Gospel of Love: Jesus Christ and the 12 Tribes of Israel

Key Points from the Lecture

Introduction

• Focus on God's love and keeping His commandments.
• Question about the completeness of the current Bible (66 books) compared to earlier versions (80+ books).
• Interview context: An interview with Bishop Nathanyel on 'Something Nice with Dinano'.

God is Love

• 1 John 5:3: Love of God = Keeping His commandments.
• Commandments are not grievous.
• Criticism: Modern Christianity often diverges from this teaching.

Bible Versions

• Discussion on the reduction of books in modern versions of the Bible.
• Question: Does it affect salvation?

The 12 Tribes of Israel

• Exodus 1:1-1:2: Names and locations of the tribes.
  • Reuben: Seminole Indians
  • Simeon: Dominicans
  • Levi: Haitians
  • Judah: American blacks
  • Issachar: Mexicans
  • Zebulon: Guatemala to Panama
  • Benjamin: West Indian islands
  • Dan: Caribbean
  • Naphtali: Argentina to Chile
  • Gad: North American Indians
  • Asher: South America
• Tribes also located in Africa; not confined to one location.
• Revelation 7:4: Mention of the 144,000 from all tribes.

Historical Maps and Evidence

• Old Maps show Jewish colonies throughout Africa (e.g., Nigeria, Liberia, Ghana).
• Maps date back to the 1800s (e.g., 1830, before the Berlin Conference).
• Modern Judaism by John Allen (1830): Links Esau with Caucasians and Roman Empire.
• The Land of the Heart of Livingstone: Discusses Israelite influence in Africa.

Genealogical Mixing

• Psalms 106:34-35: Israelites mingled with Heathen nations.
• Importance of understanding this mixing to avoid claiming purity of genealogy.
• Titus 3:9: Avoid foolish questions about genealogies.

New Testament and Interpretations

• Galatians 3:28: “There is neither Jew nor Greek” often misinterpreted.
• Context: 2 Maccabees 4:15 explains cultural assimilation.
• Romans 1:6: Understanding Paul’s mission.

Removal of Books from the Bible

• Protestant Church removed the Apocrypha in the 1800s.
• Books like the Maccabees were taken out to prevent revolutionary thoughts.
• Slave Bible: Further redacted to prevent slave uprisings.
• Modern churches focus on selected scriptures emphasizing love, avoiding revolutionary themes.

Importance of Commandments

• 1 John 5:3, 2 John 6: Keeping commandments as an expression of God’s love.
• Criticism of modern Christians for not adhering to commandments (e.g., dietary laws, Sabbath).
• Leviticus 21:5: Specific commandments such as not shaving beard or head.
• Emphasis on observing God’s holy days as mentioned in Leviticus 23.

Beliefs of Israel United in Christ

• Christ came specifically for the lost sheep of Israel.
  • Matthew 15:24: Christ’s mission.
  • Acts 5:29-30: Repentance for Israel.
• Importance of Commandments for eternal life.
  • Matthew 19:16-17, Revelation 14:12: Faith in Jesus and keeping the commandments.

Observations on Modern Christianity

• Modern day Christians often lack adherence to commandments.
• Hebrews 13:4: Importance of marriage, avoiding whoredom.
• Contrast with Muslim practices in terms of modesty and morality.

Conclusion

• Need for restoring adherence to the true commandments and understanding the historical context of the Israelite people.
• Avoidance of genealogical debates.
• Emphasis on a revolutionary understanding of the Bible aimed at liberating people from spiritual and physical bondage.