What I Testify as My Understanding of the Growth and Development of
the Theology and Faith of Rastafari – Followers of H.I.M Haile
Selassie I. by Karl Phillpotts Naphtali.
1.We accept the Holy Bible, from Genesis 1 to Revelation 22, as the
inspired Word of The Most High, The Father of the Universe.
2.We accept that God is a Spirit, the Creative Word, and they that
worship Him must worship Him in Spirit and in Truth, for the Father
seeketh such to Worship Him. (John4vs23-24)
3.We accept that man's body is the Temple of the living God, and
therefore is His Chief instrument. (1Corinthians3v16, 6v19)
4.We accept and proclaim with all our heart, soul, mind and
strength that Jesus, (known in our Hebrew tongue as Yeshua) who trod
the earth 2000 years ago, is The Messiah, The Christ, The only
begotten Son of The Father and The Saviour and Redeemer of Mankind.
That He lived the perfect life and paid for our redemption from the
curse of the Law, by His innocent blood (Hebrew9vs11-15, 22) And
because no sin was found in Him, in that He was obedient to the Father
even unto death, it was impossible for Death, the curse of the Law, to
have dominion over Him. He therefore died for our sins and rose for
our justification, laying down mortality and putting on immortality.
And as such, being the first fruits of them that slept (Romans5v19)
and restored to the original form that Adam was created, (i.e.
immortal) it is Him Jesus who has fulfilled the seed that would come
(Genesis3vs15) to bruise the head of the serpent, the devil, and will
restore mankind to immortality and the Creation to perfection, in the
Age to come. When he returns to overthrow the existing social,
political, economic, and religious disorder and establish Gods
Righteous Kingdom here on the earth (Daniel 2 vs44, Isiah54vs21-2). He
will reign from the throne of David, from a New Jerusalem, and the
resurrected Saints and the living Faithful will reign with Him as
Kings and Priests upon the earth (Rev5 vs10).
5. We accept that Until then, as the Scripture teaches, The Kingdom
of God will remain in the hands of the Sons of David, (2nd Chronicles
13vs5,8) to whom it was given by an everlasting Covenant, (Davidic
Covenant, 2nd Samuel 7) as long as the Sun and Moon endure. This
throne of God, established in the Royal House of David and King
Solomon (2nd Chronicles 9 v 8) was transmitted to the Ethiopian Royal
House via the Queen of Sheba who carried the Royal Seed from Solomon
to Ethiopia.
6. The Kings of Ethiopia, descended from King David and King
Solomon through Menelek1 are therefore of Divine origin, meaning that
their throne was established by The Eternal Himself, when the children
of Israel asked for a King, mainly because with their `fleshy' minds
they could not understand that the Eternal was their King. (1Samuel
8vs1-9)(Psalms10vs16)(1Tim 1v17)
7. We as Rastafarians of the Twelve Tribes of Israel will never
relinquish the Divinity of His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Haile
Selassie1. By this we mean that according to the anointing he has
received, according to the Royal tradition, (1Samuel16vs12-13) the
Spirit of The Most High rests upon him and His Words are in his mouth
and speaks by his tongue. (2ndSamuel 23vs2-3) We accept His Imperial
Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie1 to be the 225th restorer of the
Solomonic Dynasty. Therefore according to the Messianic Anointing he
has received, His Imperial Majesty represents the Father and His
Christ. We therefore hold that The Eternal Word, Manifested in Our
Lord (Master) Jesus the Christ (Anointed) has been revealed to us the
Rastafarian brethren and sisters of the twelve tribes of Israel
through the personality of His Imperial Majesty Emperor Haile
Selassie1.
8.As we accept that God is a Spirit, in the physical absence of His
Imperial Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie 1, the throne as promised will
continue in the hands of the sons of David UNTIL Shiloh comes. Let it
be noted that as His Imperial Majesty has appointed Crown Prince Zere
Yacob Asfa Wossen Haile Selassi1, (14th April1974) his successor to
the throne of David, we accept that the throne is now in his hands.
(See last two formal pronouncements of Emperor Haile Selassie1 in
Edward Ullendorff's Journal of Semitic Studies, Vol.22,
1977;pp209-210) And this Monarchy, wherever residing, will continue as
a Light to the fact that the House of David will hold, preserve, and
be custodians of this throne in the earth until Shiloh, comes.
9. We accept that the Scepter, that is, the Divine Authority to
rule in God's stead or Custodianship of God's throne will not leave
the House of Judah, Until Shiloh comes (Genesis 49vs10). Kings from
this House have come and have gone, but the one whose right it is
(Shiloh) will be seated upon the throne from everlasting to
everlasting, not temporarily or over a temporary dispensable Kingdom
(St.Luke1vs31-32). This means that He that is to come will be the
immortal King ruling eternally. He is the Lamb that was slain, (Rev
5vs 9–10) 2000 years ago in Jerusalem, and rose from the grave and
He whom the Heavens must retain, ((Acts3vs 20-21) UNTIL the
restoration of all things spoken of by the Prophets since the world
began (Acts 3vs 25-26). It is this same Jesus (Hebrew13v8, Acts1v11)
the Lamb of God that was found worthy and is now seated at the right
hand of the Father Until He Has put all enemies under His feet. It is
He Jesus, the non-cohabited body of Christ who will inaugurate the
Kingdom of God in the Age to come, the Millennium, the reign of Christ
for a thousand years. His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie1 and the
Royal House is the cohabited body of Christ who holds the throne until
Shiloh comes.
10. We believe that what has been preached in the name of Christ
and in the name of Christianity by most Churches, has too often been a
doctrine about Jesus but not what Jesus taught. (Galatians1vs6-8). We
believe that when the Roman and Greek mind took over the
interpretation of the Scriptures, instead of the Hebrew mind, the
world was deceived into believing in another Jesus, the image of a
Greek god, rather than the historical Jesus, the Son of God.
(Rev.12vs9) Jesus was sent by His Father to proclaim or herald the
Good News about the coming Kingdom of God to earth and that we were to
repent and believe in this message for the Kingdom was at hand or
near. (Luke 4v43, Mark 1vs14-15). When we accept this Word, this seed,
this message, we conceive and new life, a new birth occurs in us,
(born again) and `quickens' us towards immortality in the Age to come.
It is in understanding and belief upon the Words that Jesus spoke that
gives life, the seed of immortality. (Luke 8vs11-12). And we must also
accept that it is His blood that paid the ransom to open the gates of
immortality once again as it was in the beginning before the fall of
Man. So shall it be in the end, when all the Saints that sleep will be
awakened, or resurrected with an immortal glorious body and the
creation restored to its glorious state, as it was in the beginning
(Philippians3vs20-21) (Acts24vs14-15, & 26vs28-23)
11. Those who embrace this Hope, this Faith that the Twelve Tribes
of Israel waited earnestly for day and night, have the Faith of
Abraham and all the prophets of God. Those are therefore the seed of
Abraham and therefore inheritors of the promises made to Abraham. This
is the Promise of a land - grant, not in the sky but right here on
earth where the Meek shall inherit the land or earth. It is promised
to the Faithful, IRRESPECTIVE OF RACE, NATIONALITY, OR GENDER. These
are the Israel of God, the New Israel. To them will be given the
disputed land when Messiah returns. Those who have suffered for this
faith in Messiah (Christ), in the regeneration, they will be given
twelve thrones, Judging (administering) the 12 tribes of Israel.
(Luke22v29-30) 12. Until then we believe that Ethiopia is our place of
refuge, as Jacob took refuge in the tents of Ham. We accept the
legitimate right of all African descendants to Repatriate to the land
of our forefathers, Africa. The land given to us by our King in
Shashamane should be developed to sustain ourselves during the Great
tribulation. This is also part of the Holy Land.
13. We accept that as followers of His Imperial Majesty Haile
Selassie1, (whose pre- coronation name was Ras Tafari) we MUST study
and obey His teachings and follow his example and not the traditions,
sayings of anyone which are contrary to his words or the Holy Bible.
His Imperial Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie 1, Himself a follower of
Jesus, and holding the title of Defender of the Faith and leader of
the most ancient Christian Nation on earth, Ethiopia, has commanded us
to: "…arise with the spiritual zeal and earnestness which
characterized the Apostles and early Christians and let us lead our
brothers and sisters to Our Saviour Jesus, Who only give life in its
fullest sense". If we claim to love Him we should follow His
example and Teachings. 14.We also declare the Prophet Gad as the
Rastafarian who pointed us to the Holy Bible, The Historical Jesus,
The identity of the Twelve Tribes of Israel, Jerusalem, Shashamanne
Ethiopia and the Ethiopian Royal Family. Glory be to the Father, The
Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
___________________________________________________
The Challenge to our Faith, the Words of the King.
Greetings, My beloved Brothers and Sister of the Faith. I greet all
in the name of my precious Lord and Saviour Yeshua the Messiah(Jesus
Christ) who has revealed Himself through the personality of His
Imperial Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie I, King of Kings, Lion of the
tribe of Judah , Elect of God, Light of the World. Peace be to your
House.
I give thanks to Ras Adam for forwarding a Document “ My
Testimony” through this medium.
The Testimony of His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Haile Selassie I
Himself, inspired this testimony. His words are a light unto our feet,
and the guide for all who seek to find the correct path. As a
Rastafarian from youth I have never ceased, even to this hour to seek
to follow and accept the words of my King, through whom the Most High
has spoken , and by whose words on matters of the Faith I was inspired
to compile and share as a major source to bring more clarity to
understanding of the Faith.
However what amazes me is how many of my brothers who call by His
Majesty’s name, especially those who have been blessed to receive an
education, even printed his words, continue to deny the reality of His
Testimony, and the meaning of his words. It is like a man looking at
himself in a mirror and denying what he sees. Why is this so? Is it
because what he sees in the Kings words contradict what he has been
led to believe, contradicts his preconceived notions, or in sum
contradicts the man made doctrines and traditions handed down to him?
As in the times of Yeshua the Hebrew Messiah, The Master and
Saviour of Mankind, Satan’s chief weapon used against Him was the
tradition of His own kinsmen of the religious hierarchy. By holding to
their misconceptions of Scripture and to their man made traditions,
they made void or empty the commandments of Jah.
One reason he was crucified, was because he broke from the
tradition of the (religious) establishment that was perpetuating
ignorance and darkness. In response to the question of the Scribes as
to why His disciples transgressed the tradition of the elders, Jesus
answered: Matthew 15vs 3,6,9
…Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God with your
tradition?
…Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your
tradition.
…But in vain they do worship me teaching for doctrines the
commandments of men.
Brothers and Sisters must never be intimidated by anyone to think
that because they accept the reality of His Majesty’s teachings,
they are less a Rastafarian than any other. Rather to the contrary.
They that love HIM keep His commandments. In fact it is in keeping and
living the teachings of His Majesty that anoints one as a Rastafarian.
Now let us proceed to the teachings of His Majesty, the paradigm of
our Faith. I ask all the scholars to explain these plain words of the
King which throw light on the original Way of the Church of the
Nazarene.
Ø At this hour when I have found occasion and time to write the
story of my life, I preface my writing by presenting the following
prayer to my Creator and then continue this work.
Ø Lord Almighty, in whom there is no weakness, Eternal in whom
there is no transience,( meaning no temporary existence)
Ø In admiring Your work as well as Your judgements , a created
being, , even after much searching, cannot fathom them except to a
limited extent.
Ø …And now I am setting out contemplating to write the story of
my life from my thirteenth year until this time , on the basis of what
You have wrought, making me Your Instrument.
Sorry for interrupting these prayerful and thought provoking words
or our Imperial Majesty, but one is compelled to ask conscience or our
learned scholars or elders this question; Who is the King praying to?
Is it Himself? Explain with a clear conscience to our youths and
people of Jamaica, Africa, and the world. Who is the King calling My
Creator? Who is our King calling Lord Almighty, Eternal.
I confess whole heartedly to accept these plain words of my King
and surrender to His words, even when they may contradict my
preconceived notions or beliefs. To the youths and all who hath an ear
to hear, the words of our Divine King are straightforward and simple.
The Eternal is the I AM, JAH or YAWEH, the Self Existing One who
continuously reveals Himself. The Eternal is He Who was and Who is and
forever shall be. When man is like the flower that blooms today and is
gone tomorrow it is the Word of Jah that shall abide forever. This is
the Divine Spirit that spoke all things to into existence. The One
that anoints and appoints and Who has made, Elected and Annointed His
Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie I ( who never elected himself and
whose name fully and rightly translated means Instrument of the Might
of the Trinity) to His earthly throne, the throne of David to
represent Him to us. …and the man who was raised upon high, the
anointed of the God of Jacob… 2nd Samuel Chapter 23vs 1.
This is what I overstand or simply understand to be the plain words
of the King when He says in his prayer to Jah, making me your
instrument. Plain words, no big school needed to get the message, only
a repentant heart.
Now let us again examine the Majesty’s Words, the utterances from
the Most High through HIM just as how King David prayed in 2nd Samuel
Chapter23vs2; The Spirit of the Lord spoke by me and His Word was in
my tongue.
>I have the highest respect for the Bible as a whole. We also
recognize the rightful name the Bible bears. We find that in all the
periods of the Old Testament, the Patriarchs, Kings and Prophets,
great miracles were done.
On the other hand the New Testament in which our Lord Himself gave
the command to go to all the world and to preach is also of high
value.
Then Mathew, Mark, Luke and John, the four gospels in which the
sayings of our lord are recorded, are pillars for all men on earth.
Therefore the Bible should not be cut in portions.
Forgive me once again brothers and sisters for stopping here in the
middle of these divine utterances of light to ask another
soul-searching question to our Assembly. His Majesty says that even
the gospels of Mathew, Mark, Luke and John are pillars for all men on
earth.
So how can one deny accepting these Scriptures? Say what? This is
the King James English version. Translate the Amharic or Geez version
then. Say what? You can’t read it. Then give thanks for the version
you can read which has been the source of inspiration to our elders.
Now please let us forward again to the words of our King for
guidance.
Ø All the ancient Scriptures were written for our instruction, in
order that through the encouragement they give Us, we may maintain our
hope with fortitude.
Ø We in Ethiopia have one of the oldest versions of the Bible, but
however old the version may be , in whatever language it is written,
the Word remains one and the same. It transcends all boundaries of
Empire, all conception of race. It is Eternal.
Ø …Today man sees all his hopes and aspirations crumbling before
him. He perplexed and know not whither he is drifting. But he must
realize that the Bible is his refuge, and the rallying point for all
humanity.
Ø In it, man will find the solution for his present difficulties
and guidance for future action,
Ø And unless he accepts with clear conscience the Bible and its
great Message, there can be no hope for salvation.
Ø For my part ,I glory in the Bible
Please allow me to close this days Testimony with a quote from St
Luke Ch.5 vs.36-39, The words of the Master Messiah, Yeshua:
And he spake a parable unto them; No man putteth a piece of a new
garment upon an old; if otherwise then both both the new maketh a rent
,and the piece that was taken out of the new agreeth not with the old.
And no man putteth new wine into old bottles, and be spilled, and
the bottles perish .
But new wine must be put into new bottles; and both are preserved.
No man having drunk old wine straightway desireth new: for he
sayeth, The old is better.
I think these Scriptures and Words of His Imperial Majesty are
sufficient food for thought for I and I to meditate on this day that
the Lord has made. Rejoice in it and be glad.
Part 2coming up: The crucial importance of Yeshua (Jesus) and
Biblical Christianity and His Majesty’s advice on both subjects.
Thanks for reading. May the Spirit of the Most High watch over all
his sheep an open our overstanding to the Scriptures and the Teachings
of His Majesty. Karl Phillpotts Naphtali
