HOUSE OF YAHWEH^®

IN ABILENE, TEXAS

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Note:

This group has not resulted in a loss of life. However, it appears to be a high risk group, with the potential of developing into a destructive cult at some time in the future. It would then pose an extreme danger to its members. There have been a number of negative media reports on this group, including a Newsweek magazine article in 1997-APR, a mention on the "This Morning" TV program for 1997-AUG-28, and an interview of their leader on Hard Copy.

House of Yahweh, Odessa

The House of Yahweh was organized by Jacob Hawkins. He is an American, who had gone to Israel in 1967 to work on a kibbutz. While there, he heard of an archaeological discovery of a 1st century building that had "House of Yahweh" (in Hebrew) over the entrance. He believed that this was the name of a group specially selected in ancient times by God. He decided to return to the US and to build a sanctuary in Odessa TX with that name.

Members worshiped Yahweh (Elohim) and Yeshua, His son. They were Sabbatarians; that is, they hold religious services on Saturday. They celebrated the main Jewish festivals (Passover, Pentecost, Feast of Tabernacles). They rejected, with considerable justification, Christmas, Easter, Halloween as Pagan inventions. They believed that Yeshua was born in the spring time, when the shepherds are out watching their flock at night during the birthing season. They taught that Yeshua's shed blood cleanses believers from sin, but only if they also adhere to the 10 commandments.

Members tithed 10% of their earnings. The group's leadership was from 12 disciples and 70 elders. They published a periodical: The Prophetic Watchman. They didn't keep membership records, but reported (in 1980) congregations in the US, Israel, India, South Africa, West Africa, Burma, Australian and Belgium.

Following the death of Jacob, the group became defunct.

House of Yahweh, Abilene

Jacob's brother Yisrayl was originally part of the Odessa group. But he left in 1980 to form a second House of Yahweh in Abilene TX. The brothers had disagreed over the proper name for God. Yisrayl is the High Priest and is assisted by elders, and male and female deacons. They celebrate the various Jewish feast days specified in Leviticus 23. They also celebrate two additional feasts: "Yahshua's Memorial" and "Last Great Day". They have a periodical called The Prophetic Word. In 1987, they reported seven congregations served by 35 ministers. They have about 100 followers living at their headquarters.

Yisrayl Hawkins has written a number of books and articles about Biblical prophecy. In 1983, he correctly predicted that the Middle East Peace Accord would be signed in 1993. He has written a book "Can We Avoid The Next Holocaust?" about massively disruptive events in the immediate future. Other books include: