(By Chelle Wagner) Yahuah sometimes uses unusual ways to teach me about His Kingdom and open my eyes to His word and His ways. This is a story of what He taught me about the Greater Exodus when it was a brand new concept to me. At the time I had recently been fired as a Fine Arts Pastor in a charismatic church because I could no longer lead the community outreach Easter Egg Hunt. I had more time on my hands and I was seeking, and praying with all my heart. I had loved the job I had at the church working with so many artistic people on productions and I had just learned from a very talented lady how to make large banners to use in processionals. I didn’t even have a group of believers to congregate with but the Holy Spirit led me to make what became “The Sons of the Living God” banner.
On July 4, 2005, I went to the fabric store, knowing the Father wanted me to make a special banner. I did not have an idea for the theme of the banner, so I prayed, “Lord, if I touch something You want me to purchase to use for this banner please let that thing feel irresistible to me. If it is not something You want me to purchase, please let it feel like a dead fish in my hand.” As I shopped that day, I came home with 12 appliqué fish, a deep blue velvet fabric, and a colorful fabric that looked like fish scales. That led to the Father teaching me the following and making the Sons of the Living God COME FORTH banner. I would like to share some of the basic symbolism that is shown in the banner.
Fish – Symbolic of the souls of men
Dr. Frank T. Seekins in his book Hebrew Word Pictures states that:
The fourteenth letter of the Hebrew Alef-Bet is called Noon. The ancient way this letter was drawn agrees with the meaning of the name of the letter. Noon in ancient Hebrew means a fish. The picture of a fish darting through water can be seen in the ancient symbols used for this character. The Hebrew word for son is ben. The word picture says that he is the life of the family (he continues the family name).
Net – Symbolic of the kingdom of heaven
Matthew 13:47-50 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind: which, when it was filled, they drew up on the beach; and they sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but the bad they cast away.
So shall it be in the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the righteous, and shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth. KJV
The job of a net is to catch something.
Twelve – Symbolic for the entire household of God
The patriarch Jacob had twelve sons.
Genesis 35:22-26 Now the sons of Jacob were twelve:
The sons of Leah; Reuben, Jacob’s firstborn, and Simeon, and Levi, and Judah, and Issachar, and Zebulun:
The sons of Rachel; Joseph, and Benjamin:
And the sons of Bilhah, Rachel’s handmaid; Dan, and Naphtali:
And the sons of Zilpah, Leah’s handmaid; Gad, and Asher: these are the sons of Jacob, which were born to him in Padanaram.
From these sons came the twelve tribes of Israel.
We can see from Ezekiel 48 and Revelation 21 that these twelve are still symbolic of all the people or Sons of God because these are the names on the only twelve gates that grant entrance into the new city of Jerusalem.
Ezekiel 48:31-35 And the gates of the city shall be after the names of the tribes of Israel: three gates northward; one gate of Reuben, one gate of Judah, one gate of Levi.
And at the east side four thousand and five hundred: and three gates; and one gate of Joseph, one gate of Benjamin, one gate of Dan.
And at the south side four thousand and five hundred measures: and three gates; one gate of Simeon, one gate of Issachar, one gate of Zebulun.
At the west side four thousand and five hundred, with their three gates; one gate of Gad, one gate of Asher, one gate of Naphtali.
It was round about eighteen thousand measures: and the name of the city from that day shall be, The LORD is there. KJV
Revelation 21:1-12 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.
And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.
He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife.
And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,
Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal;
And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel: KJV
Sea – Symbolic for the restless masses of humanity
In many instances the seas are symbolism for the restless masses of humanity that are out in the nations.
Isaiah 57:20 But the wicked are like the troubled sea, which cannot rest, and its waters cast up mire and dirt.
Revelation 17:15 And he says to me, “The waters which you saw, where the harlot sits are peoples and multitudes and nations and tongues”…
When we see the sea in an uproar, we see the nations of the world in an uproar. I think the catastrophic happenings of hurricanes and tsunamis are one more indication of the time period that we are living in.
1 Corinthians 15:46 states
Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.
This is the scriptural principal that shows us we need to pay attention as things manifest in the physical realm.
The message of the Banner:
Sons of the Living God
COME FORTH
We must begin with:
John 21:1 -11 After these things Jesus manifested Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, and He manifested Himself in this way.
There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two others of His disciples.
Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will also come with you.” They went out, and got into the boat; and that night they caught nothing.
But when the day was now breaking, Jesus stood on the beach; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus.
Jesus therefore said to them, “Children, you do not have any fish, do you?” They answered Him, “No.”
And He said to them, “Cast the net on the right-hand side of the boat, and you will find a catch.” They cast therefore, and then they were not able to haul it in because of the great number of fish.
That disciple therefore whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord.” And so when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put his outer garment on (for he was stripped for work), and threw himself into the sea.
But the other disciples came in the little boat, for they were not far from the land, but about one hundred yards away, dragging the net full of fish.
And so, when they got out upon the land, they saw a charcoal fire already laid, and fish placed on it, and bread.
Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish which you have now caught.”
Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land, full of large fish, a hundred and fifty-three; and although there were so many, the net was not torn. KJV
At the time this story takes place, Yahshua had just been crucified. To the disciples it must have appeared as if everything they had prepared for was all for naught. They must have experienced a loss of purpose in life. They believed in the restoration of the Kingdom of YHVH, and thought they were going to experience that restoration with Yahshua, then He was crucified. Things certainly did not seem as they had expected. Simon Peter was a real man’s man. He was a leader of men and when he announces that he is going to go fishing, what he is really saying is … I am going back to what is familiar because I don’t understand what to do now. Things don’t line up with my theology. Since he is a leader, the other disciples follow him.
This story takes place at the Galilee. This is significant because the Assyrian invasion and captivity of the Northern Kingdom took place first in the region of the Galilee.
2 Kings 15:29 In the days of Pekah king of Israel came Tiglathpileser king of Assyria, and took Ijon, and Abelbethmaachah, and Janoah, and Kedesh, and Hazor, and Gilead, and Galilee, all the land of Naphtali, and carried them captive to Assyria.
Some of these northern tribes assimilated into the Assyrian people and others were scattered into the nations. References in scripture to the northern tribes are referred to as the House of Israel, the stick of Joseph, or Ephraim.
As previously mentioned, the story of the division of the kingdoms begins in 1 Kings 11 where Solomon is told it will happen. He has allowed the worship of Milcolm and Ashtoreth because of his idolatry and his love for his many pagan wives.
Ashtoreth – was Nimrod’s mother she has been known around the world by the names: Asherah, Ishtar, Eostre, Diana, Maia, Gaia, Ninurta, Nana, Ceres, Ostara, Venus and Aphrodite. We are probably most familiar with the name Easter, our modern day spring celebration. Idol worship caused the division of the House of Israel, YHVH’s people.
We see many examples in scripture that Yahshua died for two nations.
John 11:45-54 Then many of the Jews who came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on Him. But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. Then the chief priests and Pharisees gathered a sanhedrin, and said, What can we do? For this man does many miracles. If we let him alone this way, all will believe on him. And the Romans will come and take away both our place and nation.
And one of them, Caiaphas, being the high priest of that year, said to them, You do not know anything at all, nor do you consider that it is expedient for us that one man should die for the people, and not that the whole nation perish.
And he did not speak this of himself, but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for the nation; and not for that nation only, but also that He should gather together in one the children of God who were scattered abroad.
Then from that day they took counsel together that they might kill Him.
Therefore, Jesus walked no more openly among the Jews; but He went away from there to a country near the wilderness, into a city called Ephraim, and continued there with His disciples. KJV
John 10:16 And I have other sheep who are not of this fold. I must also lead those, and they shall hear My voice, and there shall be one flock, one Shepherd. KJV
This story in John 21 gets very interesting when the number of fish caught is 153. It makes no sense unless you understand Hebrew Gematria which the disciples did. In Hebrew there are no numbers, every Hebrew letter has a corresponding numerical equivalent. Here is a wonderful teaching found in E. W. Bullinger’s book Number in Scripture
153 The Number of the Redeemed
Bet 2
Noon 50 BENI
Yood 10
Hey 5 HA
Alef 1
Lamed 30
Hey 5 ELOHIM
Yood 10
Mem Sofit 40
“Sons of God”
Yahusha was still teaching and encouraging His disciples in His appearing to them after His crucifixion. He was bringing to their minds two teachings from the Torah.
The first teaching comes from the Book of Hosea – prophet to Israel – Ephraim – the Northern kingdom
Hosea is told to live out a prophetic picture of the Lord’s relationship to the House of Israel. He is told to marry a harlot – and he has three children with her whose names explain the judgment that the nations will endure because of their idolatry.
Jezreel – I will scatter you to the nations
Lo – ruhamah – I will not be compassionate about it – i.e. Through war
Lo – Ammi – You will forget that you are my people – you will become totally assimilated into the nations.
The last two verses explain the ultimate purpose of this prophecy for the end of days.
Hosea 1:10 Yet the number of the sons of Israel Will be like the sand of the sea, Which cannot be measured or numbered; And it will come about that, in the place Where it is said to them, “You are not My people,” It will be said to them, “You are the sons of the living God.” KJV
In John 21 when there are 153 fish in the net, Yahshua is reminding his disciples of their job description.
Matthew 4:18-19 And walking by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon who was called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen.
And He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” KJV
Matthew 10:5-8 These twelve Jesus sent out after instructing them, saying, “Do not go in the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter any city of the Samaritans;
but rather go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
“And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’
“Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons; freely you received, freely give.” KJV
Matthew 15:24 But He answered and said, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” KJV
Hosea 1:10 Yet the number of the sons of Israel will be like the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured or numbered; And it will come about that, in the place where it is said to them, “You are not My people,” It will be said to them, “You are the sons of the living God.” KJV
The reason He uses the term Living God – is to identify his children who have gone away because of idol worship.
He is telling us: After you realize who you are, I will reunite you with your brother Judah or the Jews.
Hosea 1:11 And the sons of Judah and the sons of Israel will be gathered together, And they will appoint for themselves one leader, And they will go up from the land, For great will be the day of Jezreel. KJV
There is a dual meaning to the name Jezreel. In the first instance it means: “I will scatter.” In the second instance it means: “I will re-gather what has been scattered.”
This verse is another witness to this concept.
Ecclesiastes 3:5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together… KJV
We also see this prophesied in Ezekiel 37:1-28.
The hand of the LORD was upon me, and He brought me out by the Spirit of the LORD and set me down in the middle of the valley; and it was full of bones.
And He caused me to pass among them round about, and behold, there were very many on the surface of the valley; and lo, they were very dry.
And He said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” And I answered, “O Lord GOD, Thou knowest.”
Again He said to me, “Prophesy over these bones, and say to them, ‘O dry bones, hear the word of the LORD.’
“Thus says the Lord GOD to these bones, ‘Behold, I will cause breath to enter you that you may come to life.
‘And I will put sinews on you, make flesh grow back on you, cover you with skin, and put breath in you that you may come alive; and you will know that I am the LORD.'”
So I prophesied as I was commanded; and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold, a rattling; and the bones came together, bone to its bone.
And I looked, and behold, sinews were on them, and flesh grew, and skin covered them; but there was no breath in them.
Then He said to me, “Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD, “Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they come to life.”‘”
So I prophesied as He commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they came to life, and stood on their feet, an exceedingly great army.
Then He said to me, “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel; behold, they say, ‘Our bones are dried up, and our hope has perished. We are completely cut off.’
“Therefore prophesy, and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD, “Behold, I will open your graves and cause you to come up out of your graves, My people; and I will bring you into the land of Israel.
“Then you will know that I am the LORD, when I have opened your graves and caused you to come up out of your graves, My people.
“And I will put My Spirit within you, and you will come to life, and I will place you on your own land. Then you will know that I, the LORD, have spoken and done it,” declares the LORD.'”
The word of the LORD came again to me saying,
“And you, son of man, take for yourself one stick and write on it, ‘For Judah and for the sons of Israel, his companions’; then take another stick and write on it, ‘For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim and all the house of Israel, his companions.’
“Then join them for yourself one to another into one stick, that they may become one in your hand.
“And when the sons of your people speak to you saying, ‘Will you not declare to us what you mean by these?’
say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD, “Behold, I will take the stick of Joseph, which is in the hand of Ephraim, and the tribes of Israel, his companions; and I will put them with it, with the stick of Judah, and make them one stick, and they will be one in My hand.”‘
“And the sticks on which you write will be in your hand before their eyes.
“And say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD, “Behold, I will take the sons of Israel from among the nations where they have gone, and I will gather them from every side and bring them into their own land;
and I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel; and one king will be king for all of them; and they will no longer be two nations, and they will no longer be divided into two kingdoms.
“And they will no longer defile themselves with their idols, or with their detestable things, or with any of their transgressions; but I will deliver them from all their dwelling places in which they have sinned, and will cleanse them. And they will be My people, and I will be their God.
“And My servant David will be king over them, and they will all have one shepherd; and they will walk in My ordinances, and keep My statutes, and observe them.
“And they shall live on the land that I gave to Jacob My servant, in which your fathers lived; and they will live on it, they, and their sons, and their sons’ sons, forever; and David My servant shall be their prince forever.
“And I will make a covenant of peace with them; it will be an everlasting covenant with them. And I will place them and multiply them and will set My sanctuary in their midst forever.
“My dwelling place also will be with them; and I will be their God, and they will be My people.
“And the nations will know that I am the LORD who sanctifies Israel, when My sanctuary is in their midst forever.”‘”
Another example found in the brit hadasha, the New Testament, is in Mathew 14:17-20.
And they said to Him, “We have here only five loaves and two fish.”
And He said, “Bring them here to Me.”
And ordering the multitudes to recline on the grass, He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up toward heaven, He blessed the food, and breaking the loaves He gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave to the multitudes, and they all ate, and were satisfied. And they picked up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve full baskets.
When Torah represented by the five loaves is alive in both houses two fish what is left is the twelve full baskets or the Twelve Tribes of Israel.
Chelle Wagner
About Chelle Wagner: I am part of the remnant of people whose ancestors were part of the 12 Tribes of Israel that were scattered abroad to every nation of the earth because of their rebellion, idol worship and refusal to worship the King of Kings in the way they were instructed. My heart beats with the message of the regathering of all 12 tribes to the full parcel of the physical land of Israel that is the inheritance that belongs to all of Yahuah’s children. My name is Chelle Wagner and I have been writing and speaking about this message which I call “Heart of the Tribe” since 2003 when it was revealed to me by the Holy Spirit of God. The reason I am so passionate about this message is because it is the plan of Yahuah to give us a hope and a future. The body of the Messiah has been just like the valley of dry bones since we were scattered into the nations. The good news is these bones will live!