THE UNITED STATES IN PROPHECYSo the "many nations" are eventually to take shape as A NATION -- one great, wealthy, powerful nation; and another COMPANY OF NATIONS -- a group, or commonwealth of nations allied. This promise never has been fulfilled in the Jews. It could not pertain to the Church, for there is but ONE true Church acknowledged in the Bible, and it is not a nation or a group of nations, but a collection of called-out individuals scattered through ALL nations. Yet this amazing promise MUST stand fulfilled, unless we are to deny the Bible and Elohim's sacred Word! |
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Spiritual Gifts Revelation 1: Charismata Theory, Assessment, Problem-solving |
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Early
Writings of Herbert W. Armstrong FOURTH EDITION, JANUARY 1945 -- EDITOR'S NOTE, by Herbert W. Armstrong: This booklet is exceedingly brief and condensed. The reader is advised to read it a second time. This disclosure is so amazing, so different from the common conception, you probably did not really grasp it all the first reading. Much in the early pages will take on a different light when reread, in the light of what you have read in later pages. Take time to stop and thoroughly read and study every Scripture passage quoted. It will become twice as interesting, twice as REAL! FIFTH EDITION, January 1, 2001 -- EDITOR'S NOTE, by Jackson Snyder: I was happy to rediscover this pamphlet after 20 years since my first reading. I offer it to you as a guide to the new millennium, the 7th since Adam.
PART
ONE - Could Prophecy Ignore Us?
THE
Prophecies of the Bible
have
been grievously misunderstood. And no wonder! For the vital KEY, needed to
unlock prophetic doors to understanding, had become lost. That KEY is a
definite knowledge of the true identity of the American and British
peoples in biblical prophecy. Here, condensed in a nutshell, is the most
fascinating story ever told. Whether skeptic, atheist, church member, or
Spirit-filled Christian, you will find here an amazing TRUTH, long hidden.
It is startling revelation. While condensed and brief, it is plain,
simple, understandable, and a truth that stands PROVED. No story of
fiction ever was so strange, so absorbing, so packed with suspense, as
this gripping story of the Bible. WHERE is the UNITED STATES mentioned in
Bible prophecies? Or is it mentioned at all? We are the wealthiest of
nations. And, potentially at least, the most powerful. We are the same
people as the British, and, with them we possess more than two-thirds of
all the wealth and resources of the world. All other nations, combined,
have little more than a fourth divided between them all. And we have
acquired nearly all of it since 1800. Never has there been anything like
it in history. Never did a nation or people spread out and grow so rapidly
to wealth and power. Never was a nation or people so rich. WHY?
Could
Prophecy Ignore Us?
Consider,
too, our people today constitute the HOME -- the last defense, of
Chr-stianity. It is our people who have sent missionaries into every land
on earth -- our people who have printed and distributed the Bible by
unbelievable millions of copies in the language of all peoples. We know
Bible prophecies definitely refer to the Russia, Germany, Italy, Turkey,
Ethiopia, Libya, and Egypt, of today. Could they then, ignore modern
kingdoms like Britain and America? Is it reasonable?
Assuredly
it is not. Nor are we ignored. The fact is, we are mentioned more often
than any other race. Yet our prophetic identity has remained hidden to the
many. Modern nations are not spoken of in their modern names, except in
few cases. Usually they are referred to by the names of the ancient
ancestor from which they sprang. Thus Turkey is referred to in prophecy as
Esau or Edom, because the Turks are the descendants of Esau. In like
manner, the Arabs are spoken of as Ishmael; the Russians are Magog. The
Bible story of our ancestry and our modern prophetic identity is the most
amazing -- yes, astounding -- the most fascinating and interesting story
ever told. It is really the story-thread of the Bible itself, from Genesis
to Revelation.
Our Wealth Promised Abraham
Centuries ago, this same
wealth and power and national greatness was promised by Elohim to
Abraham. Yet few have ever noticed this astonishing fact of Scripture. The
promise of the Messiah and of salvation through Him is well known by the
most superficial Bible student. But Elohim made also another,
entirely different, most amazing promise to Abraham. Notice how Elohim called Abraham and the twofold nature of His promise:
"Now
Yahweh had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy
kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee:
and I will make of thee a GREAT NATION . . . and in thee shall all the
families of the earth to be blessed," Genesis 12:1-3.
Notice
the TWOfold nature of the promise: 1) the promise his flesh-born children
should become a GREAT NATION -- a promise of RACE; 2) the spiritual
promise of GRACE: "In thee shall all families of the earth be
blessed," or, as the same promise is repeated in Genesis 22:18:
"in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed."
This promise refers to GRACE, through Messiah, the "one seed,"
as clearly explained in Galatians 3:8, 16. And Yahshua of Nazareth was a
son of Abraham.
RACE,
as well as Grace
But that
the "great nation" promise refers alone to race -- not to the one seed,
Messiah, but to the plural, multiple seed of natural fleshly birth, is
made certain by Elohim's repetition of His promise in
greater detail later.
"And
when Abram was ninety years old and nine, Yahweh appeared to Abram, and
said unto him, I am Elohim Elohim; walk before me, and be thou
perfect. And I will make My covenant between Me and thee, and will
multiply thee exceedingly . . . and thou shalt be a father of MANY
NATIONS. Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name
shall be Abraham; for a father of MANY NATIONS have I made thee,"
Genesis 17:1-5.
Notice,
the promise is now CONDITIONAL upon Abraham's obedience and perfect
living. Notice, the "great nation" now becomes MANY NATIONS --
more than one nation. This cannot refer to the "one seed,"
Messiah. The following verses prove that. "And I will make thee
exceeding fruitful, and I will make NATIONS of thee, and KINGS [more than
one] shall come out of thee," verse 6. Notice, these nations and
kings shall come out of Abraham -- generation -- multiple seed, not just
one descendent through whom scattered individuals may become Abraham's
children by adoption, Galatians 3:29. The scattered, individual Christians
do not form NATIONS. This is speaking of RACE, not grace.
"And
I will establish My covenant between Me and thee and thy seed after thee
in THEIR generations." Genesis 17:7.
The
"seed" is PLURAL – “in their generations." "And I
will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art
a stranger, all the land of Canaan [Palestine], for an everlasting
possession; and I will be THEIR Elohim," verse 8. Notice, the
LAND -- material possession -- is promised to the PLURAL seed, of whom He
is THEIR, not HIS, Elohim. The plural pronoun "their" is
used again in the 9th verse -- "and thy seed after thee in their
generations." Not Fulfilled in Jews Again, notice carefully -- the
JEWS have never been more than one nation. They are not, and never have
been, MANY nations.
So here
is an amazing prophecy -- a solemn promise from Almighty , that could
not he fulfilled in Messiah, in Christians, nor in the Jews. We must
look for a number of NATIONS apart from either the Christians or the
Jews. Amazing as it is, we must do it or deny Elohim's promise!
Elohim put Abraham to the test, and Abraham,
through faith, OBEYED -- even to being willing to sacrifice his only son,
if need be. And after that the covenant no longer was conditional. Now it
became UNCONDITIONAL.
"By
Myself have I sworn, saith Yahweh, for BECAUSE thou hast done this thing,
and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son: 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 [so far the material, national
promises of RACE]; and in thy seed [Messiah] shall all the nations of the
earth be blessed [this promise spiritual, of GRACE]; BECAUSE thou hast
obeyed my voice, Genesis 22:16-18. The promise now is UNconditional.
Elohim has SWORN to make it good. Abraham already has performed his part
of the agreement. Now Elohim MUST perform His part, without fail.
Notice
an additional detail of the promise -- the nations who are Abraham's
racial descendents are to "possess the gate of his enemies." A
gate is a narrow passage of entrance or exit. When speaking nationally, a
"gate" would be such a pass as the Panama Canal, the Suez Canal,
and the Strait of Gibraltar. This promise is repeated in Genesis 24:60.
A Nation and a Company of Nations
These tremendous promises
were re-promised to Isaac and to Jacob. Ishmael and Abraham's other sons
were rejected from this birthright. Esau, Isaac's son and Jacob's twin
brother, sold it and was rejected. The promise, as confirmed to Isaac, is
recorded in Genesis 26:1-5. To Jacob in Genesis 27:26-29, where MATERIAL
blessing of wealth in the things of the ground is added, with the prophecy
that heathen nations shall be ruled by the birthright nations of Israel.
And again in Genesis 28:13-14, where the still added detail that these
nations of Israel shall eventually spread around the world is added. Still
later, Elohim appeared unto Jacob, whose name was changed to ISRAEL,
still further defining the makeup of these "many nations" thus:
"And
Elohim said unto him, I am Elohim: be fruitful and
multiply; A NATION and a COMPANY OF NATIONS shall be of thee, and kings
shall come out of thy loins," Genesis 35:9-12.
So the
"many nations" are eventually to take shape as A NATION -- one great,
wealthy, powerful nation; and another COMPANY OF NATIONS -- a group, or
commonwealth of nations allied. This promise never has been fulfilled in
the Jews. It could not pertain to the Church, for there is but ONE true
Church acknowledged in the Bible, and it is not a nation or a group of
nations, but a collection of called-out individuals scattered through
ALL nations. Yet this amazing promise MUST stand fulfilled, unless we
are to deny the Bible and Elohim's sacred Word!
The
BIRTHRIGHT and the Scepter
Now
we come to a most vital distinction, and a bit of Bible truth, known to
but very few. Note it carefully. The spiritual promises -- the promise of
the "one seed," Messiah, and of salvation through Him -- the
Bible calls "the SCEPTER." This promise as nearly everybody
knows, was handed down through the Jews. Yahshua Messiah was of the tribe
of Judah, and the house of David. "Salvation," Yahshua said,
"is of the JEWS," John 4:22. "To the JEW first,"
explained Paul, "and also to the Greek," Romans 1: 16. This fact
is confirmed in Genesis 49:10: "The SCEPTER shall not depart from
Judah." BUT -- and here is the astonishing vital fact so few ever
seem to have noticed -- "but the BIRTHRIGHT was Joseph's." Yes,
Joseph, who was sold by his brothers down into Egypt, where he became food
administrator and prime minister -- Joseph who was called "a
prosperous man," even as his descendents were destined to become.
"For
Judah prevailed above his brethren, and of him came the chief ruler
[Scepter promise]; BUT, the birthright was Joseph's," I Chronicles
5:2.
The
birthright that Esau sold to Jacob -- the promise of national greatness
and material wealth -- never was handed to the Jews who are of the tribe
of JUDAH. So naturally we should not expect to find this promise fulfilled
in the Jews today.
The
Birthright is JOSEPH'S
And
just what is a birthright? It is that which comes by right of birth. The
term "grace" means UNdeserved, UNmerited favor -- something that
is NOT one's right, NOT inherited by birth, but bestowed as a free gift.
But a "birthright" is inherited, by birth, as one's RIGHT.
Consequently, the term "birthright" includes only the
inheritance of MATERIAL blessings, passed on from father to son -- those
blessings one cannot take with him, when he dies.
And
what is a "Scepter"? It is the badge of royal power, kingly
office. The Scepter was Elohim's promise of a continuous dynasty of
KINGS, culminating in Yahshua Messiah who shall be King of kings; and
therefore the Scepter included the promise of eternal salvation THROUGH
Messiah. So notice carefully, please! The Scepter, which is the spiritual
promise of GRACE, through which ALL nations may be blessed, went to JUDAH,
while the BIRTHRIGHT went to JOSEPH. And the birthright includes
possession of the land, Palestine, possessing the material
"gate" of material enemies, inheriting the heathen for a
possession and ruling over heathen peoples, spreading and colonizing
around the world! The two phases of the promises to Abraham now are
separated into two different tribes of Israel!
The
interesting story of the passing on of this Birthright from the aged
Israel to the two sons of Joseph is found in the 48th chapter of Genesis.
You should read it there, entirely. Notice, Jacob adopted these two lads,
Ephraim and Manasseh, as his own legal sons because they had an Egyptian
mother. Notice, verse 16, he says, "let my name be named on
them." Hence, THEY were to be called, "The House of
Israel." It is THEY who rightfully own the name of ISRAEL, not the
Jews! "And let THEM grow into a multitude in the midst of the
earth," continues Jacob, administering the blessing. Let WHO grow
into that promised multitude? Notice it -- NOT Judah, not the Jews -- but
the sons of Joseph, Ephraim and Manasseh and THEIR descendents. Together
they were to grow to a multitude.
But
eventually, as indicated by another prophecy, Isaiah 49:20, to be
explained later, the descendents of these two lads were to separate, and
Ephraim would lose Manasseh, then to become a separate nation. So,
continuing, speaking of Manasseh, Jacob said, "he also shall become a
people, and he also shall be GREAT: but truly his younger brother shall be
greater than he, and his seed shall become a multitude [or a company or
commonwealth] of nations," verse 19. And so EPHRAIM, the son of
Joseph became the BIRTHRIGHT holder. WHO, today, are the descendents of
Ephraim, and of Manasseh? Somewhere, Ephraim must be a group, or
Commonwealth of nations, while Manasseh must be the greatest single nation
on earth! Either it is so, or the BIBLE is not true!
David
Takes the Throne
After
the death of Jacob and his twelve sons in Egypt, their children grew in
about four hundred-odd years to a population probably between three and
six million in that land. Then Elohim raised up MOSES, fitted him in
a special way to lead these children of Israel out of the bondage that had
come to them in Egypt. When they reached Mt. Sinai, in the peninsula
wilderness, Elohim made a covenant with them establishing them as a
NATION -- His nation -- among the kingdoms of the world. Their government
was theocratic, with the civil, as well as the spiritual and religious
laws, given directly from Elohim. Elohim Himself was their
King and He ruled them by a system of Judges. But soon the Israelites
demanded a man for king, even as the Gentile nations around them. And so
Elohim
gave them Saul as their first human king. Saul, however, was
not a good king, nor was his heart right with Elohim. Saul was
dethroned. His dynasty ended with him. Then Elohim placed DAVID, a
man after His own heart, of no relationship to Saul, upon the throne of
Israel. Because of his obedience and sincerity and honesty of heart,
David, like Abraham, received a most astonishing UNCONDITIONAL promise
from Elohim, as little known as the birthright promises to Abraham.
The
Davidic Covenant
We
have space to quote but briefly from the Scriptures setting forth this
amazing Davidic covenant. Like the covenant with Abraham, Elohim made the Davidic covenant UNconditional
and unbreakable. David wanted to build a great temple as Elohim's house in Jerusalem.
Elohim
replied, " . . . when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt
sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall
proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom," II
Samuel 7:12.
This,
of course, was his son Solomon, who succeeded David to the throne.
"He," Elohim continued, "shall build an house for My
name," -- and it was Solomon who did build the temple -- "and I
will stablish the throne of his kingdom FOR EVER," verse 13. Notice it!
The throne of David, occupied by Solomon, was to be established FOREVER!
If that throne ever ceased to exist, then Elohim's promise
has failed! But some say the promise was conditioned upon the obedience of
Solomon and the future line of kings or their people. Notice the
Scriptural answer to this: "I will be his father, and he shall be my
son. IF he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and
with the stripes of the children of men: BUT" -- yes, notice this BUT
-- "My mercy shall not depart away from him, AS I took it from Saul,
whom I put away before thee," verses 14-15.
Saul's
dynasty ceased. Elohim promises He will never take away this throne
from David's line in this manner. David's dynasty SHALL NEVER CEASE!
Continuing, next verse, "And thine house and thy kingdom shall be
established FOR EVER before thee: thy throne shall be established
FOREVER."
Through
ALL Generations
Not
only was that throne established FOREVER, it was to exist continuously
forever -- through ALL GENERATIONS!
"I
have made a covenant with My chosen, I have sworn unto David My servant,
Thy seed [his dynasty] will I establish forever, and build up thy throne
to all generations," Psalm 89:3-4.
That
throne was to stand forever "as the moon, and as a faithful witness
in heaven," verses 28-37. "For thus saith Yahweh; David shall
never want a man to sit upon the throne of the house of Israel,"
Jeremiah 33:17.
So
far as is historically known, the last king of David's dynasty to sit upon
that throne was King Zedekiah of Judah, who died in 585 B.C., with the
Jews a captive people, with all his sons, and all the nobles of Judah
killed. There is no historic record of any continuance of that throne from
that year. Did David want for a man to sit upon his throne, and continue
his dynasty, from that day on? Some say Messiah took over the throne. But
He didn't. Instead He was crucified, resurrected, and ascended to heaven.
He SHALL come, and soon now, to sit upon that throne as the King of kings
and Lord of lords. But HOW can Yahshua Messiah, when He returns again to
earth, take over and sit upon a throne that long ago ceased to exist? Will
Messiah Come to a Nonexistent Throne?
IF
the throne of David ceased with Zedekiah, then it does not exist today.
And if it does not exist, how shall Messiah sit upon a nonexistent throne?
(See Luke 1:31-32.) And, since it was to continue through all generations,
how about those many generations between Zedekiah and the birth of
Yahshua?
"Thus
saith Yahweh, If ye can break My covenant of the day, and My covenant of
the night, and that there should not be day and night in their season;
then may also My covenant be broken with David My servant, that he should
not have a son to reign upon his throne," Jeremiah 33:19-21.
Day
and night still continues. Does David's throne? But what do the people
say?
"Considerest
thou not what this people have spoken, saying, The two families which
Yahweh hath chosen [Israel and Judah], He hath even cast them off? Thus
they have despised My people, that they should be no more a nation before
them," verse 24.
But
what does Elohim say?
"Thus
saith Yahweh; If My covenant be not with day and night, and if I have not
appointed the ordinances of heaven and earth; THEN will I cast away the
seed of Jacob, and David My servant, so that I will not take any of his
seed to be rulers over the seed of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob," verses
25-26.
Strong
words, those! Unless you can stop this old earth from turning on its axis
-- unless you can remove the sun and moon and stars from heaven, says
Elohim, you cannot prevent Him from keeping His covenant to maintain
continuously, through all generations, FOREVER, from the time of David and
Solomon, a descendant of David in one continuous dynasty on that throne!
Not necessarily ruling over ALL the House of Israel, or of the Jews -- but
at least some of them, and enough to form a nation.
Remember
again, the SCEPTER promise, which includes this line of kings until it
culminates in MESSIAH at His Second coming:
"The
Scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver [margin, ruler's
staff] from between his feet, UNTIL SHILOH [Messiah] COME; and unto Him
shall the gathering of the people be," Genesis 49:10.
The
Test of Bible Truth
Has
the Scepter departed from Judah? Has the throne ceased? Or does it, as
Elohim so bindingly promised, exist today so that Messiah can take over
and sit upon a living, going, continuous throne when He comes? The
infallibility of the Bible is at stake! Elohim's WORD is at stake!
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