Editing House of Yahweh

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{{short description|Religious group based in Texas, United States}}
{{for|the biblical term|House of Yahweh (biblical term)}}
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{{Infobox religion
| name                = House of Yahweh
| image               = 
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| type                = [[New religious movement]]
| orientation         =
| scripture           = [[Bible]]
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| polity              =
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| area                = [[United States]]
| headquarters        =  [[Eula, Texas]]
| founder             = {{nowrap|Yisrayl Hawkins}}
| founded_date        = 1980
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| defunct             = 
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| other_names         = | publications        =
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}}
<!--Merged content from [[Yisrayl Hawkins]] to here. See [[Talk:House of Yahweh#Founder]].-->
The '''House of Yahweh''' ('''HOY''') is a religious group based in [[Eula, Texas]]. The assembly has been controversial and is referred to as a [[cult]] by former members.<ref>{{cite web|title=House Of Yahweh: A Darker Sect Than FLDS|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/house-of-yahweh-a-darker-sect-than-flds/|work=CBSNews|date=13 May 2008 |publisher=Associated Press|access-date=17 January 2012}}</ref>

==Founder==
Yisrayl Hawkins (also known as "Buffalo Bill" Hawkins) is HOY's founder.<ref>{{cite web|last=Ross|first=Brian|title=Texas Doomsday Prophet Faces Bigamy Charges|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/story?id=5018120&page=1|work=The Blotter|publisher=ABC News|access-date=5 May 2012}}</ref> In 1974, his brother, J. G. (Yaaqob) Hawkins, returned from a seven-year visit to Israel claiming he had "found proof of Yahweh's name". Shortly after, he formed the "first House of Yahweh" in [[Odessa, Texas]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Arnn|first=Philip|title=House of Yahweh|url=http://www.watchman.org/profiles/house-of-yahweh/|work=Watchman Fellowship|access-date=5 May 2012}}</ref> He preached distinct doctrines that his brother agreed with, such as the necessity of referring to the [[Creator deity|Creator]] as [[Yahweh (Christianity)|Yahweh]] and the [[Messiah]] as [[Yahshua]], as well as following the [[Torah]] and the [[Jewish holidays|Jewish festivals]].

In 1980, Hawkins legally changed his first name to Yisrayl, and began The House of Yahweh [[Abilene, Texas|Abilene]] at his home. Hawkins says he and his brother were prophesied in both the [[Old Testament|Old]] and [[New Testament]]s as the [[two witnesses]], sent by Yahweh to prepare the world for the [[Second Coming]] of Yahshua the Messiah.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Hawkins|first=Yisrayl|journal=The Prophetic Word|date=7 June 1991|pages=76}}</ref>

Hawkins has written numerous books concerning Yahweh's laws and prophecies. Some are
''The Mark of the Beast'' Vol. 1 & 2, ''The Lost Faith of the Apostles and Prophets'','' Deceptions Concerning Yahweh's Calendar Of Events'', ''Devil Worship: The Shocking Facts!'', ''Unveiling Satan!'', ''The End'', ''In Search of a Savior'', ''There Is Someone Out There'', ''The Two Witnesses'', and ''The Peaceful Solution''. Hawkins was the primary editor<!--the book itself lists him as "author", so it is self referencing--> of ''The Book of Yahweh: The Holy Scriptures'', now in its 10th edition, which is, according to the House of Yahweh "the most correct and accurate translation of the Holy Scriptures that is available today."<ref>{{cite book |title=The Book of Yahweh: The Holy Scriptures |date=2012 |publisher=The House of Yahweh |location="Location 526" in the online Kindle e-book reader |isbn=978-1-937282-02-8 |edition=10th Edition, Ebook Version 1.0: 3-2012 |language=en |quote="... ''The Book of Yahweh'' is the most correct and accurate translation of the Holy Scriptures that is available today."}}</ref> With its use of the name Yahweh throughout the New Testament, it fits into the category of [[sacred name Bibles]].

Hawkins died on 8 October 2021.<ref>{{cite news |author=KTXS Staff |title=Yisrayl Hawkins, the leader of The House of Yahweh has died |url=https://ktxs.com/news/local/yisrayl-hawkins-the-leader-of-the-house-of-yahweh-has-died |access-date=15 October 2021 |work=KTXS |date=10 October 2021}}</ref>

==Beliefs==
The House of Yahweh believes that it is the oldest and only true faith, as instituted by Yahweh, according to the Bible. Many of the groups teachings are similar to those of [[Herbert W. Armstrong]] and the Sabbatarian [[Armstrongism#Churches of God|Churches of God]].<ref name="House of Yahweh a Dangerous Cult">{{cite web|title=House of Yahweh a Dangerous Cult|url=http://www.exitsupportnetwork.com/letters/ltrs01.htm|work=Exit and Support Network|access-date=17 January 2012|archive-date=14 November 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111114163633/http://www.exitsupportnetwork.com/letters/ltrs01.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Similar to [[Armstrongism]], the HOY believes the world will soon experience the [[Great Tribulation]] and that the Bible refers to [[Satan]] as the god of this world, and that "she" has the entire world deceived.

HOY believes Yahweh is the name of the creator of the world, and that Yahshua is the name of the Son of Yahweh, and that he is their messiah. They teach that any other titles—such as [[God (word)|God]] ([[El (god)|El]], [[Elohim]]), Lord ([[Ba'al]], [[Adonai]]), [[Jehovah]], [[Jesus]] and [[Christ]]—are names or titles of [[pagan]] beings or idols, or are mistakes, that have been falsely ascribed to Yahweh.<ref name=Watchman>{{citation |last= Arnn |first= Philip |title= House of Yahweh |url= http://www.watchman.org/profile/yahpro.htm |work= The Watchman Expositor | publisher= [[Watchman Fellowship]] |access-date= 2012-03-28 |volume= 12 |issue= 3 |year= 1995}}</ref>

Its practices draw from [[Judaism]], as the assembly follows the Torah, the [[613 laws]] and rules found in the [[Pentateuch]]. They believe the observance of these laws promotes peace and love, and is an answer to many problems in the world.  Members adhere to a [[kosher]] diet, strictly following the dietary laws in Leviticus 11, and wear garments similar to the Jewish [[Kippah|''yarmulke'' (''kippah'')]] and ''[[tallit]]'' in worship services and private prayer.  Members regularly perform [[Ritual washing in Judaism|ritual ablutions]], and are baptized when they join the assembly.

HOY instructs its members to [[tithe]] 10% of all their increases as said in the Bible.

===Feasts===
Like Judaism and Armstrongism, HOY keeps the [[seventh-day Sabbath]]<ref>{{cite web|last=Hawkins|first=Yisrayl|title=Sermons - Join us for Live Sabbath Services each week|url=http://www.yahweh.com/sermons.html|work=House of Yaweh|access-date=17 January 2012}}</ref>  and the annual feasts of the [[Old Testament]], including [[Passover]], the [[Feast of Unleavened Bread]], [[Pentecost]], [[The Feast of Trumpets]], and [[The Feast of Tabernacles]], as well as the fast-day called [[The Day of Atonement]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Hawkins|first=Yisrayl|title=Feast Information|url=http://www.yahweh.com/feast_info.html|work=House of Yaweh|access-date=17 January 2012}}</ref>

Once a year on [[Quartodecimanism|the evening before Passover]], members hold a solemn observance they call "Yahshua's Memorial" in memory of the [[crucifixion of Jesus]]. The assembly shares [[unleavened bread]] and wine as symbols of the body and blood of Yahshua, and members wash one another's feet. The following evening, the assembly celebrates [[Passover]].

[[Christmas]], [[Easter]] and [[birthdays]] are not celebrated, as they believe they are pagan rituals and customs in observance of other gods.  Unlike Judaism and Armstrongism, HOY believes The House of Yahweh Sanctuary in [[Eula, Texas]] is the only place on earth where celebratory feasts are to be observed, and three times a year they make a pilgrimage to Abilene to celebrate Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles.

===Rejection of Trinitarianism===
Unlike [[Nicene Creed|Trinitarian Christianity]], the House of Yahweh teaches that Yahshua (Jesus) was born a man, and [[Adoptionism|became the son of Yahweh]], "the firstborn among many brothers", when he was baptized by [[John the Baptist]]. They believe that he was framed for insurrection, received an illegal trial, and was then flogged, tormented, nailed to a [[Instrument of Jesus' crucifixion|pole]] (not a [[cross]]) and executed by the civil authorities. Similar to Christianity, they teach that he died for the [[sin]]s of man as an [[Atonement in Christianity|atonement]] offering or [[blood sacrifice]], and in so doing he became a [[Passover Lamb]]. The House of Yahweh teaches that he was buried at sunset, and three days later, he was resurrected from the dead, subsequently ascending into [[Heaven]] 40 days later. They believe that he is waiting until the prophesied [[Eschatology|end time]] to return to Earth, establishing Yahweh's Kingdom on Earth and preventing humankind from ultimately destroying themselves.<ref name=Watchman />

===Yahweh's exclusivity===
{{unreferenced section|date=June 2018}}
According to the assembly, Yahweh is the only one who deserves worship or adoration, and is the sovereign and only creator and ruler of the universe. Yahshua (Jesus) is not believed to be a divine being, and is not thought to preexist before his conception. They believe that the [[Holy Spirit]] in the original scriptures is "The every word of Yahweh, the Law and the Prophets".

Unlike either Judaism or Christianity, and similarly to Armstrongism, they make no distinction between the [[Old Testament]] and the [[New Testament]], claiming the New Testament is a continuation of the Old Testament, reaffirming and reestablishing it. In addition, the House of Yahweh rejects religious customs that conflict with their interpretation of the Torah.

In an attempt to purify their religion of 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 they believe are pagan corruptions, including removal of God/[[Elohim]] in favor of Yahweh, as well as changing names to remove these influences (e.g. ''Yliyah'' for [[Elijah]], ''Yechetzqyah'' for [[Ezekiel]], ''Riyyah'' for [[Ruth (biblical figure)|Ruth]], and ''Yahchanan'' for [[John (name)|John]]).

==Failed "end times" predictions==
* 1999–In a [[Channel 4]] documentary entitled ''Welcome to Armageddon'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.idfa.nl/en/film/1ba48c14-a4d5-4cb6-ae20-57191f9b90dc/welcome-to-armageddon?filters[runtime]=60 |title=Welcome to Armageddon |website=[[International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam|IDFA]] |date=1999}}</ref> Hawkins stated: "Four fifths of the world's population is going to be wiped out between now and about the middle of the year 2002. Mark it on your calendar. Four fifths of the world's population." When the interviewer asked: "What if what you're saying doesn't happen?", Hawkins replied: "There is no possibility that it could not take place just as I have told you."
* September 12, 2006–Hawkins announced in the House of Yahweh newsletter (February 2006) that a nuclear war would begin on September 12, 2006. He claimed that it was a part of HOY's commission to warn the nations and the people of the world. Hawkins was interviewed on the Channel 4 web show "thisisaknife" about his apocalyptic predictions. Among other things, he claimed that Abilene, Texas, would be saved from the impending destruction, and invited the show's presenter to join him there so he would be safe.<ref>{{cite web|last=Hawkins|first=Yisrayl|title=Nuclear War Starts 9-12-2006|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UK36gJH0PHI|work=YouTube|date=8 September 2006 |publisher=House of Yaweh|access-date=26 January 2012}}</ref>

:[[Kenya]]n followers of the House of Yahweh believe that [[eschatology|the end of the world]] began on or before September 12, 2006, and that members of the House Of Yahweh would have survived the coming [[nuclear warfare|nuclear catastrophe]]. The specific prophecy appeared on the front page of HOY's website prior to the date. It is also addressed in the publication ''The End'' by Yisrayl Hawkins. That same year, the leaders of the sect in Kenya were arrested, and subsequently released on bail after giving assurances that they would refrain from inciting fear in the local population. Following the predicted [[wikt:doomsday|doomsday]] date predicted by the Kenyan sect, leaders of the group have reportedly fled Kenya.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/5337438.stm BBC NEWS | Africa | Kenyan joy as world fails to end]</ref>

* June 12, 2007–Hawkins amended his prediction to state that a nuclear war was only conceived on September 12, 2006, and that it would follow the natural birth cycle of a woman, finally being "born" nine months later on June 12, 2007. On May 7, 2007, a new counter was put up on his website, counting down to the June 12 birth date of the "Nuclear Baby". Whether the entire nuclear event was to take place on that date, or in the months leading up to it as well, was never made clear. He also stated that by October 13, 2007, four-fifths or 80% of the human race would be dead from nuclear war.<ref>{{cite web|last=Hawkins|first=Yisrayl|title=July 14, 2007 sermon|url=http://www.yahweh.com/MediaDownloads/Audio/Sermons/MP3/2007-07-14.mp3|work=House of Yaweh|access-date=26 January 2012}}{{dead link|date=November 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
* June 12, 2008–Hawkins stated that nuclear war would begin on June 12, 2008. Since the passing of this date without incident, Hawkins has yet to predict another date for a nuclear war.
* December 24, 2016–The group claimed that nuclear destruction would occur before Christmas 2016, so members attended and watched, but nothing happened.<ref>{{cite web|last=Ross|first=Brian|title=Texas Sect Leader: Doomsday Begins Next Thursday, June 12|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/story?id=5008225&page=1|work=ABC News|publisher=ABC|access-date=26 January 2012}}</ref>
* In the book ''Birth Of the Nuclear Baby: The Explosion Of Sin'', the group claims that nuclear war did start on September 12, 2006, but that it did not start with bombs dropping.<ref>{{cite web|last=Hawkins|first=Yisrayl|title=ARE NUCLEAR WARS REALLY COMING?|url=http://www.yahweh.com/NUKEBABY/WhatIsTheBabyAl%20About.htm|work=House of Yaweh|access-date=17 January 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090928025806/http://www.yahweh.com/NUKEBABY/WhatIsTheBabyAl%20About.htm|archive-date=28 September 2009}}</ref>

==Legal issues==
In October 2006, a former HOY member pleaded guilty to injury to a child by criminal negligence for performing surgery on her seven-year-old daughter, which led to her death, according to authorities.{{where|date=August 2023}}{{citation needed|date=August 2023}}

On October 16, 2007, Yedidiyah Hawkins, an Elder at HOY, was arrested for sexual assault of his fourteen-year-old stepdaughter. During a forensic interview at the Abilene Police Department's Child Advocacy Center, the child disclosed that the abuse began when she was eight. Documents released by the Callahan County District Attorney's Office following the arrest allege that Hawkins was preparing to marry the unnamed stepdaughter, although the group says that was not true.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.reporternews.com/news/2007/oct/18/hawkins-arrested-on-sexual-assault-charge |title=Hawkins arrested on sexual assault charge : Big Country : Abilene Reporter-News<!-- Bot generated title --> |access-date=2007-10-22 |archive-date=2007-10-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071023051720/http://www.reporternews.com/news/2007/oct/18/hawkins-arrested-on-sexual-assault-charge/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> He was subsequently indicted by a Callahan County, Texas Grand Jury on December 12, 2007.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.reporternews.com/news/2007/dec/12/police-fire-blotter/ |title=APD responds to brief standoff : Police & Fire Blotter : Abilene Reporter-News<!-- Bot generated title --> |access-date=2007-12-25 |archive-date=2007-12-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071225070532/http://reporternews.com/news/2007/dec/12/police-fire-blotter/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> On October 27, 2008, a jury for the [[42nd District Court (Texas)|42nd District Court]] found him guilty of aggravated sexual assault of a child. The judge sentenced him to 30 years in prison.<ref>{{cite web|last=Schoenewald|first=Daralyn|title=House of Yahweh's Hawkins sentenced to 30 years for sexual assault|url=http://www.reporternews.com/news/2008/dec/10/house-yahwehs-hawkins-sentenced-30-years/|work=Abilene Reporter-News - December 10, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140416182536/http://www.reporternews.com/news/2008/dec/10/house-yahwehs-hawkins-sentenced-30-years/|archive-date=April 16, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Schoenewald|first=Daralyn|title=House of Yahweh's Hawkins sentenced to 30 years for sexual assault |work=The Abilene Reporter - December 10, 2008}}</ref> A motion for a new trial was rejected by a 42nd District Court judge on February 18, 2009. Several other charges are pending until all appeals have been exhausted.<ref>{{cite web|last=Schoenewald|first=Daralyn|title=New trial denied for Yahweh elder Yedidiyah Hawkins|url=http://www.reporternews.com/news/2009/feb/19/new-trial-denied-yahweh-elder-yedidiyah-hawkins/|work=Abilene Reporter-News - February 19, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140416182540/http://www.reporternews.com/news/2009/feb/19/new-trial-denied-yahweh-elder-yedidiyah-hawkins/|archive-date=April 16, 2014}}</ref> On July 29, 2010, the Eleventh Court of Appeals in the State of Texas affirmed his conviction.<ref name=Final>{{cite web|url=https://law.justia.com/cases/texas/eleventh-court-of-appeals/2010/9766.html|publisher=Justia.com|date=July 29, 2010|access-date=March 26, 2024|title=Trial Court Cause No. 6641, Memorandum Opinion}}</ref>

On February 12, 2008, Yisrayl Hawkins was arrested and then moved to the Taylor County Jail on four counts of bigamy. His bail was set at $10 million, later reduced to $100,000.<ref>[http://www.kristv.com/global/story.asp?s=7864515 Corpus Christi, TX | KRISTV.COM |Head of religious sect charged with bigamy<!-- Bot generated title -->]{{dead link|date=January 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> On October 29, 2009, bigamy charges against him were dismissed after he, following what he believes is the example of the Savior, pleaded no contest to child labor charges. Hawkins was given a fine and probation.<ref>{{cite web|last=Emison|first=Celinda|title=Bigamy charges against House of Yahweh leader Yisrayl Hawkins dropped|url=http://www.reporternews.com/news/2009/oct/29/bigamy-charges-against-house-yahweh-leader-yisrayl/|work=Your Abilene Online|publisher=Reporter News|access-date=17 January 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120315063103/http://www.reporternews.com/news/2009/oct/29/bigamy-charges-against-house-yahweh-leader-yisrayl/|archive-date=15 March 2012}}</ref>

==See also==
* ''[[The House of Yahweh: My Side of the Story]]''
* [[List of groups referred to as cults or sects in government documents]]
* [[Sacred Name Movement]]

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==External links==
* {{official website|http://www.yahweh.com/}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060901062812/http://www.yisraylhawkins.com/ Yisrayl Hawkin's website]

{{House of Yahweh}}

[[Category:Apocalyptic groups]]
[[Category:Christian new religious movements]]
[[Category:Christian denominations in the United States]]
[[Category:Christian organizations established in 1980]]
[[Category:1980 establishments in Texas]]
[[Category:Sacred Name Movement]]