House of Yahweh
Encyclopedia
The House of Yahweh is a religious movement based in Abilene, Texas
. Its Pastor and Overseer is Yisrayl Hawkins
(formerly "Buffalo" Bill Hawkins). The group has had membership of people from around the globe, and welcomes all "who will repent of sin and follow Yahweh's Law." The group has been controversial, and is referred to as a cult
by at least one former member.
, according to the Bible.
They believe that the world is now experiencing the tribulation
.
The House of Yahweh believes Yahweh
is the name of the creator of the world, and that Yahshua
is the name of the Son of Yahweh, and that he is their messiah
. They teach that many other titles -- such as God (El
, Elohim
), Lord (Ba'al, Adonai), Jehovah
, Jesus
and Christ
-- are names or titles of pagan beings or idols, or are mistakes, that have been falsely ascribed to Yahweh.
They believe that the Scriptures refer to Satan
, not Yahweh, as "the god of this world".
The House of Yahweh believe that the use of the names "Yahweh" and "Yahshua" are essential to salvation, according to Acts 4:12.
The House of Yahweh believes in following the 613 laws.
, the House of Yahweh follows the Torah
and 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
in worship services and private prayer.
Members regularly perform ritual ablutions, and are baptized when they join the assembly.
They believe that the keeping of these laws promotes peace and love, and is an answer to many problems in the world.
keeps the seventh-day Sabbath. They also observe the annual feasts of the Old Testament
including Passover
, the Feast of Unleavened Bread, Pentecost
, The Feast of Trumpets, The Day of Atonement, and The Feast of Tabernacles.
Once a year on the evening before Passover, members hold a solemn observance they call "Yahshua's Memorial" in memory of Jesus' crucifixion
. The assembly shares unleavened bread and wine as symbols of the body and blood of Yahshua, and members wash one another's feet. The following evening, the assembly celebrates Passover
.
The House of Yahweh believes that The House of Yahweh Sanctuary (located in Clyde, Texas) is the only place on earth where celebratory feasts are to be observed, and three times a year they make a pilgrimage to Abilene to celebrate Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles.
Christmas
, Easter
, and birthdays are not celebrated.
The House of Yahweh instructs its members to tithe. Even though it is considered one of the 613 Laws, it is reported that tithing and all other offerings are voluntary.
, the House of Yahweh teaches that Yahshua was born a man, and became the son of Yahweh when he was baptized by John the Baptist
. They believe that he was framed for insurrection, received an illegal trial, and was then flogged, tormented, nailed to a pole (not a cross
) and executed by the civil authorities. Similar to Christianity, they teach that he died for the sin
s of man as an atonement
offering or blood sacrifice, and in so doing he became a Passover Lamb. The House of Yahweh teaches that he was buried at sunset, and three days later, he was resurrected from the dead, subsequently ascending into Heaven
40 days later. They believe that he is waiting until the prophesied "end-time" to return to Earth, establishing Yahweh's Kingdom on Earth and preventing humankind from ultimately destroying themselves.
is Yahweh's creative force, not a personal being.
Unlike either Judaism or Christianity, they make no distinction between the Old Testament
and the New Testament
, claiming the New Testament is a continuation of the Old Testament, reaffirming and reestablishing it. In addition, the House of Yahweh rejects religious customs that conflict with their interpretation of the Torah.
In an attempt to purify their 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 influences (e.g. Yliyah for Elijah, Yechetzqyah for Ezekiel
, Riyyah for Ruth
, and Yahchanan for John
).
June 12, 2007- Hawkins amended his prediction to state that a nuclear war was only conceived on September 12, 2006, and that it would follow the natural birth cycle of a woman, finally being "born" nine months later on June 12, 2007. On May 7, 2007 a new counter was put up on his website, counting down to the June 12 date when supposedly, the "Nuclear Baby" (conceived September 12) would be born.
Whether the entire nuclear event was to take place on that date, or in the months leading up to was never made clear. He also stated that by four months after June 12, October 13, 2007, four-fifths or 80% of the human race would be dead from nuclear war.
June 12, 2008- Most recently, he has stated the nuclear war would begin on Thursday June 12, 2008. Since the passing of this date without incident, Hawkins has yet to predict another date for a nuclear war.
* Kenya
n followers of the House of Yahweh believe in a prophecy
that the end of the world
began on or before September 12, 2006, and that members of the House Of Yahweh would have survived the coming nuclear catastrophe
. The specific prophecy appeared on the front page of the House of Yahweh prior to the date. It is also addressed in the publication The End by Yisrayl Hawkins. Recently the leaders of the sect in Kenya were arrested, and subsequently released on bail after giving assurances that they would refrain from inciting fear in the local population. Following the predicted "doomsday" date predicted by the Kenyan sect, leaders of the group have reportedly fled Kenya.
Abilene, Texas
Abilene is a city in Taylor and Jones counties in west central Texas. The population was 117,063 at the 2010 census. It is the principal city of the Abilene Metropolitan Statistical Area, which had a 2006 estimated population of 158,063. It is the county seat of Taylor County...
. Its Pastor and Overseer is Yisrayl Hawkins
Yisrayl Hawkins
Yisrayl Hawkins is the founder of the House of Yahweh , known for predicting that nuclear war would start on September 12, 2006....
(formerly "Buffalo" Bill Hawkins). The group has had membership of people from around the globe, and welcomes all "who will repent of sin and follow Yahweh's Law." The group has been controversial, and is referred to as a cult
Cult
The word cult in current popular usage usually refers to a group whose beliefs or practices are considered abnormal or bizarre. The word originally denoted a system of ritual practices...
by at least one former member.
Beliefs
The House of Yahweh believes that it is the one true faith, as instituted by the "Creator", YahwehYahweh
Yahweh is the name of God in the Bible, the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Jews and Christians.The word Yahweh is a modern scholarly convention for the Hebrew , transcribed into Roman letters as YHWH and known as the Tetragrammaton, for which the original pronunciation is unknown...
, according to the Bible.
They believe that the world is now experiencing the tribulation
Tribulation
The Great Tribulation refers to tumultuous events that are described during the "signs of the times", first mentioned by Jesus in the Olivet discourse...
.
The House of Yahweh believes Yahweh
Yahweh
Yahweh is the name of God in the Bible, the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Jews and Christians.The word Yahweh is a modern scholarly convention for the Hebrew , transcribed into Roman letters as YHWH and known as the Tetragrammaton, for which the original pronunciation is unknown...
is the name of the creator of the world, and that Yahshua
Yahshua
Yahshua is an argued transliteration of the original Hebrew or Aramaic name of Jesus commonly used by individuals in the Sacred Name Movement....
is the name of the Son of Yahweh, and that he is their messiah
Messiah
A messiah is a redeemer figure expected or foretold in one form or another by a religion. Slightly more widely, a messiah is any redeemer figure. Messianic beliefs or theories generally relate to eschatological improvement of the state of humanity or the world, in other words the World to...
. They teach that many other titles -- such as God (El
El (god)
is a Northwest Semitic word meaning "deity", cognate to Akkadian and then to Hebrew : Eli and Arabic )....
, Elohim
Elohim
Elohim is a grammatically singular or plural noun for "god" or "gods" in both modern and ancient Hebrew language. When used with singular verbs and adjectives elohim is usually singular, "god" or especially, the God. When used with plural verbs and adjectives elohim is usually plural, "gods" or...
), Lord (Ba'al, Adonai), Jehovah
Jehovah
Jehovah is an anglicized representation of Hebrew , a vocalization of the Tetragrammaton , the proper name of the God of Israel in the Hebrew Bible....
, Jesus
Jesus
Jesus of Nazareth , commonly referred to as Jesus Christ or simply as Jesus or Christ, is the central figure of Christianity...
and Christ
Christ
Christ is the English term for the Greek meaning "the anointed one". It is a translation of the Hebrew , usually transliterated into English as Messiah or Mashiach...
-- are names or titles of pagan beings or idols, or are mistakes, that have been falsely ascribed to Yahweh.
They believe that the Scriptures refer to Satan
Satan
Satan , "the opposer", is the title of various entities, both human and divine, who challenge the faith of humans in the Hebrew Bible...
, not Yahweh, as "the god of this world".
The House of Yahweh believe that the use of the names "Yahweh" and "Yahshua" are essential to salvation, according to Acts 4:12.
The House of Yahweh believes in following the 613 laws.
Similarities to Judaism
Like JudaismJudaism
Judaism ) is the "religion, philosophy, and way of life" of the Jewish people...
, the House of Yahweh follows the Torah
Torah
Torah- A scroll containing the first five books of the BibleThe Torah , is name given by Jews to the first five books of the bible—Genesis , Exodus , Leviticus , Numbers and Deuteronomy Torah- A scroll containing the first five books of the BibleThe Torah , is name given by Jews to the first five...
and 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
Tallit
A tallit pl. tallitot is a Jewish prayer shawl. The tallit is worn over the outer clothes during the morning prayers on weekdays, Shabbat and holidays...
in worship services and private prayer.
Members regularly perform ritual ablutions, and are baptized when they join the assembly.
They believe that the keeping of these laws promotes peace and love, and is an answer to many problems in the world.
Feasts
Like Judaism, the House of YahwehYahweh
Yahweh is the name of God in the Bible, the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Jews and Christians.The word Yahweh is a modern scholarly convention for the Hebrew , transcribed into Roman letters as YHWH and known as the Tetragrammaton, for which the original pronunciation is unknown...
keeps the seventh-day Sabbath. They also observe the annual feasts of the Old Testament
Old Testament
The Old Testament, of which Christians hold different views, is a Christian term for the religious writings of ancient Israel held sacred and inspired by Christians which overlaps with the 24-book canon of the Masoretic Text of Judaism...
including Passover
Passover
Passover is a Jewish holiday and festival. It commemorates the story of the Exodus, in which the ancient Israelites were freed from slavery in Egypt...
, the Feast of Unleavened Bread, Pentecost
Pentecost
Pentecost is a prominent feast in the calendar of Ancient Israel celebrating the giving of the Law on Sinai, and also later in the Christian liturgical year commemorating the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples of Christ after the Resurrection of Jesus...
, The Feast of Trumpets, The Day of Atonement, and The Feast of Tabernacles.
Once a year on the evening before Passover, members hold a solemn observance they call "Yahshua's Memorial" in memory of Jesus' crucifixion
Crucifixion
Crucifixion is an ancient method of painful execution in which the condemned person is tied or nailed to a large wooden cross and left to hang until dead...
. The assembly shares unleavened bread and wine as symbols of the body and blood of Yahshua, and members wash one another's feet. The following evening, the assembly celebrates Passover
Passover
Passover is a Jewish holiday and festival. It commemorates the story of the Exodus, in which the ancient Israelites were freed from slavery in Egypt...
.
The House of Yahweh believes that The House of Yahweh Sanctuary (located in Clyde, Texas) is the only place on earth where celebratory feasts are to be observed, and three times a year they make a pilgrimage to Abilene to celebrate Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles.
Christmas
Christmas
Christmas or Christmas Day is an annual holiday generally celebrated on December 25 by billions of people around the world. It is a Christian feast that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, liturgically closing the Advent season and initiating the season of Christmastide, which lasts twelve days...
, Easter
Easter
Easter is the central feast in the Christian liturgical year. According to the Canonical gospels, Jesus rose from the dead on the third day after his crucifixion. His resurrection is celebrated on Easter Day or Easter Sunday...
, and birthdays are not celebrated.
The House of Yahweh instructs its members to tithe. Even though it is considered one of the 613 Laws, it is reported that tithing and all other offerings are voluntary.
Rejection of Trinitarianism
Unlike Trinitarian ChristianityNicene Creed
The Nicene Creed is the creed or profession of faith that is most widely used in Christian liturgy. It is called Nicene because, in its original form, it was adopted in the city of Nicaea by the first ecumenical council, which met there in the year 325.The Nicene Creed has been normative to the...
, the House of Yahweh teaches that Yahshua was born a man, and became the son of Yahweh when he was baptized by John the Baptist
John the Baptist
John the Baptist was an itinerant preacher and a major religious figure mentioned in the Canonical gospels. He is described in the Gospel of Luke as a relative of Jesus, who led a movement of baptism at the Jordan River...
. They believe that he was framed for insurrection, received an illegal trial, and was then flogged, tormented, nailed to a pole (not a cross
Cross
A cross is a geometrical figure consisting of two lines or bars perpendicular to each other, dividing one or two of the lines in half. The lines usually run vertically and horizontally; if they run obliquely, the design is technically termed a saltire, although the arms of a saltire need not meet...
) and executed by the civil authorities. Similar to Christianity, they teach that he died for the sin
Sin
In religion, sin is the violation or deviation of an eternal divine law or standard. The term sin may also refer to the state of having committed such a violation. Christians believe the moral code of conduct is decreed by God In religion, sin (also called peccancy) is the violation or deviation...
s of man as an atonement
Atonement
Atonement is a doctrine that describes how human beings can be reconciled to God. In Christian theology the atonement refers to the forgiving or pardoning of sin through the death of Jesus Christ by crucifixion, which made possible the reconciliation between God and creation...
offering or blood sacrifice, and in so doing he became a Passover Lamb. The House of Yahweh teaches that he was buried at sunset, and three days later, he was resurrected from the dead, subsequently ascending into Heaven
Heaven
Heaven, the Heavens or Seven Heavens, is a common religious cosmological or metaphysical term for the physical or transcendent place from which heavenly beings originate, are enthroned or inhabit...
40 days later. They believe that he is waiting until the prophesied "end-time" to return to Earth, establishing Yahweh's Kingdom on Earth and preventing humankind from ultimately destroying themselves.
Yahweh's exclusivity
According to the House of Yahweh, Yahweh is the only one who deserves worship or adoration, and is the sovereign and only creator and ruler of the universe. Yahshua is not believed to be a divine being, and is not thought to preexist before his conception. They believe that the Holy SpiritHoly Spirit
Holy Spirit is a term introduced in English translations of the Hebrew Bible, but understood differently in the main Abrahamic religions.While the general concept of a "Spirit" that permeates the cosmos has been used in various religions Holy Spirit is a term introduced in English translations of...
is Yahweh's creative force, not a personal being.
Unlike either Judaism or Christianity, they make no distinction between the Old Testament
Old Testament
The Old Testament, of which Christians hold different views, is a Christian term for the religious writings of ancient Israel held sacred and inspired by Christians which overlaps with the 24-book canon of the Masoretic Text of Judaism...
and the New Testament
New Testament
The New Testament is the second major division of the Christian biblical canon, the first such division being the much longer Old Testament....
, claiming the New Testament is a continuation of the Old Testament, reaffirming and reestablishing it. In addition, the House of Yahweh rejects religious customs that conflict with their interpretation of the Torah.
In an attempt to purify their religion from pagan elements, all pagan names, words, and concepts are eschewed. They also publish an edition of the Bible
Bible
The Bible refers to any one of the collections of the primary religious texts of Judaism and Christianity. There is no common version of the Bible, as the individual books , their contents and their order vary among denominations...
(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 influences (e.g. Yliyah for Elijah, Yechetzqyah for Ezekiel
Ezekiel
Ezekiel , "God will strengthen" , is the central protagonist of the Book of Ezekiel in the Hebrew Bible. In Judaism, Christianity and Islam, Ezekiel is acknowledged as a Hebrew prophet...
, Riyyah for Ruth
Ruth (biblical figure)
Ruth , is the main character in the Book of Ruth in the Hebrew Bible.-Biblical narrative:Ruth was a Moabitess, who married Mahlon, the son of Elimelech and Naomi, but Elimelech and his two sons died...
, and Yahchanan for John
John (name)
John is a masculine given name in the English language. The name is derived from the Latin Ioannes, Iohannes, which is in turn a form of the Greek , Iōánnēs. This Greek name is a form of the Hebrew name , , which means "God is generous"...
).
Failed "End Times" Predictions
September 12, 2006- Hawkins announced in the "House of Yahweh" newsletter (February 2006) that nuclear war would start September 12, 2006.[10] He claimed it is a part of the HoY's commission to warn the nations and the people of the world. Hawkins was interviewed on the Channel 4 web show "thisisaknife" about his apocalyptic predictions. Among other things, he claimed that Abilene, Texas would be saved from the impending destruction and invited the show's presenter to join him there so he would be safe.June 12, 2007- Hawkins amended his prediction to state that a nuclear war was only conceived on September 12, 2006, and that it would follow the natural birth cycle of a woman, finally being "born" nine months later on June 12, 2007. On May 7, 2007 a new counter was put up on his website, counting down to the June 12 date when supposedly, the "Nuclear Baby" (conceived September 12) would be born.
Whether the entire nuclear event was to take place on that date, or in the months leading up to was never made clear. He also stated that by four months after June 12, October 13, 2007, four-fifths or 80% of the human race would be dead from nuclear war.
June 12, 2008- Most recently, he has stated the nuclear war would begin on Thursday June 12, 2008. Since the passing of this date without incident, Hawkins has yet to predict another date for a nuclear war.
Current events
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
n followers of the House of Yahweh believe in a prophecy
Prophecy
Prophecy is a process in which one or more messages that have been communicated to a prophet are then communicated to others. Such messages typically involve divine inspiration, interpretation, or revelation of conditioned events to come as well as testimonies or repeated revelations that the...
that the end of the world
Eschatology
Eschatology is a part of theology, philosophy, and futurology concerned with what are believed to be the final events in history, or the ultimate destiny of humanity, commonly referred to as the end of the world or the World to Come...
began on or before September 12, 2006, and that members of the House Of Yahweh would have survived the coming nuclear catastrophe
Nuclear warfare
Nuclear warfare, or atomic warfare, is a military conflict or political strategy in which nuclear weaponry is detonated on an opponent. Compared to conventional warfare, nuclear warfare can be vastly more destructive in range and extent of damage...
. The specific prophecy appeared on the front page of the House of Yahweh prior to the date. It is also addressed in the publication The End by Yisrayl Hawkins. Recently the leaders of the sect in Kenya were arrested, and subsequently released on bail after giving assurances that they would refrain from inciting fear in the local population. Following the predicted "doomsday" date predicted by the Kenyan sect, leaders of the group have reportedly fled Kenya.
- The group claims that nuclear war did start on September 12, 2006 but that it didn't start with bombs dropping in the book Birth Of the Nuclear Baby: The Explosion Of Sin.
- In October 2006 a former House of Yahweh member pleaded guilty to injury to a child by criminal negligence for performing surgery on her 7-year-old daughter, which led to her death, according to authorities.
- On October 16, 2007 Yedidiyah Hawkins, an Elder at the House of Yahweh and purported number-two spiritual leader for the group, was arrested for sexual assault of his 14 year old stepdaughter. During a forensic interview at the Abilene Police Department's Child Advocacy Center, the child disclosed that the abuse began when she was eight. Documents released by the Callahan County District Attorney's Office following the arrest allege that Yedidiyah Hawkins was preparing to marry the unnamed stepdaughter. Yedidiyah Hawkins was subsequently indicted by a Callahan County, Texas Grand Jury on December 12, 2007 and remains incarcerated while awaiting trial.
- On February 13, 2008 Yisrayl Hawkins was arrested and then moved to the Taylor County Jail on four counts of bigamy. His bail was set at ten million dollars, and later reduced to one-hundred thousand.
- On Monday, October 27, 2008, a jury for the 42nd District Court found Yedidiyah Hawkins guilty of aggravated sexual assault of a child. The judge sentenced the religious sect's elder to 30 years in prison.
- On October 29, 2009, bigamy charges against Yisrayl Hawkins were dismissed after he pled no contest to child labor charges. Hawkins was given a fine and probation.
See also
- Sacred Name MovementSacred Name MovementThe Sacred Name Movement is a movement within Adventism in Christianity, propagated by Clarence Orvil Dodd from the 1930s, that claims to seek to conform Christianity to its "Hebrew Roots" in practice, belief and worship. The best known distinction of the SNM is its advocacy of the use of the...
- Yisrayl HawkinsYisrayl HawkinsYisrayl Hawkins is the founder of the House of Yahweh , known for predicting that nuclear war would start on September 12, 2006....
- List of groups referred to as cults or sects in government documents
External links
- February 2006 Newsletter
- The House of Yahweh Homepage
- Yisrayl Hawkin's Home Page
- BBC News article
- A short bio of Hawkins
- The Cult of the House of Yahweh
- Yisrayl Hawkins of Abilene, TX — A evangelical Christian critique of Hawkins and his group
- Yahweh.com prediction on the end of times.
- ABC News coverage of the end of times prediction