Was the world’s biggest empire prophesied in the Bible?
British Empire 1910 (Wikipedia)
Was the largest empire in history prophesied in your Bible?
Yes.
And what was the biggest empire in human history? Well, according to Statista, it was the British Empire:
In 1913, 412 million people lived under the control of the British Empire, 23 percent of the world’s population at that time. It remains the largest empire in human history and at the peak of its power in 1920, it covered an astonishing 13.71 million square miles – that’s close to a quarter of the world’s land area. At its height, it was described as “the empire on which the sun never sets” but of course the sun finally did set on it. Today, Britannia no longer rules the waves and its remnants consist of 17 small dependent and unincorporated territories scattered across the world such as the Falkland Islands and Gibraltar. (McCarthy N. The Biggest Empires In Human History. Statista, December 19, 2019, https://www.statista.com/chart/20342/peak-land-area-of-the-largest-empires/ accessed 12/25/19).
The fact of the massive size of the old British Empire should be of interest to those who believe biblical prophecies.
Why?
First, let’s notice that Israel (whose name originally was Jacob) bestowed the following prophesied blessings on the descendants of the sons of Joseph he adopted:
13 And Joseph took them both, Ephraim with his right hand toward Israel’s left hand, and Manasseh with his left hand toward Israel’s right hand, and brought them near him. 14 Then Israel stretched out his right hand and laid it on Ephraim’s head, who was the younger, and his left hand on Manasseh’s head, guiding his hands knowingly, for Manasseh was the firstborn. 15 And he blessed Joseph, and said:
“God, before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked,
The God who has fed me all my life long to this day,
16 The Angel who has redeemed me from all evil,
Bless the lads;
Let my name be named upon them,
And the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac;
And let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth.”
17 Now when Joseph saw that his father laid his right hand on the head of Ephraim, it displeased him; so he took hold of his father’s hand to remove it from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s head. 18 And Joseph said to his father, “Not so, my father, for this one is the firstborn; put your right hand on his head.”
19 But his father refused and said, “I know, my son, I know. He also shall become a people, and he also shall be great; but truly his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his descendants shall become a multitude of nations.”
20 So he blessed them that day, saying, “By you Israel will bless, saying, ‘May God make you as Ephraim and as Manasseh!'” And thus he set Ephraim before Manasseh. (Genesis 48:13-20)
If one looks at secular history, it is clear that the Jews did NOT fulfil the prophecies that Israel was inspired to give. Those of us who believe the Bible realize that these prophecies must be fulfilled. And that Ephraim would arise before Manasseh.
Looking throughout secular history, we see that the British-descended peoples (Ephraim) became a multitude of nations (Genesis 48:19) and the USA (Manasseh) became a great nation (Genesis 48:19) with about ¼ of the land mass of the old British Empire. Here is something else about the USA:
The United States is the world’s greatest economic power, measured in terms of gross domestic product (GDP). … The United States is relatively young by world standards, being less than 250 years old; it achieved its current size only in the mid-20th century. … Probably no other country has a wider range of racial, ethnic, and cultural types than does the United States. … Annually, the U.S. spends more on its military than the next seven highest-ranking countries in military spending combined. (Harris, JT, et al. United States. Encyclopædia Britannica. Last updated December 22, 2019)
From the 19th century to present, the USA and United Kingdom have dominated the world (though this will be lost later in the 21st century). They have received the blessings that God promised them through Jacob.
As far as USA ethnic diversity goes, some of the prophecies related to Manasseh refer to it as “Samaria” (e.g. Hosea 7:1; Obadiah 1:19; Isaiah 9:8-12,21). By Jesus’ time, the Samaritans were only partially Israelites—even though they claimed to be from the tribe of Joseph (“Samaritans” in Encyclopaedia Judaica, 1972, Volume 14, col. 727, as cited in Louvish M. Religious life and communities. Keter Books, 1974, p. 61). However, the Bible shows that they were highly ethnically mixed (2 Kings 17:24). See also: Spiritual Samaritans: Old and New.
Notice another prophesy about Joseph’s descendants:
22 “Joseph is a fruitful bough, A fruitful bough by a well; His branches run over the wall. 23 The archers have bitterly grieved him, Shot at him and hated him. 24 But his bow remained in strength, And the arms of his hands were made strong By the hands of the Mighty God of Jacob (From there is the Shepherd, the Stone of Israel), (Genesis 49:22-24)
The statement “His branches run over the wall” is a prophecy about a colonizing people. Clearly the old British Commonwealth was that. Furthermore, consider that the USA has had military “branches” all around the world that many resent and even hate the USA for. The USA and UK have fulfilled prophecies promised to the descendants of Joseph.
Consider that if the British-American descendants of Joseph did not fulfil these prophecies who did?
Protestants generally ignore this or claim that they were somehow fulfilled before Jesus’ birth, but without proof.
Oddly, Protestant critic Walter Martin claimed that the Book of Amos disproved Anglo-Israelism. Notice what he wrote:
The coup de grace to Anglo-Israelism’s fragmented exegesis is given by the prophet Amos of Judah … (Amos, dwelling in Bethel, prophesied against Israel’s restoration as a separate kingdom [Amos 9:8-12]). We learn from this prophecy that as a kingdom, the ten-tribes were to suffer destruction, and their restoration would never be realized. How then is it possible for them to be ‘lost’ and reappear three millenniums later as the British Kingdom when that Kingdom was never to be restored? (Martin W. Martin W. The Kingdom of the Cults. Baker Books, 2003, p. 518)
Let’s look at the book of Amos:
8 “Behold, the eyes of the Lord God are on the sinful kingdom, And I will destroy it from the face of the earth; Yet I will not utterly destroy the house of Jacob,”
Says the Lord.
9 “For surely I will command, And will sift the house of Israel among all nations, As grain is sifted in a sieve; Yet not the smallest grain shall fall to the ground. 10 All the sinners of My people shall die by the sword, Who say, ‘The calamity shall not overtake nor confront us.’ (Amos 9:8-10)
Amos 9:8-10 teaches that God would make it so the ancient kingdom of Israel would no longer be able to exist (it still does not), that Jacob though would still remain (his descendants still do), that those people would be sifted through the nations (which they have been), and that the sinners among them will be punished (which will happen; with verses 11-12 telling something that will happen later). Since those of us in the CCOG believe all that, we would tend to state that Amos 9:8-12 supports, and does not disprove, British-Israelism. British-Israelism, as understood in the CCOG, does not mean all ten tribes became the British Empire, but mainly one (Ephraim), along with another (Manasseh) that became the USA.
Perhaps it should also be noted that Jeremiah 51:5-6, especially when compared to Revelation 18:2-6 and Ezekiel 37:15-26, shows that into the present century that God still considers that Israel is separate from Judah. Therefore, despite comments from critics, the Bible does teach many aspects of “British-Israelism.”
It is because of our understanding of biblical prophecies that for at least 50 years (e.g. McNair R. A Strong United Europe. Tomorrow’s World, February 1970, p. 17), Church of God writers predicted that the United Kingdom would NOT remain part of a united Europe.
Furthermore, in c. 1992, I personally told a British man that one day the UK would separate from Europe. The British man stated that could not possibly happen. And he gave his reasons—but they were not biblical ones–so I told told him he was in error. And the fact of “Brexit” has proved that as it is consistent with our understanding of biblical prophecies and the identity of the British and American peoples.
Now, all of this is not just of historical interest.
Because of our understanding of biblical prophecies and the identities of various peoples, we in the CCOG (like the old Radio/Worldwide Church of God) teach that the USA and UK will be taken over by a German-dominated Europe (Isaiah 10:5-11; see also Germany in Biblical and Greco-Roman Catholic Prophecy).
Additionally, it should be noted that we teach that the Great Tribulation will affect the Anglo-American peoples before others (cf. Jeremiah 30:7) and that the descendants of the tribes of Israel will suffer greatly for refusing to repent (Ezekiel 5:1-5).
However, we do NOT believe that the physical promises given in Genesis are related to salvation as there is no racial difference for God.
Yet, since God did promise physical blessings to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, those who believe the Bible realize that some peoples had to be the recipients of those blessings. And that God kept His promises and provided those blessings in the 19th-21st centuries.
However, unless there is massive repentance, the physical blessings will be taken away from the descendants of Israel in the 21st century. And since we do NOT expect massive national repentance, we understand the Bible to teach that the USA and the British-descended peoples will be taken over and their lands divided among various nations (cf. Daniel 24-25; 11:39; Isaiah 10:5-11; 17:3).
Why would God allow some of the greatest nations of all time to be destroyed as the Anglo-Americans have been in the forefront of distributing Bibles, helping in humanitarian matters, assisting with international disasters, etc.?
Because of their rebellion against Him (Hosea 13:16), their deep corruption (Hosea 9:9), and because the New Testament clearly teaches:
48 For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required (Luke 12:48).
The USA and its Anglo-allies have been given much. Yet, the three “most sinful nations” according to a 2010 BBC report based on the classic ‘seven deadly sins—lust, gluttony, greed, sloth, wrath, envy and pride’— were Australia, the United States, and Canada (‘The Most Sinful Nation on Earth,’ February 2010, p. 30). The United Kingdom was 6th on that list. And while one can argue if other nations should be ahead of them on a sin list, the reality is that the Anglo-nations promote a lot of sin. And they accept more and more sin.
They also promote sin like abortions, the LGBTQ+ agenda, etc.
Notice that God brought Judah low because of the sins of its leader:
19 For the Lord brought Judah low because of Ahaz king of Israel, for he had encouraged moral decline in Judah and had been continually unfaithful to the Lord. (2 Chronicles 28:19)
Is not the advocacy of abortion, homosexual marriage, etc. being done by many of the leaders of the Anglo-nations now?
We need national repentance. Otherwise, we have no excuse. Notice that lack of repentance is listed as a reason that the King of Assyria (the final King of the North) will become Ephraim’s king:
3 I taught Ephraim to walk…5…But the Assyrian shall be his king, Because they refused to repent. 6 And the sword shall slash in his cities, Devour his districts, And consume them, Because of their own counsels. 7 My people are bent on backsliding from Me. Though they call to the Most High, None at all exalt Him. (Hosea 11:3a, 5b-7)
The prophesied shame is starting to come upon the Anglo-American powers. Without repentance, increased pride is occurring and this will be followed by the prophesied destruction of the Anglo-nations. And yes, other nations have their sins, but they will be punished later.
People individually and the nations collectively need to repent, because truly the end is near. Those who think that they will be able to wait until the last moment (which will probably be sometime in the next decade) are deceiving themselves as a strong delusion will come upon the world then.
The New Testament further teaches:
16 But now you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. 17 Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin (James 4:16-17).
Anglo-American religious leaders should all know that they need to denounce sin, but most have compromised on several points. Pride (Amos 6:8) and arrogance will be factors. In addition to sinning, the US government announced in December 2011 that it may withhold foreign aid to nations that do not support parts of the homosexual agenda. It has continued to push that agenda since.
The USA and its Anglo-allies are also likely to experience at least parts of what Jesus called “the beginning of sorrows“:
7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of sorrows (Matthew 24:7-8).
The Bible also teaches something that will happen at the beginning of the Great Tribulation (which begins in Matthew 24:21):
5 O Assyrian, the rod of mine anger, and the staff in their hand is mine indignation. 6 I will send him against an hypocritical nation (Isaiah 10:5-6, KJV).
The Hebrew word translated as “hypocritical” above also conveys the idea of being “soiled” by sin. It is important to note that on many matters, including its espionage, the USA is considered to be a hypocritical nation by many, including many of the Europeans (see, for example, Germany most upset by USA espionage; there is also a related video Will USA Spying Help the Beast Power?) and others. Throughout the gospels, Jesus repeatedly condemned hypocrites (Matthew 6:2,5,16; 15:7; 16:3; 23:13-29; Mark 7:6; Luke 11:44; 12:1, 56). Hypocrisy was also condemned by various apostles (Romans 12:9; Galatians 2:13; 1 Timothy 4:2; James 3:17; 1 Peter 2:1).
Destruction will come to the hypocritical (Isaiah 10:6, KJV).
Notice also:
14 The sinners in Zion are afraid;
Fearfulness has seized the hypocrites:
“Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire?
Who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings? (Isaiah 33:14)
All Christians need to realize that when Jesus came, He clearly condemned the hypocritical religious leaders of His day (e.g. Luke 11:44), more directly than the more obvious sinners (Matthew 9:10-13).
Even the biblically-oriented evangelicals have problems with the type of hypocrisy various ones who profess Jesus have:
Studies by evangelical George Barna reveal that born-again Christians divorce more frequently than atheists and agnostics. Evangelical adolescents who claim to believe in abstaining from pre-marital sex are more likely to be sexually active than their peers in other religions. According to Barna, “Every day, the church is becoming more like the world it allegedly seeks to change.” One religious writer observed, “The hypocrisy between Christian beliefs and actions is driving Americans away from the institutional church in record numbers” (Charlotte Observer, August 11, 2010). Jesus warned about the hypocrisy of professing believers, “This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me” (Mark 7:6-7), and He pronounced a curse on those who cause others to stumble (Matthew 18:6-7; Mark 9:42-43). (World Ahead Weekly Update, August 12, 2010)
So, there is hypocrisy among the religious in the Anglo-descended nations.
This is not to say that non-Anglo peoples do not have sin or that they will not be punished (for the European Assyrians will clearly also be punished, per Isaiah 10:12), but that the punishment will begin first on those that should have known better—those who claimed to live by the Bible but have repeatedly failed to do so. The Bible shows that the descendants of Jacob will be enslaved by foreigners (Jeremiah 30:8) until the start of Christ’s reign.
And while the gospel warning message will be made quite clear to the English-speaking peoples prior to Daniel 11:38 and the Great Tribulation, because the Anglo-American nations are not likely to heed that warning, they will have to answer for their lack of response (cf. Ezekiel 33:7-9).
Let’s briefly look at another warning in Isaiah 30:12-13:
12 Therefore thus says the Holy One of Israel:
“Because you despise this word, And trust in oppression and perversity, And rely on them, 13 Therefore this iniquity shall be to you Like a breach ready to fall, A bulge in a high wall, Whose breaking comes suddenly, in an instant.
Of course, more and more, the Anglo-American nations are trusting in policies that encourage perversity. Prostitution is legal in New Zealand, Australia, and parts of the USA. New Zealand, interestingly, has the highest promiscuity rate for women in the entire world according to one study (New Zealand women most promiscuous Sydney Morning Herald AAP – Oct 13, 2007. http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2007/10/13/1191696214489.html). The Anglo-nations have seen rises in homosexuality and are often changing laws to accommodate this biblically-prohibited practice (Australia has some of the biggest “gay pride” parades in the world and the USA is increasingly pushing LGBT issues around the world). The vast majority of Canadians seems to condone abortion (for details see, Canadians on Abortion).
While there is oppression in these nations (especially racial), the Hebrew word for it can also be translated “unjust gain.” This can include not just the historical exploitation of of various peoples, but can probably also include the fact that the economies of the Anglo-American nations for the past few decades have been benefiting from the gains of foreigners loaning money to it.
The USA has became the greatest debtor nation in the history of humankind. Since the USA owes alien nations trillions of dollars, it appears that the curse in Deuteronomy 28:44 of having to borrow from aliens is happening to it now. The Book of Habakkuk shows that the end time great debtor nation will be take over (Habakkuk 2:6-8).
The Bible shows that defeat is coming to the militaries of the USA (Daniel 11:39) and UK (cf. Isaiah 17:3).
Knowing that the British Empire and the USA were prophesied for greatness helps us realize that prophecies for their doom will also come to pass.
Some items of possibly related interest may include:
Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, English, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo-Saxon (non-Dutch) Southern Africans, and New Zealanders descendants of Joseph? Where are the lost ten-tribes of Israel? Who are the lost tribes of Israel? What will happen to Jerusalem and the Jews in Israel? Will God punish the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom, and other Anglo-Saxon nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first? Here is a link to the Spanish version of this article: Anglo-América & las Tribus Perdidas de Israel. Information is also in the YouTube sermons titled Where are the Ten Lost Tribes? Why does it matter? and British are the Covenant People. A short YouTube of prophetic interest may be: Are Chinese threats against Australia for real?
Will the Anglo-Saxon-Celtic Nations be Divided and Have People Taken as Slaves? Will the lands of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand be divided? What about Jerusalem? What does Bible prophecy teach? Are there non-biblical prophecies that support this idea? Who will divide those lands? Who will end up with the lands and the people? Here is a link to a video titled Will the USA and other Anglo-nations be Divided and Their People Made Slaves? Here is a related item in the Spanish language ¿Serán divididas las naciones anglosajonas?
British are the Covenant People What do ‘British’ and ‘Britain’ mean in Hebrew? Are the descendants of the Anglo-Saxons people of the covenant? Does the British royal family connect to the throne of David? What does the Bible teach? What does history show us? Is there any DNA evidence related to British-Israelism? When did Christianity make it to the British Isles? Could Jeremiah have made it to the British Isles? What type of Christians made it to the British Isles? Did the last King of England believe in British Israelism?
Canada in Prophecy: What Does Bible Prophecy, Catholic Prophecy, and other Predictions Suggest About the Future of Canada? There are prophecies that suggest involvement with Canada. And many are not positive about its future. A sermon of related interest is also available: Canada in Prophecy.
Australia and New Zealand in Prophecy Do biblical prophecies help explain the wealth blessings for Australia and New Zealand? Might cursings from disobedience come in the 21st century? Here is a link to a related sermon: Australia and New Zealand: Origins and Prophecy.
Who is the King of the West? Why is there no Final End-Time King of the West in Bible Prophecy? Is the United States the King of the West? Here is a version in the Spanish language: ¿Quién es el Rey del Occidente? ¿Por qué no hay un Rey del Occidente en la profecía del tiempo del fin? A related sermon is also available: The Bible, the USA, and the King of the West.
Spiritual Samaritans: Old and New Who were the Samaritans? Do the represent true Christianity or something else? Here is a link to a related sermon: USA in Prophecy: Samaria.
World War III: Steps in Progress Are there surprising actions going on now that are leading to WWIII? Might a nuclear attack be expected? Does the Bible promise protection to all or only some Christians? How can you be part of those that will be protected? A related video would be Is World War III About to Begin? Can You Escape?
Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies for the Great Monarch point to the same leader? Should he be followed? Who will be the King of the North discussed in Daniel 11? Is a nuclear attack prophesied to happen to the English-speaking peoples of the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand? When do the 1335 days, 1290 days, and 1260 days (the time, times, and half a time) of Daniel 12 begin? When does the Bible show that economic collapse will affect the United States? In the Spanish language check out ¿Quién es el Rey del Norte? Here is a link to a video titled: The Future King of the North.
Does God Have a 6,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6,000 Years End? Was a 6000 year time allowed for humans to rule followed by a literal thousand year reign of Christ on Earth taught by the early Christians? Does God have 7,000 year plan? What year may the six thousand years of human rule end? When will Jesus return? 2029 or or 2031 or 20xx? There is also a video titled 6000 Years: When will God’s Kingdom Come? Here is a link to the article in Spanish: ¿Tiene Dios un plan de 6,000 años?
Might the U.S.A. Be Gone by 2028? Could the USA be gone by the end of 2028 or earlier? There is a tradition attributed to the Hebrew prophet Elijah that humanity had 6,000 years to live before being replaced by God’s Kingdom. There are scriptures, writings in the Talmud, early Christian teachings that support this. Also, even certain Hindu writings support it. Here is a link to a related video: Is the USA prophesied to be destroyed by 2028? In Spanish: Seran los Estados Unidos Destruidos en el 2028?
The Great Tribulation: What Happens First? What events have happened? What are some events that are now happening? And what events need to happen for the Great Tribulation to start? Here is a link to a related sermon video: Counting Down to the Great Tribulation. Here is a video in the Spanish language: Contando los eventos y el inicio de la Gran Tribulación.
When Will the Great Tribulation Begin? 2023, 2024, or 2025? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? What happens before the Great Tribulation in the “beginning of sorrows”? What happens in the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord? Is this the time of the Gentiles? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord? Who are the 144,000? Here is a version of the article in the Spanish language: ¿Puede la Gran Tribulación comenzar en el 2020 o 2021? ¿Es el Tiempo de los Gentiles? A related video is: Great Tribulation: 2026 or 2027? A shorter video is: Can the Great Tribulation start in 2022 or 2023? Notice also: Can Jesus return in 2023 or 2024? Here is a video in the Spanish language: Es El 2021 el año de La Gran Tribulación o el Grande Reseteo Financiero.
Germany’s Assyrian Roots Throughout History Are the Germanic peoples descended from Asshur of the Bible? Have there been real Christians in Germanic history? What about the “Holy Roman Empire”? There is also a You-Tube video sermon on this titled Germany’s Biblical Origins.
Germany in Biblical and Catholic Prophecy Does Assyria in the Bible equate to an end time power inhabiting the area of the old Roman Empire? What does prophecy say Germany will do and what does it say will happen to most of the German people? Here is a version of the article in the Spanish language: Alemania en la profecía bíblic. Here are links to two English language sermon videos Germany in Bible Prophecy and The Rise of the Germanic Beast Power of Prophecy.
Europa, the Beast, and Revelation Where did Europe get its name? What might Europe have to do with the Book of Revelation? What about “the Beast”? Is an emerging European power “the daughter of Babylon”? What is ahead for Europe? Here is are links to related videos: European history and the Bible, Europe In Prophecy, The End of European Babylon, and Can You Prove that the Beast to Come is European?
Must the Ten Kings of Revelation 17:12 Rule over Ten Currently Existing Nations? Some claim that these passages refer to a gathering of 10 currently existing nations together, while one group teaches that this is referring to 11 nations getting together. Is that what Revelation 17:12-13 refers to? The ramifications of misunderstanding this are enormous. A related sermon is titled Ten Kings of Revelation and the Great Tribulation.
Lost Tribes and Prophecies: What will happen to Australia, the British Isles, Canada, Europe, New Zealand and the United States of America? Where did those people come from? Can you totally rely on DNA? Do you really know what will happen to Europe and the English-speaking peoples? What about the peoples of Africa, Asia, South America, and the islands? This free online book provides scriptural, scientific, historical references, and commentary to address those matters. Here are links to related sermons: Lost tribes, the Bible, and DNA; Lost tribes, prophecies, and identifications; 11 Tribes, 144,000, and Multitudes; Israel, Jeremiah, Tea Tephi, and British Royalty; Gentile European Beast; Royal Succession, Samaria, and Prophecies; Asia, Islands, Latin America, Africa, and Armageddon; When Will the End of the Age Come?; Rise of the Prophesied King of the North; Christian Persecution from the Beast; WWIII and the Coming New World Order; and Woes, WWIV, and the Good News of the Kingdom of God.
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