TSIYON NEWS - is this real?
Tsiyon Messianic Radio Newsletter - Vol 19.51 - 10/28/6024 TAM - 12/29/2024 AD
From Eliyahu
The Lost Tribes of Israel. Is that real or a myth?
Some people, even including some famous Bible teachers, say the Lost Tribes of Israel are a myth, with no Biblical basis. As an example of that position, I here present a quote from Chuck Missler. You have probably heard of him before. Chuck Missler passed in 2018. He was an American author, evangelical Christian, Bible teacher, and founder of a ministry known as Koinonia House. His work continues to influence many in the Christian community. Here is what he said:
Chuck Missler (June 1995): "This month we celebrate the Feast of Shavout, or Pentecost. In Peter's famous speech on this day in Acts Chapter 2, he referred to both "Jews" and "Israel", which brings up an ubiquitous myth concerning the "Ten Lost Tribes" of Israel ... The myth of the "Ten Lost Tribes" is the basis for "British- Israelism" and other colorful legends, but these stories have no real Biblical basis."
https ://www.khouse.org/personal_update/articles/1995/ten-lost-tribes
Many others hold this same opinion, even some in the Messianic Jewish community of believers.
On the other hand, many noteworthy Jewish scholars and teachers have spoken of the Lost Tribes of Israel as an established fact. Consider this partial list of quotes from some of the most distinguished Jewish authors from earlier centuries:
1st Century
• James the Just (c. 02-62 CE): "James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad: Greetings" (James 1:1 NKJV)
• Josephus (37-100 CE): "The ten tribes are beyond the Euphrates till now, and are an immense multitude, and not to be estimated by numbers" (Antiquities of the Jews, 11.5.2)
2nd Century
• Rabbi Eliezer (1st-2nd century): "Just as the day darkens and then becomes light again, so too, after darkness has come upon the ten tribes, light will again shine upon them"
(https: //link.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/1701071/jewish/Are-the-Ten-Lost-Tribes-of-Israel-Ever-Coming-Back.htm)
12th Century
• Maimonides (Rambam, 1135-1204): "The ten tribes are destined to return, even though the matter is not explicitly stated in the Torah" (Mishneh Torah, Hilchot Melachim 12:2) - Note: The remnant of the Ten Tribes are included among the returnees in the Torah, as per Deuteronomy 30:1-10.
13th Century
• Rabbi David Bonfil (13th century): "Only the tribes exiled to Media became assimilated, while portions exiled to other places will return during the messianic era" (https ://jewishjournal.com/judaism/377815/native-tribes-and-lost-jews/) -Note: All of the deportees of the Lost Tribes were assimilated into all the nations, as per Deuteronomy 30:1-10.
The list above includes some of the most highly regarded Jewish teachers and sages from the early centuries, all of whom not only believed in the existence of the lost ten tribes, but they also believed the lost tribes will be included in the Return.
It is not only highly regarded Jewish teachers and sages from the early centuries who have believed in the existence of the lost ten tribes. Distinguished Jewish rabbis of more recent historical times have shared the same belief. Consider this short list of quotes from the last 500 years down to our day:
16th Century
• Rabbi Isaac Luria (the Ari, 1534-1572): "The ten tribes will return and be part of the final redemption, emphasizing their spiritual significance in the process of the ingathering of exiles"
(https ://www.sefaria.org/Letter_to_the_Ten_Lost_Tribes_of_Israel)
18th Century
• Rabbi Elijah of Vilna (the Vilna Gaon, 1720-1797): "The return of the ten tribes is a necessary step for the coming of the Messiah and the ultimate redemption of Israel"
(https ://www.sefaria.org/Letter_to_the_Ten_Lost_Tribes_of_Israel.2)
19th Century
• Yisrael ben Shmuel of Shklov {1830): "In the days preceding the coming of Moshiach some of our brethren of the ten tribes will be discovered" [Letter to the Ten Lost Tribes of Israel, Sefaria Community Translation - A letter sent from the Ashkenazi communities of Safed and Jerusalem to the lost tribes that they had hoped would be found by an emissary sent to Yemen in 1830. The letter informs the lost tribes of the contemporary circumstances of world Jewry and brings them up to date about the development of Jewish law.]
20th Century
• Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak Kook (1865-1935): "The spiritual and physical return of the Jewish people to the land of Israel, including the ten tribes, is part of the Messianic vision"
(https ://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/5906623/jewish/15-Wise-Quotes-of-Hillel-the-Elder.htm)
21st Century
• Rabbi Jonathan Sacks (1948-2020): "The word ‘Jew’ testifies to conflict. Before there were Jews, there was Israel, the people chosen by God to be the bearer of his covenant. After the death of Solomon, the people split in two, into a northern kingdom of ten tribes called Israel, and a southern kingdom called Judah. The northern kingdom was conquered by the Assyrians and its population deported. They assimilated and disappeared from the pages of history, to be remembered as the lost ten tribes" (https: //rabbisacks.org/quotes/jews-and-conflict/)
Conclusion
I agree with the Bible and all of these Jewish sages that the Lost Ten Tribes are real, that they were deported from the Land, that they have been assimilated into other peoples in all nations. Not only that, but they will return to the Land as a recognizable group before the coming of Messiah. My reasons for believing this go beyond any admiration I may have for any of the famous Jewish teachers listed above. However, the fact that all of these highly esteemed Jews have held to this view is proof in itself that it is not anti-Semitic to acknowledge these facts regarding the Ten Lost Tribes. Yet, that accusation is sometimes made, as if acknowledging the Ten Lost Tribes is somehow anti-Jewish. These quotes and others like them should put that absurd accusation to rest.
What matters here are the irrefutable facts proving that the deportations of the Tribes of Israel actually happened, and there is a promise in Scripture of their eventual return. In my presentation tonight I will present irrefutable secular and Biblical evidence that will amaze and astound you, as we present: "Revealing the Mystery of the Kingdom of Israel."
This is a special meeting presentation we have prepared exclusively for our Tsiyon Partners, as our way of saying 'thank you' for your support of this mission. Be aware that this special presentation will only be streamed on our platform at Tsiyon.Net and will not be streamed on any other video platform. This exclusive live stream will begin tonight at Tsiyon.Net at 8 PM, Central.
Tsiyon Partners, I look forward to sharing this with you!
Eliyahu
Tsiyon.Org
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"In the world you shall have tribulation; but be of good courage!
I have overcome the world." John 16:33