Letter to Twelve Tribes members

June 23, 2018 /  Charlie  /  1 Comment  /  Writings by ex-members

I have a letter for you and I hope you read it all the way to the end….

I first wrote this 12 years ago while I was in Meadow Haven with Bob and Judy Pardon as a resident in the only long term residential exit counseling program for cult victims in the world. http://meadowhaven.org/

The Twelve Tribes Communities still thrive and their damage is still occurring. I felt that I had to write it again and in this day and age of social media that it might get around a lot more then the first time and do a lot more good this time.

Actually the Apostle Paul did all the work for me. I just put it in the communities language. It is like our Father knew there would come a time where there would be men that would speak a similar but yet different Gospel. One that taught that Messiah did not finish his work of salvation on the cross. That He did NOT fulfill the law and that we as believers still had works that we had to accomplish before He would return for us. To the true believers, Yahshua will return for His Bride but not due to anything that our flesh could accomplish. Have faith. He is coming and not because of a “race” performed by the flesh some deluded, lonely old man dreamed up. May God bless my efforts to open your eyes. I thank God for opening mine… Sincerely with Shalom… David T Pike  aka  Dahveed Yathed

A letter from the Apostle Shaul to the Disciples in the Twelve Tribes Communities…

1  Shaul, an apostle—sent not from men nor by a man, but by Yahshua Ha’ Mashiach and God the Father, who raised him from the dead— and all the brothers and sisters with me, To the churches in the Twelve Tribes Communities: 3 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Messiah Yahshua, who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. 6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Messiah and are turning to a different gospel— 7 which is really no gospel at all but rather the rantings of a delusional narcissist who claims to have heard from God directly but is just a sad, lonely old man. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Messiah saying that “We must accomplish this!” or “We must accomplish that in order for Messiah to return!” 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse! 9 As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God’s curse! 10 Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Messiah. 11 I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel I preached is not of human origin. 12 I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Yahshua Ha’ Mashiach. 13 For you have heard of my previous way of life in Judaism, how intensely I persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it. 14 I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers. 15 But when God, who set me apart from my mother’s womb and called me by his grace, was pleased 16 to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, my immediate response was not to consult any human being. 17 I did not go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was, but I went into Arabia. Later I returned to Damascus. 18 Then after three years, I went up to Jerusalem to get acquainted with Cephas and stayed with him fifteen days. 19 I saw none of the other apostles—only James, the Lord’s brother. 20 I assure you before God that what I am writing you is no lie. 21 Then I went to Syria and Cilicia. 22 I was personally unknown to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. 23 They only heard the report: “The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” 24 And they praised God because of me. 2 Then after fourteen years, I went up again to Jerusalem, this time with Barnabas. I took Titus along also. I went in response to a revelation and, meeting privately with those esteemed as leaders, I presented to them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles. I wanted to be sure I was not running and had not been running my race in vain. Yet not even Titus, who was with me, was compelled to be circumcised, even though he was a Greek. This matter arose because some false believers had infiltrated our ranks to spy on the freedom we have in Yahshua Ha’ Mashiach and to make us slaves. We did not give in to them for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you. 6 As for those who were held in high esteem—whatever they were makes no difference to me; God does not show favoritism—they added nothing to my message. 7 On the contrary, they recognized that I had been entrusted with the task of preaching the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Cephas had been to the circumcised. 8 For God, who was at work in Cephas as an apostle to the circumcised, was also at work in me as an apostle to the Gentiles. 9 James, Cephas and John, those esteemed as pillars, gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship when they recognized the grace given to me. They agreed that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcised. 10 All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor, the very thing I had been eager to do all along. Paul Opposes Cephas 11 When Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. 12 For before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles and ate non-kosher foods. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group (natural seed). 13 The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray. 14 When I saw that they were not acting in line with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in front of them all, “YOU ARE A JEW, YET YOU LIVE LIKE A GENTILE AND NOT LIKE A JEW. HOW IS IT, THEN, THAT YOU FORCE GENTILES TO FOLLOW JEWISH CUSTOMS? 15 “WE WHO ARE JEWS BY BIRTH AND NOT SINFUL GENTILES KNOW THAT A PERSON IS NOT JUSTIFIED BY THE WORKS OF THE LAW, BUT BY FAITH IN YAHSHUA HA’ MASHIACH. SO WE, TOO, HAVE PUT OUR FAITH IN YAHSHUA HA’ MASHIACH THAT WE MAY BE JUSTIFIED BY FAITH IN MESSIAH AND NOT BY THE WORKS OF THE LAW, BECAUSE BY THE WORKS OF THE LAW NO ONE WILL BE JUSTIFIED. 17 “But if, in seeking to be justified in Messiah, we Jews find ourselves also among the sinners, doesn’t that mean that Messiah promotes sin? Absolutely not! If I rebuild what I destroyed, then I really would be a lawbreaker. 19“For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God. I have been crucified with Messiah and I no longer live, but Messiah lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God, for IF RIGHTEOUSNESS COULD BE GAINED THROUGH THE LAW, MESSIAH DIED FOR NOTHING!” 3 You foolish disciples of the Twelve Tribes! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Yahshua Ha’ Mashiach was clearly portrayed as crucified. I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by believing what you heard? 3 Are you so foolish? AFTER BEGINNING BY MEANS OF THE SPIRIT, ARE YOU NOW TRYING TO FINISH BY MEANS OF THE FLESH? Have you experienced so much in vain—if it really was in vain? 5 So again I ask, does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you by the works of the law, or by your believing what you heard? 6 So also Abraham “believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” 7 Understand, then, that those who have faith are children of Abraham. (natural or spiritual) 8 Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.” 9 So those who rely on faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith. 10 For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, as it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.” 11 Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God, because “the righteous will live by faith.” 12 The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, it says, “The person who does these things will live by them.”(living by the LAW) 13 MESSIAH REDEEMED US FROM THE CURSE OF THE LAW BY BECOMING A CURSE FOR US, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.” 14 He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Yahshua Ha’ Mashiach, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit. The Law and the Promise 15 Brothers and sisters, let me take an example from everyday life. Just as no one can set aside or add to a human covenant that has been duly established, so it is in this case. 16 The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. Scripture does not say “and to seeds,” meaning many people, but “and to your seed,” meaning one person, who is Messiah. 17 What I mean is this: The law, introduced 430 years later, does not set aside the covenant previously established by God and thus do away with the promise. 18 For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on the promise; but God in his grace gave it to Abraham through a promise. 19 Why, then, was the law given at all? It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come. The law was given through angels and entrusted to a mediator. 20 A mediator, however, implies more than one party; but God is one. 21 Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law. 22 But Scripture has locked up everything under the control of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Yahshua Ha’ Mashiach, might be given to those who believe. Children of God 23 Before the coming of this faith, we were held in custody under the law, locked up until the faith that was to come would be revealed. 24 So the law was our guardian until Messiah came that we might be justified by faith. 25 Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian. 26 So IN YAHSHUA HA’ MASHIACH YOU ARE ALL CHILDREN OF GOD THROUGH FAITH NOT WORKS 27 for all of you who were baptized into Messiah have clothed yourselves with Messiah. 28 There is neither Jew nor Gentile,(the why does Yoneq pair up the natural seed with each other? Same with the Chammites?) neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Yahshua Ha’ Mashiach. 29 If you belong to Messiah, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. 4:1 What I am saying is that as long as an heir is underage, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate. 2 The heir is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father. 3 So also, when we were underage, we were in slavery under the elemental spiritual forces of the world. 4 But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. 6 Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir. Shaul’s Concern for the Disciples of the Twelve Tribes: 8 Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. 9 But now that you know God—or rather are known by God—how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable forces ? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? 10 You are observing special days and months and seasons and years! 11 I fear for you, that somehow I have wasted my efforts on you. 12 I plead with you, brothers and sisters, become like me, for I became like you. You did me no wrong. 13 As you know, it was because of an illness that I first preached the gospel to you, 14 and even though my illness was a trial to you, you did not treat me with contempt or scorn. Instead, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, as if I were Yahshua Ha’ Mashiach himself. 15 Where, then, is your blessing of me now? I can testify that, if you could have done so, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me. 16 Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth? 17 Those people are zealous to win you over, but for no good. What they want is to alienate you from us, so that you may have zeal for them. 18 It is fine to be zealous, provided the purpose is good, and to be so always, not just when I am with you. 19 My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Messiah is formed in you, 20 how I wish I could be with you now and change my tone, because I am perplexed about you! Hagar and Sarah 21 Tell me, you who want to be under the law, are you not aware of what the law says? 22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other by the free woman. 23 His son by the slave woman was born according to the flesh, but his son by the free woman was born as the result of a divine promise. 24 These things are being taken figuratively: The women represent two covenants. One covenant is from Mount Sinai and bears children who are to be slaves: This is Hagar. 25 Now Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present city of Jerusalem, because she is in slavery with her children. 26 But the Jerusalem that is above is free, and she is our mother. 27 For it is written: “Be glad, barren woman, you who never bore a child; shout for joy and cry aloud, you who were never in labor; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband.” 28 Now you, brothers and sisters, like Isaac, are children of promise. 29 At that time the son born according to the flesh persecuted the son born by the power of the Spirit. It is the same now. 30 But what does Scripture say? “Get rid of the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with the free woman’s son.” 31 Therefore, brothers and sisters, we are not children of the slave woman, but of the free woman. Freedom in Messiah 5 It is for freedom that Messiah has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery and think that you can gain salvation through your works and not in faith that Yahshua has fullfilled all that was required when he declared on the cross “It is finished”. 2 Mark my words! I, Shaul, tell you that IF YOU LET YOURSELVES BE CIRCUMCISED, (OR YOUR CHILDREN!) MESSIAH WILL BE OF NO VALUE TO YOU AT ALL. 3 AGAIN I DECLARE TO EVERY MAN WHO LETS HIMSELF BE CIRCUMCISED THAT HE IS OBLIGATED TO OBEY THE WHOLE LAW! So why do you in the Twelve Tribes do this to your children? Whatever Yoneq tells you is wrong and fabricated. 4 YOU WHO ARE TRYING TO BE JUSTIFIED BY THE LAW HAVE BEEN ALIENATED FROM MESSIAH; YOU HAVE FALLEN AWAY FROM GRACE. 5 For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope. 6 For in Yahshua Ha’ Mashiach neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. 7 You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth? Yoneq? 8 That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. 9 “A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.” It’s PRIDE! 10 I am confident in the Messiah that you will take no other view. The one who is throwing you into confusion, whoever that may be, will have to pay the penalty. 11 Brothers and sisters, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished. 12 AS FOR THOSE AGITATORS, I WISH THEY WOULD GO THE WHOLE WAY AND EMASCULATE THEMSELVES! AND THE WHOLE CHURCH CRIED OUT “AMEN!”…. 13 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free!. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. 14 For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”15 If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other. 16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law! 19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft (including psychological manipulation); hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition (narcissism), dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Yahshua Ha’ Mashiach have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. Doing Good to All 6 Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. 2 Carry each others burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Messiah. 3 If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. 4 Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, 5 for each one should carry their own load. 6 Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor. 7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. ( I will take this opportunity to explain the two reasons why I am transliterating the Letter from Paul to the Church of Galatians into Shauls letter to the modern day intentional Communities of the Twelve Tribes. One is to remind the ex members why they were 100% scripturally correct in leaving the aberrant high control group and secondly to reach out to those who are still held in their mental and spiritual bondage and see that they can leave with no fear of God but actually the opposite and that they will be protected as they flee this bondage that Shaul detested! May Yahweh and Yahshua bless your journey home… There are people waiting for your return… ) Not Circumcision but the New Creation 11 See what large letters I use as I write to you with my own hand! 12 Those who want to impress people by means of the flesh are trying to compel you to be circumcised. (You must question Yoneq and the elders why they insist you do this. They will tell you extra-scriptural lies similar to the Catholics) The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Messiah. 13 Not even those who are circumcised keep the law, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your circumcision in the flesh. 14 May I never boast except in the cross of our Yahshua Ha’ Mashiach, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15 Neither circumcision nor un-circumcision means anything; what counts is the new creation. 16 Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule to the Israel of God. 17 From now on, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Yahshua. 18 The grace of our Yahshua Ha’ Mashiach be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.

One last note to the Brothers and Sisters of Yahshua in the Twelve Tribes Communities. Please read this checklist and honestly answer the questions and tell me if the Twelve Tribes Communities does not fit each and everyone of these boxes. You may want to honestly reconsider your life choice to give your whole existence and that of your children to this “organization”  May God Bless all who read this and may the grace and love of Yahshua open your eyes and may the Spirit guide your footsteps… AMEN.

Characteristics Associated with Cultic Groups – Revised
Janja Lalich, Ph.D. & Michael D. Langone, Ph.D.

Concerted efforts at influence and control lie at the core of cultic groups, programs, and relationships. Many members, former members, and supporters of cults are not fully aware of the extent to which members may have been manipulated, exploited, even abused. The following list of social-structural, social-psychological, and interpersonal behavioral patterns commonly found in cultic environments may be helpful in assessing a particular group or relationship.
Compare these patterns to the situation you were in (or in which you, a family member, or friend is currently involved). This list may help you determine if there is cause for concern. Bear in mind that this list is not meant to be a cult scale or a definitive checklist to determine if a specific group is a cult. This is not so much a diagnostic instrument as it is an analytical tool. If you find that the group you are in or wondering about fits at least 4 or 5 of these 15 entries you might want to get some professional advice about this group.
‪ □ The group displays excessively zealous and unquestioning commitment to its leader and (whether he is alive or dead) regards his belief system, ideology, and practices as the Truth, as law, as the word of God.
‪ □ Questioning, doubt, and dissent are discouraged, forbidden or even punished.
‪ □  Mind-altering practices (such as meditation, chanting, singing, dancing, speaking in tongues, denunciation sessions, and debilitating work routines) are used in excess and serve to suppress doubts about the group and its leader(s).
‪ ‪□ The leadership dictates, sometimes in great detail, how members should think, act, and feel (for example, members must get permission to date, change jobs, marry or leaders prescribe what types of clothes to wear, grooming practices, where to live, what to eat, whether or not to have children, how to discipline children, and so forth).
‪ □   The group is elitist, claiming a special, exalted status for itself, (chosen ones)its leader(s) and members (for example, the leader is considered the Messiah, a special being, Apostle, an avatar or the group and/or the leader is on a special mission to save humanity, bring back Messiah, etc).
‪ ‪□  The group has a polarized us-versus-them mentality, which may cause conflict with the wider society.
‪ □  The leader is not accountable to any authorities (unlike, for example, teachers, military commanders or ministers, priests, monks, and rabbis of mainstream religious denominations).
‪ □  The group teaches or implies that its supposedly exalted ends justify whatever means it deems necessary. This may result in members’ participating in behaviors or activities they would have considered reprehensible or unethical before joining the group (for example, lying to family or friends, or collecting money for bogus charities).
‪ ‪□  The leadership induces feelings of shame and/or guilt in order to influence and/or control members. Often, this is done through peer pressure and subtle forms of persuasion, shunning etc.
‪ □  Subservience to the leader or group requires members to cut ties with family and friends, and radically alter the personal goals and activities they had before joining the group.
‪ □  The group is preoccupied with bringing in new members.
‪ □  The group is preoccupied with making money.
‪ □  Members are expected to devote inordinate amounts of time to the group and group-related activities.
‪ □  Members are encouraged or required to live and/or socialize only with other group members.
‪ □ The most loyal members (the “true believers”) feel there can be no life outside the context of the group. They believe there is no other way to be, and often fear reprisals from God to themselves or others if they leave (or never even consider leaving) the group.
This checklist will be published in the new book, Take Back Your Life: Recovering from Cults and Abusive Relationships by Janja Lalich and Madeleine Tobias (Berkeley: Bay Tree Publishing, 2006). It was adapted from a checklist originally developed by Michael Langone.