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Foreword: by Angus Wootten
Batya asked me to write the Introduction for it – which is found below. With it, we offer a pre-publication peek at what we hope will prove to be another life-changing, revealing book.
The work addresses the issue of “all Israel” – and shows how that understanding alone should affect all end time studies – especially in regard to all Rapture Theories. She makes no attempt to draw timelines, nor to name an anti-christ, or to set any dates. Neither does she fully solve many of hot issues that most Believers now focus on. She instead suggests that there are flaws to be found in all of the theories, and that there is something that we are missing – something far more important to our eternal lives than any of the above issues.
Batya suggests that it is now time for a paradigm shift in our view of the Father’s real purpose behind end time events.
You do not want to miss this exciting work!
We invite you to order a pre-publication autographed copy of the book click here.
A Door of Hope for the Last Days
by Batya Ruth Wootten
We would all like to know what the scenario will be for the ending of this earthly drama that started some six thousand years ago in the Garden of Eden and will end in the New Jerusalem some time in the future.
Our Creator says, “I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please” (Isaiah 46:10, NIV).
Even though the Almighty makes known the end from the beginning, and Genesis means Beginnings, most Believers turn to the latter parts of Scripture, to the books of Daniel and Revelation for answers to their end time questions.
Scripture indicates that we should begin our search in Genesis. In addition, we are told that Messiah Yeshua (Christ Jesus) “must remain in heaven until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets” (Acts 3:20-21, NIV).
This book will address the key points of, who it is that is being restored, and what they are being restored to. Our focus will not be so much on when but on who and what.
As we seek to understand the end times, we suggest thinking in terms of a puzzle. The first step in putting a puzzle together is to gather all of the pieces. And, an accurate scenario must include all of Israel’s as yet unfulfilled promises. YHVH said: “I will restore the fortunes of Jacob and have mercy on the whole house of Israel” (Ezekiel 39:25). YHVH wants to restore all twelve of Israel’s tribes.
Whether we are trying to put the puzzle together ourselves or reviewing another’s handiwork, to be a completed puzzle it must include all of the pieces. For this reason, we submit that most Christian end time theories are sorely lacking – because they tend to leave Israel’s full restoration out of the picture, and because they separate themselves from the salient truth that they, too, are part of Israel’s commonwealth (Ephesians 2:11-22).
Problems in discerning the end times are well illustrated by John Godfrey Saxe’s (1816-1887) version of the famous Indian legend, “The Blind Men and the Elephant.”
It was six men of Indostan,
To learning much inclined,
Who went to see the Elephant
(Though all of them were blind),
That each by observation
Might satisfy his mind.
The First approached the Elephant,
And happening to fall
Against his broad and sturdy side,
At once began to bawl:
“God bless me! but the Elephant
Is very like a wall!”
The Second, feeling of the tusk,
Cried, -“Ho! what have we here
So very round and smooth and sharp?
To me ’tis mighty clear,
This wonder of an Elephant
Is very like a spear!”
The Third approached the animal,
And happening to take
The squirming trunk within his hands,
Thus boldly up and spake:
“I see,” -quoth he- “the Elephant
Is very like a snake!”
The Fourth reached out an eager hand,
And felt about the knee:
“What most this wondrous beast is like
Is mighty plain,” -quoth he,-
“Tis clear enough the Elephant
Is very like a tree!”
The Fifth, who chanced to touch the ear,
Said- “E’en the blindest man
Can tell what this resembles most;
Deny the fact who can,
This marvel of an Elephant
Is very like a fan!”
The Sixth no sooner had begun
About the beast to grope,
Then, seizing on the swinging tail
That fell within his scope,
“I see,” -quoth he,- “the Elephant
Is very like a rope!”
And so these men of Indostan
Disputed loud and long,
Each in his own opinion
Exceeding stiff and strong,
Though each was partly in the right,
And all were in the wrong!
THE MORAL OF THE STORY:
So, oft in theologic wars
The disputants, I ween,
Rail on in utter ignorance
Of what each other mean;
And prate about an Elephant
Not one of them has seen!
There are many opinions as to how the end times will play out. Like the proverbial elephant story, we suggest that most theories fail to take into account certain heretofore unseen truths about “both the houses of Israel” (Isaiah 8:14).
In this work my wife, Batya, offers some unique insights that will help us to better see the big picture and to prepare our hearts for things that potentially lie ahead. She makes no claims to have figured it all out, and feels that the only One Who has a complete picture of the end times scenario is its Author, YHVH – the One who wrote the script and the end of the play before the foundation of the world.
Batya is instead most interested in heart attitudes and in encouraging Believers in the faith. In this book, she offers some wise counsel that will help build our faith, enlarge our understanding of our call in Messiah, and help prepare us for the exciting days that lie ahead.
One major problem we often encounter in a search for end times truth is that most Christian books on the subject perpetuate the belief that it is the Jewish people alone who will go through the tribulation described in Matthew, chapter 24. They fail to realize that YHVH is still dealing with “the whole elephant,” He is still dealing with the whole house of Israel. Therefore, to understand the end, we must take into account the beginning promises the Almighty made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in regard to both their fruitfulness and the Promised Land.
Suggested scenarios, if they are to be seriously considered, must include YHVH’s promises to Judah’s brother, Joseph, as well as the regathering of scattered Israel as outlined in Hosea, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and through-out all of Scripture. Solutions must include the promises made to Joseph’s son, Ephraim, whose heirs were destined to become a “melo hagoyim,” a “fullness of the Gentiles” (Geneses 48:19; Romans 11:25).
The prophets declare that those of Ephraim, those who were once deemed to be mighty warriors in Israel, are destined to once again be like a “mighty man” (Hosea 13:1: Zechariah 10:7). While it was decreed that Ephraim would never again be a separate kingdom of people, like the father in the parable of the prodigal son, our Father longs for wayward Ephraim – and He has sworn that He will yet restore him (Isaiah 7:8; Jeremiah 31:15-28).
It is prophesied that, when YHVH whistles for Ephraim, his heirs will return from the west and join with their brethren of Judah, and together, then, as a fully reunited house, they will defeat the Philistines who attack them (Isaiah 11:11-14; Hosea 11:9-11; Zechariah 10:8-10).
Any attempt to define the end times, of necessity must include the restoration of Israel’s Kingdom. Any end time scenario worth its salt must include this and much more.
We say this, and yet acknowledge that this book, like all of its predecessors, likewise will fail to properly define the whole elephant. Nonetheless, we submit its points as being essential to any hopes of grasping the subject matter. Rather than a detailed study of Rapture theories, this book is about the idea of including the whole house of Israel in any proposed scenarios. We offer our points as a suggested puzzle outline, an essential framework that will help us as we seek to collectively assemble the many puzzle pieces.
Most end time books focus on an event known as the “Rapture,” or the catching away of all, or some Believers (some believe that there will be multiple Raptures). Various scenarios have this event taking place before an assumed seven-year tribulation, before its mid-way point, before the end-time wrath associated with it, or immediately following it. (Some feel there is no such seven-year period.)
Since so many believe in a seven year Tribulation, Batya makes suggestions concerning the true meaning of wrath. She addresses the fact that most Rapture books lead Believers to focus on escape from this world and thus encourage fear and inactivity. They imply that Believers should essentially sit on the street corner and wait for a Rapture Bus that will one day whisk them away. They do not focus on the restoration of Israel’s Kingdom here on Earth-nor on their important role in that restoration.
We want to instead point Believers toward the ultimate victory that is promised to the whole house of Israel – because, without taking into account the full restoration and return of all twelve tribes of Israel, one simply cannot expect to understand what is yet to come. Therefore, in hopes of helping to establish a framework in which we all might work, we do hereby submit this book, our suggested “Outline of the Elephant.”
Angus Wootten
Director, Key of David Publishing
Saint Cloud, FL
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Please Pray for our Friends in Need
Michele Libin, Mary Lynn Houtz, and Daniel Calderon all need healing touches in their lives. Please lift them before the Messiah.
Ask Him to allow them to be examples of His glorious healing power.
Ask Him to please allow us to be a people who know His healing hand.
A.R.I. Gathering 2013 CDs and DVDs
We have seven DVDs and 26 CDs available! Five of the DVDs feature main session speakers: Angus & Batya Wootten, Lenny & Varda Harris, Shoshana Swedlund, Daniel and Sylvia Calderon, Frank Houtz, Wally Smith, Marvin Taylor, John & Kiah Conrad, Ken Rank, Hanoch Young, Bill Cloud, Theresa Miles, Kathy Mardirosian, and David Jones. Two of the DVDs are devoted to Praise and Worship and feature: Daniel & Sylvia Calderon, James & Gayle O’Hare, Lenny & Varda Harris, Avadim, Ruach Ministries, Carlos Perdomo, Waves of Worship, Simchat Adonai Dance Ministries and the House of Aaron. The 26 CDs feature speakers from the breakout session and include: Frank Houtz, Nebby & Dee Gomez, Alex & Georgina Perdomo, Theresa Miles & Kathy Mardirosian, Paul Nison, David Jones, Ken Rank, Kelly Mills, John Conrad, Wally & Kathy Smith, Cynthia Hillson, Gabriel Perdomo, and James & Gayle O’Hare. DVDs and CDs can be ordered on our site: www.redeemedisrael.com/shop-2/