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What is the Millennial role for Israel? Will it be just another nation or will she have the primacy? Does the Church replace Israel? Or will she rule through and with Israel?

Does God want Israel to intermix with other races, or to be separate? Is this knowledge important to God, or not that important? What does the Bible say?

*Note some views of this article does not reflect the views of the British-Israel Church of God

Deu 7:6 For you are a holy people to Jehovah your God. Jehovah your God has chosen you to be a special people to Himself above all people that are upon the face of the earth.

Isa 43:21 This people that I formed for Myself; they shall declare My praise.

Exo 19:5 And now if you will obey My voice indeed, and keep My covenant, then you shall be a peculiar treasure to Me above all the nations; for all the earth is Mine.

Exo 19:6 And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.

Psa 50:2 Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God has shone.

Isa 43:21 This people that I formed for Myself; they shall declare My praise.

Jer 13:11 For as the girdle holds fast to the loins of a man, so I have caused the whole house of Israel and the whole house of Judah to cling to Me, says Jehovah; so that they might be to Me for a people, and for a name, and for a praise, and for a glory; but they would not hear.

In this paper (which is, in reality, a Bible study), I attempt to answer questions that I have either heard over the years or thought through. Also, this paper concentrates on an issue which has been neglected or forgotten due to a number of reasons, not least political correctness.

Whilst, a fine study could be presented on how many Older Testament prophecies are or will be fulfilled by the Church in a dual sense, with Israel, but the concentration of this paper is on Israel for the aforementioned reasons. Let us not forget what HWA taught us, but rather go deeper and deeper into these truths as never before, with more information and proof for our long-held and cherished beliefs?

A. An introduction to the Table of Nations

Many years have been spent researching the origin of the world’s tribes, peoples and races based on the mysterious Table of Nations found in Genesis chapter ten. Piecing together the many parts of the puzzle, the strands of information and the bits of data required for an exercise such as this has not been easy for this writer/researcher.

Genesis chapter 10 is one of the most over-looked chapters in the entire Bible. Bible scholars from previous times, going back centuries, have had a fascination with it, but gradually with the rise of humanism and the anti-literal interpretation of scripture, interest in this chapter as the basis for the origin of nations has receded to become an almost taboo subject.

In the eighteenth century Sir William Jones and J Bryant wrote on the subject with the interest in this chapter of God’s Word peaked late last century with academics such as Rawlinson famous for his Origin of Nations (1878) and Sayce in such books as Races of the Old Testament (1891; 1925), who showed an intense interest in the subject. Famous Seventh-day Adventist scholar, Alonzo T Jones authored two works on the subject, The Peopling of the Earth (1887) and The Empires of the Bible (vol 1) (1904). He was obviously inspired by contemporary writers; in turn others this century were inspired by his writings.

This century authors such as Dr Herman L Hoeh, Arthur C Custance, Dr D J Wiseman, Dr John Pilkey, Bill Cooper, J Simon and Ross Marshall have continued the interest in this particular science. Dr Hoeh in particular has demonstrated that ancient tradition, aspects of history and king lists assist in tracing various peoples around the world.

Since my spiritual awakening in late 1972 I have had a lot of interest in the national origins of all peoples. It became apparent to me that while some have included the identity of Israel in their theology and literature, almost nothing was said or published about the other peoples and races. It was a pity that this area of identity was not taught to Christians.

This is alas, an esoteric subject matter, yet a subject and information which will be enjoyed by thousands of readers. It is esoteric because it is a work in a subject area much neglected or maligned. Neglected due to the declining significance of race in theological circles and the lack of interest given it by those who know of its importance; out of fear in the face of political correctness; maligned because it is wrongly portrayed as ‘racist’ by those who are ignorant of the subject matter; or those who wish to see ‘racism’ everywhere.

Yet there are thousands, nay millions of people who are eagerly interested in their roots and family trees. This book endeavours to form a foundation or framework if you will, for anyone to study their family tree. What use are our family trees without knowledge of our national roots? They merely take us back two or three centuries at best. But these works will take you back to the most ancient of times.

We may peer through the mists of time and piece together the pieces of the puzzle, garnering the various historical, anthropological and Biblical details to come to some incredible conclusions as to national origins. Perhaps I should have titled the original work The Inspired Origin of the Nations (similar to the titles of some of Glengarry G Rupert’s books) or something else. A hundred different titles would suffice. But the new one I have chosen is simple and encapsulates all of what I am looking for: Lost Races of the Ancient World – discovered at last!

These works are highly focused and concentrated, my desire to present material which is not full of waffle and the proverbial ‘hot air’. Nor is there a need to repeat the detailed histories of the nations here, except, where necessary, to provide a broad swathe to their historical record. The focus is to zero in on their origins, original location, migrations and modern day locations.

Padriac McGuinness, writing in The Australian early 1991, relates how back in the 1960s, Karl Popper, a famous lecturer and philosopher of science at the London School of Economics, used to harangue American students. He stated that American books give the impression that seriousness is related to weight and number of words. "No author considers himself reputable unless he has weighed in with a book of mind‑numbing length. No journalist wants to write 1000 words if he can get away with writing 10,000. But quality and content need not be related to sheer volume. As a result, the American publishing industry is beginning to wake up to this. Short books, books that are little more than polemical pamphlets, are being discovered".

Let us hope that books full of waffle will become less and less, and the contents of manuscripts are summarised into smaller works.

Further, these works, as already addressed, concentrate on the Biblical origins of races and peoples. Whilst it is rewriting world history in relation to the national origins of peoples, it is not rewriting all world history per se’. History, as covered in thousands of works, in an overall sense must be left to the experts in the field whom we should trust to do their best in interpretation and writing. They may colour and in a biased fashion on occasion, not be completely truthful. But the same might be said of any profession from minister or politician to the average worker.

I recall how one lady once exclaimed, “I wish I knew what my ethnic roots really were! I am able to trace my family tree back several generations and my parents are immigrants to this country. I know I am [ethnic group]! But who are we really? Where did we actually originate?” Such was the substance of comments made in my presence some years ago and which has stuck with me ever since.

Knowledge of our roots is most inadequate without the knowledge of where our ethnic groups ultimately originate. Thousands would concur. For many, a study of one's family tree is a favourite hobby. We know our parents and immediate family backgrounds. We know our ethnic identities. But how many of us are able to trace our roots back to the earliest genesis of the human family? For instance, if we are, say, Polish, what is the point of knowing or ethnic identity and our family history back several generations and perhaps some of the history of our nation which may include the migrations of tribes into our lands, if we do not know where they ultimately originate?

This is where the incredible Table of Nations comes in most useful. Believe it or not, this systematic, well organised chart presents to us, in the fast-moving 1990s, the ethnic identities of all nations! Yes! YOUR ethnic roots clear back to the beginning genesis of the great variety of mankind may be traced if we use Genesis chapter ten as a basis. For it is the purpose of this work to reveal to you who your forefather was, Biblically speaking and how his descendants migrated to their modern locations and what prophecy reveals as to their - and consequently - your future, fate and destiny. The study of the modern identities of the nations of Genesis ten is a science. One may also term it Biblical human biology and physical anthropology. But it is much more than that. It actually uses literally hundreds of references to back up the argument that the nations of the modern world may all be traced back to the 70 names referred to in the mysterious Table of Nations chart.

Many years have been spent in painstaking research, reading, writing, corresponding and weaving together this exciting story of national origins. To forge a composite mosaic of this nature, I needed, at the conclusion of my investigations, to pull together the many complex threads and strands of Biblical, historical and anthropological fact and detail.

So many peoples have stories and legends regarding their origins, which cannot be simply dismissed. They oft claim to originate from a progenitor who is known well in their traditions. Is it not wonderful that the names of persons who lived over 4,200 years ago and who are listed in Genesis ten, carried on in place or tribal names to recent date? Sometimes the peoples deified their ancestors. Commenting on Newton’s book The Philosophical Origins of Gentile Theology (1678), Richard Westfall wrote the following:

“Origins started with the argument that all peoples worshiped the same twelve gods under different names. The gods were divinized ancestors - in fact Noah, his sons, and his grandchildren - though as this religion passed from people to people, each used it to its own ends by identifying the gods with its kings and heroes” [Westfall, RS (1993) The Life of Isaac Newton . Cambridge University Press]

We must be eternally vigilant, thus a purpose of my works is to keep alive the flickering flame of Genesis Ten truth. This magnificent truth is on the verge of dieing out. Such an enigma! In an age of growing ethnic consciousness in grassroots defiance of one world globalism, and with increasing studies into one's family tree and of the awareness of book stores and publishers for works on this type of subject, we find almost nothing in print on the subject.

Where are the Sayce's and Rawlinson's today? Who will continue Genesis Ten science? Hopefully each and every one of us. We need to by keeping alive the flame of this wonderful truth by a collaborative effort of all interested parties, regardless of affiliations. This type of work is not doctrine driven as such, but a willingness to be as accurate as possible with true history.

But how does one gain the knowledge to keep such truths alive? For none of us have perfect knowledge and understanding (Hos 4:16; Is 5:13; 27:11). God, the Creator and Sustainer of all the nations of this globe, thunders mightily that we had better go to Him in all humility to seek knowledge, understanding and wisdom:

“If thou criest after knowledge and liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as silver and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then thou shalt understand the fear of the Lord, And find the knowledge of God” (Prov 2:3-5. See also Dan 12:10; Ps 111:10; Prov 9:10).

Such should be our mainstay, and has been the mainstay for many over the years. It is a mainstay which is essential for spiritual growth and which helps one to hold fast to spiritual treasures (IThess 5:21; IIThess 2:15; Heb 3:6; 10:23). A reason for this book is my fervent hope that those reading it would be encouraged to dig deeper into the matter and attempt their own studies into their family trees or even into Genesis ten itself. Surely it is the innermost desire of most persons to know their origins. As American Poet Carl Sandburg once wrote:

“When a nation goes down [or] a society perishes, one condition may always be found. They forgot where they came from.”

In addition, this wonderful Table of Nations is the very key to unlocking the prophecies dealing with the End Time. How can you understand the prophecies dealing with Gog and Magog, Assyria, the Chaldeans, Cush, Elam and many others unless we know where they are located today? And if we do not know where the original post-flood nations are today (which, after all, became the modern nations of this century), then we reject Christ’s admonition to study prophecy and watch world events daily. Let us obey God and enjoy a richer, more meaningful life in the knowledge of who we are, where we are going and what the ultimate destiny of our ethnic groups will be (Deut 30:19). Surely, nothing can be more interesting and fulfilling than that?!

If any reader wishes to aid in this project in any way whatsoever, please do not hesitate to contact the author care of History Research Projects. ‘Aid’ would include pointing out mistakes, fine-tuning the argument, any kind of constructive comment and criticism or suggestions whatever. Also, references or points which you feel may be useful or new to me, please feel free to share them with me so that I may share them with others. If any original information which is sent to me finds its way into print in the Origins of Nations magazine, due acknowledgement would be given. Please share information with each so that we may share it with others. In particular, I would very much appreciate articles for publication in the Origin of Nations magazine.

“The lips of the wise disperse knowledge, but the heart of the foolish doeth not so” (Prov 15:7. See Matt 13:52).

If we want to gain knowledge, we must learn to give what we have, to others first:

“Apply thine heart unto instruction, and thine ears to the words of knowledge” (Prov 23:12).

Will we apply ourselves to those precious principles? If we do, we will be able to absorb the knowledge which God wants us to.

Articles, chapters and sections of books and Bible Dictionaries have appeared on the subject; or booklets dealing with minor aspects of Genesis ten or which have delved into certain of the 70 figures, names or localities mentioned therein. But nothing really extensive has appeared. In addition to the usual method of name similarities or name changes, traditions or linguistics, I refer to various physical comparisons and cultural similarities. Thus ethnology, with its interest in the history of peoples, is employed.

The above, however, is not enough in detailing an all-inclusive 'data-gathered' synthesis of each tribe of Genesis 10. This work needed to bring out the issue of zootaxonomy, human biology and physical anthropology sufficient to identify and trace the descendants of Bible Nations. Physical anthropology is the study of comparative anatomy, morphological, genetic and physiological variability in recent human populations. The techniques of science are therefore heavily depended upon in this particular science.

Then we have zootaxonomy. Taxonomy is concerned with essential and specific categories within the multitude of human forms. Zootaxonomy employs the concept of race or microspecies. Anthropometry is extensively used in determining race, and in particular craniosystematics is also used.

From the above we can trace the descendants of Noah through Shem, Ham and Japheth. And from Shem we have his descendants through to Arphaxad and later Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

What is the significance of Shem – forefather of Israel?

Shem was to be the carrier of God’s religion: Gen 9:26 “And he said, Blessed be Jehovah, the God of Shem.” His name means Name! That is, he is famous, honourable, righteous, noted, man of renown and noble. His descendants were the Noble Ones.

In verse 27 Moses wrote that “God shall enlarge Japheth, and he shall dwell in the tents of Shem and Canaan shall be his servant”. Whilst this may mean that Shem shall dominate Japheth, there is another meaning which should be explored at this point. Take a look at Ex 25:8; Num 9:15; IISam 7:6; IChron 15:1; Ps 78:59-60; Is 40:22; Jer 10:20; Rev 21:3.

The clear inference is that God shall dwell with Shem as in a tabernacle which God did indeed do in ancient Israel and also dwells in spiritual Israelites through the holy spirit. He has remained faithful to Israel ever since. Similar wording is used in relation to Israel in Is 54:2. Here we have what commentators so long ago described as ‘the righteous line’ or as we would say today, the lineage which God is working with.

Shem fathered Arphaxad, the light-bringer (see the appendix discussing him at the rear of this paper). From Arphaxad we have Salah, followed by Eber, Peleg, Reu, Serug, Nahor, Terah and then Abram. This is the line that God has worked with both spiritually/religiously and physically/racially.

What is Israel’s origin?

Protestant commentators in the mid-nineteenth century through to the early twentieth, wrote of a ‘righteous line’ from Noah, Shem, Arphaxad, down to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Israel). God chose to work through these people due to certain attributes instilled within them.

Arphaxad generated many children, of which the Bible only tells us about Salah. History attests to his other children forming ruling classes all over the world, which were eventually bred out (a future work will identify them). But some background information about him may be found at the rear of this paper. Many of his descendants fell into both apostasy both racially and religiously, and began to mix in with other races in central Asia, parts of southern Asia, Polynesia, Peru, southern Europe etc and disappeared from history, leaving behind traditions and remnants of mighty empires and some physical biological evidence (apostasy is both physical and spiritual).

God started His plan in a small way, like the grain of a mustard seed. Prior to Noah’s Flood, there were just a handful of people he worked with. After the Flood, through Noah, Shem, Arphaxad and others, this number gradually grew through Israel who were physically called to a physical salvation and blessings. Amongst them were people with the Spirit of God within them. Later, this spiritual dimension grew when the New Testament Church was raised up and continues to this day. More will be called in the Millennium and Last Great Day – so God is starting small and working up to call all of mankind, through Israel.

One only has to look at the British Empire with its religious teachers as a forerunner of this. And how the Church operated out of Israel in these last days, to spread the True Gospel and the Israel Message because it is only the prosperity and freedoms that Israel provides which offers the Church the capacity to spread the Gospel. Israel and spiritual Israel operate in tandem (see Rom 9:3-8).

One only has to look at scriptures such as Is 42:1; 45:4; 52:1-2, 13; 65:9 etc to see how important Israel is to God’s Plan – here Israel is called His “elect” (it should be remembered, though that some of these scriptures are obviously dual, referring also to Christ Himself). In the Newer Testament we are told that “unless those days should be shortened, no flesh would be saved. But for the elect's sake, those days shall be shortened.” (Matt 24:22) And this was prior to the formation of the Church. Whilst the Church is spiritual Israel and is also called the elect in places such as Col 3:12 etc, this does not mean that Israel is no longer His elect which replacement theology attempts to teach. Therefore, because of the elect (both physical and spiritual Israel), God will intervene in world affairs to ensure that life is not wiped off the face of this planet – unlike ancient Egypt where He destroyed the firstborn and thus an entire generation.

Does God deal with Israel in a dual sense: race (physical) and grace (spiritual)?

The following is an extract from an old WCG booklet, In the Beginning. Answers from Genesis (emphasis mine):

>QUESTION: I understand you teach that God's promises to Abraham were two-fold-race and grace. Would you explain what these promises mean?

ANSWER: Many fail to comprehend the underlying dual nature of God's promise. Abraham and his seed were promised not only great material blessings, but ultimately salvation as well. Unfortunately, the latter promise-which is by far more important-is misunderstood by many. After Abraham proved that he would obey God unconditionally, even to the point of being willing to sacrifice his beloved son, Isaac, God promised "That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice" (Gen. 22:17-18). The physical, material, national (RACE) blessings are included in what the Bible terms as "the birthright."

A "birthright" is something which is one's right by virtue of birth. The seed or the children of Abraham were guaranteed by God a multitudinous population, untold wealth and material resources, national greatness and world power. This "birthright" was passed on from Abraham to Isaac, to Jacob, and would have then gone to his firstborn son, Reuben. But Reuben fell prey to his human weakness as he "defiled his father's bed." Because of this sin "his birthright was given unto the sons of Joseph the son of Israel..." (I Chron. 5:1). Ephraim and Manasseh, the sons of Joseph, became the rightful heirs of God's material, national blessings. Together they received the right of, and inherited, the name "Israel." They received the "birthright" and became "a nation and a company of nations" (Gen. 35:11). Read also Genesis 49:22-26 for a more detailed account of their national blessings. But what of the second half of the original promise to Abraham? The spiritual promise-the promise of the "One seed," the Messiah, and of the salvation through Him?

This the Bible calls the "Sceptre" promise-the promise of GRACE. The "Sceptre" promise of the kingly line culminating in Christ, and of grace through Him, was handed not to Joseph but to Judah, the son of Jacob and the father of the Jewish people. "The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh [Christ] come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be" (Gen. 49:10). Yes, as Jesus later said, "salvation is of the Jews" (John 4:22).

The promise of salvation-of GRACE-was handed down through Judah but it comes, not as a birthright, but by GRACE. It is an unmerited gift, God's pardon of sins through Jesus Christ the Messiah, who was of the tribe of Judah. Though salvation cannot be earned, it is conditional. The condition being that we must repent, believe Jesus and His message, be baptized (immersed) and let God rule our lives. If, like Abraham, we will obey God, we too can become recipients of God's promises. The Word of God says that if we will submit to God and accept Jesus as our Lord and Saviour "then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise" (Gal. 3:29). The covenant made with Abraham has the dual promise, of RACE and GRACE. But no matter what our physical genealogy may be, we can become "Abraham's seed" and receive God's great blessings. For more information about God's covenant promises, request your free copy of The United States and Britain in Prophecy. It is a vital key to understanding the Bible and the wonderful plan of salvation.<

Israel were called of God because they were inferior, surely?

Deu 7:7 Jehovah did not set His love upon you, nor choose you, because you were more in number than any people, for you were the fewest of all people.

Deu 7:8 But because Jehovah loved you, and because He would keep the oath which He had sworn to your fathers, Jehovah has brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you out of the house of slaves, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.

Deu 7:9 Therefore, know that Jehovah your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy with them that love Him and keep His commandments, to a thousand generations.

God was using a nation which was small in number, yet with incredible qualities and abilities, to confound the other nations. There is nothing here to suggest that they were inferior. Rather, they possessed attributes which gave them a capacity to rule, be inventive and be sober and law-abiding over and above others. Yet it was to little avail without the indwelling of the holy spirit.

Racially and religiously, Israel was to be a special people before God and to thereby bring light, truth and righteousness to the world. In Ex 19:5-6; Deut 28:1; Is 42:6; 43:1, 10-12, 21; 60:3; 61:6; 62:1-7 they are portrayed as God’s witness.

From the aforementioned scriptures the Israelites were to function as God’s representatives on earth, to administer it under Him.

Exo 19:5 And now if you will obey My voice indeed, and keep My covenant, then you shall be a peculiar treasure to Me above all the nations; for all the earth is Mine.

Exo 19:6 And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words which you shall speak to the sons of Israel.

Deu 7:12 And it shall be, because you listen to these judgments and keep and do them, Jehovah your God shall keep to you the covenant and the mercy which He swore to your fathers.

Deu 7:13 And He will love you and bless you and multiply you. He will also bless the fruit of your womb, and the fruit of your land, your grain, and your wine, and your oil, the increase of your cattle, and the flocks of your sheep, in the land which He swore to your fathers to give you.

Deu 7:14 You shall be blessed above all people. There shall not be male or female barren among you or among your cattle.

Deu 7:15 And Jehovah will take away from you all sickness, and will put none of the evil diseases of Egypt which you know upon you. But He will lay them upon all who hate you.

Deu 7:16 And you shall destroy all the people which Jehovah your God shall deliver you. Your eye shall have no pity upon them, neither shall you serve their gods, for they will be a snare to you.

Deu 28:1 And it will be, if you shall listen carefully to the voice of Jehovah your God, to observe and to do all His commandments which I command you today, Jehovah your God will set you on high above all nations of the earth.

Deu 32:9 For Jehovah's portion is His people. Jacob is the lot of His inheritance.

Deu 32:10 He found him in a desert land, and in the deserted, howling wilderness. He led him about, He cared for him, He kept him as the pupil of His eye.

Isa 42:6 I Jehovah have called You in righteousness, and will hold Your hand, and will keep You, and give You for a covenant of the people, for a Light of the nations;

Isa 43:20 The beasts of the field shall honor Me, the jackals and the ostriches; because I give waters in the wilderness, rivers in the desert, to give drink to My people, My chosen.

Isa 45:11 So says Jehovah, the Holy One of Israel, and the One who formed him, Do you ask Me of things to come? Do you give command to Me about My sons, and about the work of My hands?

Isa 49:3 and said to Me, You are My servant, O Israel, in whom I will be glorified.

Isa 61:6 But you will be named the priests of Jehovah; it will be said of you, Ministers of our God; you will eat the riches of the nations, and you will revel in their glory.

Isa 62:1 For Zion's sake I will not be silent, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until its righteousness goes out as brightness, and her salvation as a burning lamp.

Isa 62:2 And the nations will see your righteousness, and all kings your glory; and you will be called by a new name, which the mouth of Jehovah will name.

Isa 62:3 You also will be a crown of glory in the hand of Jehovah, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God.

Isa 62:4 You will no more be called Forsaken; nor will your land any more be called Desolate; but you will be called My Delight is in her, and your land, Married; for Jehovah delights in you, and your land is married.

Isa 62:5 For as a young man marries a virgin, so will your sons marry you; and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so will your God rejoice over you.

Isa 62:6 I have set watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem, who will not always be silent all the day nor all the night; you who remember Jehovah, do not be silent.

Isa 62:7 And give Him no rest until He establishes and makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth.

Jer 51:19 The Portion of Jacob is not like them; for He is the Former of all things, and Israel is the rod of His inheritance. Jehovah of Hosts is His name.

Jer 51:20 You are My war-club and weapons of war; for with you I will shatter nations; and with you I will destroy kingdoms.

Jer 51:21 And with you I will shatter the horse and his rider; and with you I will shatter the chariot and his rider.

Notice that Israel was the apple or pupil of God’s eye. Bullinger in the Companion Bible explains: “First occurrence of Heb. ‘ishon, used of the small round dark pupil of the eye. Heb. = hole, gate, or door of the eye … called ‘pupil’ [in English] = a little girl.” See also Ps 17:8 and Zech 2:8.

Israel was also God’s bride and wife and He the husband according to Ex 19; 20; Jer 3:14; Ex 16; Jer 31:32. For God to court and choose as wife one of the nations, tells us something about the people He chose.

From the above we see that Israel has the primacy, and will also in the Millennium as we shall see.

Almost unbelievable blessings were offered Israel in Gen 29; 30; 49, Num 23; 24; Deut 7; 8; 33; Jud 5.

The letter to the Hebrews may be of some assistance with regard to the blessings. Yet spiritual Israel is offered even “better” blessings. Let us now explore what the word “better” means in the book of Hebrews.

· Heb 1:4 Christ Who is the image of the Father (Greek means to be an exact replica or impression as when metal is pressed into a die) is made better than the angels “for unto which of the angels said He at any time, “Thou art My Son, this day have I begotten you”?” Bullinger notes: “begotten, &c. = brought Thee to the birth. I.e. at resurrection, when the Son became the glorified federal Head of a new order of beings ... Quoted from Ps. 2:7, which, with Acts 13:33, tells us that this day was the day of His resurrection”. See further information on this in my paper on the born again doctrine.

· chapter 6:9 speaking of the second death, Paul writes “But beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak”. In other words, Paul was saying that their future is eternal life, not eternal death.

· chapter 7:7 in discussing Abraham and Melchizedek, “And without all contradiction, the less (Abraham) is blessed of the better (Melchizedek)”. The discussion continues about the superiority of the Melchizedek priesthood over the Levitical priesthood. The discussion is not over whether the law or tithing is abolished, but concerning the better Melchizedek priesthood.

· Chapter 7:19 Christians today have a better hope than the Israelites who did not have God’s Spirit to keep the Law (cp Rom 8:3; Heb 8:8, 10)

· Chapter 8:6 here Paul emphasises again how we have a better covenant and better promises than given to Israel

· Chapter 9:23 Christ’s sacrifice was (infinitely) better than those found in the book of Moses

· Chapter 11:16 we also have a better country promised us, than the land of Canaan given to Israel

· Chapter 11:40 God has promised us better things so that the Old Testament people of God could not be perfected without us

· Chapter 12:24 Christ and the new covenant speak better things than that of Abel

· Chapter 11:35 Christians are destined for a better resurrection. But what exactly is it better than?

What resurrection is the Christian promised which it is better than?

Upon examination of the above references to ‘better’, it is apparent that most of the comparisons that Paul uses is between the old covenant and the new; between physical and spiritual Israel. Logically, given this theme, it would likely follow that the old covenant Israelites will be resurrected to temporary, physical life. While spiritual Israelites will be resurrected to eternal, immortal, spirit life. But by and large, the promises to Israel were futuristic only insofar as they applied to the well-being of their descendants and promises to those righteous amongst Israel generally related to the present. Other promises refer to the future reward or restoration of the nation. While the promises to spiritual Israelites were for spiritual blessings.

Eternal life was not promised to those under the old covenant, nor were they to be denied a chance for eternal life under the new or renewing covenant. During their life on earth, they were promised immense physical blessings which would last even to many generations extending to the return of the Messiah. At the completion of their physical life upon the earth, they go the way of all men with inevitable death and burial – their physical being disintegrating and their very molecules and atoms disappearing into the earth from whence we all originate.

They would have been aware of the possibility of eternal life, as it is clear that the saints of the Old Testament knew that this was God’s purpose for man (cp Gen 3:22; Heb 11:8-11). It is also clear from several Old Testament scriptures that a future resurrection was commonly known (ISam 2:6; Job 14:14-15; 19:25-27; Ps 16:10; Is 26:19; Dan 12:2-3).

The Bible also speaks of a future physical resurrection of Israel. Hos 6:1-2 and Ezekiel 37:1-14 are clear: a physical resurrection of Israel will occur. Will this be at the return of Christ when the saints will be resurrected to spirit life; during the Millennium; or at the Last Great Day? Do Dan 12:1-3 and Is 26:19-16; 27:6 reveal a resurrection of physical Israelites at the time of the first resurrection? The Bible gives us some clues.

Ezekiel 37 compares resurrected Israel to a great army (verse 10); similarly in the famous resurrection chapter, Paul states:

But every man in his own order [Gr for ‘order’ means army or body of soldiers in succession]:

Then cometh the end when He shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when He shall have put down all rule and authority and power.

From the above one gets the impression that there will be successive resurrections or successive parts to resurrections. For instance, in IThess 4:16-17 two parts to the resurrection of the saints is revealed: first those that are dead and a little later, those that are alive at His coming. Whether this be in a matter of seconds, minutes or hours of each other is not known. Similarly, at the resurrection of Christ to spirit, eternal life, there was also a resurrection to physical life of certain saints (Matt 27:51-53). These saints may have either had a premature death and were given some years to finish their natural lives; or they lived out their normal lives and God raised them to a short life as a witness to His might and glory which will be demonstrated at the time of Christ’s resurrection.

Take a look at Matt 12:41-42 (also 10:12-15). Here we are told about what appears to be one successive generation rising up after another at the Last Great Day. If this be so, then it may be that the second resurrection may consist of successive generations rising up, overlapping with each other, over a period of time. Could this be for 1,000 years (an eighth day, so to speak) after the millennium? The 100 years mentioned in Is 65:20 refers to the life span of humans, not only to a 100 year period. In fact, looking at the context of that scripture through to verse 25, it appears millennial and thus could be a reference to persons living for 100 years either during the millennium or during the Last Great Day period. When we take into account that perhaps up to 40 billion or more humans have been on this earth since Adam and Eve, it is obvious that they cannot all be resurrected at the same time. An orderly approach of “every man in his own order” in overlapping generations starting with Adam, would seem to be a sensible approach.

So, Israel was promised a resurrection to physical life (Ezek 37) after which they will be offered eternal life. In the meantime, Israel has the primacy amongst the nations and will again in the Millennium – it is one of the blessings God has given them.

Some turn to Romans 9, claiming that the Church replaces Israel (replacement theology). Mr Armstrong never taught or approved such heresy.

Sometimes we are given the impression that Israel will be just another of the nations in the Millennium. However, scripture indicates that God and His children will rule the world through Israel (similarly, Satan rules the world through his physical agents).

Rather, the Church is spiritual Israel (Gal 6:16; IPet 2:10; Eph 2:10), continuing the righteous line of men from Noah, Shem, Abraham through to Christ. This righteous line was genetic and spiritual. The genetic line continues as a special people He has and will use again.

The righteous men in ancient Israel (eg Moses, certain judges, prophets and kings comprised the spiritual Israel of their day). The Church is the successor organisation to them, paralleling Israel. Physical Israel is not called to eternal life yet, but spiritual Israel of both the Old and New Testament periods is. The Church in the New Testament period includes gentiles who are spiritually (but not physically) grafted on to Israel.

That is why so many prophecies in the Older Testament which refer to Israel also refer to spiritual Israel (eg daughter of Zion, Thy People, My People etc). The two go together. So it follows with all likelihood that Israel has been paralleling the 7 eras of the Church.

It is with the New Testament Church that the New Covenant is commenced, inclusive of gentiles that are being called.

Doesn’t the New Testament virtually ignore Israel?

Mat 2:6 "And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are not the least among the governors of Judah. For out of you shall come a Governor who shall rule My people Israel."

Mat 10:23 But when they persecute you in this city, flee into another; for truly I say to you, In no way shall you have finished the cities of Israel until the Son of Man comes.

Mat 15:24 But He answered and said, I am not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

Luk 2:25 And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. And this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel. And the Holy Spirit was on him.

Luk 2:32 a light for revelation to the nations, and the glory of Your people Israel.

Luk 2:34 And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother, Behold, this One is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel, and for a sign spoken against

Joh 1:49 Nathanael answered and said to Him, Rabbi, You are the Son of God. You are the King of Israel!

Luk 22:30 that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Act 15:16 "After this I will return and will build again the tabernacle of David which has fallen down; and I will build again its ruins, and I will set it up,

Act 1:6 Then, indeed, these coming together, they asked Him, saying, Lord, do You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?

Rom 10:1 Brothers, truly my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is for it to be saved.

Mat 19:28 And Jesus said to them, Truly I say to you that you who have followed Me, in the regeneration, when the Son of Man shall sit in the throne of His glory, you also shall sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Luk 13:18 And He said, What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it?

Luk 13:19 It is like a grain of mustard seed which a man took and threw into his garden. And it grew and became a great tree, and the birds of the air lodged in its branches.

Act 1:6 They therefore, when they were come together, asked him, saying, Lord, dost thou at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?

Act 3:20 and that he may send the Christ who hath been appointed for you, even Jesus:

Act 3:21 whom the heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things [including Israel to glory], whereof God spake by the mouth of His holy prophets that have been from of old.

Act 5:31 This One God has exalted to be a Ruler and Savior to His right hand in order to give repentance and remission of sins to Israel.

Act 10:36 You know the Word which God sent to the sons of Israel, preaching the gospel of peace by Jesus Christ (He is Lord of all!);

Act 28:20 For this cause therefore did I entreat you to see and to speak with me: for because of the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.

In fact, Israel is referred to in scores of places – just pick up a Strong’s Concordance and see for yourself. Israel is also referred to in Matt 10:6; James 1:1; Rev 7; 12; 21. Her tribulation is also referred to in Matt 24; Mark 13; Luke 21; Rev 18.

Now what if Israel was not mentioned at all? Would it make any difference to God’s Plan? Not at all! Israel is mentioned seldom in Job and Proverbs for instance – both are books of the Older Testament. Mentioning or not mentioning and the amount of mention has no bearing on the Plan of God. After all, the New Testament enriches the Old and builds upon its foundation, it does not replace the Older Testament. Whilst many do not say that it is replaced, by their theological positions, this is what they are saying in effect.

Mat 10:5 Jesus sent out these twelve, commanding them, saying, Do not go into the way of the nations, and do not enter into any city of the Samaritans.

Jam 1:1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes in the Dispersion, greeting:

Various scriptures indicate the great blessings that the House of Israel would enjoy in the last days, before the Tribulation (eg Gen 49, which Israel typologically fulfils today). As a tiny mustard seed which grows into a large tree, the Kingdom of God, ruled by Christ and His bride, through Israel, will dominate the world. Commencing with the first British Empire under Elizabeth I and later through the second British Empire and now the American Empire, Israel has been growing in dominance. It has also given place for spiritual Israel to grow. Whilst physical Israel has found place for spiritual Israel to survive, so spiritual Israel is loyal to Israel, unlike this world’s media.

Israel’s growing dominance, prior to punishment in Tribulation, in many ways pictures her Millennial role. The Tribulation interrupts this natural progression, under the guidance of God. Like a mustard seed growing into a great tree, so Israel is expanding its power across the globe. This does not mean that everything it does is perfect of course, but that it does a much better job than gentile powers.

Act 1:6 They therefore, when they were come together, asked him, saying, Lord, dost thou at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?

Will there be a Second Exodus?

The Great Tribulation will be the single major means used by Almighty to teach the Houses of Israel and Judah their biggest lessons for all time. It will be a thrashing of massive proportions. God has called Israel to lead the world and to be a light.

But since the early 1960s with the advent of radicals such as J Kennedy and Martin Luther King Britain and America have not led the world, except in miscegenation, homosexuality, abortion, materialism, feminism etc, etc. Leaders such as those aforementioned, began the process of Israelitish decline, arrested for a while by Thatcher and Reagan. Kennedy and King lived lifestyles, practiced an immense amount of immorality and perversion and anti- Caucasian which can only be described as evil.

Therefore, God will teach Israel lessons – to become strong, righteous leaders – through humiliation and cleansing. This will be via the greatest trials ever to come upon the human race. This will later bear the fruits of righteousness and character.

Isa 11:11 And it shall be in that day, the Lord shall again set His hand, the second time, to recover the remnant of His people that remains, from Assyria and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Ethiopia, and from Persia, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the coasts of the sea.

Isa 11:12 And He shall lift up a banner for the nations, and shall gather the outcasts of Israel and gather together the scattered ones of Judah from the four corners of the earth.

Isa 11:13 And the envy of Ephraim shall depart, and the foes of Judah shall be cut off; Ephraim shall not envy Judah, and Judah shall not trouble Ephraim. [English and Scots will stop their fighting]

Isa 11:14 But they shall fly on the shoulders of the Philistines to the west; they shall spoil the sons of the east together; they shall lay their hand on Edom and Moab; and the sons of Ammon shall obey them. [God will use them to conquer various nations]

Isa 11:15 And Jehovah shall utterly destroy the tongue of the Egyptian sea; and with His scorching wind He shall shake His hand over the River, and shall strike it into seven streams, and make one tread it with shoes.

Isa 11:16 And there shall be a highway for the remnant of His people, those left from Assyria; as it was to Israel in the day that he came up out of the land of Egypt. [the future Exodus will be primarily from Germany! This is just another proof that Assyria are the enemies of Israel in the latter days]

Isa 27:13 And it shall be, in that day the great ram's horn shall be blown [the 7^th Trumpet – symbolised by the Feast of Trumpets], and those perishing in the land of Assyria shall come, and the outcasts in the land of Egypt shall come and shall worship Jehovah in the holy mountain at Jerusalem.

Isa 43:1 But now so says Jehovah who created you, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel; Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine.

Isa 43:2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you [ie disasters will not totally destroy them]. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned; nor shall the flame kindle on you.

Isa 43:3 For I am Jehovah your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I gave Egypt for your ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for you [these peoples will be ruled by Israel].

Isa 43:4 Since you were precious in My sight, you have been honored, and I have loved you; therefore I will give men for you, and people for your life.

Isa 43:5 Fear not; for I am with you. I will bring your seed from the east, and gather you from the west.

Isa 43:6 I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Do not keep back; bring My sons from far and My daughters from the ends of the earth;

Isa 43:7 everyone who is called by My name; for I have created him for My glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.

Isa 43:8 Bring out the blind people who have eyes, and the deaf who have ears. [physical and spiritual blind and deaf]

During this time, Israel and Judah will, at last, be united! The major scriptures on this subject are: Jer 31:1, 7-9; 50:4-5; Ezek 11:17; 34:12-13; 37:19-22. Other related scriptures include: Jer 12: 14-15; 16:15; 23:3-4, 7-8; 24:6-7; 30:3, 8-10; 33:6-9; 50:4-5, 19-20; Ps 14:7; 53:6; 68:6; 30:4; Lev 26: 42-46).

Other scriptures on the reunion of Israel and Judah include: Jer 3:17-19; Zech 12:10-14; Rom 11:26; Acts 15:16-17; Hos 1:11; 2:14; Mic 2:12; 5:4-7; Zech 8:7-8; 10:9-12.

Jer 31:6 For there shall be a day that the watchmen on Mount Ephraim shall cry, Arise and let us go up to Zion to Jehovah our God!

Jer 31:7 For so says Jehovah, Sing with gladness for Jacob, and shout among the chief of the nations. Cry out, give praise and say, O Jehovah, save Your people, the remnant of Israel.

Jer 31:8 Behold, I will bring them from the north country and gather them from the corners of the earth, and with them the blind and the lame, the woman with child and she who is in labor with child, together; a great company shall return there.

Jer 31:9 They shall come with weeping, and with prayers I will lead them. I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters in a straight way; they shall not stumble in it, for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is My firstborn.

Jer 31:10 Hear the Word of Jehovah, O nations, and declare it in the coastlands afar off. And say, He who scattered Israel will gather him and keep him, as a shepherd keeps his flock.

In Dan 9:27 it indicates that Christ has 3 ½ years of His ministry to complete. As He was sent to the lost sheep of the House of Israel, it figures that He will complete His ministry to them. Why? Because it is through Israel that Christ and the spirit-born children of God will rule and reign.

Eze 20:33 As I live, says the Lord Jehovah, surely with a mighty hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with fury poured out, I will reign over you.

Eze 20:34 And I will bring you out from the people [second Exodus], and I will gather you out of the lands in which you are scattered among them [captivity in foreign lands], with a mighty hand and with a stretched out arm and with fury poured out.

Eze 20:35 And I will bring you into the wilderness of the people, and there I will enter into judgment with you face to face.

Eze 20:36 Just as I entered into judgment with your fathers in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so I will enter into judgment with you, says the Lord Jehovah. [this seems to be referring to a purging process during the Tribulation and/or afterward]

Eze 20:37 And I will cause you to pass under the rod [Amos 5:3; Lev 27:32 – this refers to the ‘Lord’s tithe’ of people set aside by Him], and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant.

Eze 20:38 And I will purge out from among you the rebels and those who sin against Me. I will bring them out from the land where they reside, and they shall not enter into the land of Israel [rebels will be liberated, but will not enter the Holy Land – they will be purged – possibly with the aid of the Priests and Levites]. And you shall know that I am Jehovah.

In Jer 31:2 and Hos 2:14 we are told that God will work with Israel in the wilderness – somewhere close to the Holy Land (see also Zech 13:9; Amos 5:3; Lev 27:32; Ezek 20:37). The prophecies show that only 1/3 of Israel will be left after the Tribulation, and only one 10^th of that figure will be alive after the cleansing, to make it into the Holy Land.

In the Bible, when God set something back on track, He first cleansed the Priests followed by the Levites (see Malachi 3:2-6). Due to its senior position, Judah would have to be cleaned up at the outset as well:

“Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the Lord, as in the days of old, and as in former years” (Mal 3:4). See too Ezek 44:10-12; 48:11. Levi then, will be the tribe carrying out religious duties such as the religious teachers, ministers, executers of the Law as well as probably being the judges.

After her cleansing, Israel will be led into the Holy Land to complete her training to be led by the God Family via Judah, to colonise and rule the world (Hos 2:23; Zech 10:9). If the above analysis of scripture is correct, then we may find the following occurring at the outset of the Millennium, after the Day of the Lord:

Will there be a making of the New Covenant with Israel?

After separating her and sending her away (Jer 3:1, 7-8; 4:1; IIKings 17:18-24; Jer 11:10; Hos 2:2; Is 59:1-2) God will again make a marriage agreement with Israel.

Israel broke the Covenant with God – an agreement to observe His perfect Law. This proved that man, without the Spirit of God, cannot keep the Law to the heights required. Because of the hardness of their hearts certain allowances were made for ancient Israel. For example: Mat 19:8 “He said to them, Because of your hard-heartedness Moses allowed you to put away your wives; but from the beginning it was not so.” So, the Law remains as the central agreeing point of the Covenant – it is not abolished.

Isa 59:20 And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and to those who turn from transgression in Jacob, says Jehovah.

Isa 59:21 As for Me, this is My covenant with them, says Jehovah; My Spirit that is on you, and My Words which I have put in your mouth, shall not depart out of your mouth, nor out of the mouth of your seed, nor out of the mouth of your seed's seed, says Jehovah, from now on and forever.

Jer 31:31 Behold, the days come, says Jehovah, that I will cut a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah,

Jer 31:32 not according to the covenant that I cut with their fathers in the day I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which covenant of Mine they broke, although I was a husband to them, says Jehovah;

Jer 31:33 but this shall be the covenant that I will cut with the house of Israel: After those days, says Jehovah, I will put My Law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.

Jer 31:34 And they shall no more teach each man his neighbor and each man his brother, saying, Know Jehovah; for they shall all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, says Jehovah. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sins no more.

Eze 16:59 For so says the Lord Jehovah: I will even deal with you as you have done, who have despised the oath in breaking the covenant.

Eze 16:60 But I will remember My covenant with you in the days of your youth, and I will establish to you an everlasting covenant.

Eze 16:61 And you shall remember your ways and be ashamed, when you shall receive your sisters, your older and your younger. And I will give them to you for daughters, but not by your covenant.

Eze 16:62 And I will establish My covenant with you; and you shall know that I am Jehovah;

Eze 36:24 For I will take you from among the nations and gather you out of all lands, and will gather you into your own land.

Eze 36:25 And I will sprinkle clean waters on you, and you shall be clean. I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from your idols.

Eze 36:26 And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit within you. And I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh.

Eze 36:27 And I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you shall keep My judgments and do them.

Eze 36:28 And you shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers. And you shall be My people, and I will be your God.

Eze 36:29 I will also save you from all your defilements, and I will call for the grain, and will increase it, and will lay no famine on you.

Eze 36:30 And I will multiply the fruits of the tree and the increase of the field, so that you shall never again receive the curse of famine among the nations.

Eze 36:31 And you shall remember your own evil ways, and your doings that were not good, and shall despise yourselves in your own sight for your iniquities and for your abominations.

Hos 2:16 And it shall be at that day, says Jehovah, you shall call Me, My Husband, and shall no more call Me, My Baal.

Hos 2:17 For I will take away the names of the Baals out of her mouth, and they will no more be remembered by their name.

Hos 2:18 And in that day I will cut a covenant for them, with the beasts of the field, and with the birds of the heavens, and with the creeping things of the ground. And I will break the bow and the sword and the battle out of the earth, and will make them to lie down safely.

Hos 2:19 And I will betroth you to Me forever. Yea, I will betroth you to Me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in loving-kindness, and in mercies.

Hos 2:20 I will even betroth you to Me in faithfulness. And you shall know Jehovah.

Hos 2:21 And it will be, in that day I will answer, says Jehovah. I will answer the heavens, and they shall answer the earth,

Hos 2:22 and the earth shall hear the grain and the wine and the oil. And they shall hear Jezreel.

Hos 2:23 And I will sow her to Me in the earth. And I will have mercy on No-mercy. And I will say to Not-my-people, You are My people. And they shall say, My God.

Other scriptures on this important subject include: Ezek 34:25; Is 55:3; 59:20-21; 62:4-5.

In Dan 9:27 it indicates that Christ would be cut off after 3 ½ years of His ministry confirming the Covenant with Israel:

Dan 9:26 And after sixty-two weeks Messiah shall be cut off, but not for Himself. And the people of the ruler who shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. And the end of it shall be with the flood, and ruins are determined, until the end shall be war.

Dan 9:27 And he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week. And in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the offering to cease, and on a corner of the altar desolating abominations, even until the end. And that which was decreed shall be poured on the desolator.

This tells us that Christ will continue for another 3 ½ years confirming the Covenant with Israel, after the second Exodus and after the purging out of rebels. What will this new covenant be like?:

Paul quoted Jeremiah in Heb 8:8: “For finding fault with them [the nation Israel], he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah.” See also 12:24. This covenant started with the New Testament Church (those that are spiritual in Israel plus those gentiles who are called) but will be completed with Israel and latter gentiles will be grafted in.

According to Strong’s Concordance, the Greek word in 12:24 “3501 neos, including the comparative neoteros neh-o'-ter-os; a primary word; "new", i.e. (of persons) youthful, or (of things) fresh; figuratively, regenerate:--new, young” which implies the ‘renewing covenant’. The same laws comprise the Old and New Covenants. But instead of writing them on stone, they are written into one’s mind or heart through the indwelling of the holy spirit.

I do not wish to belabour the point at this time, but a paper may issue on the subject of the Covenants some time in the future.

Will Israel become a colonising people again? Isn’t this being oppressive?

In Gen 28:14 God promised Israel the world. There were pre-Israelite colonies and ruling classes set up all over the world by descendants of Arphaxad, many or most corrupted and went into racial and religious apostasy. Later, there were worldwide colonies at the time of Solomon. We had the first British Empire starting with Elizabeth I, later the second British Empire reaching its zenith under Queen Victoria.

Why are they a colonising people? What is God trying to teach us? Like a colony of bees, the English (Ephraim) under the aristocracy and with the Scots (Judah), were set up as ruling classes around the world with government pointing to the British Royalty, seated (so to speak) on the Stone of Scone (Jacob’s pillar stone, which Christ will sit on upon His return).

This teaches us the lesson that the Kingdom of God through Israel, will be a colonising empire, typed by the glorious British Empire. Bizarre and untrue conspiracy theories from neo-Nazis, Catholics and also right-wing libertarians, that the British still rule the world secretly, that they Royalty worship Satan and other nonsense, notwithstanding.

In Is 60:9-17; 49:20 we see that the Holy Land will become too small for Israel due to its population explosion, that she would have to set out to colonise and populate again. Here, the gentiles will serve Israel (Is 49:21-23) and therefore the old colonial territories will be repopulated (Is 66:19-20; 61:4).

According to Gen 13:16; Is 54:2-3, we have indication of Israel’s millennial colonies. Here they rule over the gentiles for their own good, in love and respect, under God and His children (see also Gen 9:27; Is 61:5-6, 9).

Then in Ezek 36:10-11 we are told that Israel will inhabit the former places (where they were taken captive from. See also Ps 80:8-11; Gen 49:22; Hos 14:5-8) and in Deut 4:5-8 we see that Israel will rule over the nations again – how can she do so unless she returns to her former lands of North America (as a light to the central and south Americans), NW Europe (to be a light to the Europeans), South Africa (to be a light to the Africans) and Australia and New Zealand (to be a light to the Asiatics and Pacific Islanders)?

Is 26:15; 27:6; 49:8 speak of Israel’s colonies as do Ezek 28:25-26; Amos 9:14-15; Ezek 19:10; (cp Gen 49:22); Ob 17 (Israel “shall possess their possessions” – ie the Holy Land, a colonies and treasures). And in Deut 32:9 we are told:

“For Jehovah's portion is His people. Jacob is the lot of His inheritance.” The “lot” given to Israel has an expanded meaning when the Hebrew is examined – it can include the concept of a country, coast, region, girdle, cord, belt, measuring line, outside circle, indicating colonies outside of the Holy Land (see also Is 49:8b; Hos 14:5). It is through Israel that Christ will rule the world – in other words they continue to be a special people to serve the world in this capacity:

Psa 47:1 To the Chief Musician. A Psalm for the sons of Korah. Clap your hand, all you peoples; shout to God with the voice of triumph.

Psa 47:4 He shall choose our inheritance for us, the majesty of Jacob whom He loved. Selah.

Psa 47:9 The rulers of the peoples are gathered together, the people of the God of Abraham; for the shields of the earth are God's; He is lifted up on high.

In the end, Israel will inherit the whole world under the Messiah, during the Millennium, preparing the way for the next phase of God’s plan (Is 61: 5-6, 9; 54:2).

In a pronouncement in the book of Deuteronomy, God says that if Israel hears His voice, they will be the head and not the tail:

Deu 28:12 Jehovah shall open to you His good treasure, the heaven to give the rain to your land in its season, and to bless all the work of your hand. And you shall loan to many nations, and you shall not borrow.

Deu 28:13 And Jehovah shall make you the head, and not the tail. And you shall be always above, and you shall not be beneath, if you listen to the commandments of Jehovah your God, which I command you today, to observe and to do them. [and they will listen to the commandments after the Tribulation]

Take a look at Is 14:1-2 – here is a clear prophecy that Israel will make captive certain gentile nations – especially those that took Israel captive, or who have caused Israel nothing but trouble by being constant thorns in their side.

Isa 61:1 The Spirit of the Lord Jehovah is on Me; because Jehovah has anointed Me to preach the Gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; [liberation of physical Israel; spiritually liberating the world also]

Isa 61:2 to preach the acceptable year of Jehovah and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn;

Isa 61:3 to appoint to those who mourn in Zion, to give to them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the mantle of praise for the spirit of heaviness; so that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of Jehovah, that He might be glorified.

Isa 61:4 And they will build the old wastes [this must be the colonies], they will raise up the ruins of former times. And they will repair the waste cities, the ruins of many generations [colonies, not cities in the land of Israel].

Isa 61:5 And strangers will stand and feed your flocks, and the sons of the stranger will be your plowmen and your vinedressers. [Israel will bring into servitude certain nations to teach them humility]

Isa 61:6 But you will be named the priests of Jehovah; it will be said of you, Ministers of our God; you will eat the riches of the nations, and you will revel in their glory. [how like the British Empire]

Isa 61:7 For your shame you will have double; and for disgrace they will rejoice in their portion; therefore in their own land they will possess double; everlasting joy will be theirs.

Isa 61:8 For I Jehovah love judgment, I hate robbery for burnt offering; and I will direct their work in truth, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them.

Isa 61:9 And their seed will be known among the nations, and their offspring among the peoples; all who see them will acknowledge them, that they are the seed Jehovah has blessed.

Zec 8:23 So says Jehovah of Hosts: In those days ten men, out of all languages of the nations, shall take hold, and will seize the skirt of a man, a Jew [Judah], saying, We will go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.

Dare we water-down the above truth of God or ignore it? Or do we humbly accept the Word of God and thank God for His supreme wisdom. In other words, are we politically correct or faithful to the Truth?

Isa 55:4 Behold, I have given Him for a witness to the people [gentiles], a Leader and Commander of peoples.

Isa 55:5 Behold, You shall call a nation that You do not know; a nation that did not know You shall run to You because of Jehovah Your God, and for the Holy One of Israel; for He has glorified You.

Isa 49:6 And He said, It is but a little thing that You should be My servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to bring back the preserved ones of Israel; I will also give You for a light to the nations, to be My salvation to the end of the earth.

Isa 49:7 So says Jehovah, the Redeemer of Israel, His Holy One, to Him whom man despises, to Him whom the nation hates, the servant of rulers: Kings shall see and arise, rulers also shall worship, because of Jehovah who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel, and He shall choose You.

Isa 49:8 So says Jehovah, in a favorable time I replied to You, and in a day of salvation I have helped You; and I will preserve You, and give You for a covenant of the people, to establish the earth, to cause them to inherit the wasted inheritances;

Isa 49:9 that You may say to the prisoners, Go out! To those who are in darkness, Show yourselves! They shall feed in the ways, and their pastures shall be in all high places.

Isa 49:10 They shall not hunger nor thirst; nor shall the heat nor sun strike them; for He who has mercy on them shall lead them; even by the springs of water He shall guide them.

The above scriptures, in context, are dual, referring to both Christ and Israel. Indeed, Christ will be working through Israel to reach the world.

Isa 14:1 For Jehovah will have mercy on Jacob, and will yet choose Israel and set them in their own land; and the stranger shall be joined with them, and they shall cling to the house of Jacob.

Isa 14:2 And the peoples shall take them and bring them to their place; and the house of Israel shall possess them in the land of Jehovah for slaves and slave girls. And they shall be captives of their captors; and they shall rule over their oppressors.

Here we see certain gentile nations, repentant, bringing Israel to the Holy Land and Israel taking them captive for a season. The logic is that the servitude of these peoples will be in accordance with Older Testament’s laws on the subject and Biblical principles (Ex 21:1-6; Deut 15:1-5; 31:10) and will be for seven years. This servitude represents their repentance, at least in part. During this season of servitude, they will learn about God, learn new skills and come to understand that God’s plan for mankind includes rulership through Judah and Israel.

Isa 19:17 And the land of Judah shall be a terror to Egypt [Mizraim]; everyone who mentions it shall be afraid toward it, because of the purpose of Jehovah of Hosts, which He has purposed against it.

Isa 2:4 And He shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks. Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more [how will He do this? Through Israel]

Zec 10:3 My anger was kindled against the shepherds, and I will punish the he-goats; for Jehovah of Hosts has visited His flock the house of Judah, and has made them as His beautiful horse in battle.

Zec 10:4 Out of Him came the cornerstone; out of Him the nail; out of Him the battle bow; out of Him every oppressor together.

Zec 10:5 And they shall be like mighty ones who trample the mud of the streets in the battle. And they shall fight because Jehovah is with them, and they shall make the riders on horses ashamed.

Zec 10:6 And I will strengthen the house of Judah, and I will save the house of Joseph, and I will return to save them; for I have pity on them. And they shall be as though I had not cast them off; for I am Jehovah their God, and I will answer them.

Zec 10:7 And Ephraim shall be like a mighty one, and their heart shall rejoice as by wine. And their sons shall see and be glad; their heart shall rejoice in Jehovah.

Zec 10:8 I will hiss for them and gather them; for I have redeemed them. And they shall be many as they were many.

Zec 10:9 And I will sow them among the peoples, and they shall remember Me in the distances; and they shall live with their sons and return.

Zec 10:10 I will return them out of the land of Egypt, and I will gather them out of Assyria; and I will bring them into the land of Gilead and Lebanon; for room shall not be found for them. [this population explosion will necessitate them to become colonisers again]

Zec 12:7 Jehovah also shall save the tents of Judah first, so that the glory of the house of David and the glory of the people of Jerusalem may not be magnified above Judah.

Zec 12:8 In that day Jehovah shall defend around the people of Jerusalem. And it will be, he who is feeble among them at that day shall be like David; and the house of David shall be like God, like the Angel of Jehovah before them.

Zec 14:14 And Judah also shall fight at Jerusalem; and the wealth of all the nations all around shall be gathered, gold, and silver, and clothing in great abundance [those nations who stole Israel’s wealth in the Tribulation, will have that wealth confiscated]

Isa 41:14 Do not fear, worm of Jacob and men of Israel; I will help you, says Jehovah, and your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.

Isa 41:15 Behold, I make you a new sharp threshing instrument, a master of teeth; you shall thresh the mountains [nations] and beat them small, and shall make the hills like chaff.

Isa 41:16 You shall winnow them, and the wind shall carry them away, and a tempest shall scatter them. And you shall rejoice in Jehovah and shall glory in the Holy One of Israel.

Isa 45:14 So says Jehovah, The labor of Egypt, and merchandise of Ethiopia, and of the Sabeans, men of stature, shall come to you, and they shall be yours [many African nations]. They shall come after you in chains; and they shall cross in chains and they shall fall down to you. They shall plead to you, saying, Surely God is in you; and none else, no other God.

Isa 45:15 Truly You are a God who hides Yourself, O God of Israel, the Savior.

Isa 45:16 They shall be ashamed, and also confounded, all of them; they who are makers of idols shall go into disgrace together.

Isa 45:17 But Israel shall be saved in Jehovah with an everlasting salvation. You shall not be ashamed nor blush to the forevers of eternity

Isa 49:1 Listen, O coastlands, to Me; and listen, lend your ear, peoples from afar; Jehovah has called Me from the womb; He has made mention of My name from My mother's bowels.

Isa 49:2 And He has made My mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of His hand He has hidden Me, and made Me a polished shaft. He has hidden Me in His quiver,

Isa 49:3 and said to Me, You are My servant, O Israel, in whom I will be glorified.

Isa 49:4 Then I said, I have labored in vain; I have spent My strength for nothing, and in vain; yet surely My judgment is with Jehovah, and My work with My God.

Isa 49:5 And now, says Jehovah who formed Me from the womb to be His servant, to bring Jacob again to Him, Though Israel is not gathered, yet I shall be glorious in the eyes of Jehovah, and My God shall be My strength.

Isa 49:6 And He said, It is but a little thing that You should be My servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to bring back the preserved ones of Israel; I will also give You for a light to the nations, to be My salvation to the end of the earth.

Isa 49:22 So says the Lord Jehovah, Behold, I will lift up My hand to the nations, and have set up My banner to the people; and they shall bring your sons in their bosom, and your daughters shall be carried on their shoulders.

Isa 49:23 And kings shall be your nursing fathers, and their queens your nurses. They shall bow to you, faces to the earth, and lick up the dust of your feet; and you shall know that I am Jehovah; by whom they shall not be ashamed who wait for Me.

Isa 49:24 Shall the prey be taken from the mighty, or the lawful captive delivered?

Isa 54:3 for you shall break out on the right hand and on the left. And your seed shall inherit the nations, and people will inhabit ruined cities.

Isa 54:4 Do not fear; for you shall not be ashamed, nor shall you blush; for you shall not be put to shame; for you shall forget the shame of your youth, and shall not remember the reproach of your widowhood any more.

Isa 54:5 For your Maker is your husband; Jehovah of Hosts is His name; and your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel; the God of the whole earth shall He be called.

Isa 54:6 For Jehovah has called you as a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, and a wife of youth, when you were rejected, says your God.

Isa 54:7 For a little moment [3 ½ year Tribulation] I have left you; but with great mercies I will gather you.

Isa 60:5 Then you shall fear and become bright, and your heart shall throb and swell for joy; because the abundance of the sea shall turn to you, the wealth of the nations will come to you.

Isa 60:6 A host of camels shall cover you, the camels of Midian and Ephah. All of them from Sheba [east Africa, southern India] shall come; they shall bring gold and incense; and they shall proclaim the praises of Jehovah.

Isa 60:7 All the flocks of Kedar shall be gathered together to you; the rams of Nebaioth shall minister to you. They shall come up on My altar pleasing Me, and I will glorify the house of My glory.

Isa 60:8 Who are these who fly like a cloud, and as the doves to their windows?

Isa 60:9 Surely the coastlands shall wait for Me, and the ships of Tarshish first, to bring your sons from far [the Japanese returning the Israelite slaves], their silver and their gold with them, to the name of Jehovah your God, and to the Holy One of Israel, because He has glorified you.

Isa 60:10 And the sons of strangers will build up your walls, and their kings will serve you; for in My wrath I struck you, but in My favor I had mercy on you.

Isa 60:11 Therefore your gates will always be open; they will not be shut day nor night, to bring to you the wealth of the nations, and their kings may be led.

Isa 60:12 For the nation and kingdom that will not serve you will perish. Yes, those nations will be completely wasted.

Isa 60:13 The glory of Lebanon will come to you, the fir tree, the pine tree, and the box tree together, to beautify the place of My sanctuary; and I will make the place of My feet glorious.

Isa 60:14 Also the sons of your afflicters shall come bowing to you; and all your despisers will bow down at the soles of your feet. And they will call you, The city of Jehovah, The Zion of the Holy One of Israel.

Isa 60:15 Instead of being forsaken and hated, so that no one passes through, I will make you for everlasting majesty, a joy of many generations.

Isa 60:16 You will also suck the milk of nations, and suck the breast of kings; and you will know that I Jehovah am your Savior and your Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob. [as kings don’t have milk producing breasts, this must mean that certain gentile kings will produce sustenance for Israel]

Isa 61:4 And they will build the old wastes, they will raise up the ruins of former times [the colonies]. And they will repair the waste cities, the ruins of many generations.

Isa 61:5 And strangers will stand and feed your flocks, and the sons of the stranger will be your plowmen and your vinedressers.

Isa 61:6 But you will be named the priests of Jehovah; it will be said of you, Ministers of our God; you will eat the riches of the nations, and you will revel in their glory.

Isa 61:7 For your shame you will have double; and for disgrace they will rejoice in their portion; therefore in their own land they will possess double; everlasting joy will be theirs.

Isa 61:8 For I Jehovah love judgment, I hate robbery for burnt offering; and I will direct their work in truth, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them.

Isa 61:9 And their seed will be known among the nations, and their offspring among the peoples; all who see them will acknowledge them, that they are the seed Jehovah has blessed

Isa 66:19 And I will set a sign among them, and I will send those who escape [presumably escaped death in the Great Tribulation] from them to the nations, to Tarshish [Japan], Pul [Poles], and Lud [Albanian], drawers of the bow; to Tubal [Great Russians], and Javan [some descendants in southern Europe and others in east Asia], to the far away coasts that have not heard My fame, nor have seen My glory. And they will declare My glory among the nations.

Isa 66:20 And they will bring all your brothers for an offering to Jehovah out of all nations on horses [the gentiles will bring the Israelite slaves to the Holy Land], and in chariots, and in litters, and on mules, and on camels, to My holy mountain Jerusalem, says Jehovah, as the sons of Israel bring an offering in a clean vessel into the house of Jehovah.

Isa 66:21 And I will also take some of them for priests and for Levites, says Jehovah.

Oba 1:17 But upon Mount Zion shall be those who escaped [presumably escaped the Tribulation]; and it shall be holy. And the house of Jacob shall possess their own possessions.

Oba 1:18 And the house of Jacob shall be a fire, and the house of Joseph a flame. And the house of Esau shall be for stubble. And they shall kindle in them and burn them up. And no survivor shall be to the house of Esau; for Jehovah has spoken it.

Oba 1:19 And those of the south shall possess the mountain of Esau and the low country of the Philistines. And they shall possess the fields of Ephraim and the fields of Samaria; and Benjamin shall possess Gilead.

Oba 1:20 And the exiles of this army shall go to the sons of Israel who shall possess the land of the Canaanites to Zarephath; even the exiles of Jerusalem who are in Sepharad shall possess the cities of the south.

Oba 1:21 And deliverers shall go up into the mountain of Zion to judge the mountain of Esau; and the kingdom shall be to Jehovah.

Eze 25:13 therefore so says the Lord Jehovah: I will also stretch out My hand on Edom, and will cut man and beast off from it; and I will make it a waste from Teman, even to Dedan they shall fall by the sword.

Eze 25:14 And I will lay My vengeance on Edom by the hand of My people Israel. And they shall do in Edom according to My anger and according to My fury. And they shall know My vengeance, says the Lord Jehovah.

Eze 25:15 So says the Lord Jehovah: Because the Philistines have taken vengeance; yes, have taken vengeance with spite in their soul, to destroy with never-ending enmity,

Eze 25:16 So the Lord Jehovah says this: Behold, I will stretch out My hand on the Philistines, and I will cut off the Cherethites, and will destroy the rest of the sea coast.

Eze 25:17 And I will execute great vengeance on them with rebukes; and they shall know that I am Jehovah, when I shall lay My vengeance on them. [how will God do this – via the might of revived Israel!]

Amo 9:11 In that day I will raise up the booth of David that has fallen, and close up its breaks; and I will raise up its ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old;

Amo 9:12 so that they may possess the remnant of Edom, and of all the nations on whom My name is called, says Jehovah who is doing this. (see Num 24:17-19)

Zep 2:7 And the coast shall be for the remnant of the house of Judah; they shall feed on them. In the houses of Ashkelon they shall lie down in the evening, for Jehovah their God shall visit them and turn away their captivity.

Zep 2:8 I have heard the reproach of Moab, and the curses of the sons of Ammon, with which they have cursed My people and have magnified themselves on their border.

Zep 2:9 Therefore, as I live, says Jehovah of Hosts, the God of Israel, Surely Moab shall be like Sodom, and the sons of Ammon like Gomorrah; a possession of nettles, and salt pits, and a ruin forever. The remnant of My people shall plunder them, and the remnant of My people shall possess them.

Zep 2:10 They shall have this for their pride, because they have cursed and magnified themselves against the people of Jehovah of Hosts.

Mic 4:13 Arise and thresh, O daughter of Zion [this refers to both end-time Israel and the Church]; for I will make your horn iron, and I will make your hoofs bronze; and you shall crush many peoples. And I will give their gain to Jehovah, and their wealth to the Lord of the all the earth.

Zep 2:11 Jehovah will be frightening to them; for He will make all the gods of the earth lean; each man from his place and all the coastlands of the nations shall bow to Him.

Zep 2:13 And He will stretch out His hand against the north and destroy Assyria, and will make Nineveh a desert and dry like a desert. [God will use Israel to bring Edom, Assyrian, Moab, Ammon and Ashkelon (Philistines) into His realm]

Zec 9:13 For I have bent Judah for me as a bow; I filled it with Ephraim, and I will stir up your sons, O Zion, against your sons, O Greece, and make you as the sword of a mighty man.

Zec 9:14 And Jehovah shall be seen over them, and His arrow shall go forth like the lightning [how? Via the Ephraimites, led by Judah]; and the Lord Jehovah shall blow the ram's horn [Day of Trumpets – symbolising war?], and shall go out with the windstorms of the south [Judah].

Zec 9:15 Jehovah of Hosts shall defend them; and they shall devour and trample the slingstones. And they shall drink and be boisterous, as through wine. And they shall be filled like a bowl, and like the corners of the altar.

Many of these scriptures speak also of the Church because of the dual nature of the Bible and spiritual Israel’s spiritual blessings. But how will spiritual Israel inherit the earth? How will she conquer nations, convert peoples and receive homage?

The concepts of Christ, His body the Church and physical Israel are inextricably intertwined very closely in scripture – possibly more than we have often realised.

Where does Ezekiel 38 & 39 fit in?

So much of scripture is dual that these chapters, whilst primarily refer to a time near the beginning of the Millennium, they may also refer to the Gog and Magog referred to in Rev 20:7-9. They may also refer in some way to the forces of the north and east which fights the Beast power.

Firstly, Ezek 38:18-39:16 is read in many synagogues during the Feast of Tabernacles;

Secondly, these are the forces of the Second Woe (Rev 9:13-21) which God would have used to conquer and punish the countries of the Beast power. Perhaps after the first seven years or so of Israelites being settled back in the Holy Land, after Israel has swooped upon certain gentiles, many of them will rise up in rebellion, claiming discrimination, racism and so on as reasons for this invasion.

Just as God gives us enough time to repent or show our true colours; just as He allowed Lucifer plenty of time to foment rebellion; so He will allow these forces to develop. The picture we get that these peoples are led by the forces that invaded the nations comprising the Beast power in Europe. As such, they comprise the remnants of the 200 million army pictured in Rev 9:16 (the 1/6^th of Ezek 39:2 may mean that 1/6^th of the 200 million will come against Israel or that 1/6^th of the Gog and Magog forces will be left).

The bitterness and jealousy will well-up into a lust for war. They shall see the great blessings and wealth of Israel returned to them and want it for themselves (see Rev 18:11-13; Hag 2:7-9; Is 23:17-18; Ex 12:35-36; Jos 6:18-19).

Pro 27:4 Wrath is cruel, and anger is overwhelming; but who is able to stand before envy?

Eze 38:10 So says the Lord Jehovah: And it shall be in that day that things shall come into your heart, and you shall devise an evil plan.

Eze 38:11 And you shall say, I will go up to the land of open spaces. I will go to those at ease [cp Lam 1:3], who dwell securely, all of them dwelling without walls, and there are no bars nor gates to them,

Eze 38:12 in order to take a spoil, and to steal a prize; to turn your hand on the inhabited waste places, and on the people gathered out of the nations, who have gotten cattle and goods, who dwell in the midst of the land.

Notice: this rebellion is against the Israelites who have returned from captivity and who now have gathered much wealth as we have seen. They also are dwelling in peace.

Eze 39:21 And I will set My glory among the nations, and all the nations shall see My judgments which I have done, and My hand that I have laid on them.

Eze 39:22 So the house of Israel shall know that I am Jehovah their God from that day and forward. [there will be no more doubting Thomas’s]

Eze 39:23 And the nations shall know that the house of Israel was exiled [ie prior to this Gog and Magog invasion] for their iniquity. Because they sinned against Me, therefore I hid My face from them and gave them into the hand of their enemies. So they all fell by the sword. [it follows on therefore that these gentile nations will now be called to repent and allow God to rule over them through Israel]

There may be parallel passages in Zechariah. Chapter 12 has a Trumpets theme and is read in synagogues on the Day of Trumpets; chapter 13 has an Atonement theme and read on the Day of Atonement; while chapter 14 is read during the Feast of Tabernacles.

Chapter 14:1-11 refers to the first few years of the Millennium and specifically states that Jerusalem (symbolic of Israel) will be safely inhabited (cp Ezek 38:11,14). Then we are told:

Zec 14:12 And this shall be the plague with which Jehovah will strike all the peoples who have fought against Jerusalem [both before and after the return of Christ]. Their flesh shall rot while they stand on their feet, and their eyes shall rot in their sockets. And their tongue shall rot in their mouth.

Zec 14:13 And it shall be in that day a great panic of Jehovah shall be among them And they shall each one lay hold of his neighbor, and his hand shall rise up against the hand of his neighbor.

Zec 14:14 And Judah also shall fight at Jerusalem; and the wealth of all the nations all around shall be gathered, gold, and silver, and clothing in great abundance.

Zec 14:15 And so shall be the plague of the horse, the mule, the camel, and the ass, and of all the beasts which shall be in these tents, like this plague.

Zec 14:16 And it shall be, everyone who is left of all the nations which came up against Jerusalem shall go up from year to year to worship the King, Jehovah of Hosts, and to keep the Feast of Tabernacles.

Zec 14:21 Yea, every pot in Jerusalem and in Judah shall be holy to Jehovah of Hosts. And all those who sacrifice shall come and take of them, and boil in them. And in that day there shall no longer be a trader [ie Canaanite] in the house of Jehovah of Hosts.

Eze 38:21 And I will call for a sword against him on all My mountains, says the Lord Jehovah. Each man's sword shall be against his brother. [cp Hag 2:22]

Eze 38:22 And I will judge him with a plague and with blood. And I will rain on him, and on his bands, and on the many peoples with him, an overflowing shower, and great hailstones, fire and brimstone.

Eze 38:23 So I will magnify Myself and sanctify Myself. And I will be known in the eyes of many nations, and they shall know that I am Jehovah. [and they know God by loving Him and obeying Him eg by observing the Feast of Tabernacles]

What of those nations that, prior to the liberation of Israel by Christ, would have enslaved Israel, but by now have repented and even assisted in the transporting of Israelitish slaves to the Holy Land?:

Eze 38:13 Sheba and Dedan, and the merchants of Tarshish, with all their young lions [Germany – Nah 2:11], shall say to you, Have you come to take a spoil? Have you gathered your company to steal a prize, to carry away silver and gold, to take away cattle and goods, to take a great spoil?

Here we are told that Gog and Magog etc’s intent is to take from Israel what she has gathered from other nations. The nations speaking up and warning them are Sheba (Schwabians), Dedan (Prussians), Tarshish (Spain and Japan). These are nations which had formerly comprised the Beast power and allies. But now they are repentant and warn the enemies of Israel not to attack Israel, God’s wife! Why? Because they would be very well aware of the consequences of such action!

From the descriptions of the tribes, the way the acted in the Bible and from their modern histories, it would appear that they have definitive, organised roles. See Gen 29; 30; 49; Num 23; 24; Deut 33; Jud 5.

Gen 49:8 Judah, may your brothers praise you. May your hand be in the neck of your enemies. May your father's sons bow before you.

Gen 49:9 Judah is a lion's whelp. My son, you have gone up from the prey. He stooped, he crouched like a lion; and like a lioness, who shall rouse him? [a warrior people]

Gen 49:10 The scepter [the royal line] shall not depart from Judah, nor a Lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come. And the obedience of the peoples to him.

Jdg 20:18 And the sons of Israel rose and went up to the house of God and asked counsel of God, and said, Which of us shall go up first to the battle against the sons of Benjamin? And Jehovah said, Judah first. [see Deut 33:7]

1Ch 5:2 For Judah prevailed among his brothers, and from him came the chief ruler [the royal line of David which includes the Messiah], but the birthright was Joseph's;

2Ch 9:8 Blessed be Jehovah your God, who delighted in you to set you on His throne to be king for Jehovah your God. Because your God loved Israel to establish them forever, therefore He made you king over them to do judgment and justice.

1Ch 29:23 And Solomon sat on the throne of Jehovah as king in place of David his father. And he was blessed, and all Israel obeyed him. [the throne of Judah, through David, is the Lord’s Throne!]

Psa 78:67 And He refused the tabernacle of Joseph, and chose not the tribe of Ephraim;

Psa 78:68 but chose the tribe of Judah, the mount Zion which He loved. [see IKings 11:36; Zech 8:15]

Psa 60:7 Gilead is Mine, and Manasseh is Mine; and Ephraim is the strength of My head, Judah is My lawgiver;

Psa 108:8 Gilead is Mine; Manasseh is Mine and Ephraim is the strength of My head; Judah is My lawgiver [see Num 21:18; Is 33:22; James 4:12]

Psa 114:2 Judah was His sanctuary, and Israel was His kingdom. [see Is 65:9]

Jer 33:14 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will perform that good thing which I have promised unto the house of Israel and to the house of Judah.

Jer 33:17 For thus saith the LORD; David shall never want a man [of Judah] to sit upon the throne of the house of Israel;

Hos 11:12 Ephraim circles around Me with lying, and the house of Israel with deceit. But Judah still rules with God, and is faithful with the saints.

Zec 9:13 For I have bent Judah for me as a bow; I filled it with Ephraim, and I will stir up your sons, O Zion, against your sons, O Greece, and make you as the sword of a mighty man. [see 10:3-7]

Zec 12:5 And the governors of Judah shall say in their heart, The people of Jerusalem shall be my strength in Jehovah of Hosts their God.

Zec 12:6 In that day I will make the governors of Judah like a hearth of fire among the wood, and like a torch of fire among cut grain. And they shall devour all the peoples all around, on the right hand and on the left hand. And Jerusalem shall be inhabited again in her place, in Jerusalem.

Zec 12:7 Jehovah also shall save the tents of Judah first, so that the glory of the house of David and the glory of the people of Jerusalem may not be magnified above Judah.

Zec 12:8 In that day Jehovah shall defend around the people of Jerusalem. And it will be, he who is feeble among them at that day shall be like David; and the house of David shall be like God, like the Angel of Jehovah before them.

Joe 3:18 And it shall be, in that day the mountains shall drop down new wine, and the hills shall flow with milk, and all the rivers of Judah shall flow with waters; and a fountain shall come forth from the house of Jehovah, and shall water the valley of Shittim.

Joe 3:19 Egypt shall be a ruin, and Edom shall be a desolate wilderness, from violence done to the sons of Judah, whose innocent blood they poured out in their land.

Joe 3:20 But Judah will dwell forever, and Jerusalem to generation and generation. [just as the Scots were the pioneers leading the way so often in the colonies, in bringing tribes and peoples to heel under Israel, so they shall fulfil this function again].

Judah produced the royal line, a warrior class and lawmakers. In other words they were to be the political leaders. It is interesting that the Scots have produced inventions, military leaders and political leaders well above their numbers in the USA, Australia and South Africa. In ancient Israel they led the other tribes in the camp. In the USA they were in the forefront of the colonising people, leading the way (a separate paper will issue on the Judahic heritage of the British Royalty, Ulster, Lowlander and especially Highland Scots). They are a very brave people who are willing to take on anything:

Pro 28:1 The wicked flee when no man pursues; but the righteous are bold as a lion.

Throughout Bible times they dwelt within and in proximity to Jerusalem, the capital city of Jerusalem as the leading tribe. And as fierce defenders of God’s way, the Levites, Temple and all that goes with leadership.

Levi –

Eze 44:10 But the Levites who have gone far away from Me, when Israel went astray; those who went astray from Me after their idols; they shall even bear their iniquity.

Eze 44:11 Yet they shall be ministers in My sanctuary, overseers at the gates of the house and ministering to the house. They shall kill the burnt offering and the sacrifice for the people, and they shall stand before them to minister to them.

Eze 44:12 Because they ministered to them before their idols, and caused the house of Israel to fall into iniquity, therefore I have lifted up My hand against them, says the Lord Jehovah, and they shall bear their iniquity.

Eze 44:13 And they shall not come near Me, to do the office of a priest to Me, nor to come near any of My holy things, in the most holy place; but they shall bear their shame and their abominations which they have committed.

Eze 44:14 But I will make them keepers of the charge of the house for all its service, and for all that shall be done in it.

Jer 33:14 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will perform that good thing which I have promised unto the house of Israel and to the house of Judah.

Jer 33:18 Neither shall the priests the Levites want a man before me to offer burnt offerings, and to kindle meat offerings, and to do sacrifice continually [this seems to imply that ministers would emanate from Levi for all generations and many of them are found in the Church].

Here it is self-evident that Levi shall be the priests (ministers or pastors) in the Millennium

Ephraim –

Jer 31:6 For there shall be a day that the watchmen on Mount Ephraim shall cry, Arise and let us go up to Zion to Jehovah our God!

Jer 31:7 For so says Jehovah, Sing with gladness for Jacob, and shout among the chief of the nations. Cry out, give praise and say, O Jehovah, save Your people, the remnant of Israel.

Jer 31:20 Is Ephraim My dear son? Is he a delightful child? For as often as I spoke against him, I earnestly remember him still. Therefore My heart is troubled for him; I will surely have mercy on him, says Jehovah.

Hos 11:8 How shall I give you up, Ephraim? How shall I deliver you, Israel? How shall I make you like Admah? How shall I set you as Zeboim? My heart is turned within Me; My compassions are kindled together.

Hos 11:9 I will not carry out the heat of My anger; I will not return to destroy Ephraim. For I am God and not man, the Holy One in your midst; and I will not enter into the city. [God has special feelings toward Ephraim]

Zec 10:6 And I will strengthen the house of Judah, and I will save the house of Joseph, and I will return to save them; for I have pity on them. And they shall be as though I had not cast them off; for I am Jehovah their God, and I will answer them.

Zec 10:7 And Ephraim shall be like a mighty one, and their heart shall rejoice as by wine. And their sons shall see and be glad; their heart shall rejoice in Jehovah. [Judah and Ephraim mentioned together once again, working together]

As we have seen in so many scriptures, Ephraim and Judah are often mentioned together. Therefore, like the Scots and English, they must be in unison to some degree to assist in bringing about God’s Kingdom on earth.

These people are very innovative and suitable for colonising due to their attributes. They shall continue to supply the majority of inhabitants to the colonies.

Manasseh –

The Bible doesn’t specify, but given the attributes of Anglo-Americans, they think big, mass produce goods and services which has resulted in ‘globalisation’ of the world’s economy. It would seem that they would have a similar role in the Millennium.

Some have speculated that the inventive genius of these peoples will be guided by God to provide technological breakthroughs for the benefit of man in various fields, just as they have today, in many ways.

Similarly, the other tribes’ contributions will be based on national talents and blessings.

From all the scriptures, how could one believe in Catholic and Protestant replacement theology? For Israel obviously has the primacy.

All nations will have a part in God’s great Plan. The secret is for them not to become envious of Israel, and for Israel not to become haughty and arrogant. Let us take a look at Assyria as an example.

As all Bible students note, the Assyrians descend from Asshur, or Assur, second son of Shem (Genesis 10:22) and twin brother to Arphaxad. Traditionally, offspring are listed according to age: the firstborn is often listed first. In Genesis 10:22, we find listed five sons of Shem. Elam is clearly the firstborn. If Asshur was a twin brother of Elam, this would surely have been mentioned as with other twins in Scripture, but for some reason is not.

However, the antagonisms between Asshur and Arphaxad demonstrate that in all likelihood that they were twins with Asshur's birth possibly preceding Arphaxad's (compare the example of Genesis 25:21-23). Arphaxad and Asshur must have been twins for Scripture states that Arphaxad was begotten "two years after the Flood" (Genesis 11:10). In other words, Elam was begotten in the first year after the Flood and his two brothers begotten a year later. It is impossible for three separate births to have occurred within two years.

Not surprisingly, Asshur's name means 'strong' or 'powerful'. Or, as Josephus put it:

"Ashur lived at the city Nineve; and named his subjects Assyrians, who became the most fortunate nation, beyond others." (Josephus Antiquities, I.vii.4)

In other words they were a greatly blessed people, second only to the descendants of Arphaxad and Aram. As we have seen, God, by electing the line of Arphaxad to do His work and to lead the world, has led to Assur's jealousy of Arphaxad and an age-long antagonism which will culminate in a great show-down between their descendants in the years just ahead. Assur are probably just as capable as the descendants of Arphaxad in ruling and leading, with one exception: they are too warlike. As such, it is logical to conclude that God rejected Assur and chose the line of Arphaxad instead.

In the years ahead, Assyria will attempt once and for all to destroy the direct descendants of his twin brother Arphaxad (through Israel. ie the Anglo-Saxon-Kelts). But why? The age old resentment and envy that God had given the birthright blessing in place of Elam to Arphaxad, and not to himself (Assur) - that God chose that line, and not Assur's is still heaped up in the Assyrian heart. Let there be no mistake: the German descendants of Assur are an extremely gifted people who resemble the descendants of Arphaxad and Aram more so than any other nation. Their sense of order, discipline and cleanliness is superb and world-famous. But so is their warrior-image. God chose Arphaxad because he had less of the military spirit and more leadership abilities.

The Assyrians have never forgotten this and it lurks deep down within their ‘psyche’ to this day. Consequently they wish to overthrow Arphaxad and lead the world with their militaristic style, rather than in God's way and take the Birthright lands of North America and the British Isles from the Anglo-Saxon-Kelts.

Isa 19:23 In that day there shall be a highway out of Egypt to Assyria, and Assyria shall come into Egypt, and Egypt into Assyria, and Egypt shall serve with Assyria.

Isa 19:24 In that day Israel shall be the third with Egypt and with Assyria, a blessing in the midst of the land;

Isa 19:25 whom Jehovah of Hosts shall bless, saying, Blessed be My people Egypt, and Assyria the work of My hands, and Israel My inheritance.

So the Germans will be granted their role in the World Tomorrow, like all nations will be.

Will Israel and the nations be extant in the eternal Kingdom of God?

So far we have discussed Israel during the Millennial reign of the Messiah. But what of the spirit world?

Because the physical world is typological of the spirit realm, there will be spirit races in the God Family. The New Earth will have non-Israelite nations (Rev 21:24-26) and as such, there must also be a spirit Israel, under the Church. Indeed, the 12 gates to the New Jerusalem will have the names of the tribes of Israel. This indicates that there will be spirit tribes of Israel.

So, the nations of Genesis 10 and the 12 tribes of Israel, extremely important aspects of God’s Plan, will still be extant in the Kingdom. This particular hierarchy or means of rule and service, will continue into the Kingdom!

Now we can see why Israel and the role of the gentile nations are so important that they are referred to so very often throughout the Bible. It is not some little thing, but critical to God’s Plan – it is how God works and will continue to work.

Starting with Adam, then through to Noah, Shem, Arhpaxad down to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and the tribes of Israel (especially Judah, Levi and Ephraim), God is working with and through a righteous line. That does not end with the Church at all. Instead, the concepts of Church and Israel are closely intertwined and fit together.

· The British Empire was typological of the coming reign of Israel over the world

· So much more is said of Israel ruling in the Millennium than what is said of the Church

· That there will be a final rebellion of Gog and Magog at the end of the Millennium

What then, can we make of the above? What will Israel be doing in the World Tomorrow? In effect, there will be an Israelite union bringing about the fulfilment the dreams of certain men in Britain and the USA in the early decades of the twentieth century. Later some led a movement called ‘Union Now’ – an Anglo-Saxon-Keltic hegemony to rule the world – the British Empire and America were to join forces to do so. The Rhodes scholars were to be trained to be rulers for this honour. Churchill and other British leaders had similar hopes for British ruling classes to be set up all over the world. The time for this was premature, but certainly the British Empire was typological of the Millennial rule of Israel - presaging what the scriptures obviously demonstrate shall be.

Alas, liberals gradually took over the Rhodes Round Table organisation and it never fulfilled its purpose. In fact, it has been used for vastly different purposes than that which its founders intended. To this day there are groups which are still attempting to bring about a British-American union such as Private Action for British-US Union (http://hometown.aol.com/XPUS/Britain.html). One of those in the British ruling class who could see God’s Plan for Britain was Churchill:

"... he must indeed have a blind soul who cannot see that some great purpose and design is being worked out here below" [through the British Empire - Sir Winston Churchill to the US Congress, 1941].

“What General Weygand called the Battle of France is over. The Battle of Britain is about to begin. Upon this battle depends the survival of civilization. Upon it depends our own British life and our empire. The whole fury and might of the enemy will soon be turned upon us. Hitler knows he will have to break us in this island or lose the war. Let us therefore give ourselves to our duty and so bear ourselves that if the British commonwealth and empire last one thousand years, men will say: ‘This was their finest hour.’ ”

This indicates that he probably wished for a 1,000 year British Empire (as Hitler wished for a 1,000 year Reich).

On another occasion Winston Churchill declared before the United States Congress:

"He must indeed have a blind soul who cannot see that some great purpose and design is being worked out here below of which we have the honor to be the faithful servants."

"The history of mankind is not a purposeless history. It is a manifestation of the divine purpose" [Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin]

Various ones from the British ruling classes wanted Britain to rule the world together with the USA, but were prevented by FD Roosevelt and others in the American establishment, who worked tirelessly to break up the Empire.

Field Marshall Viscount Montgomery was amongst those that devised an imperial “master plan” to impose British rule on Africa after WWII to help uplift the Africans to “maintain her standard of living and to survive”.

He was Chief of the Imperial Defence Staff in 1948 – during that time he advocated a “grand design” based on a tour of Africa. He urged British leaders to dominate Africa as a way of maintaining Britain/s status in the world:

“In the development of Africa we must adventure courageously, as did Cecil Rhodes”.

In the World Tomorrow, there will be a type of British Empire (Judah, Levi and Ephraim) in close cooperation with Manasseh, to rule the world. Britain will once again establish colonies in Canada, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand, comprising chiefly of Ephraim while Manasseh with vast numbers of Judah will return to America. In fact, in every nation, the British will establish administrative ruling classes: Scottish Judah will be the rulers; Levi will comprise the ministry – Priests and Levites.

Contrawise, Hitler is said to have believed in a thousand year Reich. William Shirer in his famous The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich noted that:

“The Third Reich which was born on January 30, 1933, Hitler boasted, would endure for a thousand years, and in Nazi parlance it was often referred to as the “Thousand-Year Reich”. (page5. This information was based, in part, on the Proclamation of Sept 5, 1934, at Nuremberg).

"It is clear that the German fate will be decided for the next one hundred years".

Changing his perspective from one hundred to one thousand, Hitler says one month later:

"National Socialism will decide the next one thousand years of German history." [Adolf Hitler, January, 1941. Sources: Bundesarchiv, recorded discs.]

"The German form of life is definitely determined for the next thousand years. For us, the nervous nineteenth century has finally ended. There will be no revolution in Germany for the next one thousand years!"

Today Satan inspires the world and leaders invisibly, behind the scenes. Could it be that the born children of God (spiritual Israel) will inspire physical Israel and rule through Israel, and not merely alongside them?

Further, if ancient history can be believed, the spirits (demons) were very often visible to man, but gradually this visibility was withdrawn. Similarly, could it be that the spirit-born children of God will be visible to the world for the first part of the Millennium but will gradually appear less and less to man as the Millennium progresses and as power for world rulership is handed over to Israel?

This may account for the final rebellion of a Gog and Magog mentioned in Rev 20:7-9. If the spirit beings were constantly visible and known to man, it would be difficult to envisage nations falling for Satan’s tricks or to pluck up the courage or to justify a rebellion.

But if the God Family ruled the world through Israel, then feelings of jealousy, inferiority, supposed racism and injustices and so on, based on human emotions, may be reasons for the rebellion.

Amongst other things, God created different races so that we can learn the lessons of maintaining boundaries, respect for differences, not to feel superior or inferior, and not to lust after the blessings of other nations and races. For all have been blessed, but it is God Who has set up nations for certain responsibilities based on natural gifts He has bestowed. He gives gifts to individuals, families, nations and races and it is therefore He who decides on their roles.

Israel is in serious decline today. She will be enslaved in a few years time and punished terribly during the Great Tribulation. After being rescued by her Husband, she will renew her marriage covenant and rule the world for 1,000 years under Christ and the children of God.

What is the significance of Shem – forefather of Israel?

What is Israel’s origin?

Israel were called of God because they were inferior, surely?

What will the other nations be doing in the World Tomorrow?

Will Israel and the nations be extant in the eternal Kingdom of God?

A. An introduction to the Table of Nations

What is the significance of Shem – forefather of Israel?

What is Israel’s origin?

Israel were called of God because they were inferior, surely?

What resurrection is the Christian promised which it is better than?

Doesn’t the New Testament virtually ignore Israel?

Will there be a Second Exodus?

Will there be a making of the New Covenant with Israel?

Where does Ezekiel 38 & 39 fit in?

Levi –

Ephraim –

Manasseh –

Will Israel and the nations be extant in the eternal Kingdom of God?