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Special Presentation and Lecture of

The Grand Lecturer

Prince Hall Grand Chapter of Holy Royal Arch Masons,

State of California and Jurisdiction

Raymond W. RossMost Excellent Grand High Priest

April 14, 2001

Mount Moriah Chapter, HRAM

San Diego, CaliforniaCompanion Cyril John Jeffries, Jr.

Most Excellent High Priest

Right Excellent Grand Lecturer

Rev. Dr. Daniel W. Holmes

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By a candid discussion on the contemporary status of the modern-day Tribes of Israel – at

least the four major ones so prominent in the Holy Royal Arch, an added dimension of

Masonic education comes into view.

Through such a discussion, we may develop an appreciation for the far-reaching

implications, destiny, historical importance, and relativity that Black Americans have in

present world history. It testifies to the notion that so-called contemporary Black History

is but a continuum in the long history of the Holy Bible – and we are living elements of

Biblical unfolding history. In this, we also note the prominent theme of World Salvation

which runs through the lineage of the Black Soul and Conscience. For, it is a thrilling

thought to reflect upon the fact that the Black peoples of the world are so intricately and

intimately linked to the a divine destiny and a Global Calling from which they cannot

defer. Our Calling, as a People, is larger than life, itself.

Once past the borders of the so-called “Blue Lodge,” and entering upon the further

Enlightenment of the Holy Royal Arch, Freemasonry ceases to be speculative, in the sense

as it is in Symbolic Masonry; it now emerges into the domain of historicity, factuality, and

these, hopefully, will lead to Truth. For facts are not always synonymous with Truth. The

Speculative paradigm has laid the psychic and emotional substrate upon which revelation

through contemplation is to germinate the seeds of Truth. And our matriculation through

the educatorial spheres of the Holy Royal Arch will, hopefully, shed light on an old history

of very ancient people whose history is just now coming of age. And what a privilege it is to

have a part in the Rights and Benefits of an Body of men associated to enlarge the

conscience of a frankly demoralized nation – and a nation seemingly bereft of its Moral

legacy and birthright.

What a sobering idea to note that the Holy Royal Arch is, perhaps, one of the latter day

spiritual outposts for the regeneration of Mankind, based on Hebrew history and the

continuing revelation of God reserved in the garments of Masonic ritualism. As the

Temple and Tabernacle were centers for realizing the “nearness” of God to his people, it is

a solemn reflection that we are among – and even constitute -- those original people of the

Bible and of the Bible’s God. And that through the unfoldment of ritualistic ingenuity, we

may – in these modern times – recapture the spirit of nearness to God; and that by the

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fundamental influence of the Holy Royal Arch, we may stimulate a profound respect for

the Great “I am” and for all that is perceived to be and is, in fact, holy. And that the Holy

Royal Arch will once again energize a corps of faithful men lonesome for the home of

divine fellowship, and who will sojourn from the Babylon of spiritual entombment to the

rebuilding of the Idea of The House of God in the human heart.

It might be that contemporary Holy Royal Arch Masonry has been preserved for

such a time as this, when the mist of Speculative Masonry is slowly dissipating in the

sunlight of ensuing revelation. And as the dawning of a new age of Spirituality unfolds on

the horizon of Time, perhaps Jehovah God, the Great Iam, is renewing his mandate for the

revival of a people who will commemorate “Holiness Unto The Lord.”

Pragmatic Implications Of The Holy Royal Arch

This meeting – and others such as this one-- is one of the most important

initiatives that can be undertaken, with regard to the role that Holy Royal Arch Masonry

assumes in the life of its Prince Hall constituents and the general society.

Serious dialog has already begun between the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of

California and the religious community regarding the religious – or non-religious – nature

of Freemasonry. But there can be no doubt, whatsoever, that Freemasonry, while not a

religion, is most definitely and unapologetically religious. It is religious in its goals, and

it is religious because it is based on a Faith of an inherently religious people in a religious

relationship with its God, Jehovah, whom Arch Masons recognize as “The Great I am.”

Its precepts, its tenets, and the base of its philosophy are all religious; and the men who

participate in their practices are religious men. And no man ought to indulge himself to

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practice a practice that is foreign to his spirit, contrary to his heart, and condemnatory to

his conscience. Freemasonry, as practiced by Prince Hall Masons, is a restatement of

Religion in the purest sense of duty to God and service to Mankind. It is not religious in

the sense that it is synonymous with the church, nor is it a replacement or substitute for

the church; yet, it is a friend and ally of the church, its baseline teaching and terminal

message is not contradictory to that of the church.While Craft Masonry is Masonry of the catholic (universal) nature, the Holy Royal

Arch specifically defines Freemasonry – at its level – as the Freemasonry of the

“Christian” nature. Thus, it becomes an understood principle that the Lodge represents

Universal Freemasonry and Arch Chapter represents “Christian Freemasonry.” And the

latter is the unalterable continuation – on a higher plane – of the former.

It must be understood that the Blue Lodge lays the foundational philosophy and

the idealistic substrate upon which Biblical Truths are later revealed Revealed and

Discovered. The Blue Lodge introduces us to the credible Drama, the Truth of which is

learned later in the Red Chapter. We all know that the Grand Personality of our labors

on the Arch is Zerubbabel. And his name, to Arch Masons, signify Truth.

When a Brother comes through his several levels of Initiation, there must be

legitimate answer to the following legitimate questions: What does it all mean? To where

is all this heading? Is there any definite substance to all this rituality? The ritual speaks

to our intellect; the drama augments the ritual by creating mental concretion and the

solidification of Ideas, and our Sacred Volume imparts the Light that drives away the

Darkness of Ignorance; it brings us into Enlightenment of the encoded Will of God,

whom we respectfully call, “ The Great I am. “

We are told that Freemasonry is a “Beautiful system of Morality, veiled in

allegory and illustrated by symbols.” What a noble statement! Yet, at some point in a

man’s Masonic matriculation, he must necessarily cross the veil, lest he never sees that

resplendent Beauty reserved beyond the veil. The Holy Royal Arch conducts a man

across and through the veil.

The Holy Royal Arch gives the serious-minded Mason spiritual access to the heart of the

symbology – realism to the symbols.

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The Holy Royal Arch admits the profound seeker into the Temple of the Truth --

the truth that lies behind the allegory. It is in the Holy Royal Arch that the figurative

leads to the historical, and the historical leads to the factual, and the factual leads to the

Truth.

And in our Search, the Masons followed the cabletow from the Darkness of

Spiritual Ignorance-- all the way to Hiram, but Hiram sendeth to King Solomon, andKing Solomon sendeth to Zerubbabel, and Zerubbabel sendeth to Jesus. And Jesus

sendeth us to labor, working on the Building.

On the global dimension, The Holy Royal Arch is the Conscience of a society that

is losing its spirituality, that is abandoning its morality, and a society that is amnestic of

the idea that there is a “house not made by hands” – and we are working on that House;

we are Lively Stones of the Spiritual House; we are the Living (human) Temple of God,

the same God of the Christian Idea, the God of the Abrahamic Faith, and the God of the

Apostolic Gospel.

The Holy Royal Arch features the dramatizations and re-enactments of a critical

period in the whole story of Salvation -- not necessarily religious salvation, but

ecumenical and universal salvation, beginning with the Hebrews in Egypt and unfolding

with the tabernacles and the Temples.

The Old Testament as we know it mirrors the Torah and Talmud – sacred volumes

of the Jews and the Hebrews, all replete with symbology of the Temple and the

Tabernacle. In fact, the Tabernacle in the wildereness and the Temple in the city were

the grandest of all symbols. The Tabernacle or the Temple was not an end in themselves;

they were representations of an Idea far greater than the man-made building themselves,

they harbored a much wider implication, and they carried a universal appeal that was

much grander than the physical edifice, itself. As grand and splendid as the Temples

were, they were but elementary projects that were but a preview of and a prelude to the

more glorious Temple of Man, that sanctified place where Jehovah would finally reside

in the glorious consummation of Mankind redeemed. The Temples were symbols of the

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disrepair. Even the prophets of old have preached the sentiment of Jehovah – “My

people perish for a lack of knowledge.”

That, my Companion Brothers, is the problem, today – in the secular world and in

the Intellectual Zone of Freemasonry – knowledge. Everywhere we go, we see the

convincing signs that something is missing in our heads. Jubelum has injured us;

Jubelum has damaged the House. He has injured our Spiritual Intelligence; andconsequently, we lost the Moral Idea. And just any old knowledge will not suffice;

substitutionary knowledge will not suffice. We must go back to the Jerusalem of our

earnestness and sanctity of soul, back to the Jerusalem of the humility of our spirit, back

to the Jerusalem of our discipline of our bodies. And then let us rebuild on the

Foundation of Holiness already laid – Holiness Unto The Lord. We must build an edifice

grander than the Lodge of the Saint John the Baptist, grander than the Lodge of Saint

John the Evangelist, build it beyond the Lodge of Euclid and Pythagoras; it must be a

building superior to the tainted glories of earthen trophies, a building resplendent with the

glory of God, a building in which Ichabod is reversed, and the Glory of God is resident in

every Brother Companion, until the ransomed of God be saved to sin no more.

The Banners of the Royal Arch Chapter

Although the colors of the Banners might differ at various times and places from the Biblical

history, yet, they are still full of grand importance and significance:

The Four Main Banners representing the four divisions of the army of Israel are:-

1. An Eagle on a Blue Banner. This represents the Tribe of Dan.

2. A Man on a Purple Banner. This represents the Tribe of Reuben.

3. An Ox on a Scarlet Banner. This represents the Tribe of Ephraim.

4. A Lion on a White Banner. This represents the Tribe of Judah.

The above banners bear a device of angelic nature according to R.A. Masonic tradition

representing - integrity and understanding, strength and power, patience and assiduity,

promptness and celerity, which roughly correspond to the four Cardinal Virtues of

Temperance, fortitude, prudence and mercy.

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According to Biblical History, the colors of the Banners correspond to the colors of the stones

that represent that tribe on the breastplate of the High Priest, this means that the banners above

should be colored green, red, red, red. It is no mere accident that in the U.S.A., they now

correspond in color in a Royal Arch Chapter to the color of the four Veils, as they are carried by

the corresponding Masters of those Veils.

The Twelve Banners of all the tribes of Israel are represented by Characters figurative of the

deathbed prophecies of the Patriarch Jacob, and are as follows :-

1. The Banner of Judah was borne by Dashon, its Prince. It was designated by a Lion couchant

surmounted by a Crown and Scepter. Judah was the Chief Tribe, and was more eminently

distinguished, both for prosperity in war and peace and quietness at home. Its dignity was

marked by the Divine Favor, in choosing David from this Tribe to be the Instrument of His

Blessings to the people of Israel. To the Tribe of Judah was assigned the most honorable station

in the camp vis., in the East, before the Tabernacle, and under its standard the Tribes of Issacher

and Zebulon pitched their tents. The color of this banner is scarlet or crimson.

2. The Banner of Issacher was borne by the standard bearer of Prince Nethareel. It was Sky Blue

and was charged with a strong Ass crouching beneath its burden ( some say the burden was the

sun and the moon, and Rabbinical studies are inclined to this view.)" The Ass is a patient animal

and a proper symbol of labour. And accordingly, the prosperity of Issacher sat quietly upon the

land allotted to them and cultivated it with diligence and assiduity. Instead of employing

themselves in war or mercantile pursuits, they were lovers of peace and quietness.

The act of the Ass couching between its burdens was an opposite symbol of the indolent

character of this Tribe, who would prefer a submission to every species of tyranny and

oppression rather than be at the trouble of asserting their natural rights on the field of battle. Like

the Ass, which, though a strong and hardy beast, would rather sink tamely under the heaviest

load than shake it off by exertion of its bodily powers.

3. Prince Eliab erected the Banner of Zebulon. It was Purple and bore for its distinguishing

characteristics a Ship. This was the prophecy of Jacob " Zebulon shall dwell in the haven of thesea: and he shall be for a haven of ships: and his border shall be unto Zion"

4. The device on the great Banner of Reuben, (Red or Scarlet) which was borne by Elizur, was

another of the Cherubic forms vis., a Man, because Reuben was the first born of h is Father , the

"excellence of dignity and excellence of power." These Epithets may refer in general to the

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prerogatives of the first born, which Reuben would certainly have enjoyed according to his just

claim, if he had not forfeited it by his offense. ( He had slept with his Fathers concubine and had

also helped sell his brother Joseph into captivity). And therefore his Father predicted of him:

"Unstable as water thou shall not excel." And then mentions the reason why, which means that,

as water by a natural propensity inherent in its substance, flows from its source in an elevated

situation to a place that is lower than itself, so should Reuben fall from his Birthright, and

subside into an inferior situation among the Tribes. And that prophecy was remarkably verified,

for nothing great or praiseworthy has been recorded respecting the posterity of Reuben. They

were inferior in numbers to the other Tribes and the Pre-eminence was given to Judah.

5. Prince Shelumiel, as the leader of the Tribe of Simeon, bore a Yellow Banner emblazoned

with a Sword ( some say Simeon's Banner was emblazoned with a City or a Tower). Simeon and

Levi were represented by instruments of war, the former with a Sword and the latter with a

Dagger; in allusion to the abhorrence testified by the dying Patriarch of the city of these two

sons, in the barbarous murder of the Schemites, (their ruler's son had slept with their sister) under

the assurance of kindness and good faith. Their Father therefore said " Cursed be their anger, for

it was fierce; and their wrath, for it was cruel. I will divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in

Israel." Having been associated in wickedness, it was ordained by a superintending Providence

that their posterity should be disunited that they not be furnished with an opportunity of working

evil upon their brethren, after the example of their progenitors. Hence the Tribe of Simeon had

little or no possession in the promised land, but dwelt in the midst of Judah; some of them

wandered in search of a dwelling place as far as Mount Seir, and the deserts of Gideon. As forthe Tribe of Levi, it was entirely dispersed among the tribes and devoted exclusively to the

service of the Altar.

6. The Banner of the Tribe of Gad was under the charge of Prince Eliasaph. It was White and

was emblazoned with a Troop of Horsemen. ( Dr. Loutherbourg has it charged with a Semee of

stars, some give it a flag.) " Gad signifies a troop; and was an allusion to the name that Jacob

foretold the difficulties that would be opposed to the progress of his posterity by the hostility of

their neighbors. But, though they were doomed sometimes to be defeated, yet in the end bydivine assistance, they should overcome their difficulties and establish themselves firmly and

peaceably in the portion allotted to them. This Prophecy was fulfilled to the letter; for the Tribe

occupying a country beyond Jordan, were necessarily exposed to the incursions of the

Ammonites, from whom they suffered severely; but at length, through the military talents of

Jepthah, the Ammonites were finally subdued and troubled them no more.

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7. Ephraim stepped into the inheritance of his Father Jacob and was elevated into one of the

leading Tribes of Israel. His Green Banner, borne by Prince Elishama, was consecrated with the

figure of a cherubic emblem of the Deity, viz., an Ox that denoted patient industry and

strength . Thus Jehovah said, "Ephraim is the strength of mine Head."

8. Prince Gamaliel led the Tribe of Manasseh. Their tents were pitched under a flesh colored

Banner, which was charged with a Luxuriant Vine, Planted By The Side Of A Wall which its

tendrils overhung. ( Some give this Banner a Unicorn and others a Palm Tree ). "Joseph is a

fruitful bough growing by a well watered soil, and shooting forth two luxurious branches." This

referred to the Tribes of Ephraim and Menasseh; and the prediction was fulfilled by their pre-

eminence. Of Joseph it was said: "The archers sorely grieved him, and shot at him and hated

him:, which referred to the persecutions of his Brethren who sold him into Egypt , to the false

accusation by which he was thrown into prison. But "his bow abode in strength, and the arms of

his hand were made strong by the almighty God of Jacob." As his enemies were termed Archers,

so he is here said to be armed with a bow in his own defense, by which he triumphed over his

enemies, and rose to the highest state of worldly prosperity

9. Abidan, Prince of the Tribe of Benjamin, was designated by a Green Banner, emblazoned with

a Wolf, because it was ever a warlike and cruel Tribe. It was predicted; (Benjamin shall raven

like a wolf in the morning he shall divide the spoil". Though Benjamin was a great favorite of

Jacob, as being his youngest son, yet he conferred no peculiar blessing on him, but describes him

as the father of a fierce and warlike people. This is evident proof that Jacob acted under the

influence of Divine inspiration. The Tribe accordingly partook of the character then depicted;

they made war single-handedly against all the other Tribes, and overcame them in battle. Saul

also, who sprang from this Tribe, possessed great military talents. His whole life was spent in

war; and at length he, as well as his sons, was slain in battle.

10.The Tribe of Dan was the largest Tribe next to Judah, and it was for this reason probably that

it was placed in the rear. The great Banner was borne by Prince Ahiezer. It was a Bright Green

Color and charged with an Eagle, a component part of the Cherubim, denoti ng wisdom and

sublimity. ( Some give Dan a Banner with the device of a Serpent biting the Heels of a Horse,

some an Eagle bearing a Serpent in its Talons, others a Serpent only, and one author thinks Dan's

standard bore a Lions Whelp). The name of Dan signifies Judging; and therefore Jacob said

"Dan shall judge the people". Or in other words, that Tribe should be one head of one of the great

divisions . he said further; "Dan shall be a Serpent by the way", and that the Tribe of Dan was

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remarkable for defeating their enemies rather by policy than by force, of which there are many

instances in the Bible. The Tribe of Dan, however, were ringleaders in idolatry and were the first

who apostatized ( forsakes) from God.

1 1.Prince Pagiel unfurled the Banner of Asher, which bore a flourishing Tree, or a Cup. Its color

was Purple. Asher's Tribe is promised a tract in the Holy Land, which should be fruitful and

prolific, and accordingly it produced the necessaries of life in abundance and Mount Carmel

abounded in the choicest fruits.

12.The Banner of Naphtali was borne by Prince Ahira, and was designated by a Hind. Its color

was Blue. "Naphtali is a Hind let loose; he giveth goodly words". This prophecy denotes that the

posterity of Naphtali should be a spirited and free people; and that the Tribe should be fruitful

and undergo a prodigious increase. And thus, from four sons, whom Naphtali brought with him

into Egypt, proceeded upward of 50,000 descendants, when they were emancipated from theircaptivity. Their portion was in upper Gallilee, a country always noted for the productivity of its

soil. This agrees with the blessing which was given to the Tribe by Moses; " O Naphtali, satisfied

with favor and full with the blessings of the Lord,"

There has also been suggested that each banner has a phi losophical signi f icance and th is

requires that the banners be arranged in the order that they are placed in a Royal Ar ch

Chapter

6. Manessah - pink, a vine beside a wall - the wandering of the vine represents uncertainty and

denial, and must be coupled with its brother

(12 ) Ephriam -green - an ox representing fruitfulness and affirmative attitude of mind. When

these two faculties are expressed in harmony then Divine Order is established, this indicates that

as we must pass through then to approach the V.O.S.L., all must be in harmony if we are to

understand His Holy Word.

5. Benjamin - green - a wolf - translated from the Hebrew as son of the right hand, son of good

fortune, productiveness. This represents faith in the consciousness of man, having conquered the

negative thoughts he is willing to share as a wolf shares the prey with the pack.

4. Dan - green - a serpent biting a horses heel, the Hebrew translation is a judge or advocate.

This refers to the faculty of judgement before achieving the spiritual plane. This is critical and

must be tempered with love.

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3. Asher - purple - a cup - Hebrew translation - straight, prosperous, happiness, blessedness.

Brings to mind that uprightness of Character and bespeaks of ideas - that our faculties should

present the spiritual and not the material.

2. Napthali - blue - a hind, Hebrew translation is wrestling and refers to the casting out by prayer

and meditation those material thoughts we accumulate and we must open our minds to light and

truth.

1. Judah - crimson - A Lion with crown and sceptre - Hebrew translation praise Jehovah and

celebrate with him. This indicates that praise and joy in the Almighty through prayer and praise

can draw from him god like thoughts and accumulate spiritual substance, life and intelligence

that lead to jubilant thanksgiving not supplication.

7. Issachar - sky blue - an Ass crouched between two burdens. In Hebrew this means He will

bring reward, that there is a reward. This says that active zeal and indicates that this zeal and

hard work will bring rewards and compensation not in the material bet in the spiritual sense.

8. Zebulun - purple - a ship - Hebrew translation Habitation or dwelling. Not a material dwelling

but a spiritual one through the orderly progressive abundance of a universal mind represented by

the sea and the feeling of security indicated by the ship. The haven of our homes bring us

feelings of security.

9. Reuben - scarlet - wavy lines - Hebrew translation a son seen, vision of the son, this refers to

thoughts coming from and belonging to a conscious mind and bespeaks understanding.

10. Simeon - yellow - a sword and dagger crossed - The Hebrew translation is hearing, obeying,

and one who listens and obeys, receptive. This refers to the state of mind in the devout that looks

for and listens to spiritual guidance from the Almighty.

11. Gad - a troop of horsemen - Hebrew translation is fortune, fortunate, or dispenser of fortune.

This brings to mind the faculty of power but mostly on a personal plane and not yet lifted to the

true spiritual expression.

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Judah was the fourth born son of Jacob, his name means " Yahweh' s Praise" , Genesis

29:35 , "And she conceived again, and bare a son: and she said, Now will I praise the Lord:

therefore she called his name Judah; and left bearing." They came to America in cargo slave

ships between the late 1500's - early 1800's.

Genesis 49:1, "And Jacob called unto his sons, and said, gather yourselves together, that I may

tell you that which shall befall you in THE LAST DAYS."

Genesis 49:8 , "Judah, thou art he whom thy brethren shall praise: thy hand shall be in the neck

of thine enemies; thy fathers' children shall bow down before thee."

"Judah, thou art he whom thy brethren shall praise", It is apparent here that all the tribes of

Israel shall praise the tribe of Judah as their leader, and for the oppression they have endured

under slavery in America.

"Thy hand shall be in the neck of thine enemies", for many decades the American blacks have

risked their lives fighting with America's political system for justice, equality, housing,

desegregation, jobs and education. They've marched for miles, held vigils, boycotted, fought

against law enforcement resulting in thousands of them being burned, lynched, hosed, attacked

by dogs, clubbed, whipped, raped, sodomized, firebombed, etc. By Judah's hand being in the

neck of his enemies (the “Anti- Black”system) he has choked the American political system for all

kinds of benefits .

"The neck of thine enemies", here also gives us the geographical location of the tribe of Judah -

North America.

Zechariah 2:6-7, "Ho, ho, come forth and flee from the land of the NORTH (North

America)....Deliver thyself, O Zion that dwellest with the daughter of Babylon (America)..."

Jeremiah 16:14-15 .

Psalms 137:7-8 , "Remember O Lord the children of EDOM... O daughter of Babylon..."

These prophetic scriptures tell us the people of EDOM are the daughter of Babylon (in North

America), and Judah, would dwell there in captivity.

Genesis 49:8B , "....thy father’s children shall bow down before thee." In the end, all the tribes of

Israel shall praise and bow down before Judah, because they will acknowledge that Judah is the

head tribe.

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Zechariah 12:7 , "The Lord also shall save the tents of Judah first, that the glory of the house of

David and the glory of the inhabitants of Jerusalem do not magnify themselves against Judah."

Although the American blacks, have fought for many causes and brought about much

change to the benefit of all the other tribes of Israel (better schooling through integration, better

jobs, better housing and many other benefits), all the tribes of Israel mock and look down on the

American black. The West Indian blacks, Haitians, (the House of David), Puerto Ricans, and the

Mexicans (inhabitants of Jerusalem) belittle and insult the American blacks, calling them lazy,

thieves, no good bums, stupid etc. Therefore, the Lord promised that he will save Judah first, by

giving him the understanding of the scriptures to teach and gather the other tribes of Israel

under Christ; thereby all Israel will acknowledge Judah as the head tribe.

Genesis 49:9 , "Judah is a lion's whelp: from the prey, my son, thou art gone up: he stooped

down, he couched as a lion, and as an old lion; who shall rouse him up?"

"Judah is a lions whelp", meaning the tribe of Judah is like a young lion powerful and fearless: from the prey, my son, thou art gone up", Just like a young lion cub is hunting his "prey" and

then gives up the hunt and becomes distracted. The "prey" is the whole racist system against

American Blacks; the anti black system, and all the other nations. But Judah, has left going after

the prey, leaving the truth of the Bible, and became distracted/tricked by the philosophies of his

enemies, vain religions, crime, selling drugs, killing each other, integration - thereby he has

ceased from the hunt of his enemies.

"He stooped down", meaning just as a lion stoops down with intentions to attack and devour his prey. Likewise in the 40's and 50's, the American blacks stooped down - formed various

organizations to consider devouring the so called white system, for the injustice and oppression

they have suffered.

"He couched as a lion" meaning just as a lion couches about to attack, to devour his prey, so did

the American blacks. In the late 50's and 60's they formed militant groups; no longer passive

marches of protests but now carrying weapons in direct defiance of local law officials, it was

time for kill or be killed, eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth. It was time for revolution, and duringthis era it appeared as if the American blacks would devour their enemies."

And as an old lion", Judah, this young powerful lion was distracted from his purpose by

infiltration and drugs in the black community, as an old lion gets tired and gives up the hunt, so

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"And unto him shall the gathering of the people be", the him is Jesus Christ, of the tribe of Judah,

and elect leaders of Judah (Disciples) prophesied to aid in gathering the nation of Israel, under

Christ.

Hebrews 7:14, "For it is evident that our Lord (Christ) sprang out of Judah;" (Here is the

Scripture to which I referred at the outset of this talk on the historical aspect.

This is one of many scriptures (Daniel 12:13, Matthew 16:18-19 and Revelation 10:11 etc.),

that prophesy the return of the great men to aid in the gathering of Israel under Jesus Christ, the

Kings of Kings and Lord of Lords, Revelations 19:16.

Lets prove that: II Chronicles 6:36-39, "If they sin against thee, (for there is no man which

sinneth not) and thou be angry with them, and deliver them over before their enemies, and they

carry them away captives unto a land far off or near; yet if they bethink themselves (remember

they are the Israelites) in the land whither they are carried captive (America), and turn and pray

unto thee in the land of their captivity, saying we have sinned, we have done amiss, and have

dealt wickedly; if they return to thee with all their heart and with all their soul (keep

commandments) in the land of their captivity, whither they have carried them captives, and pray

toward their land (Israel) which thou gavest unto their fathers, and toward the city which thou

hast chosen (Jerusalem), and toward the house which I have built for thy name: Then hear thou

from the heavens, even from thy dwelling place, their prayer and their supplications, and

maintain their cause (deliver them from evil and destroy their enemies) and forgive thy people

which have sinned against thee."

"And bring him unto his people", meaning bring Judah, with the perfect knowledge of the Bible,

in Christ, unto his people the tribes of Israel. Therefore Judah, will be the main force in Christ, to

gather and teach the children of Israel.

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"Let his hands be sufficient for him", meaning Judah, would have to fight and work hard for

everything he acquires. The American blacks, have literally built up America, aiding in many

inventions claimed by the so-called white man.

"Be thou an help to him against his enemies", if it were not for the help of The Great I am, Judah

(the American blacks) would have been totally destroyed by now: from the turmoil of the middle

passage, the hard bondage in America, the Civil War, the lynching and fire bombings by the

KKK, the infamous Tuskegee Experiment (when Judah was infected with Syphilis) bad food,

medicine, and mass drug trafficking throughout their communities etc."

All nations that suffered under the hands of the so called white reaped reparations. Even 11 of

the tribes of Israel, have a type of homeland allocated to them, except for Judah. The American

blacks, have yet to receive the 40 acres and 2 mules America promised them.

Jeremiah 22:13, "Woe unto him that buildeth his house (America) by unrighteousness and his

chambers by wrong (slavery); that useth his neighbor's service without wages, and giveth him

not for his work." That was a sin an Israelite, named Shallum, was guilty of and the Lord passed

severe judgement on him, so how much more will America be judged.

The Tribe of Reuben

Present Name: Seminole and Muskogee Indians

Location: Florida

Reuben, was the firstborn son of Jacob. His name means "see it’s a son"; read Genesis

29:32, "And Leah conceived, and bare a son, and she called his name Reuben: for she said,

Surely the Lord hath looked upon my affliction; now therefore my husband will love me." The

tribe of Reuben, was included in the migration of the "Ten Tribes of Israel" to the Americas after

the Assyrian captivity around 722 B.C.

Genesis 49:3 - "Reuben, thou art my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my

strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power."

" My might, and the beginning of my strength..." Jacob, was letting Reuben know that

being the firstborn was a blessing because all the strength, power and wealth that a man had

would be given to his firstborn according to tradition.

Verse 3 continues - "...the excellency of dignity..."

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Now Jacob is speaking of a characteristic of the tribe of Reuben. Dignity means nobility of

character and respectful. When we examine the Seminole Indians, they possessed this quality of

nobility in their dress code. They wore mitres unlike the war bonnets of their brothers the North

American Indians, and garments of excellent design. The mitre, was to be worn by the priests of

the Nation of Israel, who were held in high esteem because they were chosen to do the service of

the Most High. Reuben, was indeed noble and honorable also in their pride for their nation.

When the so called white man got the five civilized Indian nations to participate in the

enslavement of the Negroes (from niger meaning black) the Seminole Indians (Reuben) was the

only tribe to resist these demands. Instead of enslaving their brothers they made them leaders and

gave their daughters to them in marriage. Many runaway slaves found safety among the

Seminoles of Florida. The Seminoles, also participated in slave revolts in which they fought

alongside their brothers. So Reuben, was the excellency of dignity.

Verse 3 continues - "...and the excellency of power..."

The "excellency of power" means Reuben was a powerful tribe. Ponce De Leon, found out about

this power. He was killed by a poisoned dart in a battle against the Calusas (Seminoles). The so

called white man could not bend Reuben, because of their honor and pride, which lead to brutal

warfare. Many wars were fought and many lives lost but because of their dignity the Seminoles

never willingly signed a peace treaty with the so called white man. They were tricked into

signing one treaty, which they themselves broke. In the records of the white-man it is written that

the Seminoles were the worst enemy they had encountered out of all the Natives because of their

power and their strict belief in honor. Which shows that Reuben was, the excellency of power.

Genesis 49:4 - "Unstable as water, thou shalt not excel; because thou wentest up to thy

father’s bed; then defilest thou it; he went up to my couch."

Reuben, was "unstable as water" because they were always moving around. During the

years of the invasion of the Spaniards, the Seminoles were known to be a nomadic tribe traveling

to Indian coastal towns in the Florida Keys, the Bahamas and the islands of Cuba and Puerto

Rico. That’s why the so called white man called them Seminoles, meaning "runaway". It was

because of this un-stability that they ended up in Florida, originally being in the mountains of

Quito, in South America.

Verse 4 continues - "...thou shalt not excel; because thou wentest up to thy father’s bed;

then defilest thou it; he went up to my couch."

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Reuben, was not going to excel as far as getting the birthright because he slept with

Jacob’s concubine read; Genesis 35:22 and I Chronicles 5:1.

Genesis 35:22 - "And it came to pass that when Israel dwelt in that land, that Reuben

went and lay with Bilhah his father’s concubine: and Israel heard it..."

I Chronicles 5:1 - "Now the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel, (for he was the

firstborn; but forasmuch as he defiled his father’s bed, his birthright was given unto the sons ofJoseph the son of Israel: and the genealogy is not to be reckoned after the birthright...)

So because of the sin of Reuben, he did not excel and his birthright was given to the sons

of Joseph (Ephraim and Manasseh).

Deuteronomy 33:6 - "Let Reuben live and not die; and let not his men be few."

Reuben’s honor lead them to many wars with the so called white man and massacres of their

fellow tribesman. The main enemy of the Seminoles, was Andrew Jackson; he ignored the

supreme court ruling that the Indians could remain in their land until the United States needed it.

He led in the "Indian Removal Campaign" which was to be enforced by the gun. That’s why the

Most High said; "let Reuben live and not die" because even though the Seminoles were being

slaughtered, they would not utterly be destroyed and their men would not be few.

The following is what happened to Antonio Montezinos (a Spanish explorer), when he

visited the Seminole Indians in the mountains of Quito, prior to their migration to Florida. The

passage contains what was told to him by the Seminoles, concerning their identity, and the

identity of their brothers located in Puerto Rico and Cuba. This information is found in "Lost

Tribes and Promised Lands", by Ronald Sanders on page 363-365.

"Upon hearing her words they rose, went over to Montezinos and, to his utter

astonishment, said: "Shema, Yisroel, Adonai Elohenu Adonai Ehod" (Hear, O Israel, the Lord

our God, the Lord is One"). They had recited, in Hebrew, the fundamental credo of Judaism."

"They told him that they were themselves of the tribe of Reuben, and that the tribe of

Joseph lived on an island nearby."

The Tribe of Ephraim

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Middle Age name: Boriqua

Present Name: Puerto Ricans

Locations: Puerto Rico and scattered, regions of the earth

and The Tribe of Manasseh

Present name: Cubans

Locations: Cuba and scattered, regions of the earth

Ephraim, was the second born son of Joseph. His name means "I am fruitful". Manessah, was the

firstborn son of Joseph. His name means "made to forget", read Genesis 41:50-52. The blessing

of Joseph, went down to his two sons who were recognized as two of the tribes of Israel. Jacob,

prophesied that Ephraim, would be greater than his brother Manasseh; read Genesis 48:13-20.

When you see the name "Joseph", in the scriptures after his death, it is making reference to his

two sons; Ephraim first then Manasseh. These two tribes lead the migration of "The Tribes of

Israel" to the Americas, in approximately 722 B.C.

During the Middle Ages, the native Indians of Puerto Rico, called themselves Boriqua, a Hebrew

word for Brave. They called their island Boriquan a Hebrew word for "Land of the Brave Lords".

A Hebrew word? Yes a Hebrew word, little do you know that the language spoken on the island

of Boriquan, prior to the invasion of the Spaniards, was Hebrew. This fact I will try to prove later

on in this segment. Where did these so- called Indians (from Indios Latin word for slave) come

from? Did they come thru the Bering Straits, as recorded by the European history? No! They

came from a land known as Israel, in the Middle East.

The following passage will prove the previous statement; it is found in a book titled "Yucatan

Before and After the Conquest" by Friar Diego de Landa on page 8. It contains what the natives

told the Spaniards, of their trip to the New World, and of what descent they were.

"Some old men of Yucatan say that they have heard from their ancestors that this country was

peopled by a certain race who came from the East. Whom God delivered by opening for them

twelve roads through the sea. If this is true, all the inhabitants of the Indies must be of Jewish

descent..."

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When they arrived to the New World, the tribes began to drop each other off beginning in South

America, then moving upward to Central America, the islands of Puerto Rico, Cuba, Hispaniola

and finally North America. In history books the natives of the Americas, are called Arawaks. The

word Arawak, means groups of indigenous peoples that migrated from South America, toCentral and North America.

So how do we know that Ephraim, ended up in Puerto Rico? We must examine the

history of what the natives called themselves when the various Spanish explorers or priests

encountered them. Keep this in mind, that all the so-called Indians spoke the same language prior

to the invasion of the Spaniards. This language as was proven earlier was Hebrew. That’s why

they had various trade routes to exchange and sell different materials. If they could not

communicate with each other, these routes would not have existed. For example the Seminole

Indians and the Boriqua Indians, had close relations in trading and visited each other frequently.

Even Ponce de Leon, learned of these relations in his search for the mythical "fountain of youth";

the boriqua Indians, sent him to the Seminoles in Florida. Now, lets prove that Ephraim, ended

up in Puerto Rico.

The following is what happened to Montezinos (a Spanish explorer), when he visited the

Seminole Indians, in the mountains of Quito, prior to their migration to Florida. This passage

contains what was told to him by the natives concerning their identity and the identity of their

brothers located in Puerto Rico and Cuba. This information is found in "Lost Tribes and

Promised Lands" by Ronald Sanders on pages 363-365.

"Upon hearing her words they rose, went over to Montezinos and, to his utter

astonishment, said: "Shema, Yisroel, Adonai Elohenu Adonai Ehod" (Hear, O Israel, the Lord

our God, the Lord is One"). They had recited, in Hebrew, the fundamental credo of Judaism."

"They told him that they were themselves of the tribe of Reuben, and that the tribe of

Joseph lived on an island nearby."

"Only the sorcerers of his tribe had perceived that they were a special people, and had

given warning that they should be left alone. "The God of these children of Israel is the true

God," they had said, "and everything inscribed on their tablets is true. At the end of days, they

will be lords of all the nations of the earth. One nation will come bringing many things to this

land, and after we have all been provided for, these children of Israel will go forth from where

they now are and reign over the whole earth, as they once did."

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Genesis 49:22, "Joseph is a fruitful bough, even a fruitful bough by a well; whose

branches run over the wall."

The blessing of Joseph went down to his two sons Ephraim and Manasseh. A "bough" is

a tree, so when the scripture says; "even a fruitful bough by a well" it is showing us a comparison

of how a tree that is planted near water is fruitful the same way the tribes of Ephraim and

Manasseh, would be located near water (island) and be very fruitful. The so-called Puerto

Ricans, are fruitful by having many children and very large families. "Whose branches run over

the wall..." the same way branches go over a wall that divides them from other trees and

branches, to mix with them, is the same way the daughters of Ephraim, went over the wall of

racial division to mix with the Spanish, by marrying the Spaniards. The Spanish, built a fort in

Puerto Rico, encompassed by what’s called, "el morro" meaning "the wall" which was meant to

keep other invading whites from stealing Boriqua slaves and taking Puerto Rico. Because of this

racial mixing, some Puerto Ricans, are very light-skinned. The Bible prophesied about this

mixing read Hosea 7:8. Hosea 7:8, "Ephraim has mixed himself among the people;

Ephraim is a cake not turned."

The people that Ephraim (Puerto Ricans), mixed himself with those who were the

Spaniards. When the scripture says; "Ephraim is a cake not turned" means that the same way a

cake is not turned when baked, one side would be dark and the other side light, is similar to the

complexion of the so-called Puerto Ricans, which range from a dark brown to a very light

skinned. But, only those whose fathers are of Boriquan descent are Israelites, if their fathers are

Spaniards, then they are Spaniards. Now, back to Genesis.

Genesis 49:23, "The archers have sorely grieved him, and shot at him, and hated

him."The "archers" are talking about the conquistadors of Spain. They sorely grieved Ephraim,

by having the Boriqua Indians work in gold mines and sugar cane fields under very hard and

strenuous conditions. "And shot at him..." When Colombus, came in 1492, he subdued Ephraim

with great slaughter. Also when Ponce de Leon, came in 1508, he had 6,000 Boriqua Indians

shot because they protested slave working conditions. Out of 40,000 Boriqua Indians, only 4,000

remained on the island of Puerto Rico, during this invasion. "And hated him..." The Spaniards,enslaved Ephraim and sent shiploads of them to serve slavery in Spain, and stripped Puerto Rico

of it’s wealth and r iches.

Genesis 49:24, "But his bow abode in strength, and the arm of his hands were made

strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob; (from thence is the shepherd the stone of Israel.

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Joseph’s bow abode in strength because he kept the commandments. His hands were

made strong when the Most High, honored Joseph, by making him second over all Egypt. "From

thence is the shepherd the stone of Israel", is referring to Christ, The Good Shepherd and the

Great Stone that the Builders rejected, that Stone of Israel, that came from the mighty God-

power of Jacob.

Genesis 49:25, "Even by the God of thy father, who shall help thee (Ephraim); and by the

Almighty, who shall bless thee (Ephraim) with blessings of Heaven above, blessings of the deep

that lieth under, blessings of the breasts and the womb."

The "blessings of the Heaven above" is talking about the good weather on the island of

Puerto Rico. "Blessings of the deep that lieth under" is talking about the seas and riches on the

island. Also the various exotic fish in the deep ocean. That is why the so called white-man

exploits the beauty of Puerto Rico by making commercials about "Come to Puerto Rico the

shining star". In these commercials you see Caucasians running on the beaches and going deep

sea diving, enjoying the blessings that the Heavenly Father gave Ephraim, of the heaven above

and of the deep. So what did the white-man do? He killed thousands of the Boriqua Indians, stole

their island, and now he goes there on vacation.

Genesis 49:25 continues, "... blessings of the breasts and the womb."

This is referring to Ephraim, being fruitful with many children which is a beautiful blessing. So

although many Boriqua Indians were killed, Ephraim’s fruitfulness kept the tribes in existence

because of the Most High's blessings.

Genesis 49:26, "The blessings of thy father have prevailed above the blessings of my

progenitors unto the utmost bound of the everlasting hills: they shall be in the head of Joseph,

and on the crown of him that was separated from his brethren."

Jacob is letting Ephraim know that his father’s blessings were greater than the blessings

of Abraham and Isaac while they lived, because Joseph was extremely famous and was second

under Pharoah in Egypt and owned a vast amount of lands within Egypt. Joseph, being in this

position was able to support his father and the rest of his brethren and their children.

Deuteronomy 33:13, " And of Joseph he said, Blessed of Lord be his land, for the

precious things of heaven, for the dew, and for the deep that coucheth beneath."

The blessing of Joseph, went to his son Ephraim. This scripture links up to Genesis

49:25, "Even by the God of thy father, who shall help thee; and by the Almighty, who shall bless

thee with blessings of heaven above, blessings of the deep that lieth under, blessings of the

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breasts, and of the womb:", making reference to the great climate on the island of Boriquen

(Puerto Rico).

Deuteronomy 33:14, "And for the precious fruits brought forth by the sun, and for the

precious things brought forth by the moon."

The "precious fruits brought forth by sun" is talking about mangos, papayas, avocados,

pineapples, coconuts, bananas and sugar cane, which are fruits the island is well known for.

The "precious things brought forth by the moon" one of those things is the "coqui" which

is a small frog that can only live in Puerto Rico. The "coqui"comes out at night and makes a very

distinctive whistle throughout the night.

The Tribe of DAN

Ancient name: Carib Indians also Arawaks

Locations: Bahamas and Virgin Islands

Dan was the 5th born son of Jacob. His name meant "judge". Read Genesis 30:6, "And

Rachel said, God hath judged me, and hath also heard my voice, and hath given me a son:

therefore called she his name, Dan."

The tribe of Dan was included in the migration of the "ten tribes of Israel", to the

Americas.

Genesis 49:16, "Dan shall judge his people, as one of the tribes of Israel."

Around 1140 B.C., Dan ruled Israel under a mighty warrior named Samson (meaning like the

sun).

Genesis 49:17, "Dan shall be a serpent by the way, an adder in the path, that biteth the

horse heels, so that his rider shall fall backward."

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"Dan shall be a serpent by the way", the various little isles that make up the Bahamas and

Virgin Islands, ending with Trinidad, are shaped like a serpent. Trinidad has two powerful water

channels called "serpents mouth and dragons mouth", by the way of the Americas.

Dan, the Carib Indians, dwelt on these tiny islands, unnoticeable until you come directly

upon them; just lik e a serpent and then it’s too late - you’re bitten. In like manner, when

Columbus came looking for the main land (North America), he virtually stumbled across many

little islands.

"An adder in the path", just as Dan attacked viciously in the past, amongst the tribes of

Israel, so did they during the arrival of the Spaniard Conquistadors. Attacking them viciously.

"That biteth the horse heels, so that his rider shall fall backward!" So vicious did Dan

attack his enemies in ancient times, as well as in the 1400's, that it appeared as if they would

destroy the invading forces of white men. Unfortunately, the destruction of the white man (by

Dan) was not in Bible prophecy.

Verse 18, "I have waited for thy salvation, O Lord", meaning Dan, will also be redeemed

with the second coming of Christ.

Deuteronomy 33:22, "And of Dan he said, Dan is a lion's whelp: he shall leap from

Bashan."

"Dan is a lions whelp", meaning Dan was a warlike tribe, predators of the land.

"He shall leap from Bashan", Bashan was the northern most part of Israel. Leaping from

Bashan, one would fall in the midst of the rest of Israel. So Dan was therefore absorbed into the

other tribes of Israel (particularly the tribe of Benjamin, who now inhabit the islands throughout

the West Indies).

Bashan: means "smooth, fertile land" and historically Dan (the Carib Indians), literally

did leap from fertile land.

"From Columbus to Castro - The History of the Carribean", by Eric Williams, page 95,

you may read this passage: "The European arrivals in the lesser Antilles found territories

sparsely inhabited, for the most part by the warlike Caribs, who frequently opposed their

intrusion. Many an uprising took place, but, by the end of the century, a fairly general pattern

had been established, the Caribs were decimated or expelled, removing to Dominica and St.

Vincent. What happened to Grenada may be taken as typical of this phase of Caribbean history.

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The Caribs were literally exterminated by the French, the last group throwing themselves

headlong from a precipice, which has since been called Le Morne des Savteurs (Leapers’ Hill)."

Reading on, history further records that a very small number of Carib Indians (Dan)

remained alive. Those that escaped death fled into neighboring islands, where they were

enslaved and virtually absorbed by the other tribes.

That, my Companion Brothers, is part of the proof that "Dan shall leap from Bashan,"aswas stated in the Scripture.

In Revelation 7:1-8, Jesus Christ names the tribes of Israel; however, the tribe of Dan is

not mentioned. Not because Dan was destroyed but rather because they were absorbed into the

other tribes of Israel. Just as in ancient times the tribe of Levi had no inheritance amongst Israel,

likewise Dan in this time. This is why Christ does not mention Dan in Revelation chapter 7.

QUESTIONS AND NOTES

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2009 Holmes HRAM[1]

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