BIRTH

 H.I.M. His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Haile Selassie I was born on a Stormy night 23 July 1892 in a village called Ejersa Goro, and was named Lij (meaning Child) Tafari (meaning one who is respected)  Makonnen.
Tafari is the 225th descendant from the Royal line of King Solomon and King David.

   ELDERS 

His father was Ras Makonnen Welde Michael and mother Woizero Yeshimebet Ali.
Ras Makonnen was the cousin of Emperor Menelik II and a direct descendant of Negus Sahle Selassie of Shoa from the Imperial bloodline of King Solomon. Ras Makonnen was known to be one of the closest companions of Menelik II and it was widely believed that Makonnen would be heir to the throne until his untimely passing in 1906. He had another son from his marriage before Wayzaro Yashimabet, named Yelma, Tafari’s older brother.

There is not much known about Tafari’s mother Wayzaro Yashimabet Ali, daughter of a nobleman from Wollo. Her name possibly suggests that she was born a Muslim, she passed away 20 month’s after Tafari was born from complications during child birth. She had already experienced a couple stillbirths and her other children past away at a young age, Tafari was her only child to grew in to adulthood. 

PROPHESY 

There was a prophesy by a well know Muslim in Ethiopia that accompanied the birth of Tafari. This was that he would grow up separated from his mother and become a great man, ruler of Ethiopia and the pride of Africa, that he would take away the sour and unpleasantness, giving solutions to problems, judging in righteousness for the poor and a cure for humanity. This is why the Koso tree (a tree that cured stomach pains) was planted at the place where his umbilical cord was buried. 

YOUTH 

As prophesied, Tafari grew up without his mother. His father knew the importance of learning a foreign language so at a young age he appointed a foreign physician (Dr. Vitalien) to give Him western based education and also an Ethiopian Monk, Abba Samuel, “Abba Samuel was a good man that possessed great knowledge, who applied himself to learning and to teaching, who in goodness and humility gathered knowledge like a bee from anyone, who was devoted to the love of YAH and of his neighbour, and who did not strive to find enjoyment of the flesh but of the soul” (words of Haile Selassie I). They studied together for about ten years (until he was 13), Tafari was an excellent student and performed well in all fields of education. It is also said that Tafari had knowledge about certain religious books he had not read himself yet, often scaring or amazing people surrounding him by showing insight about things he was not supposed to know.
At the age of 13 Tafari was given the Title Dejazmach (Commander) of Gara Mulata, five years later he was made governor of Harar. 

MARRIAGE WITH EMPRES MENEN 

His Majesty probably met Woizero Menen at the home of her uncle, Lij Iyasu. It is said that this joyful occasion may have inspired him to attempt to bind Tafari to him more firmly through marriage ties and therefore arranged the separation of Woizero Menen from Ras Leul Seged, and arranged the marriage with Tafari Makonnen. They were married on third of august 1911.
The account given in the Autobiography of the Emperor, My Life and Ethiopia's Progress, mentions no previous marriage or children of Empress Menen and no such order by Iyasu, but states only that at the age of 20, they were married by their own mutual intent. The future Emperor was very impressed by her character and friendly disposition. Ras Tafari then Governor of Harar in His twentieth year said of Itegue Menen "...Her character is such that, apart from goodness, there is no evil or malice in her. Ever since, we were married, we lived together, by virtue of her being fertile, in one family joy, as well as sadness..."  

CHILDREN 

Their sacred and happy union lasted forty-seven years during which time they had six children - three daughters and three sons and many grandchildren. Listed below are details of their children:
1. Their first daughter: Princess Tenagne Worq was born in January 1913, being christened Fikirte Mariam. She married Ras Desta and then Ras Andargatchew, having six children and many grandchildren.
2. First son: Prince Asfa Wossen, heir Prince born in July 1916. He was christened Amha Selassie. He married first Princess Walata Israel and then Princess Medferiach. He had five children including Prince Yacob.
3. Second daughter: Princess Zenabe Worq, born in July 1918 and christened Hirute Selassie. 
She married Haile Selassie Gugsa but she passed way in March 1933 having had no children.
4. Third daughter: Princess Tsehay, born in October 1920 and christened Wolete Birhan. She married Galabiye Abebe and passed away in August 1942 without having any children.
5. Second son: Prince Makonnen, later Duke of Harar was born in October 1923 and christened Araya Johannes. He married Princess Sarah Gizau and passed away in May 1957, having had five sons.
6. Third son: Prince Sahile Selassie, born in February 1931. He was christened Aba Dina and was baptized at Mekane Selassie Church in Addis Ababa.
Of these children only three, Princess Tenagne Worq, Crown Prince Asfa Wossen Amha Selassie and Prince Sahile Selassie survived her. 

SEATING OF THE THRONE 

After the passing of Emperor Menilek II his grandson Lij Lysay was appointed Emperor of Ethiopia, but after showing disrespectful and scandalous behavior towards the nobles and after he declared he had converted to Islam and announced that he was going to Islamize the Christians of Ethiopia, he was deposed from power by the council of ministers. Menelik’s granddaughter Lady Zewditu was then chosen to be Empress. She made Tafari Regent (head of state) of Ethiopia, and heir to the throne which gave Him the title Ras (Head, Ruler). In practice this meant that Zewditu would govern while Ras Tafari administered. Empress Zewditu was not educated as well as Ras Tafari so she relied on the reform ideas that Ras Tafari had when it came to progressive changes. She crowned Ras Tafari as King (Negus) of Ethiopia on October 7 1928. One year and seven months later Zewditu passed away from diabetes.  
After this (November 2 1930) Ras Tafari was crowned Emperor of Ethiopia and given His full title “ His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie I (meaning Power of the Trinity), Conquering Lion from the tribe of Yahuda, King of Kings of Ethiopia and Elect of YAH”.
There were royals and dignitaries from 72 nations present at His coronation. 

HAILE SELASSIE I AMBITIONS 

One of His Majesty's main ambitions for Ethiopia was to modernize it to European standard. Although he did mention  "We need European progress only because we are surrounded by it. That is at once a benefit and a misfortune." This thought of change was also Inspired by His visits to Europe during his regency and by his father who had built the first modern hospital of Ethiopia, and always urged for progressive changes. His Majesty moved forward with this way of thinking and ruling after He was crowned Emperor. When He was in full power after His coronation His Majesty was able to make most of the necessary changes. Although not without resistance from the nobility and Tribal leaders who preferred the more traditional systems. Never the less His Majesty came to agreement with them and Ethiopia slowly transformed from a conservative country with old traditions, to a modernized one that was free, able to progress, with improved living standards and being more a part of the western based societies.

One year after His Majesties crowning He presented the first written constitution of Ethiopia, which meant that the people were not at the mercy any more of influential individuals who decided what was wrong or right and made up their own punishments. People would get their hands cut of for steeling or people would get stoned to death. Now all people had to stick to the rules written in this constitution which created a form of unity and freedom for all Ethiopians. Slavery was abolished, women were treated equally and people had to be taken to court if charged with a crime. 

EXILE

In 1935 His Majesties plans of reform and change were disrupted by the fascist italian dictator mussolini, who invaded Ethiopia. The first time they tried they were unsuccessful, underestimating the fierce resistance of the Ethiopian army. The second time they bombed the Ethiopians with mustard gas who had no chance of defending against this type of aggression. Even though Haile Selassie I wanted to stay in Ethiopia with his people He was urged by the council of ministers that it would be better if he pleaded for Ethiopia's cause abroad.
In Geneva He made an appeal before the League of Nations to honor the promise they made earlier to protect Ethiopia from foreign aggression. Instead they showed contempt and made a mockery of Him during His speech. He warned the league that if they would not follow up on their agreement they would soon be next, adding that it was not only international security at stake, but also international morality.
After this Emperor Haile Selassie I lived in Bath (england) for five years, using this time to travel the world and plead for the Ethiopian cause. When europe fell in WWII the british finally acknowledged His Majesties previous warning He made during his speech at the league of nations and decided they would help Him Regain control over Ethiopia. On may 21 1941 (exactly 5 years after his departure) Emperor Haile Selassie I, now with the assistance of england returned to the Motherland and regained control over Ethiopia. 

ACHIEVMENTS

His Majesty was already very influential before He became Emperor by being the Regent of Ethiopia and had for instance secured Ethiopia's admission in the League of Nations in 1923. After His crowning His Majesty moved ahead with His reforms for Ethiopia.
Some of His main achievements in this area was implementing a modern schooling system from elementary to universities which provided schooling for hundreds of thousands Ethiopians (when there were only a couple of thousand educated people before this), He built and restored churches, hospitals based on modern health care, He structured the armies ground troops, navy, air and police force ensuring Ethiopia’s safety from foreign or domestic aggression, He installed the first printing press (Light and Peace) which enabled them to print their own newspapers and books, a modern court house was administered (where His Majesty would often function as the Judge), telecommunications were set up, water pipes with running water were installed on a large scale, the infrastructure was heavily improved, a national airline was set up, cities were modernized, factories were built, and more of these type of Improvements. The influence that Emperor Haile Selassie I had on Ethiopia’s development has been tremendous… 

Between 1960 an 1970 His Majesty was world famous and an immensely respected person at this time, and whatever country He visited He would be greeted by thousands of people standing on the side walk cheering and clapping for Him. Wherever He went His Majesty Haile Selassie I always stood up for African Freedom, Peace and Unity. This was one of His other main achievements out side of Ethiopia, being the leader of African unity and freedom. The fact that Emperor Haile Selassie I was the architect of the OAU (Organisation of African Unity) can attest to that. In 1963 His Majesty was elected to be the first chairman of that organization. Before this time Ethiopia had been separated/isolated from the other African countries, and the continent was divided in two groups (the Casablanca and Monrovia groups). 

His Majesties greatest achievement however is becoming a role model and source of inspiration for millions of people throughout the world for more then a century, making them better people living in a Higher state of living. Being responsible for the spreading of Love, Goodness on a wide scale through the faith that we Rastafari have in this man, expressed through Reggae and the Rastafari Livety, with the potential to become even more so once more people get the full overstanding, except it and live by it. 
We can see a clear attraction from many people to Reggae and the Livity, but it is often not lived to the fullest degree or used in its full potential. Rastafari have a certain attraction to many people, with people trying to go along with that a bit or at least having a certain amount of respect for InI. This is a good thing and good beginning, but the ones who are really involved with the Rastafari Livity and trying to reach to Higher Hights could be more in number, but through the way Rastafari is structured, we have faith that we can reach more Ones willing to see the potential that Rastafari has on a personal level but also worldly scale.    

LAST YEAR IN RULING 

In Ethiopia however there was rising tension between the monarchy and the people, especially from the younger more educated generation, even though they had received this education thanks to Emperor Haile Selassie I and benefited greatly from His earlier reforms.
They wanted more freedom, land grants, more modernization and less power for the nobility, His Majesty was caught in the middle and it was impossible to please all sides. The Emperor was always able to keep a balance between the nobility, tribal leaders and common people, but as time went by the modernized educated Ethiopians wanted more reforms that would make an end to the older traditions.   
This was fueled and supported by the derg, a communistic russian backed military junta who eventually were able to relieve Emperor Haile Selassie I from his command in 1974. They came to his palace and said “Your Majesty, we the derg, the military, the police and national guard, deeply concerned about your Majesties health, thus have arranged a place appropriate for your health and safety, we sincerely beg you to go to that place”. After a long silence His Majesty answered “We have generally listened to what you have said…when we are King of Kings of Ethiopia it is not only a title it is the people and the country, organizing work during peace and defense when under attack, we suspect that this is well known among our military. However if changes in time bring something significant to a county, it is impossible to substitute the benefit of a county over something else. We have heard what you read, We will stop here… 

The derg led by colonel mengistu took over and caused the 7th worst genocide in the world between 1975 and 1978, being responsible for an estimated of 1.500.000 victims. 

TRANSGRESSED OR ALIVE 

It is said that His Majesty passed away in 1975, although many Rastafari hold the faith that Emperor Haile Selassie I is still alive and resting in a place where He cant be found, maybe mount Zion, in the Hills of Itiopia or somewhere else, and may return one day.
As many of InI Rastafari see H.I.M. as the Christ or YAH, a being that cannot die and has supreme power. This is a realistic possibility as Life is very mysterious and full of in explainable things that most of us don’t have the full grasp of.
His Majesties body was never found after His disappearance in 1975. Although claims were made that his remains were found in 1992 in his palace. It is said that the length of the bones were too long to be of His Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie I, so there is still no hard evidence for this, and is a matter of faith or speculation.  

There are some different opinions in how Rastafari think about His Majesties liveliness, but One thing is for sure and that is that Emperor Haile Selassie I Lives on in the hearts and memory of many many people, and has inspired many people to do good and will continue to do so for as long as we live. There is this thought that once someone moves to the spiritual realm, that they can have influence in peoples lives here on earth by becoming lets say some ones guardian angel or spiritual guide. Most people don‘t have many people thinking of them for too long, maybe some family members and friends but after a while they to will pass and we will be forgotten eventually (most people). But His Majesty wherever He is, he can go around the world and search out souls that are praying to Him, Living for Him, Reaching out to Him spiritually, through chanting, singing, drumming, people trying to do good in his name, seeking a connection, His Majesty can just go around and be an inspiration for many people for many more years to come. Which is very unique to say at least.

His expected re-arrival by some can also be seen in a less physical way in a form that the Awareness, Raspect and Acknowledgement about Rastafari will Rise to Higher Hights (outside of the Rastafari community), because now it‘s only the Rastafari that have real Faith in His Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie I. But when more of the world starts to overstand what we overstand and how legitimate we are, the return of Christ can be in their hearts to. So a physical return or not, either way is good, possible and meaningful.

DIFFERENCES IN VIEW POINT 

There are some different viewpoints that people have about His Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie I. Ranging from the Highest to the lowest, here are some general ones of them.
 

-YAH
the highest form of devotion shown to His Majesty is by Rastafari who know that His Majesty is YAH itself. When we reason with someone who has this faith, we will often find that there is no doubt in that persons mind about this, it is something they Know and not something they believe in. This level of faith can be very valuable as it is the highest and most difficult to reach, as it asks for impeccable behavior for true and upright devotion. Some things are impossible to prove, but still a reality, this is where Faith come into place. 

Another reason why many Rastafari see Emperor Haile Selassie I as YAH the Almighty Creator besides from personal experiences and faith, can be explained threw the Ethiopian Orthodox Church who hold on the faith that the son of YAH, Yesus Christ (Yahshua) is YAH Himself in one person (The Holy Trinity). This subject has always been up for debate in all Christian religions, but we can’t see anything wrong with this idea because this also motivates people to the highest level of reverence and obedience which can have great benefits. Maybe this level of devotion is harder to achieve for some if they thought it is “just” a man who might be close to YAH we are honoring, more like a Prophet or a Sage, as there are and have been many people like this, it is rare but not exceptional and less motivational to live for and follow that person, or develop a whole Livity around like what we have achieved with Rastafari.
It is also good to know that His Majesty received this honor without Him making any claims that He is the One, and that he received this honor directly after His Majesty was crowned the King of Kings, Conquering Lion of Yahuda. He didn't have to prove anything, and was before all his great achievements, He became the Emperor, and We Rastafari gave H.I.M. the position of YAH the Christ and treated and revered H.I.M. as such, we didn't see and treated H.I.M. only as a King who still had to prove himself by doing good deeds, we treated H.I.M. with the utmost respect, as High as possible from the beginning, and it just so happened that His Majesty Himself was able to live up to that status more then anyone else that ever lived in Ethiopia.  

This is remarkable to say at least.

-Christ
There are Rastafari who hold the faith that His Majesty is indeed Christ, but not YAH Itself and see them as two different entities. The main reason why people see Yahshua as the son of YAH, comes mainly from one passage in the Ible where Yahshua answers the question about who he is, saying
“‘Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad.’ ‘You are not yet fifty years old,’ the Jews said to him, ‘and you have seen Abraham?’ ‘I tell you the truth,’ Yahshua answered, ‘before Abraham was born, I am!  (John 8:56–59).

He used the I am phrase at seven other different occasions,  

’I AM the Bread of Life ‘(John 6:35,41,48,51); 
‘I AM the Light of th World’ (John 8:12); 
‘I AM the Door of the Sheep’ (John 10:7,9); 
‘I AM the Good Shepherd’ (John 10:11,14); 
‘I AM the Resurrection and the Life’ (John 11:25); 
‘I AM the Way, the Truth and the Life’ (John 14:6); 
‘I AM the True Vine’ (John 15:1,5). 

The meaning of the name YAHWEH is often translated as I AM that I AM
 

Some other verses that indicate Yahshua and YAH are the same entity:  

‘The Father and I are one’ (John 10:30)
’That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me’ (John 17:21)
’This made the Jews ask, “Will he kill himself? Is that why he says, ‘Where I go, you cannot come’?” But he continued, “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. 24 I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am he, you will indeed die in your sins.’ (John 8:22-24)
’I am not referring to all of you; I know those I have chosen. But this is to fulfill this passage of Scripture: ‘He who shared my bread has turned against me.’ “I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I am who I am.’ (John 13:18-19) 

There are more of these verses that can be used to validate Chris being YAH, but still doesn’t make clear or prove that Yahshua is indeed the same entity as YAH.  

There are also verses that indicate that the two are different entities.  

‘Yahshua spoke to a man who had called him ‘good,’ asking him, ‘Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone.’ (Luke 18:19)
‘And he said to him, ‘Why are you asking me about what is good? There is only One who is good; but if you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.’ (Matthew 19:17)
‘My Father is greater than I’ (John 14:28)
‘My father is greater than all.’ (John 10:29)
‘When you pray, say Our Father which art in heaven.’ (Luke 11:2)
‘In that day, you shall ask me nothing. Whatsoever you ask of the Father in my name.’ (John 16:23)
‘The hour cometh and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth; for the Father seeketh such to worship him.’ (John 4:23)
‘he continued all night in prayer to YAH.’ (Luke 6:12)
‘Just as the son of man did not come to be served, but to serve’ (Matthew 20:28) 

There are more verses that go into this subject ones can look it up and study it a bit more, it seems like there are more verses that would indicate that YAH and Yahshua are separate entities and that would appeal more to logical thinking, so we overstand that there are Rastafari that don‘t want to take it as far as only seeing Yahshua them as one and the same, as the Biblical evidence for that is thin. 

There is however the widely shared thought by most Rastafari of YAH living in everything that has life in it, also animals and plants and therefore we can see Iself as being YAH or at least a part of it, and that is up to the individual through how one lives his or her life that this spirit comes into expression.  

Regardless of this there is acknowledgment of His Majesty being the Christ, the Son of YAH who is also someone to be revered and honored and is seen as reference point that gives insight about the nature of YAH. Because even though Yahshua might not literary be YAH, he is seen as the closest to YAH of all people, the number one man when it comes to expressing YAH,s being. 

-YAH’s anointed King and rightful ruler of Ysrayl
There are also Rastafari mostly Twelve Tribes of Israel members that don‘t see His Majesty as YAH ór Christ but as YAH’s anointed King and rightful ruler over Ysrayl, with a Christ like nature. His Majesty is greatly respected for this and for the fact He was one of King Davids descendant and for everything that He has meant for the livity, but hold on to the idea that Christ still has to be revealed in these days, and that it will be someone that will be seated on the throne of Ethiopia from the lineage of King David, so their meditation is on the restoration of the monarchy of Ethiopia. 

-A good and righteous Emperor.
In Ethiopia Emperor Haile Selassie I is mostly well respected and many Ethiopians hold warm memories to the times that His Majesty ruled Ethiopia, someone to look at as source for inspiration and have great Raspect for because of His kindness, achievements, teachings, efforts towards domestic Unity, Iquality, and because He was always there for the benefit of the country and its people.
In Ethiopia the idea of His Majesty being Christ or YAH is not shared by most. Although because of InI Rastafari they are finding more love for H.I.M. and the sense of pride is growing. There is also a Biblical/Rastafari saying that a prophet (a man of God) is never honored in his own country, this might have something to do with that. 

-dictator
Out side of the Rastafari community there are many people that think that Emperor Haile Selassie I was a dictator. This has become that way through negative propaganda, because His Majesty used to be one of the most celebrated and honored people walking the earth for many years until there was this great famine in Ethiopia that killed thousands of Ethiopians from starvation, Emperor Haile Selassie I was held responsible for this, and a wave of negative propaganda overshadowed His Majesties previous status and he suddenly became this evil dictator. Truth is that Ethiopia is a very big inaccessible country and that this famine was in a area where something like that won’t even be noticed if you are not made Aware of it. This took place when His Majesty was old and maybe less aware of what was happening in the country, it is said that the derg took advantage of this and His Majesty was deliberately withheld from this information, so it could be used against him in a coup, as what happened. The derg had a propoganda movie ready made about the Emperor at this time, portraying him as a dictator that would rather feed his lions then his own people, living in luxury, in big palaces while people where going hungry, showing images of starving and dying children. This movie was shown throughout Ethiopia and sent to western media, naturally there was a flood of criticism which crippled His Majesties position which was already weakened and soon after the derg were able to take over from His Majesty. Ever since, this has been the image that Emperor Haile Selassie I was left with. Bob Marley once asked a good question to a journalist who confronted him with this dictatorship notion asking the man; dictator of what?? Because if we are to label His Majesty as a dictator then He is a dictator of Faith, Love, Unity, Respect, Always speaking and acting on the principles of the Bible and encouraged others to do so. Emperor Haile Selassie I was the Supreme Ruler of Ethiopia, the Head, making all Important decisions yes, but he did this with a wise mind and the advice of His counsel, this is how things have always been in Ethiopia, nothing wrong with that. So Haile Selassie I shouldn‘t be compared with other so called African dictators that we are familiar with. It‘s just propaganda...  

THE DIVINITY OF HAILE SELASSIE 

As mentioned above some of InI see the divine nature of Emperor Haile Selassie I, we just want to elaborate on this a little bit further as this is what Rastafari is all about.
It is a question of faith, and different people will have different insights. 

What we would like to say about this matter is that things don’t always come as we might expect. When people think of Christ there are all kinds of expectations because of the things written in the Ible about Yahshua (walking on water, curing the sick, making blind people see again, feeding a 1000 people with 1 loaf of bread, having in depth answers about Life) Not to say that miracles like this are not possible but they can also be read as parables not to be taken too literally so people could take a different approach to this.
 
The scriptures in the Bible show us what is expected from the Christ when He returns. If we stay true to scripture, it will make it easier to identify H.I.M. in these days.     

For one, it is written that Christ would stem from the blood line of King David being the last Ruling King in an unending line of Kings, with the title King of Kings, The Conquering Lion from the Tribe of Judah…(spread out over different passages but these are all titles mentioned in the Ible in regard of Christ).
When we stay true to scriptures this gives a clear indication where to look, as there is only one True Royal family that can trace its roots all the way back to King David and that is the Royal Family of Ethiopia with Emperor Haile Selassie I as the 225th (and last) Emperor in this long line of Kings.
The english royal family also make claims to be descendants from King David and is the reason why they call their throne, the throne of David. but their history and actions throughout time should make us know that they are not the true descendants. The Royal Line of Ethiopia has held on to ancient Biblical rituals, rites and ceremonies. Having one of the first churches in the world, always upholding Yahshua’s name, being fully aware of their identity (for more then 2500 years). The english royal family on the other hand don‘t have that heritage and don‘t live by it, it‘s more a rumor that they spread them selves. The english monarchy began in the year 871 and there is nothing that indicates that the english monarchy upheld ancient Biblical principles.  
So if people want to stay true to scripture, then we need make a choice between these two families as there are no others. The Ancient Royal Ethiopian Monarchy or the english... We have the choice in believing that Emperor Haile Selassie I is possibly the Christ (or maybe one of his sons in the future) or… prince charles and maybe one of his sons.
The other choice would be that we Don’t follow scripture and believe that anybody (with the right qualities) can be Christ and doesn’t need to have any (known) Royal lineage.
Most Rastafari prefer to have faith in the Bible...and to fulfill it, giving the Bible more meaning by proving it’s not just a story that’s not true, making all that we went through in the name of that book, irrelevant.   

- Second. According to scripture Christ will come with a New Name, and His name shall be "Dreadful" in ears of the heathen and His Followers shall be called after His name…and they shall sing and dance for HIM.
This part of scripture is also a big sign. RAS TAFARI is the name of a man many believe or know is the Christ, and we are called Rastafari after His name, having Dreadlocks, singing and dancing for H.I.M…fulfilling this Prophecy.
Also there has never been anybody that has been revered as Christ after Yahshua in the way that Emperor Haile Selassie I is. There may have been some individuals claiming to be Christ and may have had some followers. But they have not lived up to possible expectations and nobody really knows who they are anymore…
Emperor Haile Selassie I is the only One being revered as Christ for this long period of time (more then 90 years) and this faith is only getting stronger, as Rastafari is growing on a world wide scale.    

- Third, Christ will defeat the anti Christ…
Emperor Haile Selassie I is known for his fight against iniquity and message of righteousness. Emperor Haile Selassie I always spoke in a manner that was of a kind hearted, non judging nature and always spread the message of Yahshua and the Bible. That is the way people could see this fight against evil, not by going against each other in some kind of physical fight (although His struggle with mussolini can be seen in this light also). But by the message of Positivity and Love that has the potential to inspire people to turn away from evil deeds (that would be the defeat).
As there is still evil in this world, some might think that Emperor Haile Selassie I failed in this aspect (and therefore can not be Christ). First of all, things like that don’t simply happen very easy or overnight and also needs to happen in the appointed time. His Majesties message and livity lives on through RASTAFARI that Grew from the Seed that the Emperor Haile Selassie I planted in InI. So whatever positive changes that are made because of some Rastafari initiative (like Bob Marley, and all the other reggae artist that have influenced people, or the positive effects that all the different mansions within Rastafari have achieved ), this is because of Emperor Haile Selassie I and always gets the honors for that. This is also how it went with Yahshua, He was not seen as Christ by the majority of people during his life time, this grew over time and is still growing 2000 years after his ascension. We can see the same thing happening with His Majesty, so whenever people get liberated from babylon because of the positive teachings of Rastafari, whether this is now or in a 100 or more years this is when that Prophesy gets fulfilled, it doesn’t necessary have to be during His Earth time. But because of H.I.M.

- Fourth, Christ will gather and bring the lost Tribes of Ysrayl back to the Promised Land…
Rastafari are very conscious of who we are (African Ysraylites) and this is mainly because of Emperor Haile Selassie I and his Royal Lineage. Once again it is the Seed (or awareness) that Emperor Haile Selassie I planted in InI that makes this possible. Rastafari have always been on the forefront for Repatriation and have the possibility to Inspire other people to actually make that step. Through Reggae music this message has always been instilled in the minds of people more then other Pan African groups, and this will keep going on because certain songs will never go away and will be played over and over again. Also note that His Majesty is the only African leader that gave a land grant for the return of exiled Africans in the west in Ethiopia (Shashemane). Although that initiative didn’t work out as His Majesty had imagined, He did make it possible and a couple hundred of Rastafari are still living there now. 

So we can see Prophesy being fulfilled…or still to fully be fulfilled on a larger scale through the works of Rastafari. When this happens we can give Emperor Haile Selassie I some credit for this. 

The fact that his Majesty left InI before the fulfillment of Zion on Earth and that some of the prophesied changes that accompany this time, never Seemed to have happened during His stay (scriptural requirement), is also why a lot of people have trouble in having faith in the divinity of Haile Selassie I. Even though many things happened during His Majesties Life time like WO I and WO II and other things mentioned in Revelation, Zion on Earth is yet still to be achieved. But when seen in a less physical way of Himself doing all these things and actually being present. We can see it come forth through the remnant of Rastafari, through InI works and motivation. That way it can still fit in that Prophecy, without his majesty being disregarded.
When seen in this way, without His Majesty Haile Selassie I being directly and personally responsible for some changes that will happen (on a world wide level), but as the instigator, the One who lit the Fire, inspiring a large group of followers that carry on His work that have the potential to make that change.

Something else that some people might find interesting is the fact that All three personally chosen Kings by YAH of Incient Ysrayl, written about in the Bible, King David, King Saul and King Solomon sat on the throne for 40 years. Emperor Haile selassie I reigned for 45 years (but 5 years in exile). 

HIS MAJESTY IN THE BIBLE 

Matthew 24:30
And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 

25:31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory 

26:64 Iyesu saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. 

Mark 13:26
And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. 

14:62 And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. 

Luke 1:32
He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David 

Ezekiel 37:24
My servant David will be King over them, and they will all have One Shepherd. They will follow my Laws and be careful to keep My Decrees” 

Isaiah 4:2
In that day the Branch of the LORD will be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth will be the pride and the adornment of the survivors of Israel. 

32:1 Behold, a King will reign righteously And princes will rule justly. 

52:13 Behold, My Servant will prosper, He will be high and lifted up and greatly exalted.  

  Jeremiah 30:9
But they shall serve the LORD their God and David their king, whom I will raise up for them. 
33:15 In those days, and at that time, will I cause the Branch of righteousness to grow up unto David; and he shall execute judgment and righteousness in the land. 

  Luke 1:32
He will be Great and will be Called the Son of The Most High.
The Lord God will give Him The Throne of His father David. 

Psalm 87:4
I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon to them that know me: behold Philistia, and Tyre, with Ethiopia; THIS MAN WAS BORN THERE. 

Zechariah 3:8
Now listen, Joshua the high priest, you and your friends who are sitting in front of you– indeed they are men who are a symbol, for behold, I am going to bring in My servant the Branch. 

6:12 Then say to him, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts, “Behold, a man whose name is Branch, for He will branch out from where He is; and He will build the temple of the LORD. 

Revelation 1:7
Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen. 

4:2-3 And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.
And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne , in sight like unto an emerald. 

5:5 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the LION OF JUDAH, the ROOT OF DAVID, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. 

19:11-16 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.
His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.
And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.
And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.
And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, and LORD OF LORDS 

THE TESTAMENT OF BENJAMIN 2:26-28 

And there shall arise in the latter days One Beloved of the Lord, of the Tribe of Judah and Levi, a doer of His good pleasure in His mouth, with New Knowledge enlightening the Gentiles.Until the consummation of the age shall he be in the synagogues of the Gentiles, and among their rulers, as a strain of music in the mouth of all.And He shall be inscribed in the Holy Books, both His work and His word, and He shall be a chosen one of God for ever… The Forgotten Books of Eden 

What is also Important to mention is the fact that Emperor Haile Selassie I Himself is a devout Christian, and just as how Rastafari worship and follow the teachings of His Majesty and pass this on to the rest of the world, His Majesty gets his teachings from the Bible and from Yahshua. So therefore the message of Christ is passed on through Emperor Haile Selassie I, whether he is actually Christ or not. So when you follow His Majesty you follow Christ, and it’s not a new message or something He or InI Rastafari just made up. 

The fact that there is a very Large group of people in the world doing the works of YAH  because of His Majesty, is a big Sign for us to see that Emperor Haile Selassie I is the return of Christ or YAH on Earth, because that is what the main function of Christ is…to motivate people in to finding Inity, peace and truth within them Self with assistance from the teachings of the Bible (especially directed at the children of Ysrayl). And Not to perform some magic tricks… 

Some people have difficulty excepting His Majesty as Christ because they say that he Himself denied it, so why go against that?
His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie I was asked to comment about this by a Canadian radio interviewer asking“ There are millions of Christians (meaning Rastafari) throughout the world, your imperial majesty, who regard you as the reincarnation of Jesus Christ” what is your response to this? “ His Majesties answered...”I have heard of this idea, I also met certain Rastafari, I told them clearly that I am a man, that I am mortal, and that I will be replaced by the oncoming generation, and that they should never make the mistake in assuming or pretending that a human being is emanated from a deity”
When we examine the words, we can reason about what He meant by that, because there is still some debate about if Christ is YAH and therefore a deity (meaning a god), if Christ is just a man, like His Majesty portrays himself, then it could mean that He is saying that we shouldn’t see humans (even Christ) as YAH itself. But we would have to know what His Majesties thoughts are about this issue to know what He exactly meant. Also...even if His Majesty was aware of being Christ, do you think that he would make that announcement on a Canadian radio show or anywhere else? That we expect Him to say...yes I am the Christ and I am God? can you imagine what most people would do or say if His Majesty would utter this? He would probably be crucified and not taken seriously anymore, so why do that? Remember, the Meek shall inherit the Earth...and whoever exalts himself shall be debased, and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted. (matthew 23:12 )  
Others have so see someone’s Divine nature and then talk about H.I.M. as happened with Ras Tafari. He Did show Raspect for the Rastafari when visiting Jamaica, when a interviewer of the bbc radio asked His Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie I when he was going to tell the Rastafari that he was not God. He answered by saying “who am I to disturb their faith” and insisted that there was a Rastafari delegation accompanying H.I.M on his trip throughout the Island (as this was not planned by the government) also giving InI precious gold medallions and other gifts (King Emmanuel from the Bobo shanti also attended)
He gave a Message to the Rastafari that we should first Liberate I-self in Jamaica before Repatriation and to Organize and Centralize.
As mentioned He granted a piece of land in Ethiopia (Shashemane) for people in western countries who were brought there through the slave trade and who would like to Repatriate. And He sent a special envoy of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church to Jamaica to teach Jamaicans about His Faith of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church.    

Emperor Haile Selassie I Himself was not responsible for how Rastafari came to worship H.I.M. 

Haile Selassie I has many Characteristics that should accompany the Christ and fits in the prophecies, it’s only when people have high expectations that don’t seem to be fulfilled when it becomes complicated.
Whatever the case His Majesty has a Christ and God like function for InI Rastafari and have become what is intended and expected from us, and that is all that matters…
After all this we would still like to remind people (who may not be Rastafari) that ones don’t need to see Emperor Haile Selassie I as YAH/Christ if you don’t feel like it. But there is nothing wrong with some Raspect and maybe some interest. Maybe another man with the same name, lineage and achieving the same things that Emperor Haile Selassie I has, will come along to satisfy your expectations. Time will Tell
 
For now we would like for people to take time and think about what is being said here and maybe do some more research so you might find the answers in InI own Heart.

YAH Guidance and YAH Bless