tortured captives free

Sing and rejoice O nations desiring Anguish shall conquer no more

Ring out all praises, praises to our God

Join the prancing on the golden shore

May the Holy Spirit always dwell with our church. And let us always remember the covenant that He has established with us.

Let our doors remain open to all the saints that seek to learn about the word of God and His holy truth.

Lord bless our church that it may overflow with the children of God, both young and old, near and far.

Lord baptize our church with the Holy Spirit and fire. Let us be a standard and a beacon of light that shines for all to see.

Oh preserve us as your remnant and let us bear the sign of the first fruit. Don us in robes of pure white and let the fire of the Holy Ghost dwell upon us.

To My Family in Christ

To my brothers and sisters in Christ, this book serves as a token of love for God’s church that tells our story, one that is filled with struggles, pain, loss but also triumphant victories. We stand here today as a church because it is God’s will. He has never left us and He never will. Each of us have put our hands to the plow, so that our church prevails, beginning from the 1st generation all the way down to the 4th. And our work is not finish. The Lord has called us to continue to build brick by brick the doctrine of faith which remains steady on the foundation of Jesus Christ.

I am so proud to be a part of the Household of Israel Temple of Jesus Christ. I say to you, continue to work hard. Roll up your sleeves and do what God has called you to do. We each have a testimony. Our testimony is the testimony of Christ. Our church is God’s church. Let us always shine as a beacon of light for the people of God to look to. Amen.

Eliabet Tunsal