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The House of Yahweh is an established non-profit religious organization based in Abilene, Texas and officially recognized by the United States, Canada and Israel as a legitimate religion. The Pastor and Overseer over The House of Yahweh is Yisrayl (Israel) Hawkins (born Buffalo Bill Hawkins), who is a prolific author and speaker. The HoY is not exclusive but claims membership of all races from nations all over the globe welcoming all, they say, who will repent of sin and follow Yahweh's Law. The House of Yahweh should not be confused or associated with other groups that use the name of Yahweh such as The Assemblies of Yahweh, The Yahweh Nation or others (some, but not all of which are militant and subversive).

Beliefs

The House of Yahweh believes it is the one true faith as revealed by the Creator from the beginning and reestablished again in what they believe are the prophesied end times.

Along with other sacred name groups, the HoY recognizes Yahweh as the name of the Creator and Heavenly Father. They recognize Yahshua as the name of Yahweh's Son and Messiah. Unlike other sacred name groups however, the HoY uses the names of Yahweh and Yahshua exclusively. The HoY teaches that all other titles, such as God (El, Elohim, Theos, Deus, etc.), Lord (Ba'al, Adonai, Kyrios, Dominus, etc.), Jesus and Christ are names and/or titles of pagan beings that were forced onto the true "Mighty One." (Hawkins refuses to even call Yahweh a god, teaching that Scripture refers to Satan, not Yahweh, as "the god of this world")

The use of the names "Yahweh" and "Yahshua" are believed to be essential to salvation. The name "Jehovah" (and its variants) is also shunned as an error dating from the middle ages. See the article Jehovah for more information.

To the casual observer The HoY appear simply to be "Messianic Jews" or some other combination of Judaism and Christianity. The organization makes no claim to be associated with either of these major faiths (or for that matter, any other faith) and that both of them (Christianity especially) are corrupt and false.

Similarities to Judaism

Like Judaism, The HoY teaches the keeping of the Torah (consisting of the body of 613 laws and rules found in the Pentateuch). Members adhere to a kosher diet, free of pork, shellfish and blood. They also wear garments similar to the Jewish yarmulke and tallit (but only in worship services and private prayer). Members regularly perform ritual ablutions and are baptized and blessed when they become a member (Christian baptism is seen as an Old Testament concept stemming from these ablutions). The keeping of these laws, they claim, is the answer to all the world's problems (sickness, poverty, war, hatred, crime etc.). HoY members attain to a high standard of ethical and moral conduct defined by the 613 Laws and claim they cover every aspect of life. These laws, they say, promote true peace and define and teach true love for Yahweh and one's fellow man.

Festivals

Like Judaism (and some para-Christian groups), The HoY keeps the seventh day Sabbath as opposed to the Sunday "Lord's Day". Christmas, Easter, and birthdays are not celebrated, but the House of Yahweh keeps the annual festivals of the Old Testament instead (Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread, Pentecost (Shabuot), The Feast of Trumpets (which Judaism calls "Rosh Hashana"), The Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) and The Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot).

In addition to these, once a year on the evening before Passover, members hold a solemn observance they call Yahshua's Memorial. This is their version of Communion or "The Lord's Supper" and they partake of unleavened bread and wine as symbols of the body and blood of Yahshua. It is not to be confused with the joyous Passover celebration on the following evening, but is observed on the night before when Yahshua was betrayed and is a time of quiet introspection. Members also wash one another's feet and Miriam (Mary) Magdalene is remembered on this night as well.

HoY members believe that The House of Yahweh Sanctuary, located in Clyde, Texas (though, their main headquarters is located in nearby Abilene),is the place established by prophecy as the only place on earth where Yahweh's Feasts are to be observed at this time and three times a year they make a pilgrimage from all over the world to Abilene to celebrate Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles.

Like Judaism and Christianity, HoY teaches tithing as found in the Bible. Even though it is considered one of the 613 Laws, it is reported that tithing and all other offerings/donations are strictly voluntary.

Similarities to Christianity

Like Christianity, members believe in the Messiah, whom they refer to as Yahshua (Hebrew for "Yahweh is salvation"). They teach that Yahshua Messiah is the Son of Yahweh but was begotten in the flesh, being born a man. He became the son of Yahweh at the time he was baptized by Yahchanan the Immerser (John the Baptist). Yahweh confirmed this when He spoke from Heaven. He lived a perfect life as our example by keeping Yahweh's 613 Laws (sin is defined as the breaking of any of these laws and by keeping them Yahshua was without sin).

He was said to be framed for insurrection but His true "crime" was the "heresy" of openly using Yahweh's Name (which by this time was considered too holy to say) and keeping the old Laws while rejecting new customs. After an illegal trial where He was flogged and tormented, He was nailed to a pole (not a cross) and executed by the civil authorities. He died for our sins as a spotless sin/atonement offering, becoming a Passover Lamb (his execution said to take place on the preparation day for Passover when the lambs were being slaughtered and prepared for the Passover Seder commencing after sunset). He was buried in the late afternoon on a Wednesday just prior to sunset. Three days and three nights later just prior to sunset on Saturday evening, he was resurrected from the dead. Subsequently, some 40 days later, he ascended into Heaven to sit as High Priest over the House of Yahweh. He is waiting until the prophesied "end-time" to return as King of Kings, establishing Yahweh's Kingdom on Earth and preventing humankind from ultimately destroying themselves.

Yahweh's exclusivity

In HoY theology, Yahweh is the only one who deserves worship or adoration, and is the sovereign and only creator and ruler of the universe. Yahshua Messiah gave all glory, honor and obedience to Yahweh Who is not a trinity, but one individual being with no equal or partners. (The trinity doctrine is seen as a horrible blasphemy with its origins not found in scripture, but in ancient pagan religions.) Yahshua is not seen as a divine being, nor did he preexist before his conception by Miriam (Mary). The Holy Spirit is Yahweh's creative force, not a personal being.

Unlike either Judaism or Christianity, they make no distinction between the "Old" and "New" Testaments, claiming the "New Testament" (or covenant) is not new but is a continuation and "renewal" of the Old Testament, reaffirming and reestablishing it, interpreting Yahshua's teaching that "I have not come to destroy the law but to fulfil it" in this way. In addition, The HoY rejects religious customs and traditions that conflict with their interpretation of the Torah.

In the attempt to purify true religion from pagan elements, all "pagan" names, words, and concepts are eschewed. They also publish an edition of the Bible (The Book of Yahweh), which removes any and all words or concepts which are thought to be pagan corruptions, including removal of God/Elohim in favor of "Yahweh", as well as changing names to remove these influcence (e.g. Yliyah for Elijah, Yechetzqyah for Ezekiel, Riyyah for Ruth, Yahchanan for John etc.). Their claim is that The Book of Yahweh is the most accurate English translation of the Bible available today.

Satan is seen as the founder of all the false religions, and anyone who praises any god is worshiping the devil. Satan is also a female, and was Yahweh's wife before she rebelled and tried to take His throne. This is not a teaching unique to The House of Yahweh (some scholars claim this was common knowledge prior to the Dark Ages and is reflected in early Christian art), but is considered by many outsiders as one of their distinctives. Followers of the HoY also believe that Satan is in control of all world governments and that she placed world leaders in office.

The HoY is ruled by a large body of Elders (who serve as priests) and assisted by Deacons and Deaconesses. These are all recommended and then chosen by lot.

The House of Yahweh was established by Yisrayl Hawkins and his late brother Yaakob (Jacob) Hawkins who are said to be the two witnesses prophesied in the Book of Revelation and Isayah (Isaiah) to restore the true worship of Yahweh before the return of Yahshua and the end of the world, which will happen soon.

Controversy

Several experts have labelled the House of Yahweh as a cult because some of its beliefs and practices stray from those of mainstream Christianity. The HoY teaches that it is the only way to salvation in these "last days". Hawkins is accused of being a demagogue and having total control of the members of the house of Yahweh, as evidenced by many HoY members changing their last names to "Hawkins" (from the Hebrew "Ha Kohan" or "the priest") in honor of their leader. It should be noted however that the changing of names for religious reasons is nothing unique to the HoY. Hawkins is also said to teach in favor of polygamy and arranged marriages. Members of the HoY make no claim to practice multiple marriages but although they are illegal in this and most other countries, Hawkins will not condemn them since the Bible not only does not condemn them, but in fact makes provision for them instructing one how to regulate them in a righteous manner.

Former members have accused him and his subordinates of abuse, mind control, and similar authoritarian measures to keep his control over the membership. Both Hawkins and the HoY have been thoroughly investigated by the authorities, including the FBI, and the media. No evidence supporting these allegations has been discovered. The claims were determined to be ungrounded, many having been made by disgruntled former members, or sensationalistic media in the aftermath of the incident at the Branch Davidian Church in Waco, Texas. So far the HoY has been found not to be secretive or subversive in any way and members are free to come and go as they please. Allegations of tax fraud and evasion were also dismissed as ungrounded after thorough investigation by the IRS and the HoY maintains their tax-exempt status as a non-profit organization. One such reason for the accusations is that HoY provides services and goods through various stores to provide Kosher foods and other "clean" products for its members. Despite charging for these services and goods, it was found that HoY receives no profits from these activities and still falls within the guidelines placed upon it by the Federal and State government.

Despite the claims not being proven, an Ontario watchdog group has labelled the HoY as a "high risk doomsday group, with the potential of developing into a destructive cult at some time in the future."

Religion, throughout history, has been a topic which breeds heated debates, and like most religions, The HoY has its share of detractors who find fault with it and level accusations against it. The above paragraphs represent the general flavor of a few of those accusations. Whether these allegations are true or not, it should be noted that the proper legal authorities have found no substantiation to the allegations. In the interest of keeping this article neutral and objective, please refer to other sources, such as the critical sites listed below for more details of the alleged illegal or unethical teachings and practices of The HoY.

One should understand that the word "cult" has come to be misused and abused in current usage. It has taken on a negative connotation, being used to defame certain "non-conformist" groups who stray from conventional religious thought. By definition, all religions are cults.

The Jewish Temple Rebuilt

Since its establishment in 1979, The House of Yahweh has been actively involved in a peaceful solution to rebuilding the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem. They have maintained open dialogue with Jewish and Palestinian leaders, both religious and political, promoting their plan. They have patented blueprints and models of the proposed temple which they say will be built on the current Temple Mount. This temple would be situated just north of the Muslim Dome of the Rock Mosque. Prophecy, they say, shows that the Jewish Temple and the Muslim Mosque will share the Temple Mount standing side-by-side and that the Mosque need not be destroyed as is believed by many Christians and Jews. Their proposed plan, they say, will go a long way in establishing peace in the war-torn Middle East.

Publications

Other than the aforementioned Book of Yahweh, the House of Yahweh publishes many books, pamphlets, and tracts, as Elder Hawkins is a prolific writer. Included among his works are Did Yahshua Messiah Pre-Exist, Unveiling Satan: Her True Identity Revealed, The Two Witnesses and editorship of The Prophetic Word magazine. He also has a television broadcast found on the House of Yahweh website, as well as on some public access stations.

Television

As of the start of November, 2005, House of Yahweh's the Prophetic Word Program transmits via satellite 24-hours per day to homes in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Australia.

See also

• Sacred Name Movement

References and links

• The House of Yahweh Homepage
• Watchman Expositor Article (Critical)
• Rick Ross Institute paage on the House of Yahweh (Critical)
• Profile of the House of Yahweh by the Ontario Consultation on Religious Tolerance

• Religious faiths, traditions, and movements
• Yahwism