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Revision as of 00:45, 9 April 2006 by 64.185.45.196 (talk)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)The House of Yahweh is an established multi-profit religious organization based in Abilene, Texas and officially recognized by the United States, Canada and Israel as a legitimate religion. The Pastor and Overseer over The House of Yahweh is Yisrayl (Israel) Hawkins (born Buffalo Bill Hawkins), who is a prolific author and speaker. The HoY is not exclusive but claims membership of all races from nations all over the globe welcoming all, they say, who will repent of sin and follow Yahweh's Law. The House of Yahweh should not be confused or associated with other groups that use the name of Yahweh such as The Assemblies of Yahweh, The Yahweh Nation or others (some, but not all of which are militant and subversive).
Beliefs
The House of Yahweh believes it is the one true faith as revealed by the Creator from the beginning and reestablished again in what they believe are the prophesied end times.
Along with other sacred name groups, the HoY recognizes Yahweh as the name of the Creator and Heavenly Father. They recognize Yahshua as the name of Yahweh's Son and Messiah. Unlike other sacred name groups however, the HoY uses the names of Yahweh and Yahshua exclusively. The HoY teaches that all other titles, such as God (El, Elohim, Theos, Deus, etc.), Lord (Ba'al, Adonai, Kyrios, Dominus, etc.), Jesus and Christ are names and/or titles of pagan beings that were forced onto the true "Mighty One." (Hawkins refuses to even call Yahweh a god, teaching that Scripture refers to Satan, not Yahweh, as "the god of this world")
The use of the names "Yahweh" and "Yahshua" are believed to be essential to salvation. The name "Jehovah" (and its variants) is also shunned as an error dating from the middle ages. See the article Jehovah for more information.
To the casual observer The HoY appear simply to be "Messianic Jews" or some other combination of Judaism and Christianity. The organization makes no claim to be associated with either of these major faiths (or for that matter, any other faith) and that both of them (Christianity especially) are corrupt and false. Please read "Controversy" listed farther dwon below this page for more teachings of the HoY.
Similarities to Judaism
Like Judaism, The HoY teaches the keeping of the Torah (consisting of the body of 613 laws and rules found in the Pentateuch). Members adhere to a kosher diet, free of pork, shellfish and blood. They also wear garments similar to the Jewish yarmulke and tallit (but only in worship services and private prayer). Members regularly perform ritual ablutions and are baptized and blessed when they become a member (Christian baptism is seen as an Old Testament concept stemming from these ablutions). The keeping of these laws, they claim, is the answer to all the world's problems (sickness, poverty, war, hatred, crime etc.). HoY members attain to a high standard of ethical and moral conduct defined by the 613 Laws and claim they cover every aspect of life. These laws, they say, promote true peace and teach true love for Yahweh and one's fellow man.
Festivals
Like Judaism (and some para-Christian groups), The HoY keeps the seventh day Sabbath as opposed to the Sunday "Lord's Day". Christmas, Easter, and birthdays are not celebrated, but the House of Yahweh keeps the annual festivals of the Old Testament instead (Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread, Pentecost (Shabuot), The Feast of Trumpets (which Judaism calls "Rosh Hashana"), The Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) and The Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot).
In addition to these, once a year on the evening before Passover, members hold a solemn observance they call Yahshua's Memorial. This is their version of Communion or "The Lord's Supper" and they partake of unleavened bread and wine as symbols of the body and blood of Yahshua. It is not to be confused with the joyous Passover celebration on the following evening, but is observed on the night before when Yahshua was betrayed and is a time of quiet introspection. Members also wash one another's feet and Miriam (Mary) Magdalene is remembered on this night as well.
HoY members believe that The House of Yahweh Sanctuary, located in Abilene, Texas, is the place established by prophecy as the only place on earth where Yahweh's Feasts are to be observed at this time and three times a year they make a pilgrimage from all over the world to Abilene to celebrate Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles.
Similarities to Christianity
Like Christianity, members believe in the Messiah, whom they refer to as Yahshua (Hebrew for "Yahweh is salvation"). They teach that Yahshua Messiah is the Son of Yahweh but was begotten in the flesh, being born a man. He became the son of Yahweh at the time he was baptized by Yahchanan the Immerser (John the Baptist). Yahweh confirmed this when He spoke from Heaven. He lived a perfect life as our example by keeping Yahweh's 613 Laws (sin is defined as the breaking of any of these laws and by keeping them Yahshua was without sin).
He was said to be framed for insurrection but His true "crime" was the "heresy" of openly using Yahweh's Name (which by this time was considered too holy to say) and keeping the old Laws while rejecting new customs. After an illegal trial where He was flogged and tormented, He was nailed to a pole (not a cross) and executed by the civil authorities. He died for our sins as a spotless sin/atonement offering, becoming a Passover Lamb (his execution said to take place on the preparation day for Passover when the lambs were being slaughtered and prepared for the Passover Seder commencing after sunset). He was buried in the late afternoon on a Wednesday just prior to sunset. Three days and three nights later just prior to sunset on Saturday evening, he was resurrected from the dead. Subsequently, some 40 days later, he ascended into Heaven to sit as High Priest over the House of Yahweh. He is waiting until the prophesied "end-time" to return as King of Kings, establishing Yahweh's Kingdom on Earth and preventing humankind from ultimately destroying themselves.
Yahweh's exclusivity
In HoY theology, Yahweh is the only one who deserves worship or adoration, and is the sovereign and only creator and ruler of the universe. Yahshua Messiah gave all glory, honor and obedience to Yahweh Who is not a trinity, but one individual being with no equal or partners. (The trinity doctrine is seen as a horrible blasphemy with its origins not found in scripture, but in ancient pagan religions.) Yahshua is not seen as a divine being, nor did he preexist before his conception by Miriam (Mary). The Holy Spirit is Yahweh's creative force, not a personal being.
Unlike either Judaism or Christianity, they make no distinction between the "Old" and "New" Testaments, claiming the "New Testament" (or covenant) is not new but is a continuation and "renewal" of the Old Testament, reaffirming and reestablishing it, interpreting Yahshua's teaching that "I have not come to destroy the law but to fulfil it" in this way. In addition, The HoY rejects religious customs and traditions that conflict with their interpretation of the Torah.
In the attempt to purify true religion from pagan elements, all "pagan" names, words, and concepts are eschewed. They also publish an edition of the Bible (The Book of Yahweh), which removes any and all words or concepts which are thought to be pagan corruptions, including removal of God/Elohim in favor of "Yahweh", as well as changing names to remove these influcence (e.g. Yliyah for Elijah, Yechetzqyah for Ezekiel, Riyyah for Ruth, Yahchanan for John etc.). Their claim is that The Book of Yahweh is the most accurate English translation of the Bible available today.
Satan is seen as the founder of all the false religions, and anyone who praises any god is worshiping the devil. Satan is also a female, and was Yahweh's wife before she rebelled and tried to take His throne. This is not a teaching unique to The House of Yahweh (some scholars claim this was common knowledge prior to the Dark Ages and is reflected in early Christian art), but is considered by many outsiders as one of their distinctives.
The HoY is ruled by a large body of Elders (who serve as priests) and assisted by Deacons and Deaconesses. These are all recommended and then chosen by lot.
The House of Yahweh was established by Yisrayl Hawkins and his late brother Yaakob (Jacob) Hawkins who are said to be the two witnesses prophesied in the Book of Revelation and Isayah (Isaiah) to restore the true worship of Yahweh before the return of Yahshua and the end of the world, which will happen soon.
Controversy
Several experts have labelled the House of Yahweh as a cult because some of its beliefs and practices stray from those of mainstream Christianity. The HoY teaches that it is the only way to salvation in these "last days". Hawkins is accused of being a demagogue and having total control of the members of the house of Yahweh, as evidenced by many HoY members changing their last names to "Hawkins" (from the Hebrew "Ha Kohan" or "the priest") in honor of their leader. It should be noted however that the changing of names for religious reasons is nothing unique to the HoY. Hawkins is also said to teach in favor of polygamy and arranged marriages, and many members do practice polygamy. Members of the HoY make no claim to to non-members and/or to the public to practice multiple marriages but although they are illegal in this and most other countries, Hawkins will not condemn them since the Bible not only does not condemn them, but in fact makes provision for them instructing one how to regulate them. The pastor, Yisrayl Hawkins himself has several wives of an undetermined number here in the U.S. and also in the country Israel. Former members have accused him and his subordinates of abuse, mind control, and similar authoritarian measures to keep his control over the membership. Both Hawkins and the HoY have been thoroughly investigated by the authorities, including the FBI, and the media. Investigative authorities say that no evidence supporting these allegations has been discovered, even though Yisrayl has told the members that he will soon have complete power of his mind, and will be able to read their minds and answer their prayers. Ex-members insist that the HoY is extremely secretive and subversive in countless ways and members are kept in fear to keep them from telling the truths and from leaving. Allegations of tax fraud and evasion were also dismissed as ungrounded after thorough innvestigation by the IRS and the HoY maintains their tax-exempt status as a non-profit organization. All tithes and purchases are listed as offerings and donations so that the government can call them "tax-exempt". Members are required to sign forms stating that what they are purchasing is a donation and/or the purchaser is a "family member" paying for a family owned product. Members must buy everything they own from Yisrayl Hawkins/the House of Yahweh to be accepted and to be considered not rebellious by the elders of the HoY. The HoY instructs the members to not buy/purchase anything from outside (stores,restaurants, fairs, etc.) because everything outside the HoY is defiled and evil. The members are instructed to purchase their food, clothing, property, homes, etc., from Yisrayl Hawkins, in order to not take part in the evil world outside, and to keep themselves pure. The members are to give the HoY all their money in 3 tithes, offerings, taxes, donations, etc. Pastor Yisrayl has told his congregation that "if we" (HoY) "don't have it then you don't need it!" Females are property which are boughten/sold beginning at puberty. Oppression and abuse is in almost every home of the members of the HoY. The HoY keeps everything secret by making sure that marriages are not provided certificates for marriage, no cameras/photograph taking are allowed on HoY grounds or in the sancturary or at any of the classes and meetings. Women and children do not dare leave because of the teachings that the HoY promote to keep them in fear. Men may buy all the females they want to use as wives, servants, concubines, slaves. No one is allowed to tell what really goes on in the HoY because of their teachings of some of the 613 laws of Yahweh that commands members to protect/guard the HoY, and that Yahweh forbids anyone to dishonor the HoY. The members are taught that lying is only a sin when a lie is a false accussation. The HoY instructs members to lie to the outside world to protect the HoY and it's members. The members are told exactly what to say to all kinds of possible questions that may be asked by someone outside the HoY. Pastor Yisrayl even tells the congregation what politicians to vote for because, he says, "if you vote for " (whoever) "he will help us." Women are taught that if they are not submissive that their children will die a horrible death and also the 10 generations of children after them. Women are taught that it is better to suffer under their "head" (the man that owns them)than to be judged unrighteous in the eyes of Yahweh. A female may not even speak unless her owner gives her permission to speak. A female is not allowed to say anything negative about her "head" (male owner)to anyone. If her owner considers her "rebellious" he does not have to provide for her. The female is totally helpless in the HoY. She is not allowed to tell anyone outside the HoY who her husband is, so she must list on her children's birth certificate "father unknown" to protect her owner. She is in fact instructed to do this by the HoY. Because of this, most fathers of the children in the HoY do not provide for their own children, and their is nothing the mother can do. Many mothers and children are on welfare and food stamps and recorded in social services files as single mothers, but in act, they are married to men in the HoY, and forbidden to tell. The wives do not have marriage certificates to prove it. The husbands/fathers are off "scott free" of any responsiblity. Members are forbidden to say anything negative about the HoY or about Yisrayl Hawkins to anyone, for fear of eternal death. The members call Yisrayl Hawkins their "king", their "father", and the "great white buffalo". Yisrayl Hawkins has told the members from the pulpit, that he will be sitting on the throne on the other side of Yahweh. All prayers must include his name (Yisrayl Hawkins/Hakahan) in closing. He definitely has the members buffaloed. Members are taught that all prayers must go through the elders and Yisraly Hawkins first to be heard by Yahweh, and females' prayers must first go through her "head"(her male owner) and then to the elders, etc. In the women's "law class" the women are taught doctrines such as Yahweh will protect those who live by every law of Yahweh. If a woman is raped, then she was not keeping the laws of Yahweh; if she had been keeping Yahweh's laws, Yahweh would have protected her from the rape. So. they teach that if a female is raped, she deserved it. Females are oppressed in hundreds of ways. The HoY claims to be the judge of the members now. If a male considers a female to be unsubmissive, he may punish her in any way that he sees fit. Children are trained to report to the elders, of anyone, including parents, who are saying anything negative about the HoY. Some members have left claiming their children were beaten. Even though the HoY publishes and sells to the public several books and various types of literature, their published material does not reveal any of the true practices of the HoY. The literature is published with the dual purpose of attracting new members and to give the HoY a clear representation. The secret oppression and abuse is not revealed to the new members until they are well commited to the HoY, and then it is done very subtly and carefully.
The HoY teaches that the word "cult" has come to be misused and abused in current usage. To further cover themselves they say "cult" has taken on a negative connotation, being used to defame certain "non-conformist" groups who stray from conventional religious thought. By their definition, all religions are cults.
The Jewish Temple Rebuilt
Since its establishment in 1979, The House of Yahweh has been actively involved in a peaceful solution to rebuilding the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem. They have maintained open dialogue with Jewish and Palestinian leaders, both religious and political, promoting their plan. They have patented blueprints and models of the proposed temple which they say will be built on the current Temple Mount. This temple would be situated just north of the Muslim Dome of the Rock Mosque. Prophecy, they say, shows that the Jewish Temple and the Muslim Mosque will share the Temple Mount standing side-by-side and that the Mosque need not be destroyed as is believed by many Christians and Jews. Their proposed plan, they say, will go a long way in establishing peace in the war-torn Middle East.
Publications
Other than the aforementioned Book of Yahweh, the House of Yahweh publishes many books, pamphlets, and tracts, as Elder Hawkins is a prolific writer. Included among his works are Did Yahshua Messiah Pre-Exist, Unveiling Satan: Her True Identity Revealed, The Two Witnesses and editorship of The Prophetic Word magazine. He also has a television broadcast found on the House of Yahweh website, as well as on some public access stations.
Television
As of the start of November, 2005, House of Yahweh's the Prophetic Word Program transmits via satellite 24-hours per day to homes in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Australia.
See also
References and links
- The House of Yahweh Homepage
- Watchman Expositor Article (Critical)
- Rick Ross Institute paage on the House of Yahweh (Critical)
- Profile of the House of Yahweh by the Ontario Consultation on Religious Tolerance